Recalling Year 2010 and Happy 2011

Very fast, year 2010 will end in 2 days' time and year 2011 will be approaching. And as I would not be able to access to this blogsite, I would like to write a bit before I leave Busan, and to wish every visitor of this blogsite of mine, a Happy New Year 2011 in advance.

Year 2010 for me, was fully occupied, with lots and lots of business traveling from January until this date. But in between, I managed to find the time to go to some places and I feel happy and blessed for having the chance to do so.
Among them, for sure, going to San Francisco after all these years of planning, and spending time with sis Joyce and niece, Kate if fabulous. Next, my visit to London, it is a very (very pleasant visit, of which I have already commented earlier). And having the chance to be really in Munich, and explore Munich, Cheju Island, Tokyo, knowing this brand Dan Genten, writing 'the Glamorous Jerry', reading a few good books, which I have recommended in my blogsite earlier.
Year 2010 also brought me a not so happy piece of memory, that is being the passing away of my small uncle, which also bring a sad part as I recall this whole year throughout.

And welcome year 2011, and wish everyone, including myself, of having a happy, a healthier, a more peaceful and a blessed one. Happy 2011.




Sincerely,

Choong SH

People We Miss, Those Who Are No Longer With Us

Occasionally, these people crop up in our mind, especially, when one grows older I would say. I do not know why, nowadays, whenever I have more free time, old memories seems to appear, and mostly on my childhood, the old big house I stayed with grandma, the surrounding, the smell of the air, the fruits we have, the flowers, etc etc.
And when all these come into the picture, the picture of my beloved grandma came up. And I was asking, where she is now, honestly I miss my Grandma a lot. She, I think is not only my grandma, but also my mother, my nanny, the first companion I knew when I know I am a human being born to this world. Could be somewhere in this part of the universe, and will I have any chance to meet up with her one of these days? After I die? Or perhaps she is somewhere, reincarnated? Ever meet her again, and where would that be?
And then my dad, now, 1.6 years after his passing away, I begin to realise that I miss him more. And I agree with what one sentence I heard before from an actress in HK, saying our parents are actually accompanying us, not the other way round, which is very much true. Though dad was not someone on the same frequency with me, but somehow, we know deep inside, there is this father and son respect and understanding.
I miss you, Pa.
I miss also my Ah Mak, for she is the second mother that I know off, and she was the one i learn a lot of my cooking skills from. Though I was glad I went to see her almost every weekend, but I think sometime, when we turn older, we learned to appreciate them more, and I think I did not do enough or spending enough time with her still. But that is life, and I miss her too.
I miss my small uncle, though we were not that close after we moved out, got closer later on, and was the one spent a lot of time during my boyhood age. And yesterday flipping through my mobile phone, I saw his name in my directory, and it pains me that I could not call him anymore. I remember he called me once, and now he is no longer in this world.... haha, that is life too.....

And many more people, but I can only name a few for now.


Sincerely,
Me, Choong

Girls Getting Married At 14

Recently, if you were to flip through all news-be it on the papers, or from websites, you can see many articles written on this subject.
The question I have in my mind is that, if there were to happen to my nieces, how would I feel. I cannot accept this, really, for whatever reason you may call.
I mean I cannot imagine Natasha getting married at 14
I cannot accept Kate Monee getting married at 14
I will feel awful if Kate, later, were to be allowed by sis Joyce to get married at 14..can you? And if it were me, I do not know what would happen?
That we are talking about nieces. I cannot also accept for all my sisters, my brothers, my nephew, cousins.

I remember a cousin got married at 17 years of age, about 30 years ago, and her parents, my aunt and uncle have to sign on the application form (where I helped her to fill), and I felt dreadfully awful. Though she is a grandmother now and the husband treated her well, but I know she did not have the life she is suppose to have, and sometimes, her face tells that. A lost teenager life....if you may allow me to use that term.


