Monday, December 14, 2020

The "Best Wife Award" goes to.....

My drum rolls......


Here I go again, blowing trumpets about my wife. I have shared the recent post on how my wife sacrificed her hiking trip to the Himalayas and put up a brave pretentious look to send me off on the plane to South Korea and thereafter took a cab home instead. If you cannot recall this incident, you can read up HERE.

So, I have ordered an Academy Award trophy for my wife for her BEST ACTRESS role! Muahahahahaha







Sometimes, she amazed me as an overly ambitious person with a strong character and passion to live her life to the fullest. The year 2020 has been a fruitful year for her with several unexpected new ventures to keep her going and busy. Besides her tight schedule being a fulltime consultant for our Ministry of Education, she also runs 2 educational centres for her USA's Computational Thinking and also joins her weekly sessions with different Toastmaster's Clubs in Klang Valley. Not enough, she will be lecturing weekly at University Tunku Abdul Rahman come this January 2021 and currently in talks with Sri KDU for her contributions towards their expansion programs. She has also enrolled to do her Masters in Computer Science too. Who on earth would believe the way she uses her time each day? I do. I am thankful that she has time to take good care of me.


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Monday, November 2, 2020

Collecting Designer Shopping Bags

I believe many of you have saved all your pretty shopping bags over the years. Some paper bags have colourful themes besides very artistic designs that could make you feel happy. I think the most interesting ones are the Chinese's Mid Autumn Festival paper bags. The vibrant bags often commemorate well with the contents of assorted moon cakes to be given away as joyous gifts to friends and families.

Being in the advertising industry all my life, I do know the longs hours and costs to get the pretty bags out to reach the customers. My educator wife does not share my thoughts and often thought of me like an old lady who collects bags and recycle disused bottles. Muahahahaha... She upholds the teaching that we should "Be Present". This profound meaning is very deep and says we should not live & dwell into the pasts. Antique collecting is also a No-No!!! Adoi.....

I first discovered about shopping bags becoming collector's items while I was pursuing my advertising studies in United States. I often saw too many collectibles and brick brat household items that were sold in flea markets, charity fairs and garage sales which have been a common sights across America. Back then, they were really eye openers to someone who lived in a Penang cave like me. Now I regretted for not knowing how to buy them for a song and bring home. They could fetch handsome income today as good investments, if you are updated & following the prices on eBay and etc. Nowadays they even sell used seasonal shopping bags from COACH, LV, Prada and many others for hefty prices. 

I do have many used shopping bags being stashed in the storage areas at home. I wanted to decorate an ugly small wall inside my office space in my wife's education center. After much thoughts, I decided to hang up a few paper bags to liven up the space as a wall paper-bags! I prefer not to paint or hang any photos.




Do you support my idea to just hang used paper bags on this tiny wall?
I could lay down, admire the money spent and doze off into my dream land.




A closer look of the various shopping bags. I do have many other bags at home but their somber colours are boringly plain that wouldn't lift up my mood.




I guess this is the only shopping bag here that will become a collector's item. Many of you might not know this famous fashion designer Alexander Wang but he is just as very famous as Ralph Lauren in the US soil. He is well known for his black colour themed pret-a-porter lines and had once served in the luxurious house of BALENCIAGA. This 37 year old Alexander Wang, is a US born of Chinese migrant parents in San Francisco, California.





This is my brand new sofa-bed. I need to pamper myself sometimes. Life is short.



***




Friday, April 24, 2020

Last Night In Busan (Part 3)

I was like having a whirlwind romance with the city of Busan. Many heartfelt thanks to my Korean best friend for driving me all the way from Seoul to enjoy the best sightseeing around Busan. He drove along the stretch of coastal roads for me to enjoy the panoramic view where all the big & small beautiful homes lined the sea cliffs and face the breathtaking ocean. These precious and good memories will last me a lifetime.


Poongwonjang Restaurant
No.38 Marine City 2-ro, U-dong, Haeundae-gu,
Busan, South Korea.


My friend brought me to a famous restaurant that served traditional Korean seafood dishes. It is located along the coastal area.




