Profiles

While doing some research this afternoon, I stumbled upon some statistics and profiles which I've frequently been asked yet never can remember off hand. Thought it would be interesting to capture and put them into a table for comparison.

Country Profiles
	Malaysia	Finland	Hong Kong
Area	329,758 sq km	338,000 sq km	1,098 sq km
Population	25.7m (2004)	5.2 million	6.8419m (mid-2004)
Government	Constitutional Monarchy	Republic	Chief Executive - Head of HK SAR Government

source : FCO

Urban Regeneration

There are quite a few interesting urban regeneration organisations and projects in Europe. Two which I recently came across are organised by 66east and Urban Drift.

These organisations promotes better usage of urban cityscapes. Their concept is an alternative method, a diverse approach to regenerating an old city by ways of architecture, art, poetry, ideas and concepts. It all seems pretty appealing - 'an alternative method, a diverse approach'. However, how well accepted are these projects, we won't know unless we are living within those cities.

Having observed how my hometown Penang has developed over the past 5 years, I start to think. Are these organisations doing what is practical to the cities in Europe? Are they promoting a new trend, new school of thought that appeals to a specific group of people within that circle? Or is it really meant for the greater good of the public and city folks.

*wonder*

Looking at their websites, and browsing through the project proposals I start to wonder.

I wonder if the same approach can be applied to the urban regeneration of Penang? Penang development is growing awry in many aspects. The population expands, the transportation needs follow suit, but one does not see any progress on organising a better public transport service. You see more and more private cars on the road, however you do not see expanded roads. You see new housing developments, clearing of land, chopping of trees, high-rise mushrooming across the island; but you do not see any effort put to doing any landscape architecture, re-planting of trees, better pedestrian and transport service roads.

So I guess the answer to my earlier questions is = "maybe not". There are many reasons behind: cultural differences, public acceptance less positive, conflict of governmental interests, conflict of interests amongst stakeholders, funding issues (corruption?), supporting bodies. Intuition tells me that the latter reasons are the main reasons that are hampering a better city development. Despite there are many agents or organisations set up to aid this well intentioned effort, they do not seem to materialise. One example perhaps is the PDC Penang Development Corporation.

I wonder if Penang will keep it's rich cultural historical background and assets while developing into something which to the elders might be monstrous and insulting? I really hope not.

*muse*


Weather forecast yesterday:
It didn't rain last evening, nor was there thunderstorm. At least none of those occured where my parents live.

Weather forecast today

Morning:	Weather fair
Afternoon:	Cloudy
Night:	Weather fair
Minimum:	24°C
Maximum:	34°C

Melting

Weather in Penang
Morning:	Weather fair
Afternoon:	Thunderstorms
Night:	Rain
Minimum:	24°C
Maximum:	32°C

So reads the weather forecast of Georgetown by the Malaysian Meteoroglocial Service.

The heat is killing me... slowly. My brain grows numb from the heat, my limbs refuse to respond to the signals the brain transmit, the body perspires and the skin feels sticky from all the perspiration. "Eeeewwww"!

Disappointing Race

Kimi Räikkönen's car broke down while doing the 9th lap on the San Marino Formula 1 Grand Prix track. The engine gave up again... what a let down. I believe Räikkönen must be very disappointed because he was lined up 1st on the grid for this race. McLaren mechanics!!! Wake up!

*Sigh*... tomorrow brings with it a new week. I used to have no problem starting a new week. In fact days went past so fast I felt so scared I wish I could keep them from slipping away. Now? The coming week ahead seems so long. I don't know what I'd be doing the day after tomorrow and after that.

Well, I really shouldn't be complaining perhaps. The day didn't end that bad as I gracefully received 'Red Packets' and well wishes from my parents, and across the miles from an aunt. Life goes on!!!

Tasks for tomorrow:

Wait for postman

Call travel agent to enquire on flight tickets

... is there anything useful i could do???

Traditional Massage and Home Cooked Meal

Nothing beats a lazy morning start with a traditional Malay massage, followed by a simple yet sumptious home cooked meal!

Did you know that a traditional Malay massage of 1hour 30minutes covers the back, legs, hands, abdomen, chest, and scalp? Yes indeed. It is followed by a heat treatment using an iron like object containing 'daun pandan' and 'daun sirih'. That was targeted on the abdomen, back, and bottom. The object is called the 'Tunggul'. The 'Tunggul' when applied on the body gives out a soothing frangrant aroma.

The masseuse 'Kak Ning' says that this type of massage is also good for the lady who is undergoing her maternity confinement. The massage would help blood circulation, and firming up the loosened body tissues. So those who wants to get back in shape after giving birth will definitely benefit from this. Sounds great huh?

