Archive for April, 2008

27
Apr

Your Price

By Adrian 3 Comments
Categories: about me, observation and rants and raves

I am many things, but let me say what I am not; I am not an idealist. I am not a perfectionist. What I am is a realist.

Furthermore, it is important for me to explain what I do for living. I observe people and environment for a living. Yes, I am in sales, but sales is only a profession. I need to observe people, listen to the words they said, study their body languages, in order to make a successful pitch. So I spend a lot of time studying people.

I am going to write a 3 part (or maybe 2) entries about my observation about people, or rather, human beings, after years of observation. Some of you might disagree with what I had to say, but let me be clear that this is only my opinion and the results of my observation. So if you disagree with what I got to say, feel free to rip the comment page apart.

From my observation, it is safe (for me, at least) to say that everyone has a price. Your prices differ from person, and that’s is called the perceived price. Some people might price you high, but you might be worthless to some.

The price I am talking about here is different from value. You might be very valuable, but the price might not reflect what you are valued at, and the price is not a must to be reflected in dollar sign. It can be anything, like a person, a dog, or a car.

A good example is your work. You might be valuable to the company, but you are only paid 3000 a month. So 3000 a month is your price to your boss. But do you value only 3000 a month to the company? Of course not. You might valued at 300,000 a month, but that is your value, not your price.

It applies in friendship as well. For example, when you are doing a partnership business with a friend, things might go well at first, like when the business is small. Suddenly, there is this 500,000 dollars worth of deal coming in, and your friend(s) might try different tricks to snatch the deal away to put the money into their own pocket. Now, your friend(s) price is 500,000 because that is how much you need to see his/her real colors, and that is exactly how much he/she is worth. Or how about if one day you are financially in needs, and your friend loaned you 2,000. Now, after just 2 days, this friend kept calling you, sending nasty SMS’s when you couldn’t answer his phone call because you were in meeting. So this friend is priced at 2,000, not any higher than that.

So you think the price thing is not applicable in a relationship?

Think carefully. Nothing can escape the price-valuation.

Imagine, when two person are in a relationship, everything should be beautiful. But then, one day, you decided that you don’t love this person anymore. Let me give a metaphor; if he cheated on you, you dump him. Now, the price of this relationship is his loyalty. Or how about he got fired from a job and he can’t land a job within 12 months, so he got to depend on your income. One day, you decided enough is enough, so you end the relationship. So what’s his price? His price is your salary, because you can’t share it. Or his price is his salary, because he should earn enough to sustain himself and you. Or the price is a Gucci bag, because you always wanted it and he couldn’t buy it for you since he was out of job, so you got really upset and dump him.

Or how about family, you might say. Nope, still cannot escape the price-valuation.

Look around you, how many stories have you heard about son-suing-parents or vice-versa when it comes to wealth inheritance? Or how about brother literally strangling the siblings just because of some money?

Now, you might think that someone who is filthy rich, like Bill Gates, will be exceptional case where there is no price for him. Guess what? He may be super duper filthy rich, but he still has a price. His price could be his offspring where he could forgo of his business or fortune when someone keep his son hostage, or betray his friends and family.

For some unfortunate, like those being assassinated case, the price of the person’s life is the cost of the bullet, or rather, how much the assassin is being paid.

And that’s why I said everyone has a price.

For me, I have very high price for some in my life, but for others, I am worthless. I always observe what the people around me think my price is, and when I become worthless to that person, that person will just, er.. let me try to put it in a nice phrase, “forget about me as a friend”. Sometimes they might say something sarcastic, or display a body language that is really defensive. Some said it without thinking, but from what I do for a living, I can detect the detest easily.

I won’t blame them, because I am a realist. I think about the reason, be realistic, and understand why they did certain things to me, and then I move on.

Do I hold any grudges against them?

Nope, that’s just how things are in life. There are things that we cannot change, and things do happen for a reason. So yeah, I move on, and continue my friendship with someone who still think I am worth something.

