The Bloody Time of the Year

I hate Christmas. Not because it is commercial, invented by card companies, nor for the forced happygo-lucky athmosphere. Me and Christmas have been good friends in the past, but now I have good reasons for disliking it.

1. The music

For six years, I have been working in stores that play Christmas music. I know the tunes, I know the melodies, and all the lyrics in Finnish and in English. The repetition of the songs is not what annoyes me though. It is the remakes, the new versions of the old songs, where the artist decides to put his or hers own influence on it. 99% of the cases the songs become sappy, over rendered smush that usually is constructed from screaming and crying. Oh my god, we get it! Silent night, Holy night is a beautiful song, but it gets me over the edge to hear the singer practically crying when the word child is mentioned. For fucks sake, it is only on the third row you can imagine what the rest of the song is like!

Plus I hate, hate, HATE Power of Love. This is for personal reasons, that don't need to be mentioned here. Let me just ask a question about it; the single was released during Christmas time, the video shows the holy night, but what the hell does the song have to do with Christmas?! NOTHING! It's worse than bloody Christmas Shoes, and that song is god awful!

2. Shopping

As I mentioned I have been working in a store for quite awhile. The typical stressed out customer getting his or hers last moment presents is not anything new to me. Actually everybody does that, and even though we hate it, we like to brag about how we made it just in time. It is stupid but not really the reason why I hate Christmas shopping.

As you might know, I'm sort of an environmentalist. The waste of great amounts of materia is not what irritates me, but the hypocrizy. During December there is a big fuzz about spending time with our loved ones and how we should cherish the silence and peace. BULLSHIT. Peace and harmony my ass, Christmas is all about getting shit, and we have to go through the yearly hell of the shopping malls for it. I think the perfect gift would actually be just spending quality time with the loved ones without pressure, ignoring all the extra crap.

3. Quality time with the family

Starts off nice, then it is horrible. For me it has not been all bad, but I am over the childish excitement of 'family fun'. It is nice to see folks but I just wish we wouldn't have to have this stupid holiday for an excuse to catch up. Cannot families have quality time without ho ho ho's? Apparrently not. Just look at any holiday movies, even the ones not meant for kids. All of them spread the message of the magical family reunion during the wonderful Chrismas day. If people find it hard to spend time around each other, why pretend to be a happy family at all, even just for one night. All we do, is create an illusion (an expensive one, I might add) to please the common media of the typical holiday picture.

So why this sudden burst? It is 0:00 am, I just realized I fucked up my dads gift(which I'm making myself), and I still don't have anything for mum. Tomorrow we are going to have dinner together, without my brother because he is in Norway. I planned on escaping, but he did it first. I have to wake up tomorrow at 6 to get back to work to hear the bloody Power of Love, fucking Party of Five, Mariah Carrey's Chrismas blower, and for what. To remind me to do things differently next year? As if.

4.Holiday Specials (Excluding the Snowman, because it has the song)

Just watch Star Wars Christmas Special



All I want for Christmas is for it to be over

Tuesday Music

I was browsing through youtube and ended up listening to Natalia Imbruglia's new single 'Want'. I'm sorry, but it doesn't do anything for me. Not changing rythm, high pitched singing, and obvious attention whoring with showing half naked body doesn't cut it. She has changed her style to disco, which is not too surprising, most of the 90's acustic guitar fans have changed to synthesizers. Kids want rythm, easy listening, and they want to move! I don't think this is going to be the great hit of the year, but I have to give her some credit; she is still doing music and she looks amazing.



Sorry for the bad quality. All the HQ videos were missing embed code.

Other video was a pleasant surprise, it was just like we want to see this guy; energic, glittery, inspirational. Mika's We Are Golden is a fantastic song for the late saturday night runs. I want to find my disco hat and go out!



Another happy meeting was with the band called Mumford and Sons. I have never heard about this band, but apparently they just released(just in my terms means this year) their first single, so I guess this is a new discovery for all of us. Little Lion Man is definetly guitar pop, but it has a nice irish feeling to it.