After a relaxing massage the stomach will naturally start to growl. Time for food!

Yes, a refreshing massage followed by a home cooked meal... extraordinary treatment during a holiday! Superb indeed! I have nothing to complain now.

So I shall get back to sorting out some loose ends for the visa application.

What's new?

This is what I feel like expressing to the authorities :-


After all this wait... they inform me an interview is set for 4th May. Why could they not have informed about the interview the following day after the submission and arrange for an interview imnmediately?

Now my travel plans will have to be delayed. On top of that, extra expenditure will be incurred.

The visa application service is absurdly dysfunctional! Makes me miss the Hong Kong service efficiency even more.

Endless wait

I'm suffering this endless wait. Yet it doesn't seem like there is much I can do to speed up the visa processing but - 'wait'.

It is getting on my nerves because I have called up the enquiry office three times since Tuesday. Yet everytime I call, they give me the same answer "it is still under review". Despite having stated on the form that my intended departure date is 25th April, on top of that have requested for a fast track processing, the application is still held up. I have also highlighted that I am not physically in KL, thus I would need to travel to KL to collect the visa before departure.

The mind boggling part is, why do the officers ask applicants to call back the same day when they can not get the processing completed? Baffling! Appaling service indeed!

Of mozzies and expectations

Disappointment as a result of Expectation
When a person expects a certain thing to happen in a pre-conceived way; and if that event does not turn out as expected, then the person will end up being disappointed. Suppose it does not take a genius to figure this out. Yet, despite knowing this very basic fact for a long time, people just can not help but 'expect'.

This applies not only to people's behaviours, it also applies to how events unfold. Most ironic of all is that if the more hope you invest, the higher the disappointment in the end if the result was not a positive one. Often than not, one would end up in utter frustration. If alternative methods are sought, one can be saved from mental disturbance. However if one dwells on the disappointment, further frustration in a higher level will naturally follow.

I know I am rambling... but I just cannot help it!


Mozzy terrorists
I've been back in Malaysia for a week now. And have been attacked left right centre by tonnes and tonnes of mosquitoes. Believe you me, they are clever and have a formulated tactic. They do not attack in the same place twice, they do not attack in the same method twice, but they will attack you more than twice the chances they get!!! They seem to attack me more than my other family member. Maybe they know that i'm not here on a long basis, thus i have not figured out how to formulate a defense system. But whatever it is, "mozzies! beware!!! i'll get my revenge...".

Visa Application Status:
Website status same as on 13th April "The application has been sent to the High Commision".
Through the phone, the officer informs it is "Still under review". Thus have requested for a fast-track processing.

Mozzy Revenge:
Spotted 3 mozzies, squased 2.

5th day?

Jeeze... it's taking kinda long isn't it?

Visa Application Status: same as on 13th April "The application has been sent to the High Commision"

.....

Penang

After an 11 hour flight from London Heathrow to Hong Kong; and a 6 hour wait in Hong Kong; followed by a 4 hour flight from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur; then a 2 day stay in Kuala Lumpur, I am finally in Penang!

Jeeze... that is indeed a long journey. I have been zombified for the past few days, barely dragging my feet under me to where I need to go. Just hope that this will turn out to be a justified and fruitful journey.

I have learnt that I feel uneasy without a day job. Gives me too much time to have too many day dreams and weave nonsensical ideas. There is at the moment quite a few uncertainties ahead which makes me feel rather uneasy. Need to remind myself to tackle things "one at a time". Once I acquire the relevant paper work, then I can proceed to the next step.

Fingers crossed, things will fall into place smooth and speedily.

Reality Bites

We're back to London; back with tonnes of dirty clothes for laundry; back with less money in the pocket; back to the flat that still looks a little dodgy; back to reality...

But, there is no time for me to sit and sulk for I will be off for yet another journey tomorrow!

Have not had time to think much while on the move lately. However it just hit me that I have been travelling a lot in the past 2 months. Been in 5 different countries within the past 9weeks.

A little more to go! Keep the positive spirit there!!! Got to pack the luggage again!

End of Trip

The end of our Finland trip is near. We return to London tomorrow.

We have been based in Helsinki mainly. Explored Röykkä, Hameenlinna and Turku too. In the past 10days we have been visiting people. Also we have been doing quite a bit of sight seeing.

Despite all this time spent in Finland, I still feel that there is still so much to explore and experience.

Röykkä

Suburb of Finland, or rather described as middle of nowhere?







I think it is beautiful!

Rouva status

Today is the second day being "Rouva Rahunen" (Mrs Rahunen). "Mrs"? .... hmm... sounds foreign to me still. It is even more foreign to be typing on a Finnish keyboard! Maybe, just maybe... I am dreaming?