So, what’s your price?

22
Apr

P.S. I Love You

By Adrian 7 Comments
Categories: Entertainment, movie and review

P.S. I Love You is a so-called “chickflick”, but after watching it, I have to give it more credits than calling it a chickflick. I think it is more like drama and romance category movie, which is way better than being called chickflicks.

Sypnosis:
Holly (by Hilary Swank) and Gerry (Gerard Butler, whom also played King Leonidas in 300, which I wrote about here) met many years ago when Holly was on a holiday in Ireland, and they fell in love at first sight. Then they were married when they were both young, staying in New York, but they were constantly fighting because Holly had no idea what she wanted to do in life, so she kept changing job, bitching about idiot bosses while both of them struggling to buy an apartment of their own.

They were very much in love, but at the age of 35, Gerry passed away because of brain tumor. Holly clung on to anything related to Gerry and basically gave up her life. Later, she found out that Gerry bought her 30th birthday cake in advance, and the package contained a tape recorder, telling her that there will be 10 letters from him.

From that moment onwards, Holly became alive and anxious in anticipation of the letters, and lived by the instructions set out by the dead husband. She went to Ireland, the home country of Gerry, to visit the parents-in-law. She went to nightclub to celebrate as per instructed. She went to Karaoke as requested by Gerry.

Finally, the last letter came, and telling her to move on. The previous letters were sent by Gerry to help her to regain her life, to move on from his passing, and to be brave to fall in love again.

Likes:
- The real portray of how one deal with the passing of a love one. If you have experienced this before, you will understand, and reflect back, how on you dug out the drawers and cupboards to find that something to cling on to, and not giving up, afraid of forgetting how the love one feels like, sounds like, taste like, looks like, and etc.
- The plot is pretty good. In some movies, you can pretty much predict what will happen next. But in this one, it is sometimes throwing surprises to the viewers, not knowing what the dead husband will ask the widowed wife to do.

Dislikes:
- Hilary Swank. Don’t be mistaken that she is one hell of an actress, but somehow I just don’t see her in this character. Maybe she has a too strong figure, or she looked too darn fierce, but I think this movie will be much better if the leading actress is played by some one else, like Kate Blanchet, Kate Beckinsale, or even Jessica Alba.
- This is definitely spoiling the market for the men. I mean, a lot of female said, “Oh this guy is so romantic! How I wish my couch-potato husband would be a tad more romantic.” So girls, don’t start to expect us to the Gerry, but you can choose to see us as your Gerry.

Conclusion:
The movie is portraying a very real emotional turmoil of a person when loosing someone we love. In many scenes, the viewers can be touched and some can be reduced to tears. Hilary Swank is a great actress, but somehow she doesn’t fit into this role. Maybe its her men-like feature, her strong jawline, or something. I just think that someone with sweet face, like for example, Kate Beckinsale, or Jessica Alba, or Paz Vega. They would look more fragile and vulnerable than Hilary Swank. For that, I am only giving out 4 out of 5.

Afterthoughts:
Sometimes, even after one person passed away, or no longer with us (like a break-up), we can still feel the person being with us, watching us closely. Sometimes, we would talk to the air, but in our head, we can feel what that person would be saying because we know each other for so long and so well. In this movie, in many scenes, it is either a flashback or Holly was talking to her self, hugging herself while feeling that Gerry was holding her back. That’s very touching and very true of how one would feel.

I like the last letter that Gerry sent to Holly, and here is the transcript of the last letter. I hope that you will find it meaningful as I did.

Dear Holly,

I don’t have much time. I don’t mean literally, but you are out buying ice-cream and you’ll be home soon.

This is the last letter because there’s only one thing left to tell you. It isn’t to go down memory lane or go buy a lamp; you can take care of yourself without any help from me. It’s to tell you how much you moved me, how you changed me. You made me a man by loving me, and for that I am eternally grateful.

If you can promise me one thing, promise me that whenever you are sad, or unsure, or lose complete faith, that you will try and see yourself through my eyes.

