紫色小窝

Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:02 pm

Hi girls,

I~m
in Atlanta now. 2 days ago I wrote email about my trip in Chicago BUT
the page refused to post my message. The worst thing was I forgot to
save a copy, so everything was gone…

When
I was in Chicago, the weather was terrible. It was raining with strong
cold wind for 3 days to welcome my stay in Chicago. Ai… What a great
welcome gift! Due to bad weather, I didnt go up to observatory desk of
Sears Tower and John Hancock Tower (Er… I~m lazy to check spelling ). I didnt want to waste my money and went up tower to see dark cloudy sky with pouring rain.

On
my first day, Foong Lian brought me to Millennium Park and Grant Park.
As it was baseball season, even statue also ^dressed^ up. I saw horses
with white socks. Lion statues in front of The Art Institute of Chicago
also put on white sox hat.

Millennium
Park is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and
landscape design. For me, there are 3 locations which are very unique.
First, The Jay Pritzker Pavilion is an outdoor concert venue. Second,
The Crown Fountain consists of two glass block towers at each end of a
shallow reflecting pool.  Third, The Cloud Gate is an elliptical
sculpture made of stainless steel plates, which reflect the city’s
famous skyline and the clouds above. http://www.millenniumpark.org/artandarchitecture/index.html

Then, we
went to visitor center at Water Tower to buy 2 days pass for rail and
bus. It is much more cheaper. We also tried to catch up with Halloween
Parade but we~re late. We just followed  the crowds to Daley Plaza
"Pumpkin Plaza," with pumpkin decorating, spooky story tellers, fortune
tellers, a farmer’s market, and performances by Midnight Circus
including high flying acts.

After lunch, we went to a train ride - Haunted El Tours.
Haunting tales of Chicago’s history and mystery are spun by your
thrilling and chilling (g)hosts, the Spirits of Chicago. There was a
brave about 8 months old baby loved the story so much, she screamed and
laughed  with us when we~re asked to do so by performers.

At
night, I went to a birthday party. The Au Pair is from Brazil. She
prepared Brazil bread but I forgot the name. It was very yummy. 6 of us
squeezed in a taxi and went to club at night, it was so much fun and we
went back home about 3am.

For my
second day of visit, our first stop was Buckingham Fountain. It is a
huge fountain and very pretty!!! Then,  we went to Lincoln Park area.
It was mostly a shopping day for me as I bought 2 pretty coat, light
purple and black. I also tried homemade ice cream (Too bad that I
forgot the name as it has been a week ago…), visited to botanical
garden and haunted house in Navy Pier. Oh yeah, the most important part
was we took a ride on Ferry Wheel, it was so windy and pouring when
we~re in the ride. Once we~re out from the ferry wheel, the wind died
down and it was just shower. What a great joke for us!!!

For
my third day, I went out by myself. I went to Shedd Aquarium, Adler
Planeterium and Astronomy Museum, Field Museum and Soldier Field. As I
spent too much time in aquarium, i didnt have enough time to visit
Field Museum. I just had enough time to go in for a short walk and
found penny mechine

After
that, I was having problem to take a bus to go to downtown Chicago as I
didnt have enough dollar bill or coins to pay bus fare. My 2 days pass
for bus had expired. I asked for a change of $5 from people walked
pass, at last, I got the change.

About
8pm, I went to Chinatown but it was nothing there. Most of the shops
already closed. I was walking around by myself in the dark and kept on
looking around for saftly purpose. When I was taking photo of 12
animals in new Chinatown, I met with a guy from Sidney. He had the same
feeling as I did, quite disappointed. So I took him to Millenium Park
to see night view. I was so glad to meet with him as I can have a great
view of city at night with his accompany

For
my last day in Chicago, Foong Lian took me to Museum of Science and
Industry. It was a very short visit as we~re in a rush. I saw little
chicken that just came out from shell, very big and unique fairy castle
as well as cut moving worms with our shadow. It was so much fun!!!

