my quaint world

I am very very busy. Other than work. (Work is endless!)

My mommy and daddy will be visiting next week. They are arriving on Wednesday. For a whole 3 weeks.

I've been a good girl, cleaning up the house, puffing the pillows and putting on nice clean sheets for them :)

Though till now, we have yet to see Summer. Its always shying away hiding behind those grey big heavy clouds.

I just hope the weather will be kind.

As I sat in the speeding taxi, on my way to the airport, I reflected on the past 3 days. Moments like this makes me feel great doing what I am doing today. Well, I can't complain more for now, its a job but yet it gives me lotsa pleasure to see many things in this big world. Going places where I can't ever imagine I will be.

Of course, the sheer satisfaction is gained from the rigorous meetings crammed over the 3 full days. I am tired but I am happy. We got 2 deals signed and 2 more on the way. Yippee!!!

Oooh, Kiev is a beautiful place. Slow, green, vibrant and breathtaking. And very warm people!

Well, I only had 2 hours spared for a short walk around but with my FX9 in hand!

Once of the many parks in the city. Trees and flowers everywhere.


Typical row of coloured, beautifully architectured buildings. Rows after rows.


St Sophia's Cathedral. The golden dome is glorious looking, on the backdrop of light blue sky.


I had to post this picture. It depicts a typical scene in the city. Cathedrals after cathedrals with golden domes capture one's eyes from faraway. Its just breathtaking. In the beginning, I went, "ah, look there" "ah, look here" "ah there also" and then just "ah" "wow" "ah"...

St Michael's Golden Domed Monastery.


Close up.


Side view.

Another cathedral in the same compound. Ehm, I didn't had time to check out the name.


A very classical and colourful building which I went "woww... *pause* uhm, look the the junk in the balcony!!!" What a contrast. (But FX9 couldn't capture the gist of what I saw then)



Maidan Nezalezhnosti. A very vibrant square. I think everyone is meeting up with everyone after work. Below this square, lies a huge underground shopping centre.


Borcsht. Red beet soup. Very very yummy. I couldn't stop ordering this at every meal. Hehe.


Random people who became friends at the end of a night in a bar. All over a cigar and many beers. What else.


Someone told me that Kiev is almost the 'mecca' of the Orthodox Church (not sure if she was referring to one particular cathedral but I couldn't find any reference in the internet).

Last Saturday, the Belgians celebrated their National Day. This means that all shops were closed for the day. Really all closed :( We couldn't even do our groceries for the week.

Anyway, for it was such a boring day, we decided to take a drive to check out the little French city by the border with Belgium - Lille. It is such a pretty place.

We didnt do much there though. Just walked around. I guess people mainly go there to shop. Yep, that Saturday, I would say many Belgians had the same idea as us. So it was pretty crowded indeed. But vibrant!

Lille is quite picturesque. There are plenty of shops. All kinds. General stores, standards shops, alternatives, boutiques etc... Streets are mostly one laner, cobbler stoned (I hate them cuz they ruined all my heels!).


I saw a classical bakery. Wanted to try out the ice cream, tarts, buns, cakes (typical me!) but I was lured by another shop at another corner.


One corner of the town square. Its a very big square with many restaurants and cafes providing sittings outdoor.

I was lured by this 'PINK' ice cream shop. There was a very very long queue. It took me 20mins to get me a single scoop strawberry icecream (with chunks of fresh strawberries in it) but it was all worth it. Really yummy!


It was just a short visit. We'll definately be back again to explore Lille to its depths.

I didn't get anything for myself but Mr D was home with all smiles as he got himself a full set of Texas Holden Poker game, with plastic cards, weighted chips and all in a nice chic briefcase.

Apparently, there is a poker craze going on in Belgium.

Spot the tiny white plane!

I've always thought Walibi is a place ONLY for kids. Nevertheless, when a group of friends' friends was visiting Belgium and wanted very much to go to Walibi, we just hopped along with them.

Well, it was a fairly nice day. The clouds made the sky looked like a huge piece of abstract artwork. Of course, I brought along my weak heart plus my camera to capture the moments.

Not forgeting to mention that the last time I was in a real theme park was probably almost 10 years ago. Never truly a fan. I was once freaked out by the 'free fall' ride in Brunei.


In order to skip the crowd, we started the tour clockwise instead. The first ride was called COBRA. Its a roller coaster that went round and round and then went backwards round and round.

No pictures at this point of time cuz admist the initial enthusiasm to start the great day, I was all wobbly and feeling pukey.

Anyway, they dragged me along to take a 'slow' adventurous water ride...


