Not Coming Home Yet... revisited

I miss home (or KL, to be specific). And i don't deny that. Though, my papa and brothers moved into a new place in KL last year.

Like i've said before, besides my family and friends, i don't have anything back in KL that's holding me back.

But at this juncture of my life, i would want to settle down here on the island. Not my birth place, where traffic jams prevails, tolls are set up almost everywhere and it's a dog-eat-dog competitive working environment as compared to this calm (but hot) island.

Not to mention my parents are from this island, which means i'm returning to my 'motherland'.

Anyway, with the existence of more people, there will be more demand and sometimes there isn't enough supply to cope with the demand. And at times, prices of land do not depreciate.

I read this column by academic Goh Ban Lee on houses on the island, and here's part of it:

"....Today, young graduates earning from RM2,500 to RM3,500 a month in Penang Island do not think of landed properties anymore, even if their spouses earn similar salaries. Their combined income of RM5,000 to RM7,000 a month can only allow them to buy houses of RM300,000 to RM400,000, that is, if they have saved between RM30,000 and RM50,000 for down-payments or are lucky enough to have parents who can and are willing to contribute.

The double-storey terrace houses in Island Glades are selling from RM500,000 to RM700,000 each! Most new landed properties in the Northeast District of Penang Island are in three-storey format costing about RM800,000! Semi-detached variety costs more than a million ringgit...."

Read more about the article HERE


I wanted to cry, because when both of us combine our income, it's only almost RM5,000. I lament at this fact - it's not easy to purchase a house.

My buddies Justin and Kevan have bought a house and buying one, respectively. And i'm stuck with a room in a shaby looking flat on the island.

I would want a place, which i can call home when i get married to the love of my life. A place where it would be open for fellowship meetings, gatherings and even for a couple of people to bunk; in other words, to bless others with.

And it would be nice to be able to move Melissa D out of her house when we get married, assuring both Uncle Chow and Aunty Moy that i'll be able to take care of the both of us.

But every now and then, I feel like crying every time i think about this matter; it's depressing. But there other things like how we'll manage as a married couple, paying for bills and loans, raise children, organising a family, etc. These thoughts can be depressing.

But life's too short to live in regret and wasted wandering away. So, i'll just leave it to God, seeking Him for wisdom, strength and encouragement to move forward... as well as from our peers.

The day will come when i'll be able to say, home sweet home. One day.


P/S I'm now typing this story from the island, after my assignments. And i'll be coming back to KL in a few days time! Do call me if you wanna meet up, ya?

Love & Peace!~

BC?

Quarter.

I turned 25 last Friday, and i'm glad to be able to celebrate it here with Melissa D, the CG members as well as the music team in church.

I didn't know the music team would get me cheese cake (which was pretty good and affordable) on the eve of my birthday. And when i brought the cake to Bintang, the boss asked if we wanted to lights off so that we can celebrate my birthday there!~

Melissa D and i went for lunch at TGI Fridays in Queensbay Mall and later watched Night at the Museum 2, which was a pretty hilarious and entertaining movie.

For dinner, we were at OXO cafe, where we had our CG meeting. But it's not a place i would want to go very often. But they have these fun hats me and Melissa D both wear in the pictures!

The pink cake... and it doesn't taste as good as the cheese cake. But since it's free, i'm not complaining.


Melissa D and me

The party animal!


Well, i wish for happiness, love and peace for all those around me; my loved ones, family and friends. And i pray that God will allow me to do that.

Love & Peace!~

BC?

Losing Control to Anger.

Like Bruce Banner said, "You wouldn't like me when i'm angry," this phrase sings true to me too.

I think i'm one person who's slow to anger, but it doesn't mean i never get frustrated at all.

One of the fears i have, is to stay angry with another, more so with Melissa D. At times, she can really drive me up the wall, or 'hurt' me.

But i really can't stay angry with her for long, as it wouldn't be fair for the both of us. I remember a close friend telling me that if the man in the relationship isn't happy or confident, the woman can't be as well.

Another told me that there're two elements that can't be denied in a relationship - conflict and sexual tension.

Anyway, it does take effort to calm myself down, and when all's okay, i do enjoy the time we spend together. Without bad and down times, we wouldn't enjoy the good times, eh? And who does enjoy stagnant relationships, eh? It should be dynamic, and everchanging - for the best.

"...And I can't stand you
Must everything you do make me wanna smile
Can I not like you for awhile?

But you won't let me
You upset me girl
And then you kiss my lips
All of a sudden I forget (that I was upset)
Can't remember what you did

But I hate it...
You know exactly what to do
So that I can't stay mad at you
For too long that's wrong

But I hate it...
You know exactly how to touch
So that I don't want to fuss.. and fight no more
Said I despise that I adore you

And I hate how much I love you boy
I can't stand how much I need you
And I hate how much I love you boy
But I just can't let you go
And I hate that I love you so...."

