I've Moved my Blog!!!

Hello peeps... It's been really hard managing 2 blog with my busy schedule. As I prefer the look of my new blog, I will be keeping my new blog, therefore, from now on, I will not be updating on blogger.

Please find me at merlioninholland.wordpress.com

See ya there! :D

There is no World without Verona Walls

’ve been really busy of late trying to finish up a scrapbook that I’m presenting to Jos as a Christmas Present. And each page brings my mood up higher because of the many flashes of memory that every single photo brought back.

One of the pages on the scrapbook that I’d particular like was a page I did on our trip toVeronalast summer. It had brought back so many memories and I’d thought I should blog about it in this post.

I have always been a fan of Shakespeare and his popular play on Romeo & Juliet. I’d been so crazy over the way it is written that I can recite most of the popular sayings of the play. Sometimes, I’d even use the way it’s being said during my conversation with friends for fun. Romeo & Juliet was written based onVerona. As such, I’ve always dream about visitingVerona.

Some years ago, I’ve also watched a movie – Letters to Juliet, starring Amanda Seyfried, I love the movie so much, I told myself I’m definitely going to visitVeronasome day, one day. I even spoke to one of my Italian friend about it. So can you imagine my joy when Jos said we were going toVeronalast summer? It was like the best present he ever gave me. Its like a dream come true!

Although I’ve blog about how disappointed I was when I realize that the Juliet’s Garden in Verona isn’t really the real balcony the play was written on, I was still determine to see Juliet’s Balcony for whatever it takes. 

The day trip toVerona Town was one beautiful one. The weather was at its high of 34 degrees Celsius, hot and sunny with a light cool breeze. We parked the car at one of the parking garage, put on our sunglasses and hat (ok, just mine hat) and take a stroll with a map in hand.Italyis such a beautiful country, the minute our car lays its wheel onto the Italian ground; I awed at every angle the beauty of the historic architectures and the natural beauty of the scenery. I did not stop snapping on my camera to make sure I capture the beauty my eyes set on so that the memory will stay with me forever. 

The first popular spot we walked past was Ponte Pietra, which is Italian for Stone Bridge. It is also known as the oldest bridge inVerona which symbolizes the history of the city. Ponte Pietra has been destroyed several time by floods and rebuilt time and time again. Today, the bridge looks steady and glorious and definitely did not lose its beauty.

We walked on to the many beauty of the city which can clearly only be describe with pictures. So here are more pictures for your viewing 

What was really exciting was walking towards verona town which is where Juliet’s Balcony is located. We’d walked through a crowded town with loads of tourist searching for the sign that says Romeo and Juliet. During that time, I’ve also observe the surrounding, there were many branded names along the street. And there is one thing I realise that there is always more than one Gelato shop along the way. You see one and you will see another right at the opposite corner. I guess that’s only because Italian Gelato are too good to refuse. There are always a queue waiting to get a cup of gelato and it is truely worthwhile waiting. So why would we refuse one?

Besides the many shops along the way, I happen to see also beggars in some corners. One of which that strikes me was a pregnant lady running from people to people with a picture of her other 2 children at home with her hands stretching out. Such scene always gives me a sad feel.

Next we arrived at the Juliet’s Garden. Packed with tourist and maybe really not what I’d expect but it does look exactly the same as the one in the movie – Letters to Juliet. I enjoyed every bit of my time there.

Juliet's Garden in Verona

I’d really enjoyed my 30mins stay there. You cann only feel the same if you visit it yourself. The next event that we’d plan was The Arena of Verona for our 1st Opera together and yes it’s one best experience ever.

La travita was the Opera we were going to watch. I’d prefer Romeo and Juliet but that will only be play in August. So we had to miss that one. 

I’ve never attended an opera and had thought it must be really grand and I had to wear something formal. To my surprise, the arena is like a big stadium, open spaced and free seating. We bought dinner from a shop nearby and was going to do picnic in the stadium. That was like so exciting.

The Grand Arena

Me @ the Arena

Look at the crowd!

Although I did not understand the saprono singing but I’ve bought a book that translate the play in English for my understanding. The setting was grand and totally enchanting despite us not understand abit of the language, yet also the music was really pleasing. Jos was going to get me a CD of the full music play. So I’m still waiting.

