Boredom May Also Be Joy

Most of the time joy was from the unexpected things. Things that are not in the itinerary but eventually happen, either due to poor planning or some help from above to change the boredom to beauty.

I found sitting on the bench near the Jam Gadang was one of the surprises. Fit to describe how boredom may at times has beauty in it. The towering Dutch building nearing sunset was beautiful. The buskers provided the soundtrack, singing an unknown melody. The drizzles softened tense afternoon and the kids who travelled three hours to the highlands were joyful to see. They were all added up to be a beautiful moment.

In fact, I am grateful for the boredom inflicted upon me that day. Seeing a place, the second time around, gave depth to the touristy little place. Boredom gave better lens for us to see beyond the obvious happiness.

The People of Saigon: A Tribute

I should thank all the Vietnamese for their kindness. This is not a fake compliment. This is real and I really mean it. In fact, I think I should tribute this entry to all nice Vietnamese.

When the flight landed, I was in a very confused state. This is a country which speaks little English. This is a socialists country which according to historians and democratic propagandists is evil. And, this is a land which has seven million people all crowded in a small city. There are many reasons to be afraid to be here alone.

When I met the bus conductor (bus no 152 to Pham Ngu Luo), little by little, the fear turns to comfort. The Vietnamese are in fact very courteous.

Then I met a lady with her little girl in a bus, talking like we have met long.



Also the boy who approached me when I was unable to get the point across to the people in the central bus station.

‘How may I help you sir?’

He said. Then, I was in a bus to Cho Ray. A girl chatted me up with her accented English and also the bus conductor who worked two years in Malaysia.




The conference was nicely conducted. And there, Kim Koon entered the picture. She brought half of the her Biomedical Engineering course mates to entertain us. I can’t remember the names. But the most helpful were the one in red dress and the chubby one. The others was as nice except probably they are a bit conscious with their English.



I had a grand time in Ho Chi Minh, hope to be there someday. To all good people of the city, I thank you.

Banks: I Hope You Go Bankrupt

One of the most tiresome pre-travel things is calling your credit card’s customers relation officers. Especially when you have fcuk credit card company like CIMB and UOB. They have fcukability beyond comprehension.

You can call them 10000 times and this fcuking voice will tell you “Our customers relation officers are currently busy attending other customers, please hold…” repeat that 10000 times on your ear and you will pray to God for the bank to go bankrupt.

‘Go bankrupt! I don’t give a fcuk!’



I swear I will terminate all these stupid cards and use foreign banks instead. Singaporeans can go to hell also. I want a British bank.



As entertainment, and clarity, I’ll show you my maxis statements. Look how much I spent on these fcuking banks which gave me no benefit at all. At least Citibank gave me hundreds of ringgit worth of vouchers and Tupperware. And they picked up the phone on the first call I made.

Next time when some freaking banks approach you, remember my words and tell them.

‘Your customer service sucks! And I hope you go bankrupt’