At
1.50pm, I reached Greyhound bus station in a very rush and tire
situation. Then… I realised that my bus was 2.45pm, not 2pm. Haha…
I remembered wrong schedule

Ok,
I have to go now. It is very late 1am now, we~ll leaving Atlanta to go
Orlando after 1 hour. Everyone is sleeping now but I~m here writing
email. I~ll try to get some sleep and I~ll update more about my trip
after I come back from Disney World. If you would like to reach me, you
can call Kit Wah

Take care, girls….

Khai Ying

Sun Oct 23, 2005 8:16 am

Hey girls…

I’m in Chicago now. I arrived here on yesterday early morning 5.30am
after19 hours of bus ride. The ride wasn’t too bad as I met with a
black lady who is 59 years old and she loves bowling so much. We
talked for a few hours and I also helped her on her heavy luggages.

Ok… I’ll start with some story on 19 Oct night. I went to a club
with my friend, Gunita and her Chinese friend, Gwo. Once we started
to dance, a Russian guy walked towards me and started to dance with
me. We danced for 2 hours and I was really having fun. His daning was
great! ^_* Well… He asked for my phone number before I left, I gave
him BUT I think that he won’t call me.

The next day morning, surprisingly I received his call. I went out
with him and walked around Georgetown University and the
neighbourhood. We also took some photos at lake front where we can
see Virginia. After lunch, he dropped me at metro station and I
continue with my plan to meet with APinn.

At 3.30pm, I met with APinn. We walked around and took some photos. I
love some of our photos so much! She offered me some peanuts to eat,
it was really yummy but it was too dry for me… :p I also found
penny machine in muzeums and I got 2 of them. Yeah!!!

As APinn need to go to class, she left me alone in DC… It was
cold and I didnt know where should I go, so I took metro and head to
Virginia. I wait for Terese in train station until 7.50pm. Finally we
met up. It was already late and no places for sightseeing. Terese
brought me to a big huge mall and walked around. Sad to say…
I "accidentally" spent $$$ again… For a "Map of the World" puzzle
after persuasion from Terese :p OK, I’m just kidding! ^_^ I really
love that puzzle so much!

That Thursday night, I went back to DC. My friend took me out to
another club. The guy that I met last night was supposed to come but
end up he didnt show up. After 12am, it was my birthday! 24 years
old… I dindt know why I was so upset on my birthday… I cried and
text message with my bf. I also called 2 friends from NY. It was a
really difficult moments for me and I spent about 1 hour on the phone
before I finally calm down myself. Tonight I met with a very nice
guy, Damie. He is Gunita’s friend who has a lot of Au Pair friends.
We talked and took photos.

On Friday 21 morning, Damie took me to bus station and bought me
lunch. It was pouring. I really appreciate his help for sending me to
bus station and helped me on luggages.

I have to stop for now as I’m going out for my 2nd day visit in
Chicago. Update you girls later!!!

Khai Ying
23 Oct 10.15am

Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:44 pm

Hi Hi…

Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:06 am

Hi Girls,

I’m going to write a short version this time, I dont have enough
time to spend on computer.

I went to Water Rafting with Yi Shan, Kit Wah, Yi Duan and Natalie
(Thailand) on Sunday. It was sunny in Boston BUT when we’re getting
closer to Deerfield River, the sky was getting darker with very
strong wind. End up, we’re rafting in a very fast speed and finished
it in 2 hours. Thanks to strong wind and showers when we’re rafting,
it let us experienced the special "kung fu" effect like what we
usually seen in Wu Xia movie - Our raft was blowing away by the
strong wind, the strong waves also blowing by the wind and created a
very cool scene. I felt like we’re "skating" on the river, haha!!!

After water rafting, we had wonderful cold meal as our lunch - beef,
turkey, salad, tuna… We also decided to buy 3 photos of our group
photos taken by the rafting company. I asked Yi Shan to help me took
some photos, end up, everyone joined in and taking photo as crazy as
me with many special and funny photos!!!

