Head Over Feet

So goes the song by Alanis Morissette. It's a cool song. It's about love and being loved. I wish I was in that shoes at the moment. It's been a long, long time since I've been in the arms of a man, more so a man who cared for me. And as the days go by, as I get older, I wish that there was this one single human being who loves me above all other human beings in this world. But maybe it is not meant to be. Maybe I am not fated, not destined to feel this undying, passionate love that many others talk about. Maybe that is why God has made me this creature of isolation, the one who likes to do things on her own. So that I don't need anyone next to me, to be with me. Maybe.

No man is an island, they say. Sometimes islands get submerged by the waves, momentarily losing its position in the atlas of the world. If I am that island, I'd fight to get those waves away from me. I'd move myself to another spot, in hope of finding inhabitants, pirates maybe, or better still another island. Maybe that little island and I can become one big island. And then when the waves come in to take their place, we can battle it out together. As they say, two islands are better than one, right?

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Appear!

It's funny how suddenly, how softly and slowly somebody can creep into your life. And then sets up the easel, paints a picture on the canvas and hangs it there on the wall of life. Your wall of life. And many times, u don't realise that the painting has made an impression on u, until one day, it disappears. And that's when u realise u miss that painting. U hope that whoever took that painting will bring it back, ASAP.

An sms, a phone call, something, anything!

U take a deep breath. Calm down. U've been around this block many times. Too many times. U know how it works. U understand the hazards. And u know u shouldn't make a big deal out of it. No need to get into battle mode, no. Another deep breath. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.

And just wait for time to reveal its tale.

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Going, going, gone!

My paisley tattoo that Adi did for me on first day at Legian, Bali has finally disappeared. It took its time though, the henna taking a different shade of black every day. For a couple of days, I would have glimpses of it, and for a minute or two, it would transform me back to Bali.

The slow disappearence of the tattoo reminds me of some things that have eventually disappeared in my life. Like my favourite denim, lost somewhere out there in Melbourne. My yellow paisley (yes,I am a big paisley fan) bandanna that I lost to the waves of Gold Coast. Or like my faith that I will in fact find the love of my life. Just like the tattoo, hope fades a little more as the day passes. Perhaps one day, soon it might fade off entirely, never to be felt again...

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Success!

I am happy to say that my chicken fillet and gravy with a side of broccoli & cauliflower was a hit! Parents liked it, so did aunty and uncle. Sister also gave her thumbs up. My good friend Gunlan loved it. I thought it wasn't bad...So looks like I shall be cooking again real soon. :)

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3-6-5

On the anniversary of one of the world’s most significant tragedy, I too have a little anniversary of my own. It’s been one year, oh yeah 365 days since I left Australia to return to Malaysia. Just like the 9/11 incident, the questions linger. The answers are still a little grey. Was it a good decision or bad? Whose perspective are we looking at? The American government? The Taliban? Anu or her mom?

Most importantly for me, when I ask myself if I still think I made the right choice of coming back...the answer is hard thumping, resounding YES! Ask me if I am truly happy, I'd have to say, a 100%? NO. I do realise though, that I can't have both ways, I can't have an between of both countries. I have not crossed out Australia on my future plans yet. It will be a year or 2 before I decide once and for all...until then, I shall do what I need to do. So hopefully my heart won't go bump-bump-bump too many times when Australia's on the mind...

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Chak De

So I finally watched Chak De yesterday evening. It was as good as I expected it to be,perhaps even better than expected. There were no dance scenes or too much drama. Just a catchy theme song and a dose of the real life in India, where cricket dominates the minds of her citizens. Shah Rukh Khan played a very good coach, trying to redeem his past failure to win the World Cup (also after being accused of sabotaging his own team) by training a team of Indian girls for the World Cup...Although the team was initially defeated by their differences and competition, in the end, they took in the spirit of Chak De (Go For It!) and obviously won big time!

I think if Malaysia had feel good, go all out songs like this, we may go further in our sports adventures! One can hope...

Rating: Chak De - *****


Anu

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Bali!

I can't believe that the Bali trip is over. I remember when I first booked the tickets back in January. It felt like it was a million years away. That it would take a looooooong time before August 31 dawned. But the day did arrive. And the inevitable end has come. Now I wish I could turn back back the clock and go back to, say August 1, to that I could relive this trip, to feel and experience it all over again.

If I could turn back time, I probably wouldn't do anything differently. Except maybe take an earlier flight so that Kasturi and I would reach Bali earlier. Who knew the queue to get our passports stamped would take so long? We had lunch at 4pm that day, slightly overwhelmed by the amount of Indonesian currency we had in our hands. A Nasi Goreng is 23,000 Rupiah? How much is that? It sure sounds expensive! Kasturi brought out her 02, trying to calculate the Malaysian equivalent. Needless to say, we made full use of the calculator over the next four days.

After experimenting with our first Indonesian meal...mine looked like this by the way...Not bad...that Ikan Pepes...

We headed for the beach, to be bombarded by the traders. Selling bags lah, wanting to braid our hair lah, tattoo lah. One of them though, stood out of the crowd. He wore a a faded t-shirt and shorts, and a cap. He asked me if I wanted a tattoo. I said no (immediate reaction you see). He asked me where I am from and didn't believe I was from Malaysia. After a little chit chat, I decided, what the hell, I'd get a tattoo done, after all, it was temporary. And Adi (that's his name) did this paisley tattoo for me...

Not bad eh? And this is a pic of Adi and I on the beach, on the last day...an interesting character I just wanted a momento of...




Saturday was a very busy for Kas and I. We hired a driver who took us to a few 'must see' places. Our first stop was to watch the traditional Balinese dance, Barong And Rangda. The performers did a funny scene though, don't think I shall ever forget about that, involving the evil Rangda's 'banana'. After being stabbed, it was on the ground. However a long object symbolising the male anatomy was quite visible. One of the characters than asked -"What is that?" Another replied "that is the banana!" Haha!



Next up on the list was to visit Gunung Kintamani. It was a long windy road up to the Gunung, but once we were there, the view was totally worth it! The air was cool and crisp and the view spectacular!




After that we went to a tea/coffee farm and tried various types of tea - chai, ginger,cardamom,coffee-coco and balinese strong coffee.



The highlight of the trip for me, was the seafood dinner by the sea, in a place called Jimbaran. We had good food and drinks and a fantastic view! What else could I ask for? Romantic to the core, I'd say! For a moment I wished I was there with someone special...just for a moment. Then I got caught up with the visual images and
forgot all about that.

And the shopping experience? One of its kind. As we looked around, many traders asked us, where we were from. India? Malaysia? All was demystified when we started speaking in Malay. It's safe to say that Kas and I helped the Balinese economy step up a notch with our purchasing of bags, t-shirts, tea, unneccesary souviners etc.

I had the best sate I've ever had at Ricky's @ Legian - Bar & Restaurant. Best, I tell u, BEST! If u do decide to go to Bali and Legian in particular, u gotta go there!



All in all it was a fantastic visit. Next time I will make it a longer one. The people were friendly and the beer was cheap. ;) Go to Bali, go!

Anu

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Bitten by the bug!

Yes, I am back after the fantastic Bali trip...I do want to blog about it, but I can't seem to compose my thoughts and put them online right now. I still a little feverish, and my voice sounds like a man! I kid u not...so I shall probably take a day to blog about that one. Until then!

Senkenken!

Anu

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