 

The opera was really long, money well spent!  We left the show earlier as we were afraid we might have problem finding our car since we need to walk back to the garage in the dark. But then again, it was already 12 mid night. So it isn’t really early.

 

I can only say, the experience was one romantic and lovely one. Thanks to my very sweet boyfriend! xx

A trip to Sri Lanka. Not my kind of country.

I would never thought of being here in Sri Lanka if not because Jos has a conference to attend here. I’m suppose to be here with him as his spouse for the very first time. So that had felt really nice but at the same time, I felt nervous because it’s my first time in Sri Lanka and also my first time attending business conference with Jos so I’ve totally no idea what to expect.

We have been here in Colombo since Saturday 22nd October 2011. From the day we landed till now, Colombo has given me a feel of a very under developed country. I’m sure many other countries might gives us the same feel but Colombo really isn’t very developed.

The airport was a very small one and the duty free at the arrivals are packed with Electrical Items. Refrigerators, rick cooker, washing machine etc. Who on earth buy Electrical items from duty free….. Sri Lankans!

The drive from the airport to the hotel stayed at, Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel was approximately an hour. The drive way and also consider the high way was 2 narrow lane with huge trucks and buses trying to squeeze their way through. Even the car we ride on has problem passing on some point when a huge truck was next to us. There were loads of traffic and uncountable numbers of times the sound of the horns went off. Beeeeep Beeeep!! Almost every single second of the drive. Finally after 1 hours of the music of the horns and many sudden jerking of the car, we arrived at the Cinnamon Lakeside. Perfectly quiet and nice environment at first view, that’s all I needed really.

The Lobby was also filled with smiling faces which gives us a sense of warmth welcome.

The first day in Colombo was just chilling in the hotel, having lunch, sit by the pool and also a spa treatment which was lovely. I have to agree with Jos about feeling sad each time the massage has to end.

On the second day, 23rd October 2011, the UGLY side of these Sri Lankan emerge. The experienced we had made me feel somewhat cheated and unfairly treated. Its clearly not about the money, its the integrity of one man and no money can buy. I really wanted to share this because if anyone is ever going to Colombo, just do not trust any strangers that appear to be helpful. Ultimately, their main objective is to have you pay alot more money than you are suppose to pay.  I wonder this “man” who is clearly out to cheat ever has a conscious that integrity is something money cannot buy, and he has lost his integrity to yes, a total stranger. He has no guilt, no conscious, no feelings. I wonder if he understands that fact.

The incident went like this:

Jos and I decides to take a walk with a map handy to see some touristic spot. That’s very common for us. We always travel with a map in hand and always prefer to find our way than to sign up with some tour package.  While walking, a tall, dark man, came to us and started being friendly. He asked that we visit the baby elephant parade which only happens 3 days in every year! Sounds inviting doesn’t it? And he even offered to bring us there. Jos is persistently declining his offer and we walk on our way. After a few metres, another man came by, this time, this man claims he is a police officer and explained that I’m not allowed to take pictures. I cannot agree with him but whatever. And he go on with his story about what he does and again about the baby elephants. He then continue by saying, “come let me show you.” He wave his hands to a red tuk tuk and said, “Do not take the blue ones, the red ones are safe and government owned” – Totally Crap!

Do Not take the Blue Tuk Tuk...

I cannot believe we believe his crap and went on the tuk tuk anyway. He brought us to some Buddha Temple and make a quick round and then hop back on the tuk tuk and go to the beach. I didn’t even have enough time for any nice photo shots. There he asked for us to pay the tuk tuk driver RS 4000 which is equivalent to EUR24 and made us pay him EUR3000 which is EUR18. A total of EUR42 is close to a good SGD80! Amazing! We were being slapped on the face and have no reason to retaliated if you asked me.

The amount of money spent doesn’t make me angry, what makes me sick is how this man cheat without feeling a little bit of guilt.

So good experience ? Not so much….. I felt so cheated but Jos said, he just hope he buy some nice stuff for his children. For me, I just hope he get cheated the same way we did the next time he travels to China! Arse hole!

We went our own after that. Strolled by the beach on Galle Face and went on to the Dutch Museum. That is probably many many times better than having that chap rushing us around and ripping us off our money.

Actually we had a lot of fun running away from the waves. 

