I thought Thai Botak exaggerated the situation when he told me the worst case scenario is to make a break for the Thai Border and grab a flight back from Penang. I'm beginning to get worried after reading this article. Good thing being, I'm not in a rush to go home and everything at the beach seems rather peaceful so I guess I'll cross the bridge when I get to it.
Here's an article taken off AsiaOne:
Police scuffle with protesters as turmoil spreads through Thailand
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai police on Friday fired tear gas and scuffled with protesters who are demanding the premier step down, as escalating turmoil in the kingdom heaped pressure on the seven-month-old government.
As protests spread across the country, shutting airports in the southern tourist hotspots, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insisted he was not going to give in to the protesters' demands.
"I will not quit. At this moment, I will not declare emergency rule, I will wait and see tomorrow," he told reporters.
Up to 25,000 protesters aligned with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have barricaded themselves in the main government complex, accusing Samak of being a figurehead for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and calling for him to resign.
Skirmishes erupted throughout the day as police used shields and batons to deal with angry mobs, causing slight injuries to a few protesters.
About 2,000 demonstrators left the besieged Government House compound and marched to the nearby police headquarters on Friday evening to demand the officers involved in the clashes be handed over, prompting police to fire tear gas, witnesses at the scene said.
A government-run medical emergency centre said it had treated 35 people after the incident.
A meeting of the government's ruling coalition made up of Samak's People Power Party (PPP) and five others was quickly called on Friday evening, and an urgent parliamentary debate was scheduled for Sunday to discuss the crisis.
Asked if the debate could pacify protesters, Banharn Silpa-Archa, leader of the PPP's main coalition partner Chart Thai Party, said: "I don't know, it's up to PAD."
But retired general Chumlong Srimuang, one of PAD's leaders, has repeatedly said protest rather than parliament was the only way to solve Thailand's political problems.
Samak has vowed to end the demonstrations without violence, a promise he reiterated earlier Friday.
"Police will still adhere to my earlier order - they merely went to post a court order, not to clear protesters," Samak told reporters, referring to a court injunction put up at the site ordering protesters to leave.
Deputy national police spokesman Major General Surapol Tuanthong said the crowds had swelled and 25,000 people were now in the grounds of the compound.
As the situation spiralled Friday, the powerful army chief reassured the nation the military would not intervene unless asked.
"There will be no coup because a coup will not be able to solve the problems," General Anupong Paojinda told reporters, adding: "I am confident that police are able to oversee the situation."
Police, however, appeared to be struggling to contain the demonstrators, with Surapol telling AFP that all the officers who were stationed inside the compound had now withdrawn because of the risk of clashes.
"There are now up to 3,000 police deployed outside Government House," Surapol said.
The restraint of the police seems to have emboldened the protest movement. "I am convinced that the military will not forcibly crack down on us," PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila told reporters.
"PAD must go ahead and intensify the protest - we think that more unions will join us and it will lead to more airport closures."
PAD has been demonstrating against Samak for months, but events took a new turn on Tuesday when protesters stormed a TV station and barricaded themselves inside the Government House grounds.
The courts have ordered the protesters to leave the site and issued arrest warrants for nine of the ringleaders on charges including rebellion.
Outside Bangkok, thousands of protesters forced the closure of three airports in the south. Phuket International Airport was the first to shut its doors after PAD sympathisers invaded the runway.
Similar rallies soon prompted officials to close Hat Yai and Krabi airports, said Sereerat Prasutanont, president of Airports of Thailand.
The State Railways of Thailand, meanwhile, said 248 drivers and mechanics called in sick on Friday, halting a quarter of all services in the kingdom.
PAD - which despite its name is trying to bring down Samak's elected government - began its campaign at the end of May, just over three months after the coalition government was formed.
PAD protests helped lead to the 2006 coup that unseated Thaksin, and the entry into government of his ally Samak after elections in December has infuriated the country's old power elites in the military and palace.
They also object to Samak's plans to amend a constitution drafted and approved under military rule following the coup.
All I want now is to be home with my Shadow Hell Rider...
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
No Scrubs
Day 1 in Phuket was exactly what we expected. The sky was gloomy but thankfully, the rain stayed away except for some temporal showers. Immediately after we landed, Fongster and myself checked into some excellent spa treatment which started the whole holiday.
