I must be really crazy

Today I officially submitted a letter of resignation. The official adios to TECOM. The past 3 years was full of ups and downs, a crash course to a totally different culture and value system. I made quite a few great friends here, tried many new things in life and enjoyed my life in general. I have gone through multiple relationship turmoils. I have finally been to Cook Islands and New Zealand. I enjoyed the luxury of this working environment with a great deal of free time and enjoyed the luxury of the fancy Dubai economy.

But I am moving on. What I cannot put up any more is not about further career opportunity (which was indeed bad), not about financial compensation (which was ok), not about living in a muslim society (which was surprisingly acceptable). It was because of this total lack of motivation, caused by losing my self-esteem and letting myself drift across the battles that I was not supposed to win after all.

What's next? I don't know. People would say I must be crazy to leave this job. Especially without anything concrete for my next career move. I must really be crazy. Yes I might be really crazy, for myself and for my future.

I don't want to plan anything now. I am going to finish this glass of fine red and I will sing for a while for now. But tomorrow when I get up, I know for sure, I will do my damn best to find this reckless boy in me again, who was not afraid of hitchhiking across Canada, who was not afraid of any challenge.

Wish me a good luck!

Athens and an Aegean island.

Been a really long while since I wrote here on my blog. I have quite a few draft entries but didn't want to post any of them after all. My mind over past few months has gone through various stages of emotions.In my personal life as well as professional life, I have faced a series of challenges. Since I came back from Bangkok (By the way, I went back to Bangkok again end of July.), I felt my perspective on life has changed and much more stabilised. I started to see the beauty of simple life again and decided not to drive myself as a control-freak, rather let things go.

During this Eid-holiday, I came to Greece. Long-awaited trip to Mykonos via Athens. Since I came back from Cook islands last year, I have been longing for a vacation of solitude again,.. with a bit of entertainment options for the evening. Mykonos in September would be a good choice in that sense. The island would be much quieter these days.

In fact, I am thinking a lot these days. In order not to make things complicated, I am pondering on how to choose just a few things which truly matter and try to detach my emotion from those decisions as much as I can.

This trip onto the Mediterranean would hopefully find me a better balance of life. Will post some pix soon from Mykonos.

Peace!

Test test, blogging from Blackberry

Blogging from my blackberry. Hope this works.
Sent from BlackBerry®

Nearly perfect : Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

What can I say? The name itself explains a lot. He was, is and always will be the true legend in the modern music history.

Although his extraordinary and imperfect nature was overly highlighted by media, I would rather symphasise him having been trapped in a predicament of being overly exposed to this distorted world. Since he has become another typical gossip of media, the world has taken him for granted.

Yet, I would like to remind the world of one thing. Though he was too different from others or even weird compared to our 'ordinary world', he has made nearly perfect music. I have no doubt he will always be remembered as a legend.

Personally, I cannot forget the thrill when I first watched his music videos from 'Bad' album back in 1988 and 1989. It is a real pity that I cannot wait for a new album from him in great anticipation any more.

Listen to my favourite song from MJ, Man in the Mirror, from blip.fm

Bringing closure to a play

Funny that B's stuff lying around here and there at my place might have given me some sort of hope or last resort, that someday or some time soon B and I might be together again.

Yes, over time, a series of chemical reactions inside my brain have subsided and I was feeling sure that I no longer suffer from this rootless heartbreak. Once I wish every single trace that I could find at my place was just gone or disappeared. Once I wanted to hypnotise myself that nothing has ever happened.

This evening it felt awkward to see myself get emotional again. Not at all sentimental. Not the kind of gooey moments that we have when we chew on bittersweet relationship trauma. I admit that I was angry and irritated today to see myself going through a train of complicated thoughts and speculation.

After half an hour of a short chat in my dimmed living room, we gave each other a hug and went separate ways.

I felt rather relieved now. Of a long journey that I had to walk through. Of a mind game that I had to deal with. Seeing that I am all alone again in this dimmed living room, I can finally see that I have moved on. When things come to an end, this means there is another beginning soon.

Now I want to find the right answer to this question. Is this really true, that 'love' is just another chemical reaction in the brain?

Laugh, the world laughs with you

올드보이에 등장했던 명대사. "웃어라. 온 세상이 너와 함께 웃을 것이다. 울어라. 너 혼자 울 것이다."

A famous line from the movie 'Old Boy' - "Laugh, the world laughs with you. Weep, and you weep alone.", originally from 'Solitude' by Ella Wheeler.