On our way home, we stopped by a gift store. I got a rabbit skin as
it is cheap. Kit Wah and Yi Shan also bought it as they’re unable to
resist it. Yi Duan felt quite yeaky with rabbit skin, however,
finally she also got one and claimed that this is "peer pressure"
Haha!!! Then we stopped at apple farm to take photo with apples and
also some pretty scenery as what you can see from Korean movies -
fall scenery…

On Monday, I stayed in Yi Shan’s house almost all day. Kit Wah took
me out to a shopping mall and she got me a pretty big purse as my
birthday present. I was so happy to receive it!!! ^_^ At night, Yi
Shan brought me to Cingular Corporate office to get my prepaid sim
card changed, finally my new prepaid phone was activated and usable
after I got it for 4 days… Yi Shan also sent me to train station,
said good bye to me with a hand signal - write email!!! ^_^ Yi Shan,
THANKS so much fro your help to send me to get my prepaid card done
and also took me to train station at night! I’ll keep on writing
email when I have time.

I took a train for an hour and reached Andover at 11.20pm. Amy from
Boxford was late for 10 minutes after driving around to get there by
herself using a big map prepared from her friend. We talked a lot
and finally we really need to stop. It was 2am… and Amy need to
wake up at 5.30am to work…

Tuesday 18 Oct started with rainy day. Amy drove me to Newburyport
to walk around the towm. We went to a special store with great deal.
I got 4 decorative things for myself and my sister. I blamed Amy
that she brought me into the little shop to spend $$$ We also
went crazy taking a lot of photo at Newbury Waterfront. Finally the
sun is coming out, we got some great photo when we reached New
Hampshire. We went to Sam’s house in Rye, she is Thailand Au Pair
who I met in orientation. It was nice to see her again!

As Amy had to work at 4pm, we rushed back from New Hampshire about
2.30pm. Traffic in Andover was so terrible. She dropped me to train
station and I knew that she was going to be late to pick up her
boy… Amy, THANKS so much for taking me around!!! I really enjoy it
so much and I have to tell you that… We took 200 photos TODAY!!!

The train from Andover to Boston was late for 15 minutes. As I would
like to catch a bus to go back NYC at 6pm, I rushed to bus station
as soon as I can. With 3 suitcases, I had to walk quite slow. I
MISSED my bus… I had to take 7pm bus and reached NYC at 11pm. My
friend was supposed to pick me up but the subway was under
construction and running slow. When I finally get to his house, it
is already 1am…

So here am I still in front of computer busy typing at 4am. I’ll
take a bus to DC after 5 hours, I better go to bed now (Oh well I
still need to burn my photos into CD… Ai…)

A friend of mine whom i meet in oriention is going to offer me 2
nights stay in her house when i go to DC. So it is great that i can
get free accomodation!!! ^_^ I’ll plan to meet up with APinn and
Terese before I leave DC on 21 Oct Friday morning.

Khai Ying

Sat Oct 15, 2005 8:57 pm

Hi girls…

I’ve been busy since last Thursday after the new Au Pair arrived in my house.
Showing her around the town that we stay, teaching her how to drive here
and there and telling her information about life in US. To be honest, I’m quite
"impressed" when she acted like she is from a small village when she was so
excited to open the cabinet in my house which full with snacks at least 10
times in a day to eat kids’ snacks… Well… She is really from a very small
town
in Germany. So… No wonder she is so excited to be in USA now…

OK… Here is what i have to remind everyone. I’m in my travel month now, the
cell phone that you all have are my host family’s cell phone. So, PLEASE
remember dont call that number again. Crystal woke the new Au Pair up this
early Saturday morning at 5am as she thought that I’m still using the phone,
haha…

I have a prepaid cell phone now, however I’m still having problem to activate
my phone. I’m taking Cingular package and I can have unlimited minutes to
call to other Cingular users. As far as I know, Kit Wah, Amy, APinn and Yi Ee
are using Cingular service. May I know that who else is using this service too?

I’ve decided to keep a travel diary here as my travel record to share with
everyone. So, here you go…

On yesterday 14 Oct Friday, I was supposed to take a bus from NY Chinatown
to go to Boston and take an hour train to go to Amy’s house. Ending up, I sat in
the bus for 7 HOURS (from 3pm to 10pm)!!! Usually it is just about 4 to 5 hours
BUT yesterday it was pouring and the traffic was to TERRIBLE!!! Instead of
sleeping in Amy’s house, I ended shown up at Kit Wah’s house for a night
stay. The heavy rain ruined my plan to go to New Hampshire on 15 Saturday
morning…

Hmm… Something great was I met with a Japanese lady who works as a Chef
for Madonna since 5 years ago. She told me about how to maintain healthy by
just eating vegetables and beans, how the horoscope interelated with a
person’s heath, how different ways of preparing food will help your stomach to
digest and absorb nutrition, her work as a chef for a celebrity, how her parents
against her ambition to become a chef (they still refuse to accept her to be a
chef after 20 years she left Japan) as well as how she raise up her kids after a
divorce marriage and often leaving her children by themselves when she was
away for a tour with Madonna.