Thank you for the honor for being my wife. I am a man with no regrets. How lucky am I. You made my life, Holly. But I am just one chapter in yours, and there will be more, I promise.

So here comes the big one; don’t be afraid to fall in love again. Watch out for that signal when life as you know it ends.

P.S., I will always love you.

And here is the official movie preview.

21
Apr

4 Days 3 Nights @ Singapore

By Adrian 2 Comments
Categories: rants and raves and work

Day 1 @ 16/04/2008

I took an Aeroline bus from One Utama early in the morning, and reached Singapore in the afternoon. Nothing much as it was mid-day and I checked into the Lion City Hotel, went to the corresponding area to be briefed on the training schedule.

Again, visiting Singapore brought mixed feelings, and the first day that I was here, it was also the date that when we met again after the first meeting, and the first time we held hands, walking on the Clark Quay (the correct pronunciation is Clark Key, which created a joke on my side as the taxi driver was confused on where I wanted to go) area, laughing on silly jokes, and exchanged our phone numbers, and promised to call each other, which we did.

At night, when I was back at the hotel, I was laying on the bed, thinking about the good old times and the sweet memories. I managed to fall asleep in the smile since months ago.

Day 2

I woke up early in the morning and went to the cafeteria area for the hotel breakfast. It’s not too bad (translation: its bad, but not too bad) and it was crowded. Basically the whole cafeteria was filled by tourists from China, and I had problem locating a table for myself and the people were basically ignoring the courtesy of queuing. After the breakfast, I went to the office to start the first day of training.

In the evening, I went to meet up with one of my best buddies, Jason, at Dharby Ghaut (the “correct” pronunciation is Darby Got, which is confusing to me). We had our dinner at a small but comfy and homey restaurant near his office, and we talked about life, update each other on the latest development in our life, and of course, talking about good old times like a two old farts, over dinner and beer.

Day 3

On the 3rd day, I woke up early as usual and then went for the training and meeting, and that is nothing to shout about. At night, I met with Jason again at Bugis and our meeting point was McDonald’s. Well, once I reached only then I realized I had been there before. It was during one of my visits that I had to leave early in the morning, and we were at the Bugis McDonald’s, having breakfast and stuff. It didn’t change much, and I still remember how we used to sit at the outdoor area, talking, holding hands, and feeling sad that I had to leave.

Anyway, after meeting Jason at Bugis, we decided to have drinks again, so we took the MRT to Clark Quay. Now, Clark Quay has transformed a lot from how I remember it. Last time it was a fun place, but now, it is THE happening place.

We stopped at Fashionbar and had around 6 bottles of beer (or was it 7? I can’t really remember). We talked about many things, laughing at the jokes, looking at the people, and cursing the Singapore government for banning smoking in pub/bar. Basically, Singapore is a smoker unfriendly territory, but they are still selling cigarettes (and making loads of money from the tax, as one pack of cigarettes cost around SG$11.60). If you want to smoke, you have to go to the “designated” area to smoke. Damn!

After that, we went to Ministry of Sound just around the corner, had one glass of beer, one glass of whisky, and two shots of tequila. Now, the crowd at Ministry of Sound was great, but the music was even better. It had been years since I dance, and that night, the 3rd night in Singapore, I danced for the first time in 3 years.

But there was a problem. The real women1 didn’t even look at me, and maybe I was over-dressed as the men in the club were dressing something casual, whereby I just got off work so I was still wearing my working suits and pant. Or maybe because I was wearing my glasses instead of contact lenses since I forgot to bring them. Or maybe also because I was (just maybe) one of the oldest men in the club. So these girls got a problem. Or maybe the problem is me2.

Anyway, we had fun until around 3am, and when we left Ministry of Sound, it was raining heavily. I wasn’t sure if the sky knew how I felt deep inside or what, but it was raining as heavily as my heart rained.

Don’t be mistaken. I had fun, but deep inside, I felt lonely.