At 14?
i) The body is not even mature as yet, let alone talking about sex?
ii) They do not even know how to take care of themselves as yet, let alone taking care of a husband?
iii) Have they had or enjoy part of their teenager lives, like going out with friends, chatting, shopping, having a life as a teenager?
iv) Education, at 14? how can they handle that? imagine if she got pregnant, with morning sickness, and all those family stuffs? And then she has to stop schooling, and then what will happen? Illiteracy rate among women will be on the rise.
v) Do we only want all these girls to be like 'slaves' to men?
vi) Why men would want to get married with a girl at 14? Because they are virgins? young? easy to control? healthy? easy to manipulate?
vii) can parents allow their daughters to go through this, after all, they have to give their signatories before official marriage is possible for those below 18?
viii) Are they able to guide their children, when they come along? Who will teach, guide their children? What will become of the next generation that comes along?

As I think of this, I cannot write anymore. I have butterflies in my stomach and I am about to vomit, really, it makes me feel awful.
Thanks goodness, my nieces all are not to be affected by this so far, or at least I would have a say in this, though not a final decision maker. I would not allow this to happen to those family members that I know of, and within power to do so.

choong
Busan

I am In Busan

Barely less than 48 hours after coming back from London, here I am, in Busan, Korea, with jet lag, tiredness and exhaustion and in another place, for a company annual dinner.
And in the aircraft, it was less half full, so, plenty of spaces. And sitting next, after the aisle, was a guy, looks Chinese, but when the air stewardess was giving away the immigration forms, he quickly mentioned he is a New Zealander and I saw his name was Wang da bing (王大宾），very Chinese indeed. Sure, now, Chinese are every where, we, our forefathers were the real migrants in the past many years back, "swimming across South Chinese Sea. Now, is basically 'money migrants", using money to buy up their 'passport', but anyway, not going into this. Even some local Chinese in China were asking whether I migrated there recently, and hence of my Malaysian passport? I said no, I am a Malaysian Malaysian, more than anything else.

That is just a mumbling out of now where and having the freedom to write and access to my 'blog' again.

By the way, the hotel I am putting up for the nite is called Hotel Nongshim, sounds very Korean right?
Choong,
Hotel Nongshim
Busan Korea.

LonDon Trip

Today is Sunday, and very Sunny one though still freezing cold, and now, I feel the trip is too short, for only when you get used to the jetlag, atmosphere, surrounding, the system, and now you are leaving. I should have planned longer, but having a bit of limited time, and having to search for a new apartment in Beijing, i have to go back to find one, no other choice. I suppose I will come back to London or England, for more trips, because I simply adore British way of life, and I like British, their lifestyles, afternoon teas,,,, jokes, and culture. I should have came here for my studies or hopefully a job in very near future, who knows, haha.... but that is a totally different topic at all.

Having the Christmas experience here, and seeing how people rushing around for their shopping and how they malls and streets were decorated for this festive season is very nice and a wonderful experience itself. Walking along river Thames is also a very nice one, and afternoon teas....it is simply fun.

And I attached one of my favorites photo, to sign-off my trip this time to London.


Choong
London, Paddington
England

Today, Outside London

This travel agency or tour agency, Evan Evans is good, and will use them in case I come to London the next time. They offer lots of local tours....throughout England.



Surprisingly, even though it is very cold still, it is full of sun today, and the sky is blue, clear. And our Tour guide, Mr. Paddy is very humurous and funny to be with, making funny jokes about British royalty, British in general and many more. Enjoyed the whole trip with him.

The journey started with Oxford University and city, then to Shakespeare's home town, which is very beautiful. Some pictures are shared here. I would love to go back to Shakespeare's home town for may be another stay. Very romantic, very historical and I think very beautiful one.


And I am preparing to do my packing and to leave London soon.


Choong
London

The Christmas Morning In London

ANd guess what, woke up at 5am, and moving to another room at 6am.....for reasons:

1) We are getting ready to leave for outings, outside London, and it is quite an experience I suppose, and including a afternoon meal package. So I am looking forward.
By the way, when it is Christmas here, it means total rest. The tube or underground or subway, totally to a stop. All shops are closed, and also all restaurants or most restaurants too. May be something like CNY holidays back to the time when I was a boy, you need to prepare food.