We’re talking for 4 hours and she is so nice to lend me her cell phone to call
Amy and Kit Wah. We exchanged information. She told me that she will follow
Madonna for a tour in Asia in next year. They might have a stop in Japan,
Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. We might able to meet up ^_^ The rain
was horrible but I have a chance to meet a new friend from different
background. This makes me looking forward for my future trip in my travel
month ^_*

Today 15 Oct Saturday, Kit Wah and I were waken up by Yi Duan at 7am.
Crystal was with her at that time as she went to South Station to pick her up at
6am. It is a rainny day but Crystal insisted to come to Boston for a visit as
this
is her only free weekend in October. Yvonne from New Hampshire also
decide to come to Boston today to meet up with us after I told her that she can
visit Boston with Crystal together.

Malaysian Au Pair gathering!!! Kit Wah, Yi Duan, Crystal and I met up in
Vietnamese Restaurant about 12pm. We talked and took some photos. All of
us are shorter than 160cm, this is kind of sad… :p Then we went to South
Station to wait for Yvonne’s arrival. As Yi Duan had to rush back to her house
for her Host Dad’s birthday party, so she didnt get a chance to meet up
Yvonne. This ruined my plan to have the BIGGEST MALAYSIAN AU PAIR
GATHERING in USA (5 girls!!!) OK… I’m just kidding…. We still have 4
Malaysian Au Pair gathering ^_* This is very great for me too! I’m so glad
everyone make her effort to come out to see each other and I’m so happy that
I can see everyone in person after talked to them on the phone since few
weeks ago.

We knew that Yvonne will arrived in South Station about 2pm. BUT the
problem is none of us know how does she looks like… Crystal, Kit Wah and I
had to pay full attetion to every Chinese girl who was walking towards
McDonald by herself. Yvonne shown up with a face looking around for
somebody, so I gave myself a try, "Yvonne???" when she was closed to me.
YES! Bingo!!! Well… It was great to walk in the rain with her because I got an
assistance to hold umbrella for me (She is tall!!!)

As Crystal and Yvonne will go to another town to visit Crystal’s friend, we just
had about 2 hours to hang out. Walking around in Chinatown again to grab
snacks for Yvonne, showing Yvonne a grocery store where she can get
cooking ingrediants and also taking photo in front of the only Penang
Restaurant in Boston. Oh yeah, I found Guai Leng Kou in the grocery store
too!!! If I’m not mistaken, Alice told me before that she would like to buy Guai
Leng Kou. Well… I’m sure that she can find that in NYC Chinatown too. I hope
that she is doing good in her new host family in Long Island now. Although I
didnt get a chance to meet with Alice, Annie Tan and Vernie, but I would like
to let you all know that I’ll remember the time that we spent on the phone for
hours ^_^

In the evening, I went to Kit Wah’s English classmate’s house for a dinner.
Hideaki is a Japanese researcher in Boston, staying here with his wife (so
sorry to say that we forget her name) and a cute 15 month old baby boy,
Charles. The English teacher, Susan drove Kit Wah and I to his apartment. It
was a very great dinner with great Japanese food. Appertisers were sesame
spinach, redish with carrot and mushroom and mackerel fish, then raw
salmon, tuna with rice, miso soup and the main dish is sukiyaki. Our drinks
are white wain from Susan and wheat tea. We’re having green tea ice cream
+ red bean rice cake as dessert. His wife was busy serving us dinner and
playing with 2 babies.