Actually the two fist singles were released during the summer, the last one in early Septemper. I am late, I'll never be a pop culture critic. This happens when one doesn't have a tv or a radio. Anyways, summer was just few months ago

I'm Back (at least for today)

I read two books in considerably short time. They were nothing alike, and I won't compare them more than this, but let me just ask a question. Does one have to like a book for it to be good? I know that both of my reads are international best sellers, praised by critics, and I don't have enought fingers to point all my friends who really like these novels. Still, I'm not convinced about their greatness, actually I am surprised by my oppinion. Let me elaborate:

The first book was The Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, the second Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. While reading the later one, I was convinced that I liked the first one better since it was a page-turner for me. This phenomenom hasn't happened to me in years, so even I was surprised by my interest to get deeper in to the story; I had to learn more about incidents in the two main characters lives. The second did not have the same effect, but still it took only few days for me to finish. My problem against Thompson is how I have a naive fear against drugs and simply cannot find anyting amusing about them (except the part where att'y starts yelling at an old police couple while violently throwing out in a Cadillac).

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a page turner for one reason, it is hard to believe how shitty life can be and you just want to know if, please, anything good happens on the next page. In the end, when the lives of the two main characters, is solved, Hosseini really, really, milks the drama, and it is not all that impressing. Compared to the fast pace of most of the book, the last 40 pages or so are really dragged and have no point. I wish I could praise the book, like I did to my friends while reading it, but I just cannot do it anymore. If the lust for soap is ignored, then it is a really good read. Now I have to say that it was ok.

Against my prejudice I actually prefer Fear and Loathing. The reason for my changed oppinion is simple; Hunter does not enjoy the drama, he leaves it be as it is, and just tells what happened. It was honest, in a way that hallusinating drug user can be, and it certainly doesn't apologise or try to explain. The more I think about it, the better the book actually is, and probably I will give it one more go.


[edit] actually these two novels are very much alike; they both have strong statements about their goverments and culture. It is just the style, main story, and the country that are different. For social commentery they both are excellent, but I still prefer Fear and Loathing.

It is Monday

Ok, today's a good start for the week. I woke up at 6, like I wanted to, and tried out an old/new dress, which looked surprisingly good. I have an exam today, topic: civil engineering. Haven't studied a shit. Whoops. I was really down last week and had to take some time just for myself. Therefore yesterday was a therapy day; I know now how Silent Hill 2 and 3 ends, plus I reminded myself about the greatness of Gilmore Girls.

Not that I want to complain, but I don't understand why people are hyped up about autumn. Hoorray, they yell, finally we can buy lovely autumn clothes, and choose them from wide colour selection. Ok, there are two things wrong with that; the autumn clothes are only in one colour: black, and secondly, who is happy about the fact that more money has to be spent?? Yesterday I was walking to the store and was so annoyed by the gray sky and the dead leaves on the ground that I decided to pack my shit and move to Spain. Bye bye summer and my happy days, I told myself. But then I realized that there are still leaves on the trees.

A Typical Sunday

I woke up at 1 pm, which is really unusual for me. This pretty much set the course for the whole day: I, once again, did fuck all. At four I started to watch Let's Play Silent Hill and managed to brake that one rule I have. No horror stuff ever.
So happily I watched till 10 pm and realized I haven't done any school work. I have a presentation the next day and haven't prepared shit. So off I go doing research. Now it is almost 3 am and I cannot think straight anymore.
Actually it was a good think that I managed to get myself scared today. I wasn't really tired till about 20 minutes ago. Perhaps I should start my mornings by watching Saw and the Exorcist. Lil' bit gore once a day keeps the sanity away!

Japanese spiderman was cooler than our whiny Tobey Maguire (no offence, Tobey, call me!). Even his bitch was much better than Mary Jane Watson.

If you feel horrible, give yourself two days. Then get up, embrace the world, and see how wonderful truly you are. This week I want to smile and to get over all the negative things that has happened to me during the past month. Now is the time to move on; continue this journey. For that, for me this morning is officially dedicated to Disco. Voilá, the latest of my favourite 'shake it' songs:

Niemi

My neighbour has purple hair and likes her small walks around the block. She is worried about slippery roads for her legs are not stable. Sometimes I can see her feeding birds from her window. When I come home little birds still jump around in the bushes under her window. She has a three windows and a typical last name. In the evening only one light is on and she listens to radio. When I open my door, she closes hers.

Friday I heard loud banging noise but just thought it was the workmen building a roof. When I was leaving her safety lock was broken and police tape was wrapped around her door. I could smell blood on the staircase. The smell still lingers.

Now the birds are gone and the is light off.

Leave!