Back in Bangkok, the city of fun and hope

After a long while, I am now back in Bangkok. The city makes always a great deal of sentiment to me. Not to mention that Bangkok is full of all kinds of entertainment. An extravagant nightlife around Silom and beautiful boutique restaurants along with vast choices over street food, I would say that there is no doubt Bangkok is on top of people's minds as an entertainment destination.

The city means a lot more than that to me. I have experienced all the more ups and downs in this city. Once I have fallen in love here. Once I felt torn apart and fell in despair here. Yet, most of the time, the city has given me a specific turning point in my mind and recharged my soul.

During the past three days with my closest friends, Joohyung and Philipp, I have been realising that I could recharge my body and soul here again. Now that Joohyung went back to Seoul (Thanks again, by the way. You made it all the way down here to see me, AGAIN... What can I say? You are my true lifetime friend!), I think I should find more time on my own, reflecting on things have happened in my life during past few months. I am sure, when I leave this city for Dubai in a few days, I will have filled my heart with passion and hope again.

Thanks again, my friends. Thanks again, Bangkok.

Been a long time, mate!

In the meantime, one of my close classmates from IMD, KK visited Dubai. I haven't seen him since we graudated. The weekend with him was very pleasant in spite of a tragic news. These are some of the pix that I took with him.

On Friday, we went to Shang Palace at Shangri-la hotel for a Dimsum brunch. Anit, Jeremy, KK and I, we indeed ordered too much.


Then we went to Jumeirah Beach Park to join Minsoo under the burning sun and on the burning sand. Nevertheless, the water rather chilled our bodies pleasantly and a few minutes even after the water, it felt wonderful being grilled by the Middle Eastern sunbeam. We had a wonderful time. See the pic below. Minsoo boy was drinking Soju that I brought. Who can possibly block him!! :D


Then we later on went to Burj Dubai area to get together with other IMD classmates. From Souq Al Baher, we could catch up with Music Fountain show. I'm sure this will become one of the major tourist destination soon.


Later that day, we went to Anit's house warming party at The Address hotel. Boy, it was another wild evening party with a bunch of friends.

KK, I forgot to take any picture of you unfortunately. It was great to see you again and am happy that you had a good time in Dubai. Let's catch up soon either in Switzerland or back here in Dubai.

RIP, you will always be remembered

May 23, 2009

A ordinary man with very ordinary values who tried to change Korea has deceased. The man who has spent his entire life fighting for the humanity has thrown his life away and kept his dignity against the political oppression of the current administration.

Amidst hypocrites and thick-faced liars in this scene, he was the only one who kep his ordinary values as a human being and refused to compromise them to protect his people and the history.

Now he's gone. The great leader that the country has never realised what he truly was to itself, has left a lot of legacies and lessons that our generation has to deal with.

Mr. Roh. I will remember you. The society will remember you. The history will remember you. As another ordinary citizen just as you were, I will remember this day and constantly remind myself of what you were trying to accomplish in our society.

Thank you. It was great to have you as our president.

Rest in peace.

New York Times article on him

'Once', the movie of our ordinary sentiment

I watched this movie 'Once' last night. There are many things that I feel compelled to write about this movie.

There is no such a drama as other maid-in-Hollywood films. There is no artificial tear or heartbreak in this movie. It was rather monotonous capturing ordinary life strugging from ordinary life. The emotion and sentiment that two characters go through in the movie are the exactly same things that you and I would face in our daily life as an ordinary person. It is a story of you, a story of me, a story of us.

I can't even recall the name of the guy. I don't know whether he was ever called by his name in this movie. This guy is hidden behind the wall of his own world, just as most of us. He has his love, his wishes and dream. Yet, he is locked up in his routine life, longing for what he would pursue. The same story goes to the girl.

However, they have a truly special way of communicating to the world. Through their music. The music is an essential part of this movie, which both of them estalish communication to their heart and enjoy the freedom from their routine lives.

After all, their romance would not be materalised. They are bound to their own life, cannot venture anything further. The guy left for London to be with his girlfriend. The girl has her husband back from Czech. Are they happy after all? I am not sure. But I am sure they are relieved.

Ah, please go watch this movie and listen to its soundtrack. What I feel now.... this movie is gonna deliver a lot of emotions to me for a long time. I am watching it again tonight.

Listen to Falling Slowly from twisten.fm

I'll be alright without you by Journey

Al shared with me such great words of wisdom the other day. Al, you are truly amazing with all these great perspectives on life.

There comes a time in your life when you realise who matters, who doesn't, who never did and who always will. So don't worry about the people from your past. There is a reason they didn't make it to your future.

I am putting a firm closure now. It's been a great month together. It's been rather a soulful period of time dealing with the aftermath. Many questions remain. But I decided not to ask. I am very happy to move on this way.