2) Room moving, because the wireless in the room where we were occupying has a problem, and that has been existence since like 3-4 days back, and now, we or I would say I, together with the front desk, has found a tentative solution, that moving to another room is best. Probably that room has a reception problem, or setting or location problem, I do not know and can't seem to comprehend well.


That's all for now. Update later when I am back, but very tired already, lacking of sleep:).

Choong,
London Paddington
From room 110 to room 118 (better isn't it?, haha)

Merry X'mas From London

I like this picture, as I think it looks nice, and since I am in London, hence I put this picture as my Merry X'mas warm wishes from cold London to all of you. May this X'mas and New Year bring us all more peace and happiness..........












Choong
London

London-5 (Portebello Market And Greenwich)

Some photos taken at Portobello Market (like a flea market) but only open during the weekends. So, forget about this part for now.
And Greenwich, which we went there by train. If you still remember your geography, Greenwich means??????????????? Please check it out, it divides between the western part and eastern part of the Earth.....check if this is correct.

London-4 (The Story Continues)

Today, it was a busy day, as we went to Greenwich, with the pictures I have not produced here as yet, due to time factor, and I am too tired now, will try to do that later. And then, we went walking along Thames riverside, and visited some places like Westminster Parliament, Westminster Abbey, then Trafalgar square, and then have lunches (chicken pie and Fish&chips, very English isn't it)?. Oh by the way, I have strained a bit of my leg, but still walking all throughout London, but it is fun anyway. Weather was extremely cold, with wind blowing throughout the day, I should say, freezing cold. And the second half of journey, from 3.30pm onwards, we went to Covent Street, and we shopped like nobody business, and things are so lovely (prices too.......), and will share at The Glamourous Jerry's blogsite soon.




Me at Westminster Abbey, the church where Prince Charles and Diana were married, and soon, his son, Prince William's marriage. But could not enter the Church as I think they were preparing for a X'mas function tomorrow nite...possibly.



Me, looks cools isn't it?



A piture of Ben, the clock tower, superb, and located next to Westminster Parliament Building



London Eye.......compard to Malaysia Eye---or Millenium Wheel at Tasik Titiwangsa?


Another view of London eye...

Some other pictures to say, and more to come....





More pictures to come soon.........when I can find the time.

Choong
London

London-Part 3-Theatre (Les Miserables)

Just happen to find sometime to watch this, and apparently, I read in Malaysian Insider informing that Les Miserables was one of the longest play shown so far. And we went for this show last nite, as Queens' Theater, located in West End (where you have lots of Theaters here. Very interesting place to come too, during the nite time.
And if you use underground (subway), then the station to stop or to disembark is known is Piccadily Circus......what a name.


Can get more information from the following websites:
http://www.lesmis.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables

I have read information about this play since many years back, probably when I was in secondary school, and watching this play, live, in London is
totally another new experience, though the ticket price is close to RM 300, 59 pounds to be exact.


Ok, sleeping time soon, right after my shower. Still having my jetlag for now.