Hooorray! I have an eye infection and that means no work for me for three days. In an office job red eyes don't really matter, but nobody wants to be served by a person who looks like one of the victims from Night of the Living Dead. Too bad for the extra money that I desperately need, but now I have the whole saturday for myself! I can do so many things like stuff and doings and whatsits. Aka probably I'll do fuck-all. Perfect, cannot wait.

I woke up with a non-stop Mumm-ra channel playing in my head. It was a great sign for an excellent day; I went to Itäkeskus, finally sorted some of my financials, and met Justin and the feminist interrupter (aka Ulsa). Nothing else to say, over and out.

Addition

Sorry, I almost forgot. Today's song is from a Finnish artist called Anna Puu. She is the new shooting star from the Finnish Idols. Usually I don't like the music this phenomenom spits out from its guts, but this time I have to agree with the public oppinnion. Anna Puu is great.

My Wednesday Morning

She was huffing and puffing when she bursted in to the class room. Her mind was buzzing and ready for atleast ten excuses why she was late late again. She wasn't.

I Are to Be Studying

I am finally doing some school work. Last week we got a note that last spring's math project was actually obligatory, against all the info that we got, so now I have to finnish the damn thing before he decides to give me no credit. I'm not sure how the exam went, so there is anyway the possibility to get a F, but as another persons grade is also depending on this, I should do some work.

Blog time it is!

On Thrusday the guys had the best idea ever: let's get drunk during the day. So we were supping whiskey at the twins before 9 am and Justin started drawing on my back.








This weekend was great, although I was going to spend the whole time at home doing Stuff. Well ofcourse nothing ever happened. On Friday I did Something (aka nothing) and on Saturday I went to work. Pasi had a house funeral- as he called it and I went there for a few. Later I met some other friends in Kallio and ended up in Molly Malone's. Once again. The band there was afwul, it was impossible to hear the other singer and they really didn't want to be there playing.






For once I didn't get to the drunken buss but stayed at the twins for the night. Those sweethearts did Korma breakfast for us and were so nice although I was probably talking more gibberish than usual.




Anyways Pasi is moving out of his flat in two days and he doesn't have an appartement yet. It looks like I might get a roomie soon! Or atleast some stuff to fill the basement with.

I was going to post a short story I wrote few years back. It might've been the shortest but also the best of my stories. Now it has disappeared to bit heaven. Damn. Damn. Damn.

How To Kill a Mocking Bird

I'm a slow reader. I do enjoy opening a book and letting the words take me to new places, but it takes time for me to finnish a novel. To Kill a Mocking bird is a short-ish novel; it is only 307 pages long. Still, it took me over a month to read it. Not because it was bad, I just read two to four pages at a time.

I bet most of the people have read this one, or atleast knows what it is about. Scout, a seven year girl witnesses the livestyle of small town in American Deep South. The main plotline follows her normal life, but the real story is actually about his father, who fights against racisism in a court case. A Black man is accused of raping a white girl.

The book is touching and good. Ms Lee has a great talent of storytelling and making the world unravel before one's eyes. Atleast most of the times. At first I found Scout to be the most annoying character in the book but she milds towards the end. The story of the black man is touching and Mr. Finch, Scout's father', is a true hero. He was very believable and easy to relate to.

The only real proplem I have with the novel, is the language that is sometimes used. It is written in first perspective, we see the small town of Maycomb through eyes of a seven-year-old girl. I know that my English is far from perfect but man that girl can write! She is supposed to be really smart but this is just a bit too much. She act's like a kid but she uses words like respiration, pilgrimage, contribution, and predilection. Seven year olds don't talk like this.

Nit picking aside, it was a good book. I would recomend it as a light read for the autumn nights.



Books aside, sorry for the radio silence. The cultureshock really hit me hard this time, and I did not have much to say (except woe is me and whinewhine and blahblah). Now I'm trying to figure out now how can I copy big pictures to the blog without making them blurry and start posting pictures again (I need to get my camera first, I forgot it to twin's the other day). Although I want to write more and more, this blog desperately needs pictures.

Me as a drama queen

Oh yeah, should mention that I'm back in Finland. I still have few stories to tell: Brunei and Way Home. Should tell something more about Penang too, but right now, as it has been only two days since I've been back, I have no words to describe my summer. I miss Penang like crazy. Don't want to be back here. I miss Shalima. I miss Ch'ng. I miss my job. Should've done it better. I miss the feeling of content. I miss the feeling of being myself. I really liked myself there.