Lucky me, I was on the right side where I was spared of the splashing water. Everyone was holding tight cuz it was hell of a bumpy ride.


Ducks by the lake. Actually, its very nice to walk around the entire park. Lotsa trees, scrubs and flowers... ducks.


Small rollercoaster... or more like a 'chu chu' train ride.


Ferris Wheel. A must-have in every theme park. Big or small.


American Rollercoaster. This was fun. We took it multiple times ;)


I love this picture! It gives out movements and gayity. For me, this was the most scariest ride I took. Yikes.


Vertigo. A new ride. Very impressive!


Still part of Vertigo.


Uhm, not my cup of tea. Up up up they went.


Down down down they came. Free falling.

Overall, it was quite a nice Sunday except for a brief shower in the late afternoon... We ended the day with another ride on the COBRA. Yea, that ended my day cuz my insides were really turned upside down.

I think we took about 13-15 rides within the 8 hours. Goodness me!

I am back!

See this picture? This is the view out from Marseille train station. And this is the view which caught me mesmerised and made me missed my train home!!! Unbelievable! I myself couldn't believe that had happened. I had to buy another VERY expensive ticket to go home. Sob sob sob.

I was so stupid. It was a hard lesson learnt!


Let's forget about that pinch!

It was a very awakening great 5 days at the buddha-land, Trets. Ha, I call it the buddha-land as during my time there, all on my mind was only to seek to fill the thirst of faith and knowledge. No phone calls, no emails, no talking about work, no worrying about problems. Only lotsa chanting. Studying. And all smiles.

It was a very rejuvenating trip. Brings me back to all the basics of faith. Sometimes, filling up my mind with too much knowledge gained from reading has sort of put me in the "i-know-how-it-all-works" mode which is not so good, because I tend to use a lot of mind reasonings than to let the heart rule. So this is a good "cleansing" trip!

Use the strategy of the lotus sutra!

Wisdom wells from within, as the heart rules, thus faith is pure.

nam is faith/ devotion/ believe.
myho renge kyo is the manifestation of buddhahood/ brings the effects into our lives (buddha wisdom wells from within).

The trip was essential to prepare me for the news that awaits to befall on my ears when I am back. Its a very very worrisome news. I will share it later. Surely, we will fight for victory!

I was in the photography group. This is my best shot. I love the air of joy and warmth expressed.


The group picture - all from SGI-Belgium!


More later. Good night.

Hey people, sorry for being so quiet lately. I have been overwhelmed by work. I've been to Milan this week and also have been in the office till 8pm each night. I know, its crazy. I've promised myself not to torture me like this but hell, the drive is there now and I can't stop myself.

I can't complain that its over torturous either, cause deeply I do enjoy my work a lot now. I work best under high pressure.

That a pressure cooker.

Don't worry, it will not explode as tomorrow I am off to Trets - the journey of finding me!

Eat Pray Love has been a great book to read just before Trets. Its not related to buddhist greatly but the gist of the book gives me lotsa self reflection and it preps me to high spirit, all ready soar at Trets.

There's many many phrases and thoughts that struck and relate me deeply. (Don't have time to share them now).

There's also many many funnies that made me chuckled out load to myself during my flight to Milan. Heck care if they think I am a bit crazy ;)

Well, the journey of finding oneself is extremely important and that thought strikes me hard. Finding the peace within oneself. Detachment of our happiness to an external factor. Controlling of thoughts, driving away the negative ones.

When one reaches this state, I believe in everything we do, will be at the max potential. Or should I say, one can bloom to his/ her max potential.

Therefore, I keep telling myself I don't have to tire myself working 12 hours a day (this week is exceptional because I enjoy it), stressing about problems at work, family, home etc. When one find that innate power, what is impossible?

Just need time and wisdom to do it.

I think human stresses too much also because we are too impatient to complete things. If nothing is impossible, why stress - just relax and complete things one by one...

Till I am back renew, take care and kisses...

Of late, I've been catching up with my readings. Here's couple which I'm done and found them rather interesting.

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight
by Alexandra Fuller


A good write (of course, also a good read) about her African childhood, growing up as Bobo, the daughter of white tobacco farmer. It tells the tale about the family, the hardships, the quirkiness of her mom and on the other hand, the survivals, the strengths, all intensely moving in combination with a tang of humor behind the words.