Choong
Novotel Paddington,
London

London Trip-Air China and China Airlines

First, between Air China and China Airlines

The similarity between these two airlines companies, it the key word China, other than that, probably they are world apart in terms of service I suppose and this is the second time I write about Air China.
I was booked for a flight to London on the 19th of December, that was on Sunday, with Air China and the flight was CA 937. We have for sure departed, and was somewhere near Southern part of Russian (about 3.5 hours away from Beijing, the departure point) and was informed by the captain that there was a heavy snow storm in London Heathrow airport, and the airport is closed for the whole day, which means, as he said, we were left with a few choices. One was to stop at Stockholm, another one was in a location I have forgotten for now, and the final one was to turn back and return to Beijing. And then, immediately, without any further briefing, we were heading back home to Beijing. Once arrived, the announcement made was that this flight, on 19th, CA 937 was cancelled, and we were asked to go to carousel 41 to claim our luggage, and counter F34, to rearrange our ticket. There was one airport staff taking us to the immigration to have our immigration record cancelled for that particular trip.
And then, one our ticket was rebooked, meaning to say, it was booked on 20th December, and I was referred back to the duty manager counter, and they lady staff, when asked about the flight, told to me call back and check if Air China will fly the next day. I was very furious, and told her off, that this is not a proper service. Instead they should call us back and inform if the flight will be leaving as schedule, as I do not know whether Air China decides to fly or not. That is part 1 of the story, and remember, Air China is supposedly be part of Star Alliances group (and that is one core reason why I have been using them for this trip, nothing else). I managed to contact my driver to pick me up, as Air China just as usual would not even care to arrange further for affected customers. I think this is their duty to do so, whether it is weather or whatever reasons they are, as I have a contract with Air China, that is my ticket and traveling schedule, and they have the obligation to find some solution for me, as their customer. And later, I heard some passengers argued with the duty manager, and asked him to arrange accommodation and transportation for at least the nite for them, and I was told the food they arranged at the hotel was very much different from what was served at the restaurant for normal hotel guests. Which means two types of breakfast. One passenger that I met the following day told me, she did not understand why Air China behaved that way:). I remember when I was traveling with Thai Airways last year, and one flight from BKK to Penang was cancelled. Immediately the ground staff arranged for transportation, airport hotel, and briefed us what was to take place. And the next morning, when I was to re-check in, my boarding pass was all printed and ready. That is what I called proper and professional service. That is also what I know about Star Alliance..

And going back to China Airlines, which is a Taiwanese based, my friend from Taipei departed around 9.30am, which means he was about at the same location as I was, but the captain I suppose proceeded with the flight. And finally he landed but for sure, not at Heathrow as it was closed for in coming flights then. They went to Vienna airport instead., and the hotel they were booked at were Hilton. Breakfast and all meals are included. And as per my last chat with him last nite, the flight cannot come to Heathrow as yet, and he will fly in on Tuesday and which means another nite of accommodation for him at Hilton Vienna. Imagine and see the difference?

I would not say much, but you can judge, but I am frustrated and wordless with this poor service attitude of Air China and their “bullying’ style. If given an option, I would never use Air China or put in different wordings, how I wish they are not part of Star Alliance group.

Choong

London-Part 1-London Airport

Finally, arrived to the land called Britain and a country who used to colonise Malaysia before. And a place I always wanted to come and visiting, if you some of you remembered well, we sang this song before, “London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down…. And this is a MUST visit place for me, at least for this trip. Of course you have other places to go to, but London bridge, I must go there for sure…..

It is an eye opening when I came to to immigration counter, Britain from my memory or from books I read should be mostly whites, but it is totally different scenery, very much different from my imagination. At the immigration counters, you have officers of different origins, Indians, whites, African, and may be more. It is so much of fun to see that. And I think Malaysia has to learn from this, the former colony master. And in the evening when I walked around, I see a mixture of different races in the city.
Back to airport issue, I think London airport is a little bit messy for a developed country like England. Anyway, too early to comment on this, but I think the immigration counter is no where near to that of Singapore or even of Malaysia’s. Probably because the airport just opened up for in coming flights after the heavy snow storm, or hence too many passengers for them to handle at a time.

You need to walk a long distance to reach the immigration counter, and again, another distance to claim your luggage and again, another distance, before you can take your train, the Heathrow Express, for my case, it was to Paddiington Station. And lucky me, if was a free ride on that evening, not sure what reason was that. And finding my hotel is a slight problem, esp. when you go to a new place, and in the middle of winter months….But as usual, I found my way. And lucky us Malaysian, we speak rather good English, don't we? At least I am proud of my language capability, haha.
That’s is for now.

Choong
Hotel 5.50am (20th December 2010), jetlag still.

London-Part 2 (Hyde Park)

Hyde Park, as you can see that


A masterpiece, a crane, made of bras



A fountain, resembling a pearly necklace, remembering Princess Diana


Picture of Princess Diana, in Hyde Park










Royal Albert hall (picture below), the famous hall that is used for concert performances. Siti Nurhaliza was here before.....the late SUdirman too...! A picture showing the play to be shown here in RAH, in February 2011, and that is known as Mdm Butterfly.










CHoong,
London, 22 December 2010