This song is the perfect movie credit song. I feel like ending credits. A bow and a thank you

Cambodia

This one is long, so sorry, I'm once again too lazy to read through. If there is major spelling/grammar mistakes(and I'm sure there are), you just have to deal with it.

So Phnom Pehn. The minute I crossed the border I knew this was going to be the better part of my trip. You know, I had the feeling in my stomach. Perhaps I was a bit stressed in Vietnam, and knowing that I had survived across to the second part of my journey (ugh what a cliché) I knew that nothing will stop me now.

Phnom Penh itself is another city. Now I truly realize, a city is a city is a city, and I don't want to be in one anymore! But I met some wonderful people there, and there is few remarkable places, which I'm going to talk about a bit later. The city itself is practically same as Hanoi and Saigon, but there were few differences: first of all, it was much darker, as many streets did not have lights. Secondly, there were child beggers, and more child workers. It was the first time I have seen a child begger and now I truly know what it feels like when something stabs a heart. It physically hurt.

The second day I went around the sights with two girls I met at the hostel. First stop was the Killing Fields. The first time I heard about the place, I was excited, like there are real sculls and stuff! How cool is that?! Boy how wrong I was.

Here's a small history lesson: during the 20th century Cambodia had a civil war. The worst hit in the 70's when Khmer Rouge decided to return the dark ages, destroy all the western influence, kill all the educated people and make the rest grow rice. Cities were emptied, doctors, layers, men, women, and children were killed without mercy. Killing Fields are the place where all those people were executed. Over 200 000 people were killed by them.

Now all the mass graves are empty and the bones are placed in a tall pagoda in the middle of the fields. Also all the old structures have been destroyed, but there are still signs stating what was were. My personal favourite was the magic tree. The tree had a loudspeaker, to cover the screams and cry's off the victims. The neighbors had no idea what was going on at the site. Also some of the trees were used to kill babies; souldiers grabbed the baby's feet and whacked his head against the tree.

After the field we went to S-21, a school that was turned in to a iterrigation centre. The place had a eerie feeling to it. The rooms were empty, except for a bed. It was still possible to see blood stains on the floor. Walking through the corridor I could almost see how it used to be a school, as the floors had chess tiles and the walls were painted yellow. Outside thee were the old swing, which was later used to torture victims. I bet you guys are my facebook friends, just wait for the pictures, you'll get the idea. It was really hard to be there

Opposite of the site there is this really nice, flowerly restaurant. It is a total tourist hole, but it was nice to get the horrifying reality check out of our minds. The restaurant was actually part of an organistion, that helps unemployed people.

Next we went to the National Museum, which was nice, but nothing compared to previous sights. The rest of the day was relaxing and planning the next day. Maddie decided to join me so we went to Siem Riep together! What a nice turn :)

The bus trip felt longer than it was (6 hours). I was starting to get tired of the constant travelling. But it was more than worth it. Siem Riep is a nice change of phase. Quiet, calm, and relaxing. They didn't have any streetlights, except close to a river that run through, so it was pitch black when we arrived.

We met up with Edward and few of his new friends. Oh and before that, I FINALLY got my harem pants.

The next day we were off to Angkor Wat. I have only one word: AMAZING. I tried to stay out of the tourist jams, and just get the feeling of the place. Once again, I cannot describe it by words, check out my pictures later. Even better, go there yourself! The pictures don't do justice, none at all.

The best part of Angkor Wat when I found a quiet corner outside the main square. I was just sitting there and this monk came to talk to me. We ended up chatting about western culture, Khmer Rouge, and about people in general. Perfect ending for a perfect trip.

When I came back to Phnom Penh I ended up scammed. I knew what was going on, but I was too tired to care. When I arrived, it was 2 am and I was planning on sleeping at the airport. It was closed, so my tuktuk driver took me to a guesthouse he knew. It was in a really small back alley in the middle of nowhere, and I started to wonder what did I get myself into. The room was worst yet, there were pieces missing from the wall, roof, and it smelled weird. Also it was possible to see through the floor. So peeps, never, ever go to 'No Problem'; it's a shitty place to be.

So the next day I left at 9 to the airport with the same tuktuk driver. The airport was really quiet, and they took 25 bloody dollars as service fee. What a rip off! Anyway. I managed to get home safe, happy, and most improtantly, I had found some kind of inner peace. I love Cambodia, it was one of the best.