A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka


Another good read, deceived by the heavy set title. In fact, funnily, if you have read the book, the title will give you the giggles along the way. It in facts shows the eccentricity of this book. Light-hearted, humourous but with tonnes of heavy unwritten meanings, where I grasped the meaning of 'how he acts is partially how he is made of'. Except the very eccentric Pappa, an Ukrainian imigrant who still hold a dream to save the souls of Ukraina. He, who is 84, announces to his daughters that he is in love and will marry a Ukraina, 36 with a marvelous pair of bosoms. There the story begins, and there the untold stories unfolded.

2 more that I read (or reading) - Perfume by Patrick Suskind (Inspired to read as the movie left me jaw-hunged! So watch the movie, if you may) and Antonia Fraser's Biography of Marie Antoinette (Still on it, trying as its a bloody thick book!).

Enjoy!

Life's little pleasure are moments like this.

A quiet Sunday noon with the backdrop of endless pelting tiny raindrops. I put on the burner, dripped in the rose essence. The one which I bought since my teen years, the one that my bedroom during my growing years smell off.

I snuggled in comfortably on my white sofa, cupped with a refreshing drink (pineapple juice + lychee... which I managed to tear apart the can very carefully with a swiss knife. I need to buy a can opener!) and on the other hand a very good book - Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Its a great read! I am just at chapter 27 (there's 108 very short chapters, structured the same way as a 'buddhist beads' which is always strung with 108 beads) and I've not been able to put the book down since I started.

Its about the journey of a woman in search for the meaning of her life. Right after a very tremulous time, a divorce, a break up and bouts of depressions, she had series of encounters which prompted her to plan the journey as she had made it.

I particularly liked (up to where I am reading now) the part where she exclaimed the coincidence of the 'I's. She was ready to go on a voyage of self-discovery, therefore, Liz was on her way explore the art of pleasure in Italy, the art of devotion in India and in Indonesia, the art of balancing the two. All 3 countries begins with an I which carved the journey for Liz to find herself! Voila!

Touchingly, I could relate myself very much to the thoughts and feelings captured in this book.

Alright, I shall not tell too much. My dear readers, especially all bellas, do try to get your hands on this read.

Never been able to quite understand the concept of podcast. I guess I am just laggin behind time - still stuck at struggling to load music into my ipod. Don't even know how paypal works.

Well, all these consumation into the business world gave me no time and should turned me into an almost mechanical immaculate suit and heels chic but still far from that either... sigh.

I wish I have hidden artistic talents. Unfounded and waiting to discover.

But for time being, I'll let my lil sis steal the show. She is discovering her sides and is shinning them proudly into the world.

Look here - her own radio show!

Can't read the site as its in hebrew. Its the site of a radio station from Tel Aviv. But the picture tells enough. Can you recognise her in that slightly blurry picture?

Listen, listen, listen people! To HarpyListens.

A very meaningful day for two souls deeply in love.

It was simple and yet very lovely celebration with the closest ones.




(I was the self-assigned photographer of the day!)

June 4-7, 2007

Moscow! This vibrant and ever pulsating place gave me several insights during my visit there.

1. The most expensive city in the world. Yes, indeed and it did suprised me, this fact. I've always thought its London or New York or Tokyo. So wrong I am. (Also, highest rate of millionaires becoming)

2. Everything there is HUGE. Everything is built to depict grandiosity. Reminds me a lot about Beijing. Not in any terms where the architecture is similar but in the philopsophy behind the potrayal of power and greatness. Communism.

3. No smiles. People are closed up and potrays a fear to speak. Most people just have a blank facial expression. Only towards the evening, when all with a bottle in hand, they are laughing out aloud on the streets.

A very huge and elaborated pedestrian bridge, just in front of my hotel, Radisson SAS at Europe Square (Metro Station : Kievskaya)


Long deep elevators into the ground - Welcome to the Moscow Metro!



Very beautiful Metro Station walk-way.


A world's most busiest metro system, carrying 7mio passengers daily.

The classic looking metro.


In the metro. This picture gives me a very nostalgic feel.


My dreamy colleague in the metro.


A very popular tea-house in the city centre.


At the beginning of Arbat street. Another enormous building.


Vibrant and lively Arbat Street filled with street vendors, performance, singers, shops, cafes, restaurants and tourists.


Outside the Red Square.

At the northern of the Red Square, where I entered, stood the magnificent building of the State Historical Musuem.


A front view.


"Iberian Gate" - The Ressurection Gate and Chapel.


At the northeast corner of the Red Square stood the Kazan Cathedral.


I couldn't resist to take shot as I turned back for a moment. What a dramatic natural backdrop.


Breathtaking and cheery Saint Basil's Cathedral.


Moscow is also the most populous city in Europe with an official population of about 15 mio (and unofficially at about 20mio).

A short but very interesting trip!