driving in Germany.

I have to take driving lessons here in Germany because my Malaysian license is not valid here in Europe, i guess everybody knows why.

To obtain a driving license in Germany requires a hell lot of work. First, you have to take a first aid course which lasted 8 hours, then you need to do a eye test, to make sure your eyesight is perfect for driving, then only you are allow to take theory lessons. As i am a foreigner, and the classes are conducted in German, i was spared, but i need to study/learn on my own, and it is not easy. There are 30 questions, each questions was allocated with different points-depends on the importance of the questions, you cannot loss more than 10 points or more or less 3 questions. It is extremely difficult, but still, it is nothing compare to the practical lesson.

I had my first lesson on 4 weeks ago, i was quite nervous although i have driven for 8 years. There are so many rules to follow, so many things to look out for, i cannot concentrate! I got a really bad headache after the lesson, i couldn't cope with the stress and driving on the other side. First of all, there are many signs on the road which you have to absolutely look out for, whenever you indicate, you have to first look at the rear mirror, then the side mirror, then indicate, before you change lanes or turning a corner, you have to literally turn your head to show the instructor that you are looking out for the blind spot, pedestrian or bicycles. I was always too quick in the city(only allowed 50km/h), and too slow for the Autobahn(highway). My instructor was always shouting 'more speed, more speed, too slow, you need at least 100km/h when you are entering the Autobahn, more speed!!

4 weeks on, spent hundreds of Euros-it is very expensive to obtain a license here in Germany, i will have my test next Thursday. I seriously don't know what to expect. Of course i hope i can pass, but at the same time, i don't want myself to be too confident, because i will be devastated if i fail. Wish me luck, it is the only thing i want NOW.

Oh Rome-2

Yes, back to Rome.

The second day started off quite OK, we had breakfast and headed to Colosseum again, then to Vatican.

I always thought Vatican is very heavy guarded and bla bla, i guess I've watched too many movies, it didn't really live up to my expectation. St.Peter was great, it is still by far the most beautiful Cathedral I've ever seen. Actually i can't find the word to describe how i felt, it was like a dream come true, there were a few things i want to do before i die, and this is one of it- to see Michelangelo's Dome, which truly mark the Renaissance Era. Unbelievable. There is also a Dungeon or i would say an underground tomb where they keep all the tombs of Pope, and of course the Late Pope John. It was quite an experience really, i was standing there, in front of his tomb for almost 10 mins, and i just couldn't imagine he's lying peacefully there, in front of me. I've seen him on the TV, in fact i saw the Funeral from TV myself, i felt sad, although i'm not a Catholic, but i did wish i can pray for him, and he is with the Almighty himself-another unforgettable experience.

We then move on to the Museum, although He hates it, but i dragged him-i mean how often do you think you will be in Vatican anyway, and since we are there why not just have a quick look? It was indeed a very 'quick' browse. He was constantly on the move, we ran through all the galleries, but suprisingly He was quite fond to see the Sistine chapel. I was practically speechless when i saw the drawings at the ceiling by Michelangelo, it was just---------------. If you are in Rome, never miss it. I'm serious. The illusion he created will actually mess up your brain-this is how good it is.

After Vatican, we were both exhausted, but knowing it was the last day we had in Rome, we wanted to make the most of it, so we decided to go back to the city to see the Palatine and Piazza Navona. Suprise!!!!

This is for you -YeeMun
The two of us(me and Him) were just exhausted and tried to figured out how to get to Palatine from there, and someone touched me-there-YeeMun!!! What a Suprise. I couldn't believe it-i mean i work in Germany, she is in KL, how the hell we managed to bump into each other in Rome?? well, what can i say, if i'm alone, and you are a man-i will marry you!!(we are destined to be with each other-as in a movie)

That evening went on quickly. We thought we should find somewhere nice to have a nice Italian dinner, we found this cozy Italian restaurant, and it look quite nice, so we thought we've made the right decision.
-Another tip from me: always ask if the Pizza is freshly made.
We sat down, ordered, and heard this American couple next to our table asking the Waitress if the pizza is freshly made, and she said "No! Frozen!" we frozed. It was awful!! They left immediately, but me and Him was too tired to change. What a night-as expected, the Pizza was horrible, even Pizza Hut is better, i've learned another lesson. damn it! !@#$%^&*()
The night was over, our Rome trip was over. Do i like it? hm.. is not too bad. As Yuan said, Vatican is overrated-i agree, but i still think Rome is charming and i still believe we haven't seen everything nor tasted the real Italian food. Where i will go next? Florence.

oh, Rome!!!