The minute I entered the entrance, I was greeted by a cozy ambiance of many blooming flowers of Spring. The myriad of beautiful colours and the pine wooden floor to the ceiling was a sight to behold.



The owner loves flowers! It was my first time seeing orange tulips.




There are many private rooms there with about 6 tables each.



My friend browsed through the thick menu and ordered on the recommendation of the Lady Captain. The array of food was served very fast with all the heating stoves started up for the broths. It was nice to drink tasty hot broths in cold weather.



Look! My eyes went very big & wide as the waiters could not stop serving the many appetizing plates of main dishes and banchan (side dishes). I looked at my smiling friend who gestured me to eat without hesitation. The plates, bowls & saucers totaled over 25 pieces in the end! It was the most delicious Korean lunch I ever had. I am thankful for my good karma to eat good food and have good friends.

I always remembered what my Korean friends taught me in America. The host expects the guests to enjoy eating non stop and drinking alcohol merrily with much loud noise, laughter and carnival like. You will also see alcohol being served for well wisher guests at all the funerals in South Korea.





My stomach was too full with all my intestines almost bursting at the seams. I ran to the toilet to empty my old shit bowels. I wanted to cry and faint as the toilet was at the very far opposite end.




Hwangnyeonsan Mountain




My friend wanted to show me the night view of the whole Busan City. He chose the late evening to start driving up to the summit which took 15 minutes.




We almost reached the peak and he had to stop because he wanted to smoke!




 The skies were enveloped in thick mists which gave a blurry view.




We proceeded to continue driving up to the peak, only to be greeted by many flowers on both sides.




This is the Mount Hwangnyeonsan Observatory where there is a big cafe for visitors to drink and admire the Busan City's night view below.



We ordered coffee and it started to rain heavily! I was patient and very optimistic that heavens would open up the skies for me after the downpour.





Beautiful Busan City at night with all the glittering lights.



****



Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Busan Attractions (Part 2)

Busan is a very interesting city with many attractions. I did not visit all the places that trip because I have plans to visit again in near future when my wife goes mountain hiking with her gang of hikers. I am not welcomed to join the hikers because I was slow like a tortoise. The last time we hiked up Mount Kinabalu, she finished in 4.5 hours before lunch. I took over 9 hours to reach the top when the skies turned pitched dark with the moon laughing at me. So damn malu!! You wanna hear the reasons?


Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Address: 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea.



This popular idyllic temple sits by the rocky seaside that offers very spectacular view of the whole ocean and natural landscaping of beautiful rocks. There are plenty of steps to navigate yourself to visit this place, so your knees should be strong.




They are rated as "The Most Beautiful Temple in Korea" as all the temples are located high on mountains but this one sits by the hilly rocks and overlooks the sea.



This ancient temple was first built by the Great Buddhist Teacher named Naong in the year 1376, during the Goryeo Dynasty.



You can spend hours alone to admire the peaceful scenery with the huge rolling waves splashing on the rocks. It really calmed my feelings. The waves took away my blues and whatever sadness into the ocean very faraway. Busan has many beautiful rocky areas by the sea for us to check it out.



The main Mahavira hall of the temple.




The monk was reciting some prayers inside the hall.




 My Korean friend sat and waited for me patiently wherever I went. 
That's what best friends are for.



I think that statue is the Bodhisatva Di Zang Wang Pusa by judging on the long pole that he carries. He was a Royal Prince from Korea who went to do his cultivation in the Mount Jiuhua in Anhui China. This Bodhisatva's statues can be seen widely all over Japan, China, Taiwan including Malaysia. I visited the pagoda where his body was kept in China. You can see it HERE.




There is a tall pagoda outside the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. 
Can you spot the 2 Love Birds??




The 2 Love Birds.





Gamcheon Culture Village
Address: Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan.



That's my friend who drove me up the hilly slopes of Busan to see the amazing "Santorini" village. 



The whole village was once the poorest slum area since the Korean War. Today it has magically turned into a top tourist area with so many colourful streets, corners and cafes for good photography. They have endless of Artistic Walls, Sculptures and Murals. I am just showing you the monkey side of me. 