Funny enough, I am listening on my itunes to this song from Journey. I'll be alright without you. There'll be someone else, I keep telling myself. Listen to this from twisten.fm.

Pondering over a getaway destination and the winner is,..

I decided to get away from my life here for a week. Can't afford more than that. I thought I was in need for a (semi-) medical treatment. Given that my mood was not very much as high as usual and that I felt some issues also about chemical imbalance, I thought that was what I was going to do. Now I have a burning desire of seeking fun in addition to rejuvenation.

I have seriously then considered Mykonos / Santorini in Greece and NYC. I wanted some serious distraction and an opportunity to reboot my mentality. While was hesitating over 3 destinations, I had a chance to speak to Chris. He reminded me again of the simple fact. I have a bit of health issues and this requires a certain medical attention. Going to Bangkok would be a good combination of rejuvenation and will give me a chance to catch up with my very best friend. More than anything else, I need to stabilise my life.

So the answer is Bangkok again. It would be like what,... 23rd time for me to visit that city? Who cares. I feel comfortable and very relaxed in Bangkok. I know the city inside out. I love the food and the culture. I love spa experiences. I feel very happy in Bangkok. That's what I need. After this trip, I will be seeing myself fully back on the track.

I will be leaving on May 28 and coming back in the following weekend.

Ah, one more thing, Behzad told me one thing when he heard of this plan. "Have a blast in Bangkok!" Yeah, mate. I surely will!

One of those lists

Got this list from Marcus's blog.

Rules for the 'game' is simple but very strict. You may only answer with Yes or No. No improvising. Nothing else but Yes or No.

Although you may explain your answer if anyone asks you to do it later in the comments.

1. Kissed any one of your Facebook friends? Yes
2. Kissed someone you didn't like? Yes
3. Slept in until 5 PM? No
   
4. Fallen asleep at work/school? Yes
5. Been cheated on? No
6. Held a snake? No
7. Ran a red light? Yes
8. Been suspended from school? No
9. Totalled your car/motorbike in an accident? No
10. Been fired from a job? No
11. Sang karaoke? Yes
12. Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes
13. Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Yes
14. Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes
15. Kissed in the rain? Yes
16. Sang in the shower? Yes
17. Sat on a rooftop? Yes
18. Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? Yes
19. Broken a bone? Yes
20. Shaved your head? No
21. Blacked out from drinking? Yes
22. Played a prank on someone? Yes
23. Felt like killing someone? Yes
24. Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? Yes
25. Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? No
26. Been in a band? Yes
27. Shot a gun? Yes
28. Tripped on mushrooms? Yes
29. Donated Blood? Yes
30. Eaten alligator meat? No
31. Eaten cheesecake? Yes
32. Still love someone you shouldn't? Yes
33. Think about the future? Yes
34. Believe in Love ? No
35. Sleep on a certain side of the bed? Yes
36. Lied to a friend? Yes
37. Had your heart broken? Yes
38. Broke someone's heart? Yes
39. Have regrets? Yes

If you're interested and want to do the same game just copy the questions and answer them according to your level of confession ;)

Believe in love was tough for me. Had to think for a few minutes. :D


By the way, Marcus and I first met in London in Spring 2003. As we shared a lot of interests together, we had great fun chatting and drank a lot at a bar near Trafalgar/Soho. (Didn't we? ah we also went to that Vodka bar with other friends when it comes to drinking, hehe.) Later on that year, we went to Rock-am-Ring concert in Germany and camped out with hard-core rock fans together. It is very interesting to see how we have crossed paths with each other since then. Even though I haven't seen him for a long time already, I know for sure that we will cross paths again some time somewhere in no time. Mate, I miss you!!

What if people change their personalities?

An interesting talk out of the first BarCamp UAE last Saturday was about people exhibiting transparency throughout various social media tools that they use. When you are interviewed for a job, they will check your facebook, twitter, myspace, cyworld, etc. to figure out who you are. Your words, your thoughts, your opinions followed by the interactions with others will be engraved in this digital world and tag along with you whenever you go. How does that feel?

Funny thing is, I tend to have a very different 'self-portrait' on each of those tools. Just as you don't speak similar language/vocabulary with different types of groups in your life, my behaviour patterns are governed by personality that I choose to present in that specific space. On top of that, I tend to move away from heavily-crowded services where the interaction is a must component. I sometimes need my own space and tend not to actively pursue such interactions. (This is also why I recently restarted blogging.)

If somebody tracks those accounts across various web 2.0 serivces, would he/she have a fair picture of who I really am? What if I don't agree any more to some opinions I have made on some websites some years back? Does this still define who this person is to some people out there?