The rest of Vietnam

Ok so where was I... Oh yeah, kids. Gah. Moving on

When I got to Ho Chi Minh I was more than happy. Plus really tired. More tired than happy. So this is where I got practically robbed by moto baik drivers. I didn't know the real cost and I was too tired to care so I ended up paying double the prise I should've. Twice. And I got lost. Or not lost, I just didn't have a freaking clue where I should've gone.

I stayed in a proper hotel that night and it was NICE. I got myself a pizza, watched Disney Channel and just tried to collect energy. The bed was soooooooooooo comfy! like, praise the maker of proper beds. Bed God. I'm a believer.

Saigon is a pretty easy city to see. I went through the main sites within a few hours. The most impressive was the war museum. Outside was the graveyar of old war equipment. Inside there were few galleries. The first one was dedicated to the victims of Agent Orange. It was heartbraking to see how the chemicals used during the war were still affecting the daily lives. Some of the victims were born without legs or arms, some were severly disfigured (like teeth growing out of their nose) and some had some weird skin condition, like their skin was turning in to stone. I know a war is a war is a war, but the Americans made some pretty bad decisions back then. I never really knew what a war means but now I understand more. It is never, EVER the solution.

Next I went to Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica. It pleasantly surprised me as they had closed most of it from the tourists. Although I am not religious I understand that prayers want their peace. Also, the fact that they weren't trying to cash tourists, althought they could've, made me really proud of the people. We need to know our boundaries!

I also visited the Ben Thanh market and got some souveniers. The sellers there were really aggressive and they knew how much the tourists had money. Although it was packed with people, the athmosphere was really nice. It was all busy markety -like.

The next morning I said sayonara Vietnam, hello Cambodia. It was really nice to see the famous country, but Cambodia really did it for me. I don't want to be all Angelina Jolie -like but gosh I love that country. More about it later...

In le Train

I made it. Wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. The ticket lady totally screwed me, I paid the proce for a soft seat, but all I got was a hard seat in the middle of locals. So at least I went about in the local style (which I wonted but with a little bit comfort). And the train ride wasn't 30 hours, but 40. Oh well. After 20 hours I stopped looking at the watch and just focused on my Sherlock Holmes. It What was surprising, that I wasn't able to finish it while on the road.
Although I was sure I wouldn't be able to sleep, I did manage to get enough beauty naps. I think I woke up every five minutes, but I feel alright. And no pains whatsoever. I guess sleeping at the airport on anything has trained my butt muscles for this.
During the trip there are people selling food and they have a Vietnamese TV going almost all the time. It was funny seeing Gone in 60 Seconds with the worst dubbing ever. They all had only one woman's voice, never mind lip synking at all. Sometimes the people spoke whole sentences in English. Funny.
On the way I did meet a girl who spoke a little bit English, so we chatted for few hours. After that Nobody spoke a word except Hello and How are you. So if you want to take the train, bring company or at least learn few survival phrases of Vietnamese. It would've been great to talk with others. So all in all. not a bad trip.

Hmmm what else... Next to me was a family of four adults and three children. They were the noisiest bunch and I officially hate children now. The boys were cute, and all, but cheeeeeesssshhh why do babies cry about everything. EVERYTHING. Plus one of the kids got sick on my shoes just before we got to Ho Chin Minh. Like I wasn't feeling dirty enough. And the parents didn't even apologize, or try to say sorry, in any language. Oh and the parenting system here... When one of the kids started crying his mum was just mocking him. They didn't hit the children per ce, but there was some slapping. The kids seem to be more like dolls, who should behave just the way the parents wanted them to. So yeah, I felt sorry for the poor lil' bastards, but still. Please, please, people. Condoms are sold for a reason.

Ok that's it. Over and Out ->

Hanoi

Hanoi is really hectic town with 3.5 million people in it. Over half of the locals use scooters to get around and the traffic is really something. Not as bad as Cairo, but for example the street lights are there just for a show. Customer service reminds me of Finland, only it's a tad worse.
City itself is really colourfull and lively, the best here is just to sit in a cafe and watch people ging by. There are tourist sights, like the War Mausoleum, but I didn't go to any. To go to the mausoleum, the guests have to wear proper clothes (aka cover shoulders) and I was wearing too little clothing. It reminded me nicely of Penang. Anyways.

