The Grace in Grace

I'm getting lazier to blog. I used to blog about almost everything that happened, right now I blog when I'm waiting for photos to upload or when there isn't anything to do. I really need to update the Cambodia trip, but I'm getting lazy. I haven even finish uploading the photos into Facebook and I have given up the idea of touching them up; 2GB worth of pictures, you're kidding me.

So, I just came back from Kuala Lumpur and Genting. It's been a good 6-7 years since I've been there. Nothing much has changed I should say, even Ridley's didn't change much. First World Hotel is huge and noisy. I still miss staying in Highlands. It was a last minute trip, yet again. Lynn asked me about going in the car and I went "Ok!" Went home to pack, woke up early and off I went. I think it's the first time I had a good look at KL, well not the whole area but at lease the part where good food is. Oh man, every meal is suicidal. We ordered food like there's no tomorrow and vowed nevr to do it again, but repeat the whole damn thing during the next meal. The kids were noisy, irritating and whatnots of a 4 and 5 year old kids. But come on, they are that young and what do they know. It was fun playing and taking care of them though.

For the first time I stepped into the casino and I'm quite certain it's a boring place. I'm amused and amazed how people could sit in front of the jackpot machine for hours and hours by pressing that one button. I stood awhile looking at the table playing big small, the ones I always see on TV. Massage in Genting was horrible, expensive and murderous. It didn't heal my aching body, it was worse. Having flu during the trip was no fun too, it got me grouchy and moody. Maybe I miss having Gloria around whenever I travel now.. and that reminds me that I wouldn't see her till next year..

The food in KL was to die for. I looked forward to every meal and supper. Lynn and I would troop down late at night hunting for porridge and lok lok. I felt like a pregnant woman with cravings to satisfy; the Cambodia trip did play a part I reckon. We were back on the food street that Gloria and I went to last year, only this time we tried more food. I wished the woman was with me... hurhur!

David said he saw me, Fion and Lynn in Genting while we were on our way for massage. He won money at casino and was having a RM500 meal in some restaurant. He should have called me inside if he said he misses me. Hmpft! I could do with a fancy meal in Genting.

I'm back and don't know what's on for the week. I'll be back in KL on the 1st to 3rd January with the Old Church Kakis. I was wondering to myself if I should just remain in KL and wait for the rest to come meet me. This whole trip was eventful, I guess. Many things happened and I've gotten to know people that I dived with better. It was another those trip that we didn't have much itinerary and woke up at 10a.m everyday.. haha! I love trips like these..

I don't quite know how to begin on my trip this time. There are definitely things and events worth mentioning and blogging, but I just don't know how. Maybe I have grown lazier, I'm even lazy to upload pictures onto Facebook. If I were to leave it hanging anymore, I will eventually not blog about it. But, I have heart strings tugging me to blog. It's so Grace to blog about the trip isn't it? So, yeah... I should. Just need to find the right moment and when the air around where I am isn't polluted with hair spray. Seriously, can't hair spray smell nicer or less choking? Save the earth man...

So, 36 days in Cambodia wasn't a breeze. For sure, and I'm going to be frank, that I don't quite enjoyed it as I did on Logos II. Maybe Logos II was more organized and I'm surrounded by people I could interact with. Oh please, not that I don't love the Cambodians and the Koreans around me, but sometimes it's just so overwhelming. Lots of stories and I shall not blog about it in public.

I spend 3 weeks teaching in the Youth Center. Classes are from 9a.m to 10p.m at night, of course there are a lot of breaks in between. Breaks so long that I can take naps and watch all the HBO cartoons that I've missed. Youths there were great. Very polite and respectful. When they get use to me, they treat me like a teacher and at the same time their friend. How cool is that. They brought me around, let me try local food and became my translator whenever I needed one.

Rest of the time I visited slums, other ministries and talking to other missionaries. Thank goodness for Sarah and Pauline, they were the ones who kept me in check and sane during my stay in Cambodia. I can still remember that faithful day we went out for lunch. I was feeling all lousy and lonely, sulking in bed when they came and took me out for lunch. God-sent, they came at just the right moment! Both of them made my stay in Cambodia fulfilling.

During my time there, I had a few Singaporeans who came over for short term. I hosted some of them and even brought one family to Sihanoukville. Just in time for the get-a-way I really needed from OM Cambodia.

The best thing that happened and it summed up the whole Cambodia-mission-cum-year-end-trip was having Gloria come visit! If she hasn't come, I wouldn't have gone up to Siem Reap. If she hasn't come, the rest of my stay in Cambodia would be so draggy. I love this woman to bits for taking the effort to come even thought it was a short trip for her... I hope it was a good trip!

During the trip, we realized we were in Laos at exactly the same time last year. So, it was more or less our anniversary travel trip! We took it nice and easy this time. Gloria needed a get-a-way and I just want to relax. No planned schedule of what to do and where to go. Our day starts at almost 10a.m everyday, no rush to visit or go anywhere. We spend the night drinking cheap beers and sitting out to chill. On the night that we were suppose to head back to Phnom Penh from Siem Reap, we made a last minute decision to continue the bus journey to Sihanoukville. Trust me, we made the decision while boarding the bus.. HAH! I love this woman...
So, here's what I can deliver today. I shall blog again, soon.

If there is anything I miss about Singapore after 36 days in Cambodia, it would be the air. Not that it's mountain top fresh, but I am able to take deep breathe without choking. So, I haven gather my thoughts for the trip yet, I will, soon.

I got a hair cut after 2 or 3 months and a new hair color. Slept half the day away, vegetate in front of the TV and I don't feel a tad bad about it.

People have been asking me what had I learn from the trip, what am I going to do after I return... I will let you know once I've settled my thoughts.. My apologies that my conversations with you are short now. Not that I don't want to talk, just that the thoughts are all over the place. With what the father did to me and the others yesterday.. what a great start to life after Cambodia. But, no, I'm not letting it affect me. Too foolish to let him. Seriously, I don't have to get hurt twice. If I can't face it, might as well walk away from it.

So, I've got errands to run tomorrow. I miss my motordop already.. I'm quite in the mood to meet up. Maybe because it's the holiday season.. hurhur, so call me!