So many Korean lady-wannabes wearing their pretty traditional "Hanbok".




Please remember that this whole Gamcheon Village consists of all clustered houses stacked up on the hilly slopes with tiny winding steps. My friend being a heavy smoker was gasping for his breaths and dear life, climbing the winding stairs. It was amazing to see how the Korean families lived there.



We found a roof top of a cafe to peek the view of Gamcheon Village but it was not the right angle.




I went up to the stage to sing Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock".



So we had to walk down all over again and walked up other narrow steps to find the right place. We failed again and had to drive the car to another side of the big hill.




Now this angle looked more interesting.




I found the perfect spot!


My postcard photo. Hope you enjoyed the tour.



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Friday, April 17, 2020

Attractions in Busan - South Korea (Part 1)

Attractions in Busan - Haeundae Beach, Juk Seong Church & Bulgogi Dinner

My Korean best friend Lee Joon Sung drove me from Seoul all the way to Busan which is 325 kilometres away. His wife who is a Korean bank's president insisted that he must show me around Korea with the best VIP treatment which included top notch lunches and dinner! The journey took over 4 hours in his big comfortable car with several stops along the way. We had a long talk with endless silly jokes to rekindle the time we both lived in the haunted dormitory at Point Park College. He used to call his girlfriend (wife now) in Korea from USA everyday until his phone bill ran over USD$1000 per month! No kidding!! My friend smoked non stop while driving and poor me had to inhale all the 2nd hand smoke! Cough! Cough!




We visited this famous Juk Seong Dream Church which is located at Gijang-gun in Busan. It was specially built just as a concrete prop for a SBS Korean Drama called "Dream". It has become a tourist attraction today for its scenic rocky location and panoramic view of the ocean. 




Busan is the busiest & largest port in South Korea and has direct ferry to Japan's Kyushu Islands because they are pretty close!




 Ahem!   Look at this Korean Opah posing on the rock. Do you think I should start acting?




The side view of the Juk Seong Church.




The 'small church' is often used for Art Exhibits or Community Services. There is no church pews, altar or prayers here. 



  
The Spring weather was nice, chilly and sunny.




This is the aerial view of how this unique church was built just for a TV drama series. (I borrowed this photo from TripAdvisor.)



This photo shows the filming of the "Dream" TV drama. Have you watched it??




Finally, I got my feet into the sand and sea water at the most famous Haeundae Beach! 
Yoohoo!




So many movies and dramas have been shot at this scenic playground of the Rich and Famous.. My other Korean room mate Lee Seung Woo lives in this swanky area and I was guessing which condo belonged to him. That night I would have the chance to ask him over dinner.





All the most expensive South Korea's ocean front luxury condos and multi million dollar homes are lined here along Haeundae Beach! It reminds me of the Malibu Beach and Pacific Palisades in California. I could only look-see and dream on.



My roommate Seung Woo hosted the dinner and insisted that we must eat Bulgogi. He boasted that the best Bulgogi in whole of South Korea and the world is only available in Busan. I looked at him in real disbelief.




I used their traditional fragrant Perilla Leaves to wrap the marinated grilled beef, paste, garlic and onions. Wow!!! The taste was really fantastic with its natural sweetness and juice flowing out! It was non stop eating for me the whole night. You must try it when you visit Busan.




My roommate is still an alcoholic today while my other best friend is still a heavy chain smoker! That night we drank many bottles of the famous Chef Baek Jong Won's Soju.





My happy reunion with the 2 Korean Opahs. The left guy is my roommate whose late father owned many office blocks in Seoul's posh Gangnam area. He was such a pampered only son and his mother had to give him 'wake up' calls from Seoul everyday as no alarm clock could wake him up for school. I also gave up waking him in the mornings until he missed so many classes with bad attendance in America! So I had to pick up his mother's phone call every morning at sunrise and threw the cordless phone at him on the next bed beside me. That's how I learnt to speak the most polite Korean language and greetings as I had to address a very filthy rich mother.



*****




The Day My World Ended

At sunrise of 3rd August, my wife came to fetch me in her brand new car. She sped all the way through the morning traffic to Shah Alam. It w...