I am leaving Hanoi in 2 hours by the train. This means that I am going to sit on my ass for 40 hours. I was really excited until the second I bought the ticket. What the hell was I thinking!? This train trip better be worth all the hype in ze Internetz. There was no beds vacant so I got a seater with aircon. Total price was 650 000 dong and my nerves. Ok I'm just winding myself up again. If nothing else, at least it is going to be an experience . Good practice for the Siperia train trip. God.

Still homesick. I'm just calculating the time till I get back home. It's really annoying. Takes away all my enthusiasm.

How to get to Hanoi from Penang

You can do it in an easy way. Take a flight to Kuola Lumpur and from there fly to Hanoi. OR

1. Take a night bus from Bus Terminal. Leave early. If the bus schedule says the trip takes takes 4 hours, it is going to take 5. So for example 10 pm bus works fine. And remember that we are living malaysian time, so the bus might leave a bit late (half an hour or so)

2. Arrive to Kuola Lumpur at 4 and take taxi to bus terminal. There is two different busses going to LCCT (KL airport), aerobus and flyair. The fair is 8 RM and 9 RM. The later one is official, but second works just fine. They leave every hour.

3. The flight to Ho Chi Minh leaves at seven so you might be a bit early. No worries. It's nappy time! (use AirAsia)

4. It takes about an hour to reach Vietnam. If you are staying less than 15 days and are Finnish, you don't need a special visa to get in. BUT remember to print your ticket itibary back and forward. This is important, otherwise the guy might get upset

5. Bring your itinary for Vietnam airline and check in. Itinary is once again, kinda important. Atleast remember what time your flight leaves.

6. Meet nice people in the aircraft and find out what to do and where to do it. Also rip all the free maps from magazines. Nobody is going to need them anyways.

7. Arrive to the airport, take a taxi (250 000 Dong) and go search for a hostel. It helps if you ask random people. Hanoi Backbackers is good, it's close to Hoan Kiem Lake, on a small street behind Joseph's Church (7,5 dollars per night)

Tadah! You're all set now

Kota Kinabalu

I arrived Kota Kinabalu at one a clock and walked to the hostel straight away. The walk to the hostel (BeacHouse) is really fast, just turn left from the lights and walk two minutes. The hostel itself is kinda basic, nothing too fancy. That is the reason why it has a nice relaxed athmosphere. The personel there is really nice and helpful so I definetly would recomend it to anybody.

On the first day I met up with Jamie, whom I knew from Langkawi. We were supposed to meet up with Mike too, but unfortunately he had to go back to KL before we arrived. After organizing our stuff we went to the city and later played ultimate with other people from the hostel (the hostel has organized some activities for the guests, like ultimate on the beach on the weekend and BBQ on thursday).

On Saturday we tried to plan a trip to Sandakan, but decided to stay in KK the whole time. Too bad, there are a lot of things to see near Sandakan, even more than in KK. It just would've been too much hassle to go there and back, so never mind. We ended up on a tour to see the Phosporus monkey, also known as dick head monkey. They were pretty cool, and we were lucky enough to see some water buffalos on the way. The tour started from this psychedelic cafe, which was in the middle of bumblefuck nowhere, but still really neat and managed to look like a English teahouse. After the tour we were supposed to be able to see fireflys, but almost none showed up. Oh, and I ended up buying the funciest bag in the world: a coconut bag.

The next day we went to the Sunday Market. They close down a steet and let the locals sell stuff without taking a fee during Sunday morning, which is kinda cool. They sold everything there, junk, bags, kites, cats, turtles, ect... I felt so sorry for the animals, because they had to stay in small smelly cages and not so few of them were obviously very ill.
Anyways after that we didn't do much. There was Ultimate again, but I was too lazy to play.

Monday we went to Mari Mari Cultural Village. We were able to see five different tribe houses and taste their food and wine. It was a blast. They also let us try the old school tampoline, use a blow pipe, make food and try their traditional rice wine. The whole trip was 150 RM and totally worth every penny. At the end of the tour they had few performances and we were able to try out the bamboo dance. It was great, the band was jamming with their gongs and whatnots, and the whole show just had a good wibe in it. It was exelente.
Jamie got sick during the trip so the last activity of KK was a trip to the local clinic. He got some pills (3 differend kind of tablets, some powder and liquid) so hopefully he'll start feeling better soon.