Taken from Hate That I Love You by Rihanna feat. Ne-Yo

Few nights back, both Melissa D and i watched Demons and Angels, it was a good thriller film. But like many of my friends said, it would be better to read it straight from the novel.

And from the movie, i give Dan Brown the thumbs up for doing his research well. But what he has done was to take pieces of facts, sew it up with a 'fiction' string, and present it as another piece of 'facts'.

That's why a lot of religious parties were all railed on the issue, especially when the other book/movie, The Da Vinci Code (which i watched) was out. Hence, knowledge is power, and knowing what's right and what's wrong put you ahead of a lot of things.

A few weeks back, both of us watched a few movies, including:

Terminator Salvation
This is a good sci-fi and action film. But the film doesn't really focus on John Connor, the leader of the Resistance, but on another character, Marcus Wright. Thus, some die hard fans for the earlier Terminator films might not enjoy it that much.

From how the movie ended, there are bound to be one or two more movies, which hopefully, will be show how John will lead the Resistance against Skynet and its machines.


Star Trek
I'm no trekkie, but this is one movie i did enjoy.  It does bring a fresh air to the series (and movie), which has disappeared from the tube for awhile now.

Focusing on the U.S.S Enterprise crew's first 'official' mission against an unknown enemy with advance weaponary, this movie is it a re-vamp from the original. Don't miss out Leonard Nimoy's appearance in the film.

I love you, Man
This is obviously a dude-flick, as oppose to a chick flick. About a man, who is about to be married, but has to find a guy to be his best man, which turns out to be a hilarious journey of friendship and what it takes to be a man!

If you enjoyed watching Forgeting Sarah Marshall, you might enjoy this 'man movie' as well. (both movies feature Jason Segel in them!)

Anyway, looking forward to watch Monsters Vs Aliens, Up, and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Love & Peace!~

BC?

Oatmeal!

After making a small batch of oatmeal, i tasted it and said, "YUCK!"

But mixing it with (a lot of) Milo did help make it better.

Hmmm... i've got a bag full of oats. How should i use it properly?

Anyway, have a nice weekend ahead!


Note: Gotta upload two entries by this weekend!~

Love & Peace!~

BC?

Not coming home yet. (Ver 1.2)

The last time i came back to KL was in March.

Last month, i was suppose to come back, but the by-elections in Penanti held me back. And i pushed it to this month. But due to conflicting schedules with my colleagues, i would have to postpone my return trip to July.

*sigh*

But it doesn't change the fact that there's still work to be done, and no one is dying or crying with me being stuck here on the island. Haven't heard anyone begging me to come back to KL.

I try my best to keep in contact with those i can keep in contact with. But when no one contacts me, the communication is left at status quo. Hmmmm... it's up to there lah.

But if anyone wants to meet up with me, either on the island (and mainland) or KL, i'm more than happy to see you, provided i've got the time.

Looks like i have to apologise to several people for not being able to see them this month, which includes my papa. Not to forget, Justin Yap, Kevan, David and Dewgem and Gideon, Justin Tan, Pek Mei, Julius and bros, HG members, etc.

Gotta call my papa now.

Love & Peace!~

BC?

This could be the only hightlight of the by-election....

And it appeared out of nowhere in Penanti - jovially hopping around, minding its own business throughout the by-election here. And it has been ages since i last held a rabbit! (Pictures of rabbits taken by Shanon Shah)

This was the rabbit i managed to catch during the by-election. Unfortunately, it belongs to someone living nearby, in Kubang Ulu in Penanti.

Sue-Chern happily patting the cute white rabbit as she says, "It will look better in the cooking pot."

These were the two baby rabbits taken by Shanon, when he was invited by the owner to have a short chat.


... or not.

The expose of bribe offers from PKR, made by former PKR wanita chief Aminah Abdullah, who contested as an independent in this by-elections did expose some dirt within the party. But even though she said she would reveal more secrets, the excitement fizzled off before Polling Day.

And while Nai Khan Ari was all gun-ho in his campaign, the other independent candidate Kamarul Ramizu Idris was somewhat missing... as if he was in his own world. And he lose slightly more votes here, as compared to Bukit Gantang. *ouch*

But unfortunately, Polling Day was not exciting (as many of us expected). Yes, PKR's Mansor did win, but compared to the previous by-elections, BN did not contest, and i have to agree with the Prime Minister, this is not a great victory to celebrate.

It was not only boring and dull, but it had one of the lowest turnout in the history of elections in the country - 46.15% only!


From the left, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Penanti assemblyman and soon-to-be Deputy Chief Minister (I) Mansor Othman, party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and party state chief Datuk Zahrain Mohammad Hashim, moving towards Institut Kemahiran Belia Negera in BM, where Mansor was declared the winner of the by-election.


But hey, maybe the next by-election would be more interesting?

Love & Peace!~

BC?