Next, the Dutch Museum, possibly one of the place we were not con into anything. Its free and the care-taker of the musuem also wasn’t out to cheat. I know I’m seen here to keep repeating what we had experience with that cheater-bug but I just cannot understand where has the heart of this man gone to.

Sorry I digress, back to the Dutch museum. Below you see a picture of the entrance to the Dutch museum. Yes, it doesn’t look at all glamorous. Imagine its of heritage of more than 350years and nobody cares to upkeep the place for memorial sake. Its one of the most run-down exhibition museum I’ve ever seen, opened to the public.

Even the interior of the museum is run down. No cleaning up is done, no beautifying is needed. You just feel like you are back to the good old days of the time when the Dutch reign in Sri Lanka.

A Room full of Tombs

Along the way, I’ve taken a few pictures while heading back to the hotel. The many sights of Colombo state of life just makes me feel a little sad. People here seems to still be living as we would 20 yrs ago, when everyone else is moving ahead with time, there are people that are stuck at where their parents were, or even where where great grand parents were. What really makes a society stay where they are and not move ahead with time?

Pettah Colombo

We see beggars everywhere, that’s true. In Singapore, Europe and even America. Generally everywhere. In every country, there will always be some retro part that are being retained as touristic spot. But to me, being in Colombo brings me way back in time.  And therefore, I can’t help but feel a little lost at some point. Good experience but won’t return if there isn’t a reason to.

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

Me: I've already drop many hints and you still don't get it.

Jos: Don't drop hints, just tell me directly.

Me: ......

Does the above seems familiar to many? I believe so, many girls goes through the same with their guy. They just don't get it. They never understand. Why isn't he calling me back? Why can't he be a little more sensitive to my feeling? Why does friends mean more to him then me? And all these questions leads to Frustrations in a relationship and might even lead to a big fight. And we girls being girls, never give up trying. We keep trying to make him understand... by getting angry, by getting grumpy, getting upset and so on.

Frustration!

But ladies, its time you stop trying because man and woman can never be the same. If he is ever like you, you might want to re-consider him as your man because then there is a feminine side of him which can be quite scary, don't you think? So, don't try to change your man to be what you want him to be, he will never be and should not be. Naturally, because he is a man and he has to do what a man does.

I've had a few relationships before and I've learnt and even with my current, I'm still learning. The good news is each day I become better at it. I'm no expert but to survive a relationship, as a woman, we need to know what we do wrong as a woman as well. There is always two side to a coin, you can't be always right. So here are my 2 cents worth of thoughts about handling your man:

Rule No. 1 - Do not try to change your man!


Why do we love a man and not a woman? What would we bother to be with a gender so different from us and suffer the consequences of being different? Well, Bingo! That's because we want a manly man and not some wimp. That's clearly the reason why man are made different from woman. The difference can be so vast that requires a lot of working on. But even then, isn't it interesting and challenging to accept that manliness in your man? So stop getting upset when your boyfriend aren't doing what you want him to. If he does, that is not manly.

Your man will never be like you. 

If you should decide a man is not what makes you happy, then I suggest you go for a tomboy to ease the suffering. Because "she" will understand more what is needed from a woman's point of view and do what you want them to.

Rule No. 2 - Do not depend on him to be happy.


Were you happy before you meet him? What were you doing before you meet him? There are surely things we do without our boyfriend and still feel happy. Think about what you did before he comes into your life and do that! If we start a relationship and rely on that one relationship to make us happy, we will never be.

Consider this, if you are happy despite whatever situation or negative thoughts that may bring upon you, your boyfriend would feel less stressed up being with you and thus makes a relationship happier and more lively.

Be Happy or Not... Your Choice. 

Man are shallow, they do not think as much as a woman does. So no matter what negative thoughts you might have, his will only be nothing. Stop guessing what is not and just be happy even if he isn't there or hasn't return your call. You can choose to be happy if you want to be and the happiness at state don't have to be necessary because of him. 

Tip 3 - Stop the guessing Game


Let's just say, be direct! Honestly, how many questions marks do you want to put in your poor man's head and make him lose tons of hair and find out he age faster than his age because of that balding head. So really, what's the problem of being direct?

Man don't like to guess (at least mine don't). They prefer straight and direct question. But the ugly truth is even if you are direct, you don't always get what you want. Not immediately at least.