The best part of the trip was a discovery of a new band (actually I think I've heard their name mentioned before but only now I actually heard their music): Architecture in Helsinki. I only have two words for it: controlled chaos. Brilliant

Homesickness

Like grief also change happens in a set pattern. When you go to a new place for a longer period of time, ze culture shock happens in 100% certainty. Some don't even notice it, some think that they are going crazy. The steps are:

1. honeymoon -everything's better than home
2. negotiation - everything's better back home
3. adjustment - everything's your new home

I never had step 1 or 2, I went straight to 3. I'm happy to be here, but never jumped over the roofs. Don't get me wrong, I AM thankful for this opportunity, I DO like it here, and I DO understand that this is the opportunity of a life time. Heck, I could imagine myself living here.
But alas, I am homesick.
It is completely normal but I feel guilty about it, which doesn't help at all. I don't expect anybody to understand, but it would be nice to get some understanding. This is typical, but also really, really annoying. I don't want to be whiny and sad. Not now. I'm going away soon enough.

To other news: on Friday I'm going to Sabah and next week's Friday I'm off to Vietnam and Cambodia. The week after that we are going to Brunei and then it's my last week. Tomorrow I shall make a post about my daily routines. I promise you guys, it's going to be the best one yet!

KL

All I have to say about Kuala Lumpur: it is. There is the outskirts, the center, and then some forrest. Whoopdie doo. The center looks like a copy of Canary Wharf, the suburbs look like well.. suburbs and the forrest has trees and more trees. If you guys need more information, turn to the tourist guide.

(I did meet some Ch'ng's friends there. They were great)

Here's what has happened within the past two weeks: Timo's parent's paid a visit, we went to Thailand and I had visit to Langkawi. I've lost the luxury of free internet access at the pool so now I have to drag my computer to the office. Oh the pain and suffering! And yes, I have my laptop with me. Not because I cannot survive without it, but because in the end of the day, I'm here to work. I know what you guys are thinkin! I do have a life here! (subjective, I got a new game as a birthday present, and finnished it in a less than a week)... Moving on!

I have only one word to describe Thailand: great. We only spent two days there, but it was very nice and surprisingly different when compared to Malaysia. The Malaysian mainland is mainly covered with two different kind of vegetation; paddy fields and palm oil trees (okok there's foresty areas somewhere over there). Thailand has a variation of gum trees and kinda rainforesty housing, atleast in southern Thailand. Also the cities are different; Hotyai is much more colourful but Penang has more capital.

I also went to Langawi. In the original plan I was supposed to spend two nights and three days, but then ended up staying a bit longer. The people I met were simply amazing. Cannot thank these people enough, Niamph, Lynn, Jamie, Mike, Marie, Jesper, Andrew(aka mum :P), oh my gosh, Ben and the Taiwanese girls, love you all to bits and I hope I'll meet you guys somewhere. I also wrote a diary while over there. So once again, here's almost uncencored bits of my private and exciting thoughts:

Day 1
Do you guys ever reminesence about those good old days? I know I do. Atleast my stomach used to work back then in the 90's!
So today I'm off to Langkawi. Woke up quite early after a night of rolling around, sweating, and feeling nouseous like an old rhino. Damn that last night's shrimp noodles!
Today's the first day I'm going to travel around Asia all by myself *insert the song here*. I know it will be ok, but I cannot help myself from being a bit scared and nervous. This is a good thing, I think, it just means I value my life and that I care. I like this feeling though. After arriving to the destination, drinking the first beer, and realising that you made it and you're still ok, is the best feeling in the world.
This nausea isn't though. ugh
--after few hours--
The ferry just left. I went outside to get some fresh air and to see how Penang disappears to the distance. I felt the wing whipping m face, salt water on my lips, and my head singing 'you are free'. This is the reason why I travel.
French trailers are shown in the telly. Next: Vin Diesel movie. Next: Langkawi.

Day 2
Last day was simply amazing. Half an hour after I arrived to the Zackry's Guesthouse, I was shuffed into a rental, and was sent off to a mangrove tour. That is how I met Andrew, Mike, and Maya, Ben, and (I'm so sorry, don't remember their names!) the Twainese girls.
Mangrove tour was really nice. For the first time I got to see Asian nature, almost untouched by man. We got to see pretty fishies, flying eagles, more fishies, bats(in a huge cave) and monkeys. One of the best moments of the tour was when I was sitting in the front of the boat and just watching the senery swoosh in front of my eyes
When we came back I had a nap and we were off to an Italian restaurant. It was located in the end of a pier so basicly we were eating on water. The view would've been beautiful, but too bad the sun had set before. After this started my craving for pizza.
So today started with a soggy theme. It seems that my stomach hasn't fully settled yet. Bah. Never mind. In Finland we have this saying 'nappia naamaan ja menox!' which seems to be my life filosofy. I had a pet during the night, a pretty black lizard, so I released it to the nature. Then I was off to have breakfast with the peeps. Atlast I was able to finnish the whole plate!
The main event of the day was island hopping. This time I went alone, but I met new people on the way. Some of them were also from USM which is quite funny coincidence. We started by going to the Pregnant Woman Island (shaped like a pregnant woman, d'oh) and to a sweet water lake in the middle of it. At the lake there were tons of crazy monkeys that some stupid tourists started feeding. We also had the change of trying fish therapy, which tickles like hell. Then we were off to see some more eagles and the final destination was this beach in the middle of nowhere. The sand was like white powder and the sea was blue like... a blue sea.

Day 4
No ferry's and no working visa. Internet banking passwords and whatnots are in Penang. Visa Electron is in Penang. I was feeling nauseous again in the morning, but now my stomach's settled a bit. Although I don't need them, but also all my ID's are in Penang. Fuck. This is what my friends call Marja's travelling style.
The main steps of my way are:
1. Take the wrong train/bus/tram
2. Don't be too sure where you are actually going
3. Don't take care of your travelling plans, like booking in advance exetera
4. Budjet? What is that?
5. Last but definetly not the least: make sure your visa stops working in the critical moment. Like when you need to stay extra nights and end up with 15 ringits(3 E) to survive with for two days. (not that little money here, but kinda scary anyway)

After that I got lazy. Of course everything ended up justn fine, visa's working now, and I got to spend one extra day at the hostel. Didn't want to leave anyways, so never mind. I'm still missing the time there, and hopefully I learned my lesson about organizing my shit properly. (ok this time I actually tried really hard, like tried to pay visa bill before the trip ectect.) But probably didn't learn anything :P

Road Trip!

Or almost one. We have to do sampling outside Penang, on a new construction site, so we drive there atleast once a week. Last week I took my camera with me and started taking some pictures on the way. These are taken while we were on the movem so some of the pictures are a bit blurry.

Everyone here drive scooters. I'd do the same, but I don't have the license :(

Rice fields!

The worst quality, but this is the most important picture. Of course the construction men are illegal immigrants, who are working just to pay off their trip to Malay. These guys are from Bangladesh and they are living in these shacks. On the back side they have a filthy junk yard where chickens and ducks are eating what they can before they become dinner. The workers on the other site have about the same story.

Le Awesome Tourist Day

I don't know where to start. Today we went with Ch'ng and her friend Sinkak (?) to eat chinese breakfast and to visit Kek Lok See, the biggest Asian temple around here. I have about billion pictures, and no patience to download them, so hopefully this small collection is enough. If I have time and enegy (probably not) I'll give more indept story about the place

Ch'ng and Sinkak. Amazing people!

Chinese breakfast

Entering the temple

Inner court

Monk's dormitories. Notice the solar panels on the roof

We saw monkeys at a park. The main dude ate from my hand!

Ok, so we got an appartment quite soon after we arrived. Of course we have to pay the western price, but what the hell. Seventh floor, pool, three bedrooms, and free internet at the pool. And oh yeah,did I mention the pool?

The view from my room.I can also see the Penang bridge, I'll show a picture later

Our place is on the right side, seventh floor.

Le Pool.

Don't know how save it is to swim in it though!

We went to an indian restaurant with Wendy and her husband. The food was amazing! First we had a thin crispy bread(it had honey and sugar and salt, yummy!). Then we had garlic and cheese naan bread and lense sause. It was so good that I'm still dreaming about it!

That's what she said!

Day 1

When I arrived it was 8 pm. I had slept the whole flight but was still feeling tired. Dr Nik picked me up from the airport and took me to the girls dormitory. We didn't know what time Timo was going to arrive so we went back to the airport every hour. He was here at 23.

The next day we mainly wondered around and got to know the local area. Dr Nik was really nice and drove us around and told us about the local life style and cultrure. We also got to know a really funny girl, Shalima, who took us shopping the same evening.

The wiev from my window

My room for the first few nights



Timo and Shalima

View from Queensbay Mall