After that we bid our farewell and I took a cab back to Lion City Hotel. It was an experience to remember as the taxi driver couldn’t even drive a straight line, the cab was swaying left and right constantly, and he kept honking other drivers but he was the one who cut into other people’s lane.

Once I reached hotel, I was so tired and exhausted, mentally, that I fell asleep almost instantly.

Day 4

On the day of departure, I took my time to sleep in. I didn’t wake up until at around 11am, and I checked out from Lion City Hotel. Then I walked to the nearest MRT station and headed to Harbor Front (or is it considered Vivo City? I am not too sure as it’s the same building) to wait for the Aeroline coach for Singapore.

I went for lunch at Burger Kings, which surprisingly, serves only small burgers. I mean, compare the size of the burgers in Malaysia and U.S., it’s small. Is it because Singapore is a small country, so they serve small burgers? Or is it because the government wants everyone to be slim so they don’t want the citizens to be stuffed? Even when I went to KFC to take the Mushroom burger thingy, it was miniature!

Oh well, enough about the small burgers. After lunch, I walked around and sipped my coffee at Starbucks near the dock area, enjoying the sea breeze, watching the birds, smoking my cigarettes and checking mails.

En-route to Malaysia, I met this lovely family from Finland (and the wife is Malaysian) and we talked about many things, like world economy, local politics, Singapore job opportunities, and stuff. The family is spending 1 year traveling around and the guy is interested in landing a job in Singapore or Malaysia.

Sorry people, I didn’t get your names except the kids’ names.

When we reached 1 Utama, no one was there to greet me nor welcome me home. I walked to the taxi stand to get a cab to go home, and when I reached, it was empty and quiet.

Oh! How great it was if there was actually someone there to greet me and make me feel welcome upon coming home.

REMARKS:
1. There were a few transsexuals looking at me, smiling at me, and flirting with me. Mahai!
2. There is an old say, “If one person has problem with you, the problem might lies in that person. If two people have problem with you, the problem may lies in them. But when everyone has a problem with you, then you are the problem.”

15
Apr

The Rambling

By Adrian 1 Comment
Categories: Complaints, about me, people and rants and raves

There are many type of people surrounding all of us. But sometimes I just can’t stand certain type. All the way on top of the list are stupid people. Now, stupidity comes in many form but I am not talking about those mentally challenged. I am talking about people that don’t think when they do things. If they are naturally born with lower IQ, I have no problem with them. But today I am not going to talk about these type.

I am going to talk about the second type of people that I can’t stand.

The second type of people that I despise are those that promised something and never deliver. Now, the worse part is, even after they promised you that something, later they will find excuses. An example is, the night before you asked these people for help, they said OK, and next day, they will tell you stories on how they are being dragged to somewhere, some place, and at the end ask you to settle things yourself.

A lot of times, we might have to make arrangements to settle some issues, and because of these type of people, our plans are all screwed upside down and inside out.

Niamah!

Anyway, if not willing to help, why promised to help in the first place? If not willing to help, just say NO. I mean, isn’t it better so that person who required help can seek other plans? If you don’t want to help, why add more troubles to the other party and let him/her being screwed upside down and inside out?

So be nice. If you cannot be nice enough to help, at least be nice enough to say NO as not to screw other people around.

Anyway, I’m be going to Singapore for the next few days so expect very little blogging activities from my side until I am back. How I wish I have a SLR digital camera so I can snap some pretty pictures. Oh well. Adios!

14
Apr

April 14th

By Adrian 6 Comments
Categories: heart break and memories

April 14th, 2004. That is the date that I will remember vividly, besides the many birthdays and stuff.

April 14th, 2004, at around 930pm @ Singapore. That’s when it happened. That’s when we met. That’s when it started.

I will remember this date for a long long time (of course, with the help of the Calendar utility) because for the first time, and hopefully not the last, that it meant something to me. It is a special date for me, far more special than my own birthday.

But I think I am the only one who think that this date meant something, that this date is special.