Rome, the land of la dolce vita. It was a birthday present from Him, glad that he finally got it right after 6 years.

Another tip from me, never trust BBC weather forecast, it sucks, really. I have had numerous experience... needless to say more, i thought it was going to be cold, since it was freezing cold in Germany, but suprisingly, it was quite warm when we arrived. Very excited to be there, and went straight to the Hotel, though the hotel was quite nice-with a balcony(it felt like we were in a villa at the beach) but it was quite far away from the centre. After changing into T-shirt, went to the Metro, and went to our first stop-Colosseum.

We were starving, and just when we went out of the Metro station, the Colosseum proudly stood infront of us, it was just amazing. I have seen countless images of the Colosseum from books, magazines, but still- it blew me away. We went around, and realised is better to get something to eat before our long journey, and so we went to a cafe nearby. Had a terrible disgusting pasta, not very satisfy, but expected something like this, after all, a touristic area.

Was queing to get into the Colosseum, but being told that we have to wait for at least 30 mins, there were too many people, so decided to go back the day after early in the morning. I groaned. Decided to walk a little, to the city centre, found out entrance is free to all attractions and Musuems on Sat and Sun as it was World tourism day. Fantastic!!

Rome is really nice to walk around, the small lanes, you might just bump into a historical building randomly. Walked past the ruins of ancient Rome, the Temple, the Forum, i'm glad that we can still see the traces of 2000 years ago. Is amazing, isn't it?

Went to the famous Fountain Trevi, and amazed to see so many tourists, and to be honest, it did put me off a little. You see them trying to squeeze themselves in front of each other, is pathetic. You can see how many of them in the pic.

I guess this is one of the most photographed monument in Italy.

Anyway, decided to move on, and one of my colleague told me that there's a famous Gelati shop around the Fountain, but we didn't find it, quite dissapointed.

The weather was getting chilly, but we decided to go on, because Spanish Steps is just round the corner. Still feeling dissapointed we didn't find the Gelati shop, i was determined to get one, so i randomly picked one, but it turned out ok, not too bad. They were too many people around, and so we sat down at the Steps to enjoy my little precious gelati!!

And so you see, overlooking the famous street-i forgot the name, with all the high end fashion houses. I did see lots of people coming out of the shops with huge bags-you name it: Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Tods, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton...... while the Media was spreading the news that we are going into Recession-I'm Amused.

It was getting colder and colder, and we realised we have made a terrible mistake for not wearing at least a warm cardigan. It was too hard to bare and we decided to head back to the hotel and have dinner there.

Just when we thought we were lucky to get a Taxi, The taxi driver didn't know the hotel, and we forgot the street either, but we knew the way, because it is very close to the Metro station and so we told him the Metro station-Marconi and he started to shout at us: ''Marconi? Marconi? it is very..big!! very big!! street!! street!!'' and we said again,' pls go to the Metro station in Marconi', and he repeated the same thing "very big! street!", i didn't know what to say to him, i mean he is a taxi driver, he should know the Metro station, or else ask somebody, you don't expect the tourist to know their way round, if they do, he will be out of business. Finally, he poped up a street name, and we both recognize it.'Thank God' i thought. After 15 mins, we were almost there, but caught in a traffic jam, and he said to us: '' you get off here, hotel there, you can...walk. traffic jam, ok?" we were so pissed, but didn't want to argue with him. It was 17.70 euros, He pay him with 20, and the f***ing taxi driver didn't want to give us any change!!!! Can you imagine how rude they are? Ridiculous. We have to walk 15 mins in the dark, starved and pissed to the Hotel. He f***ing spoiled my evening.