Scary, isn't it? Such rapid developments across social media space will define you who you are to other people based on tracks that you have left behind, with or without your consent. There will be better tools soon coming out to help others define you more, specualte your tastes and attitude. So,... what if people still do change? what if I am not a person who I used to be? How can you get away from such biased minds out there?

A message from a friend

One of my friends sent me this SMS last night.

How we deal with life is really a matter of personal choice. So choose to be happy.. Find joy in the simple things and see beauty in each person you meet. And when times are difficult, just remind yourself that no pain comes to you without a purpose.

Thanks, Al.

Battery of life

A fighting soul means such an exposure to physical and mental drain. Whilst striving to maintain a positive outlook on things around me, my battery was running out fast, I guess.

So far I have mostly dealt with an emotional hiccup by staging another state of mind in me. Sometimes my mind was even forced to forge such a state of mind. Only recently I realised how dangerous this could be.

Unlike my well-known extrovert personality on the surface, during past few years, I must have developed my inner-self as an introvert. Once in a while, I tend to enjoy a couple of days of total solitude at my own place cutting all the ties and communication to anyone. It was obviously a way of recuperation and protective mechanism that I needed to perpetuate my social life. It was the price I needed to pay for staging and maintain a certain state of mind in me.

I woke up this morning with fever and rash skin. Last night I knew it was going to happen like this. This fight that I picked up for myself, was not meant to guide myself to be more true to what I am and who I am. I guess I need to be true to my innerself now.

When this fever is gone, this surge of emotions subsides, I will be listening closer to my heart and trying to learn to focus on being more honest to myself.

Emotions come, they go. I don't manipulate, I don't encourage myself to respond.

Yalla. Going back to bed.

* Listen to The world I know by Collective Soul from Blip.fm

A little report on life

After a great evening with Jeremy, Anit and others at The Address and Chi/The Lodge yesterday, I spent the whole day catching up with things that I wanted to do for some time.

I got a haircut and a facial massage. Went to a Korean restaurant for lunch. Then went to Leigh's place for a garden party with a bunch of colleagues, followed by a wonderful Chinese oil massage at a parlor which was opened recently in my neighbourhood. Spent quite a bit of money for this body maintenance, yet it feels good. At least my shoudlers feel way better than before.

Tomorrow BarCamp UAE will be held at Dubai Internet City from 10am. BarCamp is a un-conference or user-generated conference. (Have a look at the Wikipedia link) Unfortunately I won't be presenting anything this time. It still feels very rewarding just to be a part of the organiser team. This event will be broadcasted live tomorrow through ustream. Check this link out.

Tomorrow, 8.30am at the BarCamp venue, finishes at 4.15pm. wrap up until 5.30pm, personal trainer appointment at 6pm. And in the evening I will stay home catching up with some work.

See, life goes on and moves on. I will be soon back mentally/emotionally/physically in shape again.

By the way, I am seriously thinking about going to San Francisco and NYC or taking a rejuvenation trip to Thailand or Sri Lanka.

Resolutions

It is easier said than done. It is difficult to realise that there are many things that we cannot manipulate. Especially when it comes to feelings and emotions. I decided not to waste my energy. I once was positive in general towards my life and the world that I live in. Though I wanted to go back to that happy self, I should not have wanted to reach there through what was quite relying on something unreachable.

Now I got it. Resilience will manifest in the quiet and painstaking process that I nurture within myself. Once the surge of emotions blew my mind away, I felt vulnerable out there facing the simple reality to fight through this long silence.

I feel that I am getting ready to enjoy this silence. I will enjoy this rebuilding process and get back on the track again soon. In this silence the answers will come... for sure...

My resolutions for now.

• Exercise regularly, get back in shape
  
• Read more books
• Spend more time with friends outdoor while I can
  
• Focus on work/life balance. Life first, others don't matter.
  
• Getting back to my original plan.. :)

Focus on fun, just as I once did.

Ah by the way, been a few days to post a song..

"One" by not only U2 but along with Mary J. Blige. It sounds very different. Click to listen from Blip.fm.

Soju

Another big surprise to add is, one of my friends who used to stay at my place for some time has just come back to Dubai for a visit and he brought this carton of Soju!

I love it!

Equilibrium and control

Chris has always been such a soul mate to my life. Whenever I was down and out going through turmoils, his sixth sense didn't fail to notice and led him suddenly to show up in my life. Everytime he helped me greatly hold on tight to myself and restore positive energy within me.

It was a nice surprise to have him visit Dubai last weekend. Just after a couple of phone calls and emails, he flew a long distance from Seoul down to Dubai.