It doesn’t matter. What’s important to me, will remain important to me for as long as possible.

Coincidentally, not a few days after this date, I will be going to Singapore.

Ironic, isn’t it?

For this special anniversary issue, I will take an entry from my personal journal and post it up here. I know what you are going to say (yeah you, the funny eye person), but please bear with me, for the time being. At least allow me to have the rights to be sentimental during this very special time.

To you,

There is something that I always wanted to tell you.

I love you. I always do, since the first time I met you. No question about that, and no doubt about it.

I don’t know how to use beautiful words to craft the most beautiful sentence in the world, but my love is in the most true and sincere form from my heart. When you said you loved me, I believed you, without a single trace of doubt. But now, I doubt if your love towards me was ever real.

For all these years we had been together, I never once had the liberty to meet with your best friends. You told me stories about them, the meetings with them, and how they expressed their curiosity to meet me. But for all these years, I don’t even know how they look like. All I knew were their names and that’s about it. I didn’t even get the opportunity to meet with your family for all these years!

Am I that not good for you to show me off to your friends? Was I that no good since the very beginning? Were you that embarrassed to reveal your boyfriend to your friends? You might have your reasons, or excuses, but I showed you off to the world, to my best friends, normal friends, and even my family.

Despite all that, there is still no doubt from my side that I still love you. But I wonder if your love towards me was as real as you said, or as much as my love to you. Did you mean every word you say? Or was it something you knew that I wanted to hear, or that was something to cheer me up.

Even though I had to go through so many things in the past many months because of you, my feelings toward you did not change. But amazingly, you could switch-off just like that, and treating me as a complete stranger. You said there are possibilities in the future, but I wonder how we can be together again? Is it even remotely possible that we can be together again, just like last time?

Against my will, I have to say NO. I didn’t want to let go, for months, and cling on to anything that I had. I went through hell and back, just because I believed that what you did was for my own good. But now, I doubt that. I doubt that what you did was because you just don’t love me at all. You wanted out, so you use beautiful words to lead me to believe that there is still a possibility in the future.

Both of us know that it was the end. There is no more possibility. There is no more probability. It is the end of story.

For months, I hugged myself to sleep every night, shivering even without air-conditioner, because I felt so empty inside me. It was like I was all alone in the galaxy, and no matter how hard I tried to shout, no sound could ever come out from me. I was floating in the space, and no matter how many times I tried to swing myself to a shore, I was always floating aimlessly in the infinity.

I lost weight. I lost a lot of hair. My health deteriorate drastically, and my hands are constantly shaking. But I cannot blame you.

After going through so much, and meeting a person who is much more unfortunate than me, I finally woke up. I know it is not easy, but I must let go. I know it is difficult, but I must try. I know I will miss you, but you are no longer mine.

I read from somewhere that the truest form of love is to let go. I didn’t know I was capable of such act until I met you. I can suffer for years to come, but all I wanted is to see you happy. You were not happy when you were with me, so I hope you will find your happiness.

With Love,
Me.

There you have it. Think twice before you click the Enter for comments, because at this moment, I am still very fragile. Things are picking up, but it will take time for me to recover.

11
Apr

Young People

By Adrian 9 Comments
Categories: about me, observation, people and rants and raves

Today I had the opportunity to visit one of the local International universities. Well, it’s work related so I dressed in shirt, working pants, and a smart tie. After the registration process at the guard station, I proceeded into the campus.

Wow! Lots of young girls around, emitting the kind of energy that is so difficult to resist, and they all look so beautiful because they are young and firm and bouncy ass instead of wrinkles and sagging breasts…

Wait, that comes out differently than what I meant.

What I am trying to say is that, when I walked into the campus, I felt like an old piece of crap. Let’s look at it this way, their average age is, say, around 20? I am one full Chinese zodiac sign away, and that’s freaking 12 years their senior. If I am really lucky, they might call me “uncle”, and if not, “grandpa”. Now, that’s not very comforting to know, isn’t it?

