EENIE MEENIE


Thinking about food and some of the more decent places to get a good meal in and around Miri. For those who plan to visit me, remind me to bring you to these places. And for those who've lived here longer and know better, you're welcome to add to the list. This is just based on my first 6 months, in no particular order.

1. Siamese Secret (Local / Western / Fusion)
2. The Grand Palace Hotel (Dim sum)
3. Fratinni (Italian)
4. The Bat Kut Teh shop near Krokop (for obvious food choice)
5. The Tea House (Local / Chinese)
6. Desserts (Ice-cream and addictive cookies)
7. 2020 Cafe (Local / Chinese / Dim sum)
8. Yee Har Hai (Seafood - apparently this is the most famous in town)
9. Miri Hotel - Ground Floor (Seafood - they say this is the more well-kept secret eating place for seafood)
10. That shop in Brunei or that shop in Boulevard (Japanese)
11. Ming Cafe (Food court)
12. Jack's Place (Food court)
13. Taj (Indian & beriyani rice)
14. Restoran Muara (Nasi lelapan)
15. Selera Melayu (Malay)
16. Rasa Segar (Nasi lemak)
17. Double Star (Local / Fusion)
18. That corner shop in Lutong Baru (Chicken rice)
19. That corner shop at Pujut 7 near The Tea House (Best sizzling tofu)
20. Lutong Cafe a.k.a Kedai Wong - porridge (I waited 1-hour once, I didn't budge)

Local dishes / Must tries when you are in Miri: - Mee kolok, (Sarawak) laksa, Teh-C Special

I'm making myself hungry.

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I'LL STAND BY YOU




Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
Cause I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

So if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
Cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you

And when...
When the night falls on you, baby
You're feeling all alone
You won't be on your own

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you

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WRITING TO REACH YOU


People make mistakes, it's one painful lump to swallow, sometimes you think you can't forgive, you're tired of forgiving, and you may never forget, but never be defeated easily.

One thing for sure, ultimately follow your heart. And find what is best for you. We are but human.

Love is strange. Love is kind.

Hope you'll both be happy at the end.

Know that I'm here anytime you need me.

No matter what happens at the end, I love you both.

Good luck.

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VASOLINE

....keeping busy....


Friday - Arrive in KL at 2.00 a.m. (make it Saturday then)
Saturday - Quick breakie, quick shopping in Low Yat, and even quicker shopping in Mid Valley, then off to Summit.

....high on Chicken McDeluxe (or McChicken Deluxe?)....



....Uncle Khairul doing magic with the kids....



....eyebags!!!....



....Yas having a blast (I hope)....


We didn't even realise that it was 8.00 p.m. by the time we finished (we started at 2.30 p.m.!). Had our dinner and later made an emergency stop at Giant next door because yours truly was really clever in convincing herself that she could hold that long. Picked up by the girls to meet the boys for a drink later that night. Reached home at about 1.00 a.m. and crashed.

Sunday - Left the house with the boys early. Starbucks breakfast as usual. Met up with two other gentlemen to shop in the afternoon. Wonderful dinner in the evening.

Monday - Nothing much in the morning. Mamak breakfast and Kenny Roger's for lunch. Had coffee in Mid Valley again with the boys and met up with Lyn. Got my first Christmas gift for the year (Thanks, dear). Flight back to Miri was at 7.00 p.m., said my final last goodbye.

Train ride felt like forever. Really felt alone once again.

I'm rushing this a bit. But I have another flight to catch to KL (again) on Wednesday.

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BREATHE

....


2 a.m. and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
"Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?
I don't love him. Winter just wasn't my season."
Yeah, we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize
Hypocrites
You're all here for the very same reason

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe.... just breathe
Oh breathe, just breathe

May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
"Just a day," he said down to the flask in his fist
"Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year."
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while
But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles
Wanna hold him
Maybe I'll just sing about it

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, boys
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe.... just breathe
Oh breathe, just breathe

There's a light at each end of this tunnel
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around

2 a.m and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand

And breathe, just breathe

Breathe,
Just breathe

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PRELUDE


Just a sneak peak on what I was up to yesterday.

No, I don't know the guy in the photo :)

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CRAWLING


I looked down at the crumpled cab ticket in my hand, it’s 1.30 a.m. I’m in the middle of nowhere.

I held on to it more tightly, just in case anything happens to me in this ride, somebody might find the ticket with the cab number and time stamped on it. The time of my disappearance. A case of paranoia strikes yet again.

Flight’s been retimed twice. Originally scheduled to take-off at 7.00 p.m., I only found myself uncomfortably sandwiched in the middle seat on the plane at 10.45 p.m.

Weary, disorientated, I just sat at the back seat of the cab, counting the minutes until I got home.

The old driver at one point, started sighing non-stop and breathing quite heavily, I swear he was having a heart attack.

Didn’t bother to shower. My bags on the side of my sofa, I fell asleep, there and then.

It’s 2 a.m.

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UNIVERSE & U

....I wish to the universe….


November.

2007.

Curtains will be drawn soon. Another year’s creeping in. It’s everywhere, how it is deliberately made obvious that it’s coming. Christmas deco are already out, and people start asking what your plans / resolutions are for the New Year.

Like a broken record I keep telling people this; I’m not the type of person who creates a special list of things that need to be achieved for the next year, but rather reflect on the year’s events, triumphs, misses, joy, heartbreaks and heartaches, and learn from them. Tell me I’m a girl with not much of a vision for all I care but I don’t want to be too bound by my own expectations.

I’ve reached a conclusion that 2007 has been a year of letting go.

Of almost everything that I hold dear, everyone that I love(d). Right from the start, right up till now.

So many goodbyes and it’s been painful. I’m forced to part with yet another friend as well today. I’ve been so used to looking left and catching an awfully cheesy smile to make my day without fail. Now what’s left is just a giant blank monitor staring back at me.

I wish to the universe a lifetime of joy for you.

2007 has taught me: -

Never let even a single chance to feel happiness slip away when it shows up at your door, even though you’re certain that it won’t last. Even if you know it’s not yours to keep.

That it is easier to just accept the fact that somebody doesn’t want you back as much as you want him / her. That is (unconditional) love. Not everybody gets to experience it.

You may not get to physically own everything you wish for in life but nobody can stop you from feeling.

Yes, I do feel mad sometimes but I’ll keep counting my blessings as long as I can.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

2008. Bring it on.

Before that, I wish to the universe that this year, at least Christmas will be worth remembering.

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3 TIMES AND YOU LOSE

....missing in action....


Be back soon....Promise.

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OF WOLF AND MAN

....Similajau hike....


Nice sunny Saturday morning for a walk, and that's what we decided to do.



....eggshells and....



....pepper....



....and a handphone just in case....


I'll cut the nonsense.



....charge up at the Ipoh Kopitiam in Miri....



....a 3-hour drive to Similajau National Park



....like all good national parks in Sarawak, the trail normally starts with a river crossing via a suspended bridge....



....sunshine & trees....



....easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy....



....our final station before the hike back....



....who's afraid of the big bad wolf?....



....fascination with the sea creature, too bad no crocs in sight....



....signs of hunger....


So I was on a beach again for the 3rd time on the 3rd month following my Phuket trip. We did the whole 6-hour drive up to the park and back to Miri and a 4-hour hike covering approximately 10 km. We could've gone all the way to Turtle Beach but maybe we'll just save that for next time. If we ever have one.

Had a nice dinner in McD's back in Miri after stopping by in Niah for tea on the way.

It was a good one.

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