A little photo

Sorry for the long hiatus in updating this blog. Here's a photo for you to enjoy, taken at the SPCA shelter.

iPhone blogging

Yay! I can blog on my new iPhone thanks to blogger's own free app. Here's a photo to celebrate.

Flowers bought from the flower market at Pak Khlong Talat (opens at night) in Bangkok. This bunch costs 50 Baht ($1.50 USD).

Borobudur, Indonesia

Since my long post have been stuck in my other laptop (weirdly, the program was unable to 'connect to internet') and I'm on the road for the whole week, I though of giving you guys just a little preview of Borobudur, Indonesia which I've visited last year.

Dining like the blind

Ever wonder what it feels like to eat like the blind? Fumbling around with your fork and guessing what is on your plate. That's exactly what we did when we joined this new restaurant in Bangkok - Dine in the Dark.

Mmm... yumm... the fancy desert!

The experience was something really unique. It was interesting that without sight, we can "taste" food differently - what I thought was pork, turned out to be duck. Shows how reliant on sight we are, even for tasting. Maybe somehow we have learnt to use all our senses together, sort of integrated together - like you cant taste things if you have a cold.

But overall, the food was really yummy! And it looked even yummier once we were out and could see what we were served. It was also kinda weird that some of us thought the amount was not enough, though looking at the portions at exit, it was the usual amount that one would have for dinner.

Karynn also posted her view of the dinner on her blog.

Oh, they still have their offer on - 1 free bottle of wine for every 4 guests. Go like their FB page.

30,000 monks in Bangkok

A day in March is the Makha Bucha Day. But this year is a special year, marking the 2,600th anniversary of Buddha's enlightenment day. So, there were a series of alms giving ceremonies around Bangkok. On March 24th, I went to witness the one in Chinatown where there were estimated about 30,000 monks gathered to receive alms from Buddhists. Had to wake up early as it starts at 6.30 am, but it was worth it. Here are some pictures.

Most disgusting display

Been to the Auckland Museum during my trip to New Zealand last year. Its a pretty good museum with lots of displays from natural history to Maori culture and a war memorial (huh, NZ in war? Not quite, but they sent their people to join the British, duh).

And in that museum, I've come across the most disgusting display I've ever seen! Its around the natural history galleries, in the section called "Weird and Wonderful". There is a tank.... well, let the picture speak for itself.

Those kitty eyes!

Just step into any animal shelter and you're bound to come across lots of homeless cats. And there will be those that will give you that 'Puss-in-boots' eyes! *you've been warned*

Do visit your local shelter, and when you can, open up your home and your heart to a pair of those eyes.

For those around KL, you can visit the SPCA Selangor (www.spca.org.my)

What I think I do - Part 2

Here is one that represents the work I do - animal charities.

What I think I do?

There has been a wave of "What I think I do" posts on Facebook lately. There's been a nice one for doctors, which kinda can be applied to vets a bit. But not quite, so I created one!

Here you go, enjoy!

2011 in review

What? Its 2012 already? ... what have I achieved in 2011?

1. Time off from work

Its been my fourth year at work in Bangkok, and also one of the most exhausting time. So I decided that I needed a break to get refreshed and took a 6 month sabbatical from work. It has been good times - mostly spent it with family and friends back home, some travelling, and mostly relaxing. It definitely has been the break I needed to get rid of the exhaustion. But had it refreshed my motivation for work? Remains to be seen...

2. Travelled to 8 different countries

Although with the sabbatical from work, there was still a lot of travel during work (and some during break). This year it includes 3 new countries too - Italy, Ghana and New Zealand!

Places I have been in 2011:

• Kanchanaburi, Thailand
• Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Rome and Turin, Italy (part work, part holiday)
• Accra, Ghana (only work though)
• Cebu, Philippines
• Taipei and Green Island, Taiwan (holiday)
• Singapore (meet friends)
• All over New Zealand (major holiday!)
• Jakarta and Borobudur, Indonesia

And I've learnt that I might be too old now for true backpacking. Better just stick to budget hotels.

3. Loss interest in hobbies

Well, not an achievement, but a significant change in the year. I think I've lost my motivation for photography or blogging. New equipment, software, joining new groups, etc, just didn't do it for me. But that said, no matter how depressed one gets, there's always someone worse off. Don't worry, I'm still me :)

4. Bungee jumping! 

Oh, did this while in New Zealand. It was really terrifying at first, but of course I had to do it! And I plunged into the water below too. This should really be on everyone's bucket list. Would I do it again? You bet! If only it wasn't so expensive to go jump off a bridge. 

Lets hope for a brighter 2012! Perhaps a more drastic change? Hmm...