Anyway, what I saw (mostly girls, as you got to admit, guys like to look at girls, especially horny lonely old man like me) was that most of these girls, beside young, are energetic. Furthermore, they know how to take care of themselves, as their skin are mostly smooth (or maybe its the age), good body shape (lots of workout or simply because their metabolic rate is still at their prime at this age), and lots of laughter.

Also, what I noticed/saw was that none of them were looking at me. I mean, why would they? They have many wonderful years ahead of them, so why would they look at an old fart like me? Besides, for the sake of discussion, let’s just say that I have such a young girlfriend, she would be so energetic that she would want to go many places, whereas I would want to stay home to rest after long day of work.

Of course, that’s only wishful thinking.

Wait, I am deviating too far away from the main topic.

The conclusion is like this: I am feeling old, especially when surrounding by these young people.

update @ april 14

After talking to a friend (you know who you are, funny weird eyed woman!), I have decided to go for a change.

There is an opening for “Young and Pretty Part-Time Girlfriend” post, and here are the requirements:-

  • You must be female.
  • You must be below 23 years old.
  • You must be pretty.
  • You must be at least 5′6″
  • You must be below 50kg
  • If you are a student, apply within.
  • You must have great sense of humor.
  • You must understand “no string attached” or “not in commitment” very well until further notice of change.
  • Fresh graduates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Must be open minded, like “there is no such thing as no sex before marriage” kind of thing.

Now, here are the benefits that come with this position.

  • Accommodation will be provided, as long as it is my place.
  • Food will be provided (just don’t ask what kind of food).
  • Transportation will be provided, once in a while when I am free.
  • Gifts will be provided, as long as I feel like it.

If you are interested, please forward your resume with picture (a must!) to adrianang(dot)net(at)gmail(dot)com.

Thank you.

08
Apr

Oh Scheiße

By Adrian 3 Comments
Categories: Family

Oh Scheiße!

The final order is finally here.

The order that I dread the most, is finally here.

Oh Scheiße!

Today when I was talking to mom on the phone, she gave me the final order.

I will give you one year. Just ONE YEAR. Within this one year you must get married. Don’t give me excuses like you are new generation so marriage is just a certification.

OMFG! Oh Scheiße!

I didn’t tell her about the break-up because I don’t want her to get worried. Besides, my mom likes her a lot and a lot.

Now, where the fuck am I going to find a bride?

NOTE: Scheiße is German language and it means “Shit”

07
Apr

The Visit to the Indian Barber Shop

By Adrian 3 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized and rants and raves

Previously I wrote about my childhood memory of Indian barber shop, how my mom converted me to a saloon visitor, and how the Indian barber shops are depeleting in numbers here.

Well, last night I decided to give Indian barber shop a try. Furthermore, its only RM10 per cut, so its very economical! But the main purpose is to re-visit these kind of Indian barber shops to rekindle with my childhood memory. (Okay, I admit, I am cheap okay? The main attraction is the RM10 per cut thing :P)

But to be honest, before I went, I was skeptical. I was worried. I mean, what if, just what if, the cut is completely out and I cannot accept it? Then I thought along the time that “the hair will grow, so if its not nice, you just need some time to re-style your hair”, so I looked up, took a deep breath and walked in.

Barber: “Dik, nak apa?” [translation: Boy, what do you want?]
ME: “Uhmm… gunting. *looked around for poster* Nak begitu macam *pointing to one of the posters*” [translation: Uhmm.. cut hair. I want like that]
Barber: “Okay.. tepi pendek?” [translation: okay, side short?]
ME: “Uhmm.. ya…”
(Just in case you haven’t noticed, my B.M is really bad)

Then he took out the big ass scissor and the comb and chopped away real quick. I mean, REAL QUICK, as if he was cutting a patch of wild grass, or as if he was in a hurry to finish me up so that he could move on to another customer. But I was the only customer there at the time.

Niamah!