During past few days, I was relieved to have this friend around my life. Not to mention that he helped me regain the equilibrium again in life, he just reminded me of the simple fact. We are all just living organism with susceptibility to emotional hiccup. What matters eventually is that some try to make constant efforts to control the state, whereas some let themselves be controlled.

There is a long journey ahead of me, or maybe a long battle ahead. No matter where it goes, I think I know a bit better where to and how to drive my energy better. As life is a constant change and I hope to keep it under control.

Thank you Chris. Have a safe trip back to Seoul, my friend.

An evening at Madinat Jumeirah

I spent a wonderful evening with one of my colleagues at Madinat Jumeirah. After a long day at work, Heineken draft beer was a good start for the evening. We sat there sampling various drinks over several hours. Sharing interesting insights/perspectives on life, emotions over many hours by the lake, I feel that I am privileged to have such a friend in my life.

Me? After all this talk, I feel greatly stabilised. I think I can go on.

Ah by the way, I need to get up in 2 hours to go to the airport to pick up a friend coming from Seoul. Dang, I am drunk and tired.... but I feel that I have regained my soul and it was very rewarding.

Good night, world. Life can be filled with hope.

A night walk along the beach

I went to Jumeirah public beach tonight. The flow of thoughts and emotions were stuffing my mind and I could not stay home letting my brain filled up with silly speculation. I took my ipod and hit the road.

The beach was quiet as expected. I rolled up my pants and put on my beach sandals. Walking for a few minutes, I started to listen to those songs that I posted during past days.

Under the pale moonlight along with tiny waves, I stopped walking along the beach and started to wonder where this dark water and dark sky meet on the horizon. When this song was playing on my iPod, I suddenly had to sit down and take a deep breath. I stayed like that for an hour.

On the way back to my car, I realised my eyes were wet.

Lingering attachment..? Woo,... What are you waiting for? Why are you waiting?

Listen to Sometimes it snows in April from blip.fm.

Where will you go by Kip Winger

Winger was quite different from other hair metal bands from 80s. Always well-arranged melodic sound seasoned with rather charismatic on-stage performance. After the band faded away, Kip Winger continued with his solo career with a number of soulful tunes.

He recently came back with a new solo album with this beautiful song 'Where will you go'.

I could not find this song yet on blip.fm or youtube yet. However, last.fm has a 30 second preview to this song. Try this out.

This song is on my iTunes all the time just as some of my fave songs once had been. I feel that this song explains a lot.......

---

Tears are running through your make up
See the water touch the ground
I never know quite how to love you
Only how to let you down

Every night I hear you wake up
From a dream that never came
But something's keeping you from running
Afraid to be alone again and again

Where will you go
Now that you know the laughter
May not last very long
And how will you know
That you won't be walking out
But your heart will still be holding on

Through the garden to the sidewalk
Hearing the words tearing you down
You thought that nothing left could faze you
Watching the water touch the ground

Where will you go
Now that you know the laughter
May not last very long
And how will you know
That you won't be walking out
But your heart will still be holding on

How many times I never gave up
A simple love for simple love
I never know quite how to know you
But I know I'm still in love

Where will you go
Now that you know the laughter
May not last very long
And how will you know
That you won't be walking out
But your heart will still be holding on

Things I plan to do within a few years

• Annapurna circuit trekking
  This 300km trek around the Annapurna mountains in Nepal has been one of my ultimate destinations as a backpacker. Now that I live not so far from Nepal, I think this is something I should do before I leave Dubai.
  
• Cruise trip in the Mediterranean
  A cruise trip always means soomething very special and very romantic. This should happen before I get out of this age bracket.
  
• Traveling around Latin America
  After I read 'Fingerprints of the gods' by Graham Hancock, I became immensely interested in looking around ancient heritages and its unique culture throughout Latin America. As my previous attempt of going to Guatemala back in university didn't work out, I would love to make this trip before too late.
  
• Learning another language
  As I would travel to Latin America, I am currently thinking of Spanish, Yet, who knows?
  
• Sailing on a yacht in the Atlantic
  Couldn't be too difficult. One of my good friends got a yacht and he goes on sailing every now and then
  
• Become a PADI dive-mater
  I am an advanced open water diver already. So this should not be difficult.
  

Life is a constant change

I just saw this line from a friend's Facebook profile. Great words of wisdom.

Life is a constant change...Love is the greatest surprise! Friendship is your best defense...Maturity comes with responsibilities & Death is just around the corner...SO LISTEN... Expect little...Assume nothing...Learn from your mistakes...Listen to your heart...Take care of your friends...Treasure your family...Achieve goals...Cry cause of laughter...Laugh cause of pain...& Always remember, Life is the best gift...