Tonight they also busy babysat their friend’s baby boy, Shawn, who is 7 days
older than Charles (or other wise). We’re talking about this and that, about
Malaysian culture, Japanese culture and American culture. Susan got her first
lesson from Hideaki on how to use chopstick. It was so amazing that she did a
very good job!!! To be honest, Kit Wah and I were kind of ashame as we’re
using the wrong way to hold our chopstick. I wished that my parents could had
correct my mistake when they first realised that I was using the wrong
technique. Anyway… It is too late to change now… :p

OK, this is what happened tonight. We went back home with full tummy and
I’m busy writing email here while Kit Wah is busy taking shower and packing
for tomorrow. We’ll go to water rafting!!! It is so great to know that tomorrow
will be the first day of having sunny day since last Thursday. We’re getting so tire
and annoy with 10 days of "long life" pouring rain and showers.

My arrangement has to change from time to time after APinn told me that her
host family was unable to provide me free stay in their house. The main
reason is APinn never see me before and they also dont know me. Worst
thing is the family be away on my last night stay in their house, of course they
wont feel "safe" for me to be there. Who know…. I might make a huge party in
the house :p APinn, thanks for your effort in helping me to find a free place to
stay when I go to DC. I’ll call you again.

I’ll keep everyone update about my trip as best as I can! ^_^

Take care!

Khai Ying
15 Oct / 11.55pm
(Haven’t take my shower and pack my things for water rafting)

Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:46 am

Hi Girls…

Since last week, I’ve been contacted a few Malaysian Au Pair and
everyone seems like very interested to know more about my travel
plan. So, here I am to share my "crazy" travel plan!

On Oct 15 and 16, I’ll be in New Hamsphire and Boston. For Oct 15
(Saturday), I’m planning to join a cluster meeting with an Thailand
Au Pair and I’ll meet with Amy if she is going to the meeting. I’ll
overnight in New Hamsphire on the night. The next day (Sunday), I’ll
be in Boston and I would like to meet up with Kit Wah, Yi Shan and
Yi Duan.

Oct 17 will be my last day and I only need to work from 4pm to 7pm.
If I’m lucky enough, I no need to work on that day, I can directly
spend my time to travel from Boston to NY, then NY to DC on Monday
Oct 17. For unlucky event, I’ll have to head back to Newburgh and
travel to DC on Oct 18 Tuesday.

I’ll plan to stay with Yvonne when I’m in DC. I would like to meet
up with APinn and Terese as well as other Au Pair that I’ve meet
during my orientation. It is during the week, so I might have to
take subway to visit from a house to another if it is hard to find a
time to have everyone come out to meet. On Oct 22 Saturday, I’ll
take a bus to Chicago. This will be a very long trip for 19 hours
but it is cheaper and I can travel across Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Ohio and Indiana ^_^ I’ll spend 2 days+ in Chicago. If there is no
free accomodation in Chicago, I’ll stay in hostel.

On 25 Oct (Tuesday) I’ll take another bus to travel to Atlanta for
15 hours. This time, I’ll across Indiana, Kentucky and Tenneesse. I
called Sean Li last night, she is in Stamford for Orientation now.
She would be very happy if I can stop by to visit her in Kentucky.
So, I might change my plan a little bit to move dates a day ealier
and pay her a visit as well. I’ll need to receive confirmation from
her after she arrive in her host family on this Thursday night.

When I’m in Atlanta, Chloe will keep me with her until 28 Oct Friday
night. We plan to rent a car and drive to Florida on Friday 11pm and
get there on 29 Oct around 8am. This will be a "crazy" adventure and
Chloe has done that before :p OK lah, let me as crazy as her…
Oh… Taking photos in panda eyes… Kit Wah will meet with us
there in the airport. APinn just emailed me that she might have
vacation from 20 Oct to 30 Oct, so she might able to join us to
DisneyWorld. We will be so happy if APinn can join us!!! Welcome
welcome welcome!!! Kit Wah, Chloe and I have been spending a few
night on phone for the discussion, it would be great if we can add
APinn in our conversation and having 4 people conference call. I’m
sure that this will drive Chloe crazy as she might have problem to
recognise our voices… Haha… (To Chloe : Please dont kill me… )

As 31 Oct is Halloween, so we would like to arrange to spend the
holiday togather in Florida on 30 Oct night. I’ll back to Atlanta
with Chloe on 31 Oct early morning and rest a day in her house. On
Nov 1 Tuesday, I’ll take a bus to Dallas. The bus will drive pass
Alabama and Missouri. I have an Au Pair friend staying there but she
is still not sure whether I can stay with her or not. I’ve found
hostel in Dallas area, so it will be not a big problem.