Anyway, he was chopping away, clipping here and there, and I was less worried. I mean, it has been done and I cannot reverse it anymore, so whatever the outcome is, I will just have to accept it. If it is really that bad, I could always do “damage control”, meaning by cutting it shorter somewhere else, or go bald. So I closed my eyes, not wanting to see.

After a while, the clipping stopped, and it was suddenly very quiet except some Indian songs playing at the background. I opened my eyes, and I saw the barber taking out a blade. He turned to me, without saying a thing, started shaving, aka Sweetney Todd style. That’s for watching both the original version of Sweetney Todd and Johnny Depp version, the impression of throat-cutting is just too deep.

I was surprised, as I forgot about this part in Indian barber experience, and at first I was worried that the barber might suddenly transform into Sweetney Todd, less the handsomeness of Johnny Depp of course.

I calmed myself down, feeling the steel blade brushing my skin, near my vein. I guess it has really been a long freaking time since I visited any barber, so that’s why I wasn’t used to it, especially the blade part.

But the conclusion is like this; its not half bad. OK, maybe I have lowered my expectation, and of course it is not comparable to high-end saloon, but for the price and the end result, I think I might go back once in a while.

04
Apr

Guide to Backpacking

By Adrian 5 Comments
Categories: guide and vacation

Previously, I wrote that I will be writing about the guide to backpacking here. So here it is.

Backpacking is not for the faint hearted. A lot of times you will face difficulties in accomodation, hygine problems, food, or even the people. Imagine that you don’t bring lots of money so you cannot afford a hotel, so what will you do?

This guide is derived from the experience that I have gathered during my college years when I was backpacking to Europe. If you decide to backpack as the mean of travel, I hope this guide will give you some insight and help you prepare.

Backpack
Thinking of using a stroll luggage? Forget about it. Sometimes you will have to go through some rough terrain, so how are you going to carry it? So first thing first, get yourself a sturdy water-proof backpack with a lot of compartments for small items.

Water Botter
Stop going to 7-11 to buy some plastic mineral bottle. Invest in some metal type so that it will be long lasting. And why water bottle? Well, let’s just say sometimes you will get to walk a long distance and you will get dehydrated. Of course, if you have the money to constantly buying water, then go ahead. But for backpackers, a good water bottle is essential, so you can fill up the bottle, drink it, and refill to continue your journey.

Clothes
Bring a few changing clothes, underwears, and socks. Make sure you bring the right clothing for the right weather. If you bring only t-shirts while going to Europe in winter, you will be dead before you can hit the street from the airport. You don’t need a lot of changing clothes, because most often than not, you will need to wash these clothes yourself, and if you bring a lot, your backpack will be heavy and that will slow you down a lot, making your journey more difficult to continue. Usually, I bring 4 T-shirts, 4 underwear, 3 socks, and 1 extra jeans. That’s about it. And be honest, sometimes I have to wear the underwear for few days.

Sleeping Bag
Well, travel on a tight budget means you cannot afford hotels. If you are lucky, the place will have YMCA lodging place that is around EURO 5 per night. If not, you will be sleeping in a bus station or somewhere, so it is important that you have a nice sleeping bag to protect yourself from the wind and dust.

Tools
Swiss army knife, pepper spray, sewing kit, and simple First Aid Kit. Yup, you don’t have to bring those, but I brought them because sometimes things could happen, and luckily I brought my sewing kit, otherwise I would be exposing my ass (story was that I tore my jeans because it got hooked onto a sharp edge) throughout my whole journey. I had a few cuts and bruises, and luckily my small first aid kit pouch got antiseptic creams and plasters. You don’t want to get wound infection whenyou are abroad, trust me on that. Check with the flight regulations to make sure you don’t bring something illegal. (Do you know that pepper spray is illegal in China?)

Courage
Going to a new place is not something easy. But going there alone, not knowing anyone, is something that requires courage. You need to have the courage to face the loneliness, the new place, and venture out to explore the place. So yes, please work up the courage.