Out of Africa. Out of Africa.

Back in early 2007, I was pleading with myself that the harsh emotion that I was suffering from was only a byproduct of a necessary healing process. That rootless sense of longing was just another chemical reaction in my brain.

Out of Africa was the most memorable epic story for me. Well, I have not been lucky enough to find many movies/novels emotionally compatible. Yet, this story of a Danish baroness, Karen, has electrified me when I watched it again a few years back. I felt as if I was a Karen.

I was growing disappointed and depressed by a relationship which confined me within the walled garden, even though it was beautifully cut out for my comfort and safety. I felt protected but my liberal disposition had to get me out of there.

When I looked out to the world and found another one. I felt my patience was constantly challenged by being together with a person with different understanding on being liberal and being engaged.

When Karen was facing her reality, being left out there in Ngong Hills without Denys, she finally made a reconciliation to herself, of what she was and what she wanted to seek in her life.

Every time I watch this movie, especially every time I picture Karen making her last words in front of Denys's graveyard, I felt a sense of assimilation. These days this Karen in myself brings me back to the time when I was meaninglessly looking at my bedroom wall back in 2007. What do I want in life again. Where does this surge of emotions lead me. Why have I tried to find it in another person else than myself.

Listen from the blip.fm. Click

I had a farm in Africa. I had a farm in Africa.

Cook Islands, a heaven on earth

Cook islands was my ultimate destination since I met Robert back in 1996 in Coober Pedy, Australia. After Australia, he was going to fly to Cook Islands. Later on when I lived in Germany, I visited him in Munich and had a chance to look at his photo album. I knew I had to go to this place at some point in my life.

Last year (2008), my itchy feet took me away from Dubai, down to Southern hemisphere. For 6 weeks, I went to Australia, Cook Islands, New Zealand, then Thailand.

These are some of pix from Cook Islands. It was truly a heaven on earth.

Have I told you lately that I love you?

Originally written by Van Morrison, Rod sang this song again in 1993 for his wife. Along with a gin & tonic, this tune perfectly drifts my soul away this evening.

Listen to this song on blip.fm, click

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do

For the morning sun and all its glory
Meets the day with hope and comfort too
You fill my life with laughter, somehow you make it better
Ease my troubles, that's what you do

There's a love that's defined
And it's yours and it's mine like the sun
And at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray to the one, to the one

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do

There's a love that's defined
And it's yours and it's mine like the sun
And at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray to the one, to the one

And have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
You fill my heart with gladness, take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do

Take away all my sadness, fill my life with gladness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do
Take away all my sadness, fill my life with gladness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do

Surge of emotions

I finally came back from a trip to Fujairah, on the East coast of UAE. The beautiful resort, great company, nice drive. Royal Beach Hotel was better than I thought, although it was a bit crowded by family with lots of noisy kids running around the pool all the time.

Well on the surface, it was a good trip. I wanted to see where I stand, how I was doing in my life. The weekend was full of emotions. Yet, talking about my past, how things have gone not so well. In fact, this drained me out a lot.

As they grow older and more experienced, some people get smarter in expressing their heart and sharing feeling with others. Me? Well I feel I am a baby out there on the beach being left out alone. More and more these days. The surge of emotions can come at any second and sweep me away from my own sentimental experiment.

I have been out there for past few weeks. The experiment that I haven't carried out before. It was like a roller coaster going into a dangerous circle. After a month, I only realised rushing into a certain state of feeling and emotions could only make things worse and put me in a unstoppable plunge.

Now feeling like going back to ground zero. feeling like falling off again.

An evening at Sushi buffer dinner

One of my good friends, Anit, has just moved to the Address hotel residence. Jeremy, Okhyun, Anit and I decided to have this nice sushi buffet dinner with unlimited sake at Fazaris restaurant at the hotel. Food was good and unlimited *ehem* warm dokuri sake was faaaaaaaaaaaaantastic for the price of USD 50, AED 185.

If you like to have a boozy night with quality sushi, I highly recommend this place on Wednesdays.

Insomnia or passion for gourmet ,,, or insanity?

Look what I did this morning, at the expense of a much necessary night sleep. Sheer excitement of making sushi at 3am.... :D

All the material ready on the kitchen table. It is being rolled and rolled.


Now, it is being sliced.


Yummy... Now put into a small plastic box.


Lovely... no? It tasted very good.

This 'Gimbap' reminds me of this happy feeling of going on a picnic. Along with orange-flavoured fanta, Gimbap is the icon of school excursion to nature. I was sitting around under the tree with some of my close friends and we exchanged our Gimbap.

