Was hoping to snap a slam-dunk sunset photo on last day of 2011, but turned out to be a pretty ordinary evening. Kinda reflects my year… which was average, but in a good way considering how volatile the world has been in many aspects over the past 12 months. Best wishes to everyone in 2012, Happy New Year.
Life in 30s
Passport lost & found
Went to Vietnam last week. A mini saga occurred when I was back at the airport at Kuala Lumpur, when I realised that my passport was not in my possession…
I wouldn’t panic under most circumstances, but a series of (chaotic) events preluded the incident… which led to an immediate thought that I had dropped the passport somewhere (instead of simply keeping it at another corner of my bags).
Still, my immediate response was to search my bags, twice, but couldn’t find it… thus the beginning of a two hour long search at the airport, in which I visited almost every administrative offices and done a few things which would get me into trouble at an American airport. Anyhow, couldn’t find it after the hunt and had to file a police report – which AFAIK was a first (losing passport) among my family and peers.
Took a cab back home after that. The adrenalin rush had settled down after reaching home, and I decided to search through my bags again… funny enough, my passport appeared somewhere in the corner, clearly visible, and it took me less than 60 seconds to discover it. How I managed to miss that at the airport remains a big mystery lol.
Stupid things happened to the brightest people sometimes, and I’m not the steadiest of all to begin with. Two hours wasted, a rather bizarre yet special experience, and a laughing material among my tour mates for a long long time.
Hong Kong Wong Tai Sin Temple
Revisiting Wong Tai Sin Temple after three years. WTS is one of the most iconic temples in Hong Kong, famed for “answering” the prayers among believers. A few extra attractions have been added to the temple compound since my 2007 visit, and there’s a lot more worshippers and tourists at the Taoist temple this time…
Defeated
My first visit to a doctor in many years… caught a heavy cold after coming back to Malaysia. Not that I’ve never been sick all this while, but not this bad.
The doctor decided to give a handsome dose of medicines, which actually makes thing worse at the moment. Perhaps it’s just a side effect while my immune system is being boosted… I’m not really sure… just want to get well soon.
Dolsot bibimbap, Jeonju Jungang Hoekwan, Seoul
Bibimbap, literally mixed rice, is an iconic Korean dish with white rice topped with various ingredients (vege, egg, meat etc.) and chili paste. Dolsot bibimbap is the version where the bibimbap is served in a hot stone bowl.
Had this last week at a famous restaurant in Myeong-dong, the Jeonju Jungang Hoekwan (전주 중앙 회관, lit. Jeonju Central Clan House) which specialised in this dish. The meal cost 9000 won (~US$8), great stuff…
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Imperial stormtroopers in Seoul
Photos from Jan 17 in Myeong-dong; most of the fashion & beauty outlets there have pretty promoters and free samples to attract the crowd, but nothing beats a bunch of stormtroopers dancing to the latest K-pop songs…