Nov 4 Friday evening, I’ll take a flight to Albuquerque in New
Mexico. My ex-cluster Au Pair is studying English in that city. I
can get free room to stay and free tour guide as she is free in the
weekend ^_*

Hmm… Nov 8 Tuesday will be the day I fly to Seattle. Yi Ee will
welcome me. I have not see her for 1 year!!! I miss her so much so
much so much… As it is weekday, so i think i’ll have to explore
the city by myself. No problem! I just need a map and winter jacket
^_*

My return flight is on Nov 17 in Los Angeles. So I plan to take bus
from Seattle and stop at Portland in Oregon before I head to San
Francisco (Oh… I love this city so much!!! This will be my second
visit). Then another bus to Los Angeles.

I’ll estimate to spend $1000 for major transportation and
accomodation. I’m not too sure whether the rest of $1000 will be
enough to support my food and other expenses such as entrance fee,
other transportation in city and gifts.

I understand that travelling by bus will be pain in my butt but I
would like to give myself a try and it will be my last adventure in
USA… I would like to have a car to drive around, it is expensive
for me as I’m under 25 yrs old because I’ll need to pay daily extra
surcharge.

Well… A month travel plan is very hard to plan but I’m glad that I
already have a rough idea. I’ll be in 15 states for my travel month
including some rest stops by bus in a few states :p

Please feel free to give comments or any suggestion! ^_^

Looking forward to see you all…

Khai Ying

P/s : Sorry to Nalini in PA and Kwee Eng in WI, I’m unable to
arrange for a stop in both states as my travel plan is FULL… 

Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:42 am

Hi to all Au Pairs in USA,

It is me again!!!

I’m planning to visit a few places for my 13th month travel ALONE,
Boston, NH, DC, VA, Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Texas, New
Mexico and the last stop will be Seattle.

Today, an idea suddenly pop out and it really makes me feel very
excited! I have a MISSION for my 13th month now…

I would like to visit as many Malaysian and Singaporean Au Pairs as
I can before I go back to Malaysia!

Girls… I’ll need your help to complete my mission…

If anyone of you will be very happy to meet with a new friend from
Malaysia (cute :p and talketive), provide free accomodation as well
as…… free food ^_* (Well… The most important thing is free
accomodation!) I would be more than happy to arrange my trip and
stop by to visit you!

So far, I’ve been to NY, MA, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New
Jersey, Maryland, DC, Nevada, California and Arizona. Of course I
would like to visit to more states before I go home. I plan to take
$2000 with me for 1 month big trip and I know that about $600 will
need be to spend for transportation fee.

Please leave your contact number here or you can give me a call
during the day at my house phone 845 569 8418 or my cell phone
(after 9pm + weekend) 845 542 2326

Hope can hear from you soon………… ^_^

Oh yeah… Kit Wah is planning to go Disney World with me on 22 and
23 Oct. We’re still in the beginning of our planning. Come and join
us if you would like to have a travelling partner!!! ^_*

Khai Ying

I was replying an email to a friend to tell him about my first and the only one skiing experience in US, suddenly memories just started to flash back to year 2005.

Yes,I really miss my time there so much!

Luckily, I recalled that I’ve wrote some sort of journal and posted it at Au Pair Group. So, here I am to search for them, to copy and to paste them here in my blog…

Let me share with all my friends on my previous adventure trip in US!