What do you need?

• Gim (Nori)
• Rice seasoned with vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, a tiny bit of salt
  
• Pickled radish
• Egg
• Ham
• Razor-clam / crab-meat
• tuna with a bit of mayo
  

Gran Canaria, back in 2002

Back in 2002, I visited Gran Canaria right before Christmas. This Spanish island was truly impressive!


A view from a cathedral over Las Palmas - 1



A view from a cathedral over Las Palmas - 2


This is the cathedral. :)


A view from my hotel room in Playa del Ingles


Maspalomas sanddune. Gosh, I was still young at that time.


Resort area next to Maspalomas


Maspalomas sanddune

The true meaning of 'religion'

Last one.

The true meaning of ‘religion’	September 14, 2006
Guest entry by Woo Jeong Kim	Unsubscribe
Ken: Wrapping up a tour around the world, Woo Jeong Kim (Korean) concludes his three part series! During the winter of 1996, I travelled for 3 months around India. I first landed in Delhi and travelled south down to Kanyakumari via Rajasthan, Goa, and Kerala, then went up to Calcutta (Kolkatta). To me, India was a sacred destination, or more or less the country represented an ultimate backpacking destination among backpackers at that time. Once while camel-safariing in Rajasthan, I glanced at a piece of a bright-coloured dress that had been deserted in a sand-dune. Naked little kids standing before some gorgeous castles. From deserted remains of Vijayanagar empire to the mesmerizing Taj mahal, from aggressive camels in the burning Thar desert to White-sanded Goa beaches. All the imaginations of the country were extremely contrasty, just like that. As all others who have travelled around this magnificent and mysterious subcontinent, I have gained extraordinary experiences and memories. I was amazed, I was shocked, I was overwhelmed, I was pleased, I was rewarded. Out of thousand other special memories from India, I would like to share with you the most important one. For about a week in February 1997, I stayed at a guesthouse in Kovalam in southern India. (Kovalam is a well-known beach resort in Kerala.) Whilst there, I had the chance to see another philosophical as well as cultural world. I saw it through the eyes of an Indian. He was the guesthouse manager who also worked as the hotel masseur. He explained that during meditation, he prayed to three gods in his heart. The first was Shiva and the second, Krishna. The last one was a Swiss lady, a massage customer the previous year. I was surprised and asked "I understand you may have fallen in love with her, but how could she be a god that you pray to alongside Shiva and Krishna?" He replied. "She gives me great comfort and peace of mind. A god represents an idea or a feeling to me. I respect the woman so I pray to her. Religion is not concerned so much about the physical form we give to it but more for the discipline and lessons we take from it." I was temporarily speechless. For me, it was a moment of true recognition of religion. I finally realized the reason why I could not respect garish and colourful figures of Hindu gods, often strangely decorated and why they disturbed me. I was looking just at the physical forms, not into what they meant and what they represented. I spent the rest of that day at a little temple near the beach thinking about what and how he has enlightened me. After travelling around the world for some time, I felt I was open-minded enough to another culture. However, somewhere deep down in my heart, I was still blinded by the superficial understanding and exploration into other cultures. It was clear to me since that day. Being open-minded to another culture is not just learning about it, but making a continual effort to open eyes beyond our personal boundaries of philosophy and belief. Woo Sunset on Kovalam beach, February 1997 Anjuna beach in Goa. The evening was unforgettably beautiful, January 1997 55m high unbelievably colourful Gopuram at Madurai temple, February 1997

Anything is possible when you have a dream

Story continues...

Anything is possible, when you have a dream	September 13, 2006
Guest entry by Woo Jeong Kim	Unsubscribe
Ken- In the middle of his three part series, Woo Jeong Kim (Korean) continues his story! My first backpacking trip around Australia was an eye-opening experience to me. When I first landed in Sydney, I did not speak a word of English and everything felt just new and strange to a 19-year-old boy from Korea. Everyday was a discovery and an learning experience of a different language and culture. Indeed after this trip, I realised that two month period of time on the road was much more beneficial than my two years at university. After returning from Australia, I decided not to go back to university but to continue my discovery of different cultures and lifestyles by travelling to Canada. In a small hostel room in Vancouver with a view to the Pacific, I was wondering how I could make this trip more meaningful. Then I decided to hitchhike across the continent, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. Initially, I was afraid. During these trips I encountered frustrating cultural and linguistic barriers. In many ways my decision to travel through an unknown country was reckless and the uncertainty was one of the biggest challenges I have had to cope with. But I wanted to prove to myself that I was no longer afraid of new environments and achieved this without assistance. After three weeks from that day I had gained many unforgettable memories along the road including facing a grizzly bear family on a small scenic road in Alberta, sleeping overnight on the road in the prairie and being immersed in an angry mob in Quebec City. Arriving in Halifax on the east coast I immediately ran into the Atlantic and jumped in with my shoes on. That day I wrote in my diary the most important lesson of my life: 'Anything is possible, when you have a dream.' Woo I would like to share some of the pix that I have taken on the road. Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Canada, June 1996 Moraine Lake, it was by far the most beautiful lake that I have ever seen in my life.