Knowledge
Knowledge is priceless. So before you go, google that country or place to find more information. Some place do not offer free map, so make sure you print some, or buy some maps from your local store. Normally, trying to save money, I will print them out from the internet, fold it in my journal, and head off. If the local offers free maps, the first thing I did when I reached there was to grab 2 copies of the map. It happened to me before that the one and only map I got was wet and tore a part later by the strong wind, and I didn’t have the backup map. So get 2 copies.

Common Sense
Yup, common sense is important. Common sense such as don’t put your passport in your backpack and buy a holder that you can keep with you all the time. Common sense such as you are a foreigner and when something is not right, walk away because you don’t want to get into troubles with the locals. Common sense such as be alert and watch out for yourself, your own safety, is important. The truth is, if you are killed in a foreign country, no one will know you and no one will care. So its important to use your brain and think.

Survival
I travelled in budget, so this might not be applicable to you, but recommended. When I was in Europe, I didn’t have much money, so I asked around if I could work part-time, especially in Chinese restaurants or some hispanic restaurants (they normally don’t really care about rules and regulations on hiring foreigners with no working permit), earn that few Euros and best of all, sometimes they provide free meal as well. That actually lower down my costs and best of all, I got to experience different culture to the core level.

Health
A lot of people ignore this, but it is important that you start to eat healthy, exercise regulary months before you backpack. You don’t want to get sick when you reach there, so keeping your body fit and your health good is essential. Besides, you will need the stamina to walk for hours every day, so get your ass off the couch and start doing the exercise and eat healthily!

This is not a complete list. When I got more time, I will update this guide more often, and later I will add some links about travel information. So check back often to get the updated list. And if you have something that you want to share, feel free to rip the comment page apart.

02
Apr

The Introduction

By Adrian 9 Comments
Categories: life and people

Few days ago I met a man at the Starbucks outlet that I frequent most. For days I had seen him there, always alone, sometimes wearing the same shirt for 2 days in a row.

For all the time that I had seen him, he always buried himself at the far end corner to avoid any contact with other people, and his table was always empty besides his battered laptop. I watched him most of the time as that is something I like to do; observing the people around me. From what I saw, he is someone who knows how to carry himself.

He might not be wearing the latest Hugo Boss shirt, but there’s something about him that is very intriguing. Besides, the way he handle himself is speaking louder than those who drive a huge car or wear fancy shirts. But for days, I just sat there, watched him, intrigued but I did not approach him to introduce myself. He might think I am nuts or something.

Then, few days ago, a Starbucks staff went to him, and the Starbucks staff asked him if he ordered any drinks. He mumbled something, and he smiled to the staff, not raising his voice or acting aggressive. All he did was started to pack his laptop and got ready to go.

The Starbucks staff walked by, and I stopped him and asked him. He told me that he didn’t order drinks, so I told the staff to bring out a big cup of coffee. The staff just smiled and said Okay. I guess that’s the privilege of visiting Starbucks so often.

I saw that he stood up and was about to turn around, so I walked to him and introduced myself, and invited him for coffee. He politely declined my offer, and I insisted. Luckily, he gave in and sat in front of me.

He then started talking, about the story of his early life, how he ended on the street, sleeping in his car every night. I listened carefully, intrigued by the story, touched by the sadness, and I could feel his despair. I had went through the same thing myself, but my encounter was slightly better as I had friends who helped me out. I struggled to find words to comfort him, and after a long time, I managed to give out some lame encouragement asking him to look forward to tomorrow as tomorrow will always be a better day.

Then I told him about blogging. I think I piqued his interests, as he was asking for more. I just received an email from him telling me about his blog, and I think I should share the story of him with everyone.

I won’t tell the story, so it is best for you to visit his blog to understand what he has been going through.

His blog is The Journey Of The Homeless. So please, visit his blog, read his stories, and I am sure you will be touched by the events that he had to go through.

Thank you.

« Previous Entries

 

April 2008
M T W T F S S
« Mar   May »
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930  



Archives

Categories