Some lost time...

The coming of my first paycheck sort of marks my first month at my institute already. It's like.. so fast! I am yet truly amazed at how blessed my life is: integration into the environment was smooth, it's like what one of my colleagues say "I thought you were from another lab because you looked so at home here; no culture shock, nothing!" The initial transition period probably lasted less than a week. I am really really glad my colleagues were nice people, even a smile or a nod suffice.

Work was starting to pile once my upper left. I am thankful my dearest came back and everything's just as where we left off, actually even more. I am just grateful that whenever I need a getaway from work at the end of the day, she is the balm of my heart and soul. =)

The big gathering at K was another big highlight! Bon voyage SW! And it has really been a long time since we all came together, albeit CW couldn't make it.

79 gathering last week was cool too! Although only 7 turned up, I thought it was a good catchup! WJ looked ever so chirpy, E, though sick so radiant and all, TC looks the same haha, the same ueber yet humble person whom I admire during JC, SJ, a bit subdued I felt, but vivacious nonetheless, ZY turned FAIRER (OMG!) haha, YJ same reserved person... All looked and felt the same, but with an additional sense of fatigue, that probably discerns us from our more bubbly and naive selves years back.. Hope to catch up with people at TC's wedding definitely :P
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(L to R) K, T and I

Pink cab!
Victory Monument - near where our condo is
ZH and my room; look at the sparkling floor!!
Chinatown at night!
(L to R) KM, YY, T and K - guava chewing
This little boy followed from streets back!! Well cos he wanted some cash.. which our generous ZH gave..
Bird's nest soup - YY immersing in her dreams..

Bangkok trip must definitely be one of the nicest trips, all because we have T and K with us!! I am really glad we met years back, cos they are still the T and K I knew back then: vivacious, ever so willing to help, ever so playful and ever so terrific people... Thip got us 2 rooms, which are actually CONDOS!! I thought it would be hostels lo... But they are condos!! OMG!! Damn nice!

Multi-coloured taxis are everywhere!! There are even pink ones!! Took specially for XL to see haha :P

First day in Bangkok, T and K brought us on a FOOD TOUR!!! Chinatown's food is terrific!! ANd the watermelon juice, oh manz, I melted in that.. qooooooo....

Ok some randoms...

Did you know Thais like sugar in their fishball noodles?!?!?

Recollections

Ok sorry for the long delay... First week at work was more or less orientation. Expecting next week to be a hell week for me... Hopefully I dun take in too much arrows and die of injuries LOLX...

Just chatted on msn with one of my old frens from JC... Reminiscing about stuff in JC... Realised all the weird things we do back then; that's what make JC one of the most dramatic experiences of my life. Well, I guess when u get older u tend to look back at the things u do and laugh it off.... I think at 40 I will probably see all the things that I did in Uni and laugh as well haha :P We decided finally to have a HCJC 00S79 class outing once again before more people starts going overseas again!! But well, do hope everybody make an effort to turn up, even if it's a special short appearance. Would be nice to meet everyone again after so many years... It's been so long, OMG!

I got my OWN room!! Finally... For 25 years of my life, other than 3 months in Munich where I have my OWN room, this is the FIRST time in my entire life I have my VERY OWN room... To those people who has the luxury of possessing your own room, own bed, own table and own 4 walls, you wouldn't understand the yearning and rantings of a 25-year-old who is suffering a dun-have-own-room syndrome. BUT please do treasure what you have :P
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On the plane

In the coach

At the airport

I shall start chronologically from Vietnam trip first LOLX... First day landed was at Ho Chi Minh City! Was really excited, cos first time in Vietnam mah... Plus Rino the guide was quite spunky and vivacious for a start. So not too bad for a first day!

Went to Cu Chi Tunnel!! Finally get to see it. Was so mad about it after I watched 世界正美丽, and saw how intriguing it is. The way the Viet Cong fought off the Americans and the ways the Americans retaliated futilely. I even bought a book on it! And I am the only one who got to go into that small hole, well cos, I volunteered HA! Damn, my shoulders nearly couldn't fit in... Cannot turn around lo after I go in (the 3 small pics at top). No wonder the American soldiers whom I reckon to be far bigger sized than I am can't get through that hole... We get to go through part of the tunnel though. Had to squat and half crawl half walk. Wet somemore, but fun la haha!

YEAH!

And you all should have seen all the traps... WHOA... Scary lo, just by looking at them, gives me the creeps. War really brings out the gore and worst of people.

Then it started to pour!! As in really rain heavily. Drenched from head to toe, thankful for my waterproof shoes! Thanks mum for forcing me to buy those shoes after I come back from Germany! Something I found quite funny was Rino continued the whole tour in the rain!! Lucky for him, we are young people lo... Else damn jialat...

Dinner!
(left front to back) ZH, El, YT (right F to B) J, KM, YY

But well, we got treated to good food and good hotel rooms thereafter. No complaints :P

Check out the cuttlefishes!!

Karaoke behind me!! Wanted to K, but no time lo.... Haha... Was looking forward to Hanoi where Ph might bring us, cos apparently most of these provide "special services" other than singing, so good to bring a Vietnamese friend along for ya know easier communication. But too bad, some stuff cropped up so wasn't able to... The first understandable song I heard in Vietnam was a 张栋梁 song. ZH and I were so shocked!! HAha LOLX...Coffee at well-known coffee place, Trung Nguyen which has a franchise across all Vietnam; Vietnam is famous for coffee btw. They have free WiFi in this cafe, and lots more other cafes, we soon found out HAHA... Damn zai!