I actually don't know what my yearnings are for, to go back to the days of the 20s, or the people whom I left behind.
Since I got out of school, I couldn't think of a year where I couldn't get friends for a holiday. There were some friends who have gone places with me, whom I know are such great traveling buddies. Among people like Audrey and Atikah, there was the annual tribal trip. For the last 2 years, the tribal trip had to take a backseat as two members had their little ones.
The thing is, my heart still longs for a holiday, and it feels lonely not having someone to get excited with. I haven't been able to find a traveling buddy here.
I thought a lot about my friends back home a lot. I probably thought more about them than I contact them. You know you've aged when you think about the past more than the future.
I used to think I'd like to be in Melbourne because of the work-life balance. I thought about having my own family and wanted very much to have time for that. In a nutshell, I bought the biggest bucket, and stood waiting for rain.
Yet the rain never really came.
I guess I never thought about Plan B. Like a lot of people my age, it would be nice to be near family and friends, people who understand you and accept you.
I'll be still standing around with my bucket, but if the rain doesn't come, life has to go on, and choices to be made. Idealism has to sometimes take a back seat, and the reality is what really counts for now.
Nevertheless, I thank God that He's given me a place to rest, and when I need to move on, He'll bring me to the next place. Hey, this sure sounds like 40 years in the desert isn't it?!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Random Thoughts...
Well, I was suppose to blog about last week's travel to New Zealand, but since I'm working on a different laptop now, I can't post up the pics. So just some random thoughts to fill the blanks.
Some week ago, the cell group played an icebreaker answering the question "Who would you like to sit next to in a plane on a long-haul flight? (other than your partner)". In my teens, it would have been some movie star, then in my early 20s, it'll be some cute guy with more than 8hours potential, but the strangest answer that most gave now is "hopefully there's no one sitting next to me so i can have more space!"
I had that dream come true over my recent work trip to Wellington. I had 2 empty seats next to me on my way there and back, a hotel upgrade to the executive suit with a large king bed and 8 pillows to boot (plus a pillow menu with 4 other kinds of pillows to add on), but how many pillows does 1 person need? I had a card to swipe for 3 nice meals everyday, and yet there was just that many times you can muster a 'Table for 1 please' and not get a "pardon?" from the wait staff. For all that's worth, I'll trade all the fancy stuff in for a travelling buddy!
Is there a place for 1 in this world? Are we our best and worse company?
I must say I've been accustomed to both lifestyles. As I disembarked the plane this time, I did felt that I've taken too many solo plane flights in the last decade, with each time becoming more normal and less of an adventure.
N.B: For the record, I did walk into a noisy Belgian pub and asked for a huge pot of mussels, fries and a beer, sat in the middle of the restaurant, tackled as many of my green-lipped mussels, slurped my Belle Vue Krik, and at no time did I attempt to hide under the guise of being engrossed in a novel/newspaper/text messages. I did score better service with the waitress who probably thought I got stood up by a date.
View from the NZ Office's Breakout Room
View from the hotel balcony- NZ Post Building
Weekend Breakfast at Cuba St - Floriditas
Some week ago, the cell group played an icebreaker answering the question "Who would you like to sit next to in a plane on a long-haul flight? (other than your partner)". In my teens, it would have been some movie star, then in my early 20s, it'll be some cute guy with more than 8hours potential, but the strangest answer that most gave now is "hopefully there's no one sitting next to me so i can have more space!"
I had that dream come true over my recent work trip to Wellington. I had 2 empty seats next to me on my way there and back, a hotel upgrade to the executive suit with a large king bed and 8 pillows to boot (plus a pillow menu with 4 other kinds of pillows to add on), but how many pillows does 1 person need? I had a card to swipe for 3 nice meals everyday, and yet there was just that many times you can muster a 'Table for 1 please' and not get a "pardon?" from the wait staff. For all that's worth, I'll trade all the fancy stuff in for a travelling buddy!
Is there a place for 1 in this world? Are we our best and worse company?
I must say I've been accustomed to both lifestyles. As I disembarked the plane this time, I did felt that I've taken too many solo plane flights in the last decade, with each time becoming more normal and less of an adventure.
N.B: For the record, I did walk into a noisy Belgian pub and asked for a huge pot of mussels, fries and a beer, sat in the middle of the restaurant, tackled as many of my green-lipped mussels, slurped my Belle Vue Krik, and at no time did I attempt to hide under the guise of being engrossed in a novel/newspaper/text messages. I did score better service with the waitress who probably thought I got stood up by a date.
View from the NZ Office's Breakout Room
View from the hotel balcony- NZ Post Building
Weekend Breakfast at Cuba St - Floriditas
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Autumn Snow
Victoria experienced a cold snap in the midst of Autumn last week. Besides digging up those winter woolies from the recesses of your cupboard, I dug up those gloves and beanies as well.
Mt Buller opened for the weekend as a result of the snow dump. The Bourke Street run was opened, and close to 2000 excited victorians made their way up for an early pilgrimage.
Besides slight patches of mud/grass threatening to show on the flatter slopes of the run, I am a happy snowboarder again. This time, I am less of a tumblebunny than a snow bunny, so I must say that I enjoyed myself more this time round. 4 years back, it took me 2hours to get down the same run on a pair of skis, but this time took me only 2 mins with the snowboard. Wheee!... Oh, Autumn skiing is very very very hot. If I had my way, a singlet and shorts will do me just fine.
Matthias and Flora came with us, and Flora did rather well, managing the run at the end of the afternoon. There were not that many beginners since none of the facilities were opened. Evidently, there was more snowboarders than skiers, and I stand by my choice that snowboarding is reallllllly more fun! (Thanks to the lighter Burton Board as well.. tsk tsk)
Hmm... this may be the end of snow season for me, even before the real snow season started!
Mt Buller opened for the weekend as a result of the snow dump. The Bourke Street run was opened, and close to 2000 excited victorians made their way up for an early pilgrimage.
Besides slight patches of mud/grass threatening to show on the flatter slopes of the run, I am a happy snowboarder again. This time, I am less of a tumblebunny than a snow bunny, so I must say that I enjoyed myself more this time round. 4 years back, it took me 2hours to get down the same run on a pair of skis, but this time took me only 2 mins with the snowboard. Wheee!... Oh, Autumn skiing is very very very hot. If I had my way, a singlet and shorts will do me just fine.
Matthias and Flora came with us, and Flora did rather well, managing the run at the end of the afternoon. There were not that many beginners since none of the facilities were opened. Evidently, there was more snowboarders than skiers, and I stand by my choice that snowboarding is reallllllly more fun! (Thanks to the lighter Burton Board as well.. tsk tsk)
Hmm... this may be the end of snow season for me, even before the real snow season started!