I’ve celebrated my 26th birthday with

a) working whole day at an exhibition and extremely exhausted at the end of the day

b) Chris calling me from US and talked to me for about half an hour. Everybody around me was looking at me. I was really enjoying our conversation and laughing out loud as if there was no body beside me, hehe :p

c) unexpected birthday present from my boss (He only allows me to call him "colleague", haha…) so I can enjoy the limited edition of CK perfume and smell nice more than 12 hours a day. Also, a nice dinner with my friend and my sister on the following night, which was sponsored by my boss.

d) someone getting mad at me as I’m unable to free myself (If you really want to spend time with me, of course you MUST pre-inform me on the exact timing and what do you want to do rather than telling me "I’ll be coming over late afternoon". Don’t expect me to be able to KNOW and UNDERSTAND that your sentence means that you want to have lunch/dinner with me)

e) a GIANT monkey who loves to be on my bed all the times for me to hug but always ends up on the floor every morning. Well… My single bed is really for SINGLE person to sleep, not meant to keep another life-size monkey ler! :p

f) candle blowing (my ONLY time for this year) on top of a cheese tart from a friend, Michael, whom I just knew him for a day. It was weird to have someone so stranger to buy you a cheese tart which he never tasted before and even bring a candle and lighted it up for you to blow at a booth in front of an auditorium! Anyway, I felt very touching…

Any wishes for myself this year? I guess nope. I’m loving myself lesser and lesser, so don’t even ask me how much do I love those people around me. I feel like I’ve given out all my loves and I don’t have the ability to love someone again, I mean… someone really special in my life other than my family members.

Sometimes I also feel like there are more and more empty spaces in my heart that need to be filled up. More and more things seem to be missing from myself. I’m not really sure whom am I anymore… The only moment when I’ve managed to find myself was during the travelling trip to Krabi with friends. Although that was the worst trip I’ve ever had in my life so far, but it was just strange that I was so happy to be around those friends. I felt like I’m back to high school times. Yeah, I think I really miss that great precious moments…

Remark : To Paul, I hope you’ll be very happy to read this English is for you!

往往许多人在抉择伴侣时，容易东想西想，不知所措，就是因为害怕一时做错决定，看错人，造成终生的遗憾。

诺贝尔文学奖得主萧伯纳说：「此时此刻在地球上，约有两万个人适合当你的人生伴侣，就看你先遇到哪一个，如果在第二个理想伴侣出现之前，你已经跟前一个人发展出相知相惜、互相信赖的深层关系，那后者就会变成你的好朋友，但是若你跟前一个人没有培养出深层关系，感情就容易动摇、变心，直到你与这些理想伴侣候选人的其中一位拥有稳固的深情，才是幸福的开始，漂泊的结束。

爱上一个人不需要靠努力，只需要靠「际遇」，是上天的安排，但是「持续地爱一个人」就要靠「努力」，在爱情的经营中，顺畅运转的要素就是沟通、体谅、包容与自制。有许多人总是为「际遇」所迷惑与苦恼，意念不停、欲念不断、争逐不散，而忘了培养经营感情的能力才是幸福的关键。

不要去追问到底谁才是我的，而是要问说在眼前的伴侣关系中，我能努力到什么程度、成长到什么程度，若没有培养出经营幸福的能力，就算真的出现在你身边，幸福依然会错过的，而活在犹疑与遗憾当中，这不就是许多「爱情虚无症」的遭遇与心态吗？

若你此刻已有一位长久相伴的伴侣，不要再随便三心二意地犹疑了，我们往往不易察觉感情中的一个陷阱，就是「近亲生慢侮」，也就是经济学中的铁律「边际效益递减法则」，跟你在一起越久的人，就越容易麻木与忽视，而新鲜的「际遇」总是那么动人可爱。

在感情对待中，难免有摩擦与无心的伤害，而且论得罪自己的次数累加起来最多的人，当然是跟我们在一起最久、最亲近的人。而新欢呢，又还没开始有得罪你的机会，再加上他的刻意讨好，所以新欢怎么看怎么可爱，旧爱怎么看怎么讨厌。

但别忘了，新欢身上总是有不确定的未知数，旧爱身上就是有难得的熟悉感、确定感、信赖感。千万不要随便在偶然的「际遇」中迷失了自己，错放了幸福温暖的手。

萧伯纳的话，是要提醒情人不要太钻牛角尖于寻觅那唯一，应该把精神用在学会经营幸福的能力上，同时也提醒我们「溺水三千只取一瓢饮」。若有幸遇到了难得的伴侣，就不要再三心二意了，因为我们永远不知道一生何时会遇到两万个其中的几个，所以要知福惜福、活在当下。