Tip 4 - Don't be the Girlfriend that ruins guys-night out. 


Everyone need space, time out from each other. This is important. I've heard many times girls complains that their man aren't spending enough time with them. But really what is enough in a man's context might not be enough for you. So eventually, to a man, it will never be enough anyway, so why bother?

Allow your man to hang out with his guy friends and stop thinking he will cheat. Its good for a man to have male friends. Breaking up his friendship with the guys will emasculate him, then really he won't be worth having.

Don't be the girlfriend that ruin a guy-night out!

And when he is out with his friends, he might not pick up you call, might not send you a text or call you back even if you did called. That's just being manly. But that does not always means he don't love you. When a man need time-out, he really just need time out. So let him go, let him have all the fun he wants and he will run back to you because you are the one he loves.

Tip 5 - Communication


Did you realize we keep saying, he didn't understand, he don't listen. Consider this, did we understand, did we listen? It works both ways. But being woman, we want it our way. As for a man, they need time to digest every thoughts, every conversation as such they prefer to live it the way it is for a while. So they don't usually  complain even if you didn't understand, they wouldn't say anything even if you are not listening.

Start Listening Ape!

Tip 6 - Do not forget his virtue. 


Stop focusing on his flaws. Who doesn't has flaws? We all have, and you might even realize, men doesn't point at your flaws as much as you point at theirs. Try directing your focus at your man's virtue whenever negative thoughts arise. No one is perfect, love him for his imperfection.

There should be many more tip than just these. To conclude my findings, I realize woman these days are independent and strong, they have their ideal and thoughts and stick right through. They forget that they are not always right, they wanna lead but they have forgotten, they are not man after all.

I'm not saying man has nothing to learn on the way to handle their woman. They do have, tons if you asked me, unfortunately, woman handle instructions better than man. Man improve at their own pace and do not need to be taught. They will grow up when they want to. So stop being their mother but start being their girlfriend / wife.

Signing out~ xo

We have to live to find out the ending.

Great! weekend is over. I've felt somewhat depressed this weekend. The depression I have isn't caused by anyone but myself. And I reckon, most time, depression is caused by oneself. You can be happy only if you choose to be. Maybe he is right, it seem like I choose to be unhappy.

I struggled everyday to come to term with my decision. I've struggle each day to conquer the fear of moving on to a foreign land with no absolute of what is set forth before me. There are so much fear, so much so that sometimes I do not know what I am doing anymore. I don't know what is going on and what led me to where I am today. And all these fear I have to dealt with all on my own, because no one in this universe would be able to give me a definite answer because I don't even have an answer to begin with. There are noises everywhere. Everyone has an opinion of me. Sometimes I wish I am deaf then I won't hear a noise so I won't get affected.

All my life, I have waited for this day to come and yet, when the time has come, I choose to fear. I choose to resent. I bring this upon myself. I have prayed to God each day for deliverance. To show me the way and make it easier for me but each time it gets harder. What is life gonna be? Will I live in loneliness for the rest of my life? Where are my friends? How about my family? There are so many questions., so many uncertainty. Is this what we call life? Such is life, nothing last forever, nothing is for sure. We have to live to find out what lies ahead of us.

Its late now... I should sleep. Good night Peeps!

Iphone Games - Tiny Towers

So yes, I’ve been drowning myself in iPhone games and application of late. While I wait to move to the Netherlands, sorting out what I need to bring with me and all the informations I need has been crowding my mind. To clear that crowded mind, I play games. And Tiny Towers kinda got me hooked.

Well to many, this game is just a plain waste of time. I cannot disagree with that but the point is I am finding something to waste time on. So instead of drowning myself in alcohol and spending money on shopping indulgence, I decide to waste time on games.

Tiny Towers is somewhat interesting though. First we were given a building with a lobby, and then we are suppose to build as high as we can and invite Bitizens to live in our apartment and give them a job in one of our business within the building.

Check out how high I have went in less than 2 days! 19th Storey! 

The most interesting part of this game is matching these Bitizens to a job closest to their dream job. I love this part of the game and having to do that gives me a sense of achievement and feeling of satisfaction especially when I match 1 to their dream job. And I did with 3 Bitizens. Check out those with Green Smiling Face.

And when you match the Bitizens to their dream job… You get…. 2 Tