Reflection by the plane's window

It's almost the end of August. Two-third of the year has passed me by. The other day when I was in London, I was on the phone with Yen Ling from that faraway place (it might be on another planet) Aberdeen, she said that 'life is like a toilet roll. The nearer you are to the end, the faster it rolls.' Can't help to agree with this cuckoo. Finally, she is making some sense.

Yet again, this post is going to be a reflection of what has happened this year. (More or less like how companies audit their financial position.. haha) This year has been an eventful year, a year full of soul-searching, endless with surprises when I least suspected it.

Right now, right here, I can proudly say that I've achieved one of my biggest dream. Which is to travel around the world, and hey, I'm only 22. I have been to a lot of places, but traveling has taught me a lot of things I never know I never know. It is a great revelation to me, because I have always been a person who never knew how to count my blessings, and now, I'm counting it.

Other dreams that I have consistently thought of coming true, is slowly coming into focus, so I can finally say that I have found the reason of my being, my destiny, as Paul Coelho would put it.

But at the moment, let's just enjoy the moment, and I'll blog more, earn more, eat more, shop more and be happy.. after all, I can only grow so much in a year right? Hahaha...

Melbourne

With last minute changes, I managed to go to Melbourne with nard last week. This is our first trip together, and it was fun.

We stayed in the casino hotel, which I complained so much about because it is so far away from the city. It is such a hassle to get city, either a 20 minutes walk or by the free shuttle provided by the hotel.

I just realised that Melbourne itself has quite a few places that is nice to sight-see. The past few times that I was there, I spent all my time catching up with my relatives, cousins and friends, that I overlooked the sightseeing part.

Then again, this trip to Melbourne, we didn't do much either. Just took lots of pictures by the river near the hotel. And there's this lovely red colored block of concrete somewhere. Lovely lovely. The next time I'm in Melbourne, I definitely going to explore more of the intimate parts of this subtle yet imposing city.

Jungfraujoch

Jungfraujoch (yung-fr-au-york)

Jungfraujoch to Zurich, via Kleine Scheidegg, Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken Ost.

17July2006 5:20PM Local Time (Zurich)

Jungfraujoch is The Highest Point in Europe. 3454m / 13642ft

To get to Jungfraujoch, it is better to purchase a One-Day Swiss Pass, which costs roughly about CHF.95. With this pass, the public transport in Switzerland is free to use for a day. There are certain routes that might need a purchase of tickt, but with the Swiss day pass, there's a 50% discount on most railways. (A guided tour to Jungfraujoch will cost roughly aboug CHF.200)

In the case of getting to Jungfraujoch, there is a 50% discount on the ticket from Wengen to Jungfraujoch, which costs about CHF.71. after discount. This purchase is necessary because from Wengen station onwards the Swiss Pass is no longer usable. But to get to Jungfraujoch, there is little need to stop by the Wengen station. The purchase of the ticket is just a formality. In the Swiss Pass map that is given, we can just bypass Wengen station and head straight up to the top of Europe.

From Zurich, the minimum times we have to change trains are three times. Not much stress about that because all the trains are mostly punctual, and the people in the tran station are always willing to help a lost traveler. Just make sure that it is the correct train before boarding and everything will be just fine.


The trip from Zurich to Jungfraujoch is an estimated 5 hours, give and take. So set out early and be prepared to come back to Zurich late. In my care, I left my hotel at 5am, to catch the 6am train in Bahnhofstrasse, arrived in Jungfraujoch about 10.40am, spent a few good hours there, catch the 1.50pm train down and now i'm halfway across the country on the way back to Zurich. Roughly we'll arrive about 7pm (in the hopes of having cheese fondue for dinner before leaving for Singapore tomorrow morning).

Jungfraujoch is always covered in snow, so it is advisable to bring a really thick jumper, wear wool socks, and if possible, wear a pair of good hiking shoes, plus a pair of sunglasses. Of course, not to forget is the camera. Even in the middle of summer, it is cold up there, no kidding. One point to take note if you're bringing your ipod with you, keep it in a warm place, be it underneath your shirt or in a thermal flask. My ipod (at this very moment) is screwed up by the cold temperature. At first it was heating itself up when I turn it on, then when it finally cool down, now I couldn't turn it on. So take good care of your electronics if you're bringing it up to any snow mountains. Oh, and not to forget to bring some snacks in case you're hungry during the train ride. Plus, the food up there is a little bit overpriced (as usual).

On the trip up to Jungfraujoch from Kleine Scheidegg, it is good to stop by Eismeer and the two stations before it (the train will actually stop at the stations for 5 minutes so that tourists and travelers alike can hop down to take some panoramic photos of Jungfraujoch). It has to be done on the way up because on the way back, the train will not stop at those stations. Don't worry about losing your seat if you hop down (the train is always crowded), what is that 10-20 minutes of standing in the train if you can get postcard photos?

When I reach Jungfraujoch, the first thing I did was use the toilet. Let's leave part of me on the tallest peak in Europe. Haha.

Getting down to business, I went to the Ice Palace (Eis Palais). Here, a good pair of hiking shoes comes in handy. My sneakers keep slipping on the ice floor. Everything is so cold, so cold. There are cute sculptures in the Ice Palace. I took a lot of pictures there. Although it is all ice, but what the heck.


Coming out from Ice Palace, we headed to a place called the Plateau. There, we walked outdoors to take pictures of the snow mountain and the surrounding area. Such breathtaking view, I can't believe I'm actually standing on a snow mountain. Even the photos looks too good to be true. I felt as though I juxtaposed a picture of myself on a postcard. Words can't describe the overwhelming sense contentment in my heart as I tell myself I'm on the highest peak in Europe. The snow are pure white, so white and bright that it pains the eye if you look at it for too long. That is why you need a pair of sunglasses.

Satisfied with the amount of photos I have taken, we went to the restaurant for lunch. After a slow lunch, relaxed our muscles and warmed up our toes, we went to the souvenir shop downstairs to get our all time favourtie souvenir, fridge magnets.


Walking away from the souvenir shop with a lighter purse, we went to the Sphinx Terrace. That is the observatory deck that is always shown on the tour brochures. The huge building on the top of the snow mountain, with a dome in the center. Over there, be it indoors or out, there are lots of angles to take pictures of this magnificent mountain. I just couldn't stop myself, running from point to point, just to bring home as much photographs of Jungfraujoch. Beautiful, splendid, simply breathtaking.

After all the excitement has died down, we decided it is time to head back to Zurich. Four hours thereoff, here I am, sitting in the train, writing all of these down, with the hopes of transfering it to my blog (which I did!).

It is 6.25pm now, another half hour to my cheese fondue dinner.

Note: This time round, it is actually the first time that I did not feel rushed to go to a place to sight-see. Everything seemed so effortless, I just go with the flow. I didn't feel that I have to go to all the places, take all the pictures till my camera's memory runs out. It is a totally different feeling. It is more of contentment, rather than achievement. I felt happy, and in fact, lucky to be able to go to Jungfraujoch just to soak in the beauty, instead of feeling proud that I've been there, done that, another item ticked off my list. I guess I'm finally feeling like a real traveler. Haha...

My Birthday Pictures!!

Flowers?














Cake Cutting Ceremony...

roller coaster ride

Funny sometimes when we are so happy with what we have, and there goes, a steep fall, a swerve to the right, to tell us that, hey, you're not so lucky after all.

I guess it gives me a wake up call when something I have so dreaded has happened. It told me not to take things for granted, and I should be up on-guard at all times. Be prepared for the worst to happen because when it really happens, then at least it is not going to hurt that much.

Sometimes I ask myself, why is it when I am just starting to realise the good things around me, starting to take out some courage to reach out, that I have to be thrown about in this ridiculous roller coaster ride? There I go again, losing my already loose footing in life.

Last night, after a night out to velvet, I came home and I sat in the living room, talking to my housemate. Exasperated, I asked her, 'if tomorrow is going to be a better day, why can't today be a good day?' All I get from her was a tiny note on my desk the next morning, saying, 'dear girl, when times are challenging, be strong and remember all those supporting you. Be happy.'

Tears came to my eyes, feeling grateful that the plunge downwards, the hard swerve to the right, the throwing about in this roller coaster ride, is actually a blessing in disguise. There are actually people who care about me, genuinely. And that is worth more than having hundreds of books in my library or traveling around the world.

I really want to thank her for the wonderful, and powerful note that made me realise, I do have something that I am proud of, my friends. They are really angels sent from above, and I love them. Just being there when I am bruised and beaten, giving me the shove just when I needed it most, or a hug when my materialisitic world is falling around me, is the greatest treasure on earth. I'm rich, I'm lucky, and finally I can say that I wiped off the tears and stand up to face this cruel, cruel world again.

red wine

Red wine. Three nights in a row. 2 bottles.

Wine. January to June. 18 bottles to date.

Plus champagne. 25 bottles.

Add some whiskey. More vodka. 30 bottles.

Some cheese at the side.

A few beers to share the fun. When there's no more wine.

Fine dining at Shangri-La. Another bottle please.

End of this year, a trip to the doctor.

Please don't drink and drive.

Thank YOU

I really needed this 9 days break from work. Although I did not manage to go anywhere because of visa problem, but I am still happy.

I spent about 2 days back in Kuala Lumpur with my family and friends, and I'm glad about that. At least there's some catching up with gossips and shopping!! Hahaha.. my dad said that I had shopped till I dropped in the few days I'm in KL.

I came back to singapore on the eve of my birthday, and nard took me for a nice dinner and arrange a surprise party for me after that. Although it was a small party, but it was really sweet of him. I love the roses and the cake! Muaks.. and to my housemate, I really love that dress!! Didn't know this kind of dress will look good on me.. hahaha.. A big wet kiss for you girls, MUAKS... and the girls night out was fun just now.. can't wait for the next one!

And for all my dear friends around the world, thank you for the phone calls and messages. It was lovely to know that you guys still remember me and my birthday.. and sean, I love that dog, although it's not pretty (just like you! haha)..

I still don't have the pictures of my birthday party, but once I get my hands on it I'll post it up...

P/S: I really love the roses, nard, just can't stop looking at it!

My Dirty Laundry

Almost six months has passed for this year, and a lot of things has not been done. Especially my laundry. I have no idea why there is no way I can finish doing my laundry. It's always there and it's forever piling up, no matter how often I wash them, dry them and iron them. Who created clothes in the first place anyway? I'm happy stark naked.

Or maybe someone should just invent clothes that can clean on its own, or stain free clothes. Now, as I'm writing crap here, the washing machine is working very hard. Half hour from now I will be working hard hanging them up under the sun. And the business of folding and ironing when it's dry later tonight, it's driving me crazy!!

The ordeal of organizing the pile of clothes into light-colored and dark colored, then dumping into the washing machine, taking the washing powder from the cupboard, pouring in the softener, it's hell a lot of work. Maybe I should consider wearing the same clothes over and over again.

That said, I still have to do my laundry. I can hear my washing machine saying 'it's your turn to work now...'

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