Day 2 was filled with massages and more massages. We even had to skip lunch as the back to back massages didn’t allow us to have a break. I tried everything from a wrap to an oily aromatherapy massage to the traditional Thai massage, with the exception to a scrub. My last experiences with scrubs were painful and I had to remind myself time and again not to fall into the trap of a spa package that includes scrubs of any sort. But all these might change and I’m very tempted to get myself a good scrub after all the epilating and waxing to achieve that super smooth effect. THAT is what I call, pampering myself. As I can almost predict, tomorrow is going to be filled with more massages.
An unexpected phone call came. It was Alcoholic Empress Dowager. Scheduled to fly in this evening to join us, she had to call to inform us of the bad news. All the flights to Phuket are now grounded. Flights on the way there had to turn back. The Phuket airport is officially close as the workers are allowed to join in the anti-government protest. That leaves Alkie ED with a 2D1N trip even if she is able to fly out of Singapore tomorrow morning. With the romantic dinner for 3 all planned for tomorrow, we might have to cancel all our activities and stick to more massages. I can only pray that Alkie ED can fly in first thing tomorrow morning at a discounted rate as it would be ridiculous for her to pay the full flight amount for a short sleepover. The thunderstorm that Fongster and I pray for is actually brewing right now and if anything sensible were to happen from now till tomorrow, the rioters should go home in amidst of this bad weather.
Fingers all crossed, the thing should end soon and we should be able to fly home on Sunday as scheduled.
Day 2 was filled with massages and more massages. We even had to skip lunch as the back to back massages didn’t allow us to have a break. I tried everything from a wrap to an oily aromatherapy massage to the traditional Thai massage, with the exception to a scrub. My last experiences with scrubs were painful and I had to remind myself time and again not to fall into the trap of a spa package that includes scrubs of any sort. But all these might change and I’m very tempted to get myself a good scrub after all the epilating and waxing to achieve that super smooth effect. THAT is what I call, pampering myself. As I can almost predict, tomorrow is going to be filled with more massages.
An unexpected phone call came. It was Alcoholic Empress Dowager. Scheduled to fly in this evening to join us, she had to call to inform us of the bad news. All the flights to Phuket are now grounded. Flights on the way there had to turn back. The Phuket airport is officially close as the workers are allowed to join in the anti-government protest. That leaves Alkie ED with a 2D1N trip even if she is able to fly out of Singapore tomorrow morning. With the romantic dinner for 3 all planned for tomorrow, we might have to cancel all our activities and stick to more massages. I can only pray that Alkie ED can fly in first thing tomorrow morning at a discounted rate as it would be ridiculous for her to pay the full flight amount for a short sleepover. The thunderstorm that Fongster and I pray for is actually brewing right now and if anything sensible were to happen from now till tomorrow, the rioters should go home in amidst of this bad weather.
Fingers all crossed, the thing should end soon and we should be able to fly home on Sunday as scheduled.
A Whole New World
Written on the way to Phuket 28 August 2008
Reluctant to blog on a new relationship for fear of jinxing it, I couldn’t care less any more. I just need to scream about how happy I’ve been over the past few days/weeks. Things didn’t quite go off on a smooth note. Things weren’t what I can ever expect. Says who that lightning never strikes twice on the same spot? I beg to differ. I have 2 radically different individual telling me how eaten by guilt that are and the backseat was where I really belong. Unlike the last time, I didn’t allow fate to take me where it wanted to. I didn’t want to go with the flow and be swept by the waves. Like Manuka said after everything closed, that I give my man the freedom to choose and decide and more often, that results in the other person walking further away.
Sitting in my mini Silkair economy class seat to Phuket which by the way, was planned less than 24 hours ago and here I am, hitting the sun, the sand and the sea. Only catch, it’s still monsoon season over in Phuket. It’s a break Alcoholic Empress Dowager, Fongster and I needed before we start our new jobs. Yes, all 3 of us are starting our new jobs very soon.
What I have left behind in Singapore this time is a man whom I know I can trust to love his car more than he can ever love anyone. The Shadow Hell Rider is someone I would never imagine myself to be with. First and foremost, I have never dated anyone younger than myself. Like most sound advice that I’ve heard, patience is a virtue that I must nurture. Meanwhile, there are a lot of sanding down, fender rolling, rebound damping adjustment to do before the ride gets comfortable. A willing party, I know I’m here to stay. It’s amazing and comforting to start noticing or realizing that the number of couples there are actually out there in our shoes. But the energy to walk on didn’t root here. It’s the sincerity and the absolute genuine personality that broke my defence. Like floodgates, once you open it, it’s hard to close it back. Not like I have any intentions to.
Let’s work on it and see how tomorrow is like. I know it can only be better.