Travel : Life on the road

This is a part of MBA diary entries I made at IMD, about great memories of being a humble and reckless backpacker.

Life on the road	September 12, 2006
Guest entry by Woo Jeong Kim	Unsubscribe
Ken: While Rafael celebrates the birth of Ana Maria, Woo Jeong Kim (Korean) offers a three part series on travel, life, and where things take us. Enjoy! There have been many important factors and turning points that have driven my life to where I stand at this moment. However, above all others, travel has been the most important element which has obviously expanded the boundaries of my life. I have had itchy feet since I was very young. After one of my uncles returned from his backpacking trip to Europe in early 80s, I asked him to unfold his dramatic stories on the road. I often got excited by picturing myself in similar settings. I knew that someday I would make my own stories. I could not wait for the day to come to go on a backpacking trip on my own. Finally, in December 1995, I bought a small backpack and booked a flight ticket to Sydney. When the plane was taking off, my heart was pounding from the sheer excitement. I was wound up by the challenges that I was going to face. My life on the road started that way. After several months in Australia, I would later go on to Canada, South East Asia, India and Europe. Travel has brought me lessons beyond simple cultural curiosity and pleasant memories. It has shown me that life is much more diverse than I could ever imagine. Being open-minded does not mean just accepting things without prejudice but actively exploring them beyond the boundaries, and most importantly how to enjoy and deal with challenges. If I had not been courageous enough to travel alone around the world, I guess I would not have wanted to pursue such a challenge at IMD. Those experiences on the road have enriched my soul and made me realise that there are a lot more things that I could learn and do beyond my home. I would have been complacent with what life in Korea could offer me. On returning from months of travel from Canada in 1996, I made a promise to myself that I would live and enjoy my life just as I had done as a backpacker, being open-minded and mobile. I was young and reckless but full of energy and passion, willing to challenge any boundaries that constrained my life. Years have passed since. Even though it has not been exactly like what I had expected, my life so far has had many challenges and moments of excitement. Being back in Singapore currently for a series of job interviews, I felt thrilled at how my life has changed over the time. Indeed I may not be that far from what I wanted to be. My life is and always will be mobile in many ways as I had wished while travelling. During the next two days, I would like to share some of the valuable lessons and episodes that I have experienced on the road. Maybe this will motivate some of you to spend a wild and adventurous vacation of your own! Woo Byron bay in Australia, December 1995

Butterfly in the stomach

I need to be in the airport in about 5 hours to pick som'one up. Someone important. I spent past 2 good hours working in the kitchen to prepare sushi (maki-sushi). Egg, radish, ham, razor-clam meat, sea weed, tuna, seasoned-rice, ginger. Everything's ready!
.
Ah, I am feeling a bit nervous. I feel that butterfly is coming back to my stomach. :-)

Blackberry wins

It's still too early to make this statement, as I got this Blackberry curve late less than 24 hours ago. Yet, I am very impressed by its simple user interface and fantastic data comm tariff. The idea of being 'connected all the time just thrills me. It is simple, affordable, intuitive, 'light', small and highly functional!

iPhone was nothing but a toy to me in the end. I loved the way it looks. Yet, the virtual keyboard was still cumbersome and it eventually led me to make some ridiculous typos in some texts to clients.

Will never go back to iPhone, I am sure.

Insomnia

I have been listening to 'Fake Plastic Trees' during past hours. The play count of this song on my iTunes is now 70. This Radiohead song truly put into an infinite loop of emotions. After unexpected phone calls from ex's, I realised again how fragile I still am. Can we ever do without melodrama? At least would I ever become less susceptible to this emotional hiccup?

I need to move on. We all need to move on.

2.30am. I am still sleepless.

Are we having fun?

"Are we having fun?"

I just read this single line post by another twitterer. Why are we struggling everyday? Why are suffering from rootless anxiety and constipated heart? Last year on the way back from Cook Islands, I swore to myself that I would focus all my efforts on making life simple and beautiful. Months down road, I feel my life has strayed from where I intended to go.

I need to focus again... because life is indeed simple and fun. Only that way, I would be happy.