To be continue....

I've done it!! I've resigned.

What a relief.
It was actually harder than i thought it would be, seriously. I was actually quite sad to leave all my lovely colleagues behind, but poeple have to move on, I have to move on, and decision has to be made.
Glad that it is over, and it is official, i will start my new job next year. I do not know what it will bring me or where it will lead me, but i guess i have to try or i would never know.
Wish me luck.

Exhausted

I'm very very exhausted. To be honest, i didn't have time to sit down and enjoy for the last 4-5 weeks. It is really killing me.
First, came back from Malaysia, i was off for almost 2 weeks, lots to catch up, that was fine. Then, meeting after meeting, disaster after another, i was staying late almost everyday, to finish all the work, and doing all the artworks which i'm not supposed to be doing-(is the graphic designer's job), i was so exhausted, my weekend was spent recovering from the week, and the stress in organizing year end trip for my parents, has to move out because the landlord increase our rent, problems after another...i nearly snapped.
Last week was also hard on me. I didn't think my job description including being insulted, they are really getting on my nerves. I can't sleep well, i can't think straight, i'm always thinking about work!
This is the reality, when you are doing a great job, they don't give you any compliments, instead they push you to the edge and make sure you will deliver the same thing, this is cruelty. A little compliment will do me good, and do them no harm.
Today, i have a million things on my list, clean up the house, work, prepare my portfolio, prepare for my trip to Jakarta, .......i wish i have a peaceful and relaxing weekend.

My birthday at Cherating Club Med

You know i almost forgot my birthday yesterday, was talking to HIM on the phone, it was eleven at night, and he said he will call me back just minutes before 12/00:00, i just realised ' is my birthday tomorrow', i couldn't believe it, i didn't remember my birthday.

So, today, i decided to do something special to 'reward' myself, since the bag i want(from all saints) sold out(which supposed to be the birthday present I'm buying for myself), i went to the Spa and make the next available appointment at 12. It was only 10 and i had another 2 hours to spare and alone(both bro and sis in law are busy with their children, so are my parents, and my sis joined the teenage club), i packed my bag with books, went to the beach and find the nicest spot underneath a coconut tree. Listening to the waves, the birds, lying under the Sun, the strong wind blow, the smell of fresh grass(rained the night before) i stayed for 2 hours, alone, reading and was having a good time by myself-brilliant.

Went straight to the Spa afterwards, chose the essential oil that i like, and walked to the Balinese cottages. I was lucky i got the one facing the beach, so, needless to say-fantastic. It was 50 Min's of absolute heavenly experience, and guess what, i got addicted to it, i couldn't wait for another one. Spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach again, read, and swim. I never thought i could be so relax on my birthday, i don't have to worry about a single thing, i guess that was the best thing i can get for myself this year. Went for another manicure and pedicure session afterwards(i was addicted), and met up with all my family members later to have dinner.

I realised my Mum was away for quite some time, and this chef walked towards us and was asking us how was the food and bla bla bla, and then he turned to me, looked me in the eyes and said "hm...you are 24 years old", i already knew what was going to happen, i begged him not to do it. Soon later, a bunch of people walked in, with a cake!! and sang the birthday song in front of everyone in the restaurant!!! all i can do was hide my face with my hands, i really thought it was embarrassing, and make an awkward smile. I don't know why i hate it so much and i could not believe, all i could think of right there was how my mum's going to embarrassed me in front of everyone in the restaurant, but i didn't think she was just trying to make me happy-i was such an asshole.

The rest of the evening went by quickly, i went back for a shower, met up with everyone again, had a drink, laughed at my 2 nephews, and now sitting in the hotel room, with my sis asleep next to me-that's it-my 24th birthday.

(remarks: i wrote this on my birthday in the hotel room, i can only find the time to post it now)

Happy Birthday to me.

Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me!!
24 Years old. I count down on my own at Cherating Club Med, in my hotel room G2104, with my younger sister asleep next to me, Him on the phone, lap top on my lap.
This is Me.