Reluctant to blog on a new relationship for fear of jinxing it, I couldn’t care less any more. I just need to scream about how happy I’ve been over the past few days/weeks. Things didn’t quite go off on a smooth note. Things weren’t what I can ever expect. Says who that lightning never strikes twice on the same spot? I beg to differ. I have 2 radically different individual telling me how eaten by guilt that are and the backseat was where I really belong. Unlike the last time, I didn’t allow fate to take me where it wanted to. I didn’t want to go with the flow and be swept by the waves. Like Manuka said after everything closed, that I give my man the freedom to choose and decide and more often, that results in the other person walking further away.
Sitting in my mini Silkair economy class seat to Phuket which by the way, was planned less than 24 hours ago and here I am, hitting the sun, the sand and the sea. Only catch, it’s still monsoon season over in Phuket. It’s a break Alcoholic Empress Dowager, Fongster and I needed before we start our new jobs. Yes, all 3 of us are starting our new jobs very soon.
What I have left behind in Singapore this time is a man whom I know I can trust to love his car more than he can ever love anyone. The Shadow Hell Rider is someone I would never imagine myself to be with. First and foremost, I have never dated anyone younger than myself. Like most sound advice that I’ve heard, patience is a virtue that I must nurture. Meanwhile, there are a lot of sanding down, fender rolling, rebound damping adjustment to do before the ride gets comfortable. A willing party, I know I’m here to stay. It’s amazing and comforting to start noticing or realizing that the number of couples there are actually out there in our shoes. But the energy to walk on didn’t root here. It’s the sincerity and the absolute genuine personality that broke my defence. Like floodgates, once you open it, it’s hard to close it back. Not like I have any intentions to.
Let’s work on it and see how tomorrow is like. I know it can only be better.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Seeking Refuge
Back with a vengence...
Over the past weeks, I've been typing so much but published none of them. My life is undergoing another rollercoaster ride. I no longer have any courage to face the pain. For the first time, I found my face soaked in tears. Thankfully, I'm no longer doubting if I'm stuck in a bunch of lies. I'm threading my next step with my current step and by ensuring this one is stable, I have the confidence to walk down the very next.
The past weeks have been anything but peaceful. Although I should be resting my soul, things have been more turbulent than ever. I'm not complaining because I've been smiling more than ever. It's not exactly the best time to talk about things as they are changing before I could put my finger on to vaguely have a good sense of things.
Believing that tomorrow will be better, I push on...
For the benefit of those who don't understand, this song reminds me of my Grandma. And whenever things don't work out, I would always run back to the refuge she used to provide me. Now that she's gone, I could only stare at her face and hope life is good for her.
Here it is:
When I was younger, I was Grandma's favourite
She'll always leave the best for me
She'll bring me around and watch others
She kept telling me to study hard
So when I grow up, I would be better than Dad
At that time, nothing gets into my ears
What was Grandma actually talking about?
When I was older, I slowly understood her words
I'll always pout this in my heart
As things change, some are still as unforgettable
As time passes, I'll still think of you all the time
Grandma, where are you now?
I'm calling you, can you hear me?
Can you see my dedication and my success?
Can you hear me holler for you?
Grandma, how are you?
Are you well taken care of?
Hoping that the younger generations could also feel your love
And be your grandchild forever
Calling you... Ah Ma...
Over the past weeks, I've been typing so much but published none of them. My life is undergoing another rollercoaster ride. I no longer have any courage to face the pain. For the first time, I found my face soaked in tears. Thankfully, I'm no longer doubting if I'm stuck in a bunch of lies. I'm threading my next step with my current step and by ensuring this one is stable, I have the confidence to walk down the very next.
The past weeks have been anything but peaceful. Although I should be resting my soul, things have been more turbulent than ever. I'm not complaining because I've been smiling more than ever. It's not exactly the best time to talk about things as they are changing before I could put my finger on to vaguely have a good sense of things.
Believing that tomorrow will be better, I push on...
For the benefit of those who don't understand, this song reminds me of my Grandma. And whenever things don't work out, I would always run back to the refuge she used to provide me. Now that she's gone, I could only stare at her face and hope life is good for her.
Here it is:
When I was younger, I was Grandma's favourite
She'll always leave the best for me
She'll bring me around and watch others
She kept telling me to study hard
So when I grow up, I would be better than Dad
At that time, nothing gets into my ears
What was Grandma actually talking about?
When I was older, I slowly understood her words
I'll always pout this in my heart
As things change, some are still as unforgettable
As time passes, I'll still think of you all the time
Grandma, where are you now?
I'm calling you, can you hear me?
Can you see my dedication and my success?
Can you hear me holler for you?
Grandma, how are you?
Are you well taken care of?
Hoping that the younger generations could also feel your love
And be your grandchild forever
Calling you... Ah Ma...
Friday, August 15, 2008
The End Of The End
本以为这完整了爱的定义
那就乖乖的守护着你
Since law school, I have slowly understood procrastination is the thief of time but time and again, I push things to a later date. I was supposed to post this days ago but I needed to sort out my own thoughts before I can announce them. However I wasn't able to come to a mental closure until I remembered my blog, my outlet. This blog has it's miraculous healing effect on me and so the process begins...
我要快乐我要能睡的安稳
有些人不抱了才温暖
离开了才不恨我早应该割舍
Was told maybe lines should be clearly drawn. Instead of drawing lines, I got snapped out of my daze which I should have done so very long ago. Believing in what may seem like the integrity of a person and hope that God will have the best for me and be fair to the amount of love in the output system, I stood there in what I believe to be a rather strong stance. Strong winds blew, water flooded the area and emotions gushed, I remained unmoved. Never felt any stronger in my life, my refusal to waver eventually caused much pain.
Throughout the months, I have forbidden myself to shed a single drop of tear because I know everything will be fine or rather, I was told so and I believed in the person who told me so. I suppose it is not wrong, everything is indeed fine. Just that the level of expectations fell far below the satisfactory mark. What happened to great expectations? Great expectations has led to bruised heart, sore love and swollen eyes. I have finally allowed myself to cry. The sea carried it's therapeutic effect and I threw it all back to the sea. What is yours will be yours and the opposite holds equivalent weight.
If it's a broken part, replace it
But, if it's a broken arm then brace it
If it's a broken heart then face it
And hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way
Hold your own
Know your own name
And go your own way
And everything will be fine
Everything will be fine
Everything is over and I've packed it all up. Not looking back is a step forward to set myself to keep walking be it for the better or for worse. Even at this point in time, I still believe the time we spent were genuine and there weren't lies. Time just wasn't right and we were not meant to be. I should find my life ahead of me and I know I will get there. The car ride to no where after Christmas lunch has become a piece of the memory that will remain beautiful and kept in bona fide. I have never once asked, "why would you want to hurt me?" but right now, the question lingers. A question I'll never have an answer to.
幾多愛歌給我唱 還是勉強
台前如何發亮 難及給最愛在耳邊
低聲溫柔地唱
人质在这一刻得到释放
相爱的纯粹落得如此下场
你满意吗我们都别说谎
其實心裡最大理想 跟他歸家為他唱
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Not Quite The Time Of My Life
One day, I will be singing this song to celebrate that time of my life. Not quite here yet but I believe this day will come. I thought that day was in January this year, I couldn't be more wrong but part of me still believe that I'm not. Well, I should just stop talking about it. Otherwise, I'd be accused of whining and although this is my blog, my space, we all can't stop other people from talking can we? Worst of all, when accused of a compromise of your very own integrity, should one just walk off or confront of what the truth may be. Call me a wuss, I'm walking away. I'm walking away to see a brighter day and for those who believed in me, my character & personality, I will emerge the same person, not any better nor any worse. Some will try to stir the ink to make the water clearer but I'm sorry, this will never happen because since day 1, I wasn't the one who put the ink in, you did. If you think this is cryptic, think again. I'm as straightforward as you can get for a person and I am as direct as one can get based on my last few lines.
Don't piss me any further...
I’ve been waiting for my dreams
To turn into something
I could believe in
And looking for that
Magic rainbow
On the horizon
I couldn’t see it
Until I let go
Gave into love and watched all the bitterness burn
Now I’m coming alive
Body and soul
And feelin’ my world start to turn
And I’ll taste every moment
And live it out loud
I know this is the time,
This is the time
To be more than a name
Or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life
Holding onto things that vanished
Into the air
Left me in pieces
But now I’m rising from the ashes
Finding my wings
And all that I needed
Was there all along
Within my reach
As close as the beat of my heart
and I’ll taste every moment
And live it out loud
I know this is the time,
This is the time to be
More than a name
Or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life
And I’m out on the edge of forever
Ready to run
I’m keeping my feet on the ground
My arms open wide
My face to the sun
I’ll taste every moment
And live it out loud
I know this is the time,
This is the time to be
More than a name
Or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life
More than a name
Or a face in the crowd
This is the time
This is the time of my life.
This is the time of my life.
Don't piss me any further...
I’ve been waiting for my dreams
To turn into something
I could believe in
And looking for that
Magic rainbow
On the horizon
I couldn’t see it
Until I let go
Gave into love and watched all the bitterness burn
Now I’m coming alive
Body and soul
And feelin’ my world start to turn
And I’ll taste every moment
And live it out loud
I know this is the time,
This is the time
To be more than a name
Or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life
Holding onto things that vanished
Into the air
Left me in pieces
But now I’m rising from the ashes
Finding my wings
And all that I needed
Was there all along
Within my reach
As close as the beat of my heart
and I’ll taste every moment
And live it out loud
I know this is the time,
This is the time to be
More than a name
Or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life
And I’m out on the edge of forever
Ready to run
I’m keeping my feet on the ground
My arms open wide
My face to the sun
I’ll taste every moment
And live it out loud
I know this is the time,
This is the time to be
More than a name
Or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life
More than a name
Or a face in the crowd
This is the time
This is the time of my life.
This is the time of my life.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Spectator Trackie
Sitting here looking at someone else wash my car is such a luxury. I'm at a priceless carwash today watching Kokoro getting pampered down to its engine bay. Life is goooood.
As a preview, the topic today to catch up on lost time would be mainly on the small accident that I got into and the two Track Days that I was there as a spectator.
Let's start with the track days...
As Kokoro wasn't track ready, being in stock condition, I decided at the very last minute to hitch a ride up to Sepang and bring my helmet along just to grab taxi-rides. And that was exactly what I did...
The very first one was on the 28th July and it was a joint track day with the Porsche Club. The cup cars were there deafening my ears with their super duper loud exhaust. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. To see them fly from one end to another and to be able to hear the up and down shifts, was sheer pleasure I'm sure many of you petrol heads out there can relate to. It was an eye opener to see Superman Mechanic aka BVO's A&E at work on 55's red devil. Although it was running on one eye with one of the headlights out, that machine was still zooming past me at what I choose to believe to be supersonic. And he was LOUD... Totally dig his exhaust. After taking a ride in an E46 M3, I felt so sick, I couldn't bring myself to get anymore rides from the other cars. A huge disappointment but for my first experience, it was awesome.
The second one was much better knowing exactly what to expect, I held tight to the handles reducing as much involuntary roll as possible and I remembered to actually breathe. Took 2 rides - One with one of the fastest cars on track that day and the other in Shameless' little monster. He was on semi-slicks and clocked his personal best so that only went to show - I'm not THAT heavy after all. Geez... Benchmarc did exceptionally well in his twin turbos considering it was his virgin Track Day. Impressive... Got to see many GTis that day and when Kokoro grows up, Kokoro wants to be like them as well. Kokoro looks up to the CW King of GTi.
The accident at Bukit Batok is another whole new episode that I'm too lazy to paint out the picture. Shall we pencil this in for tomorrow?
As a preview, the topic today to catch up on lost time would be mainly on the small accident that I got into and the two Track Days that I was there as a spectator.
Let's start with the track days...
As Kokoro wasn't track ready, being in stock condition, I decided at the very last minute to hitch a ride up to Sepang and bring my helmet along just to grab taxi-rides. And that was exactly what I did...
The very first one was on the 28th July and it was a joint track day with the Porsche Club. The cup cars were there deafening my ears with their super duper loud exhaust. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. To see them fly from one end to another and to be able to hear the up and down shifts, was sheer pleasure I'm sure many of you petrol heads out there can relate to. It was an eye opener to see Superman Mechanic aka BVO's A&E at work on 55's red devil. Although it was running on one eye with one of the headlights out, that machine was still zooming past me at what I choose to believe to be supersonic. And he was LOUD... Totally dig his exhaust. After taking a ride in an E46 M3, I felt so sick, I couldn't bring myself to get anymore rides from the other cars. A huge disappointment but for my first experience, it was awesome.
The second one was much better knowing exactly what to expect, I held tight to the handles reducing as much involuntary roll as possible and I remembered to actually breathe. Took 2 rides - One with one of the fastest cars on track that day and the other in Shameless' little monster. He was on semi-slicks and clocked his personal best so that only went to show - I'm not THAT heavy after all. Geez... Benchmarc did exceptionally well in his twin turbos considering it was his virgin Track Day. Impressive... Got to see many GTis that day and when Kokoro grows up, Kokoro wants to be like them as well. Kokoro looks up to the CW King of GTi.
The accident at Bukit Batok is another whole new episode that I'm too lazy to paint out the picture. Shall we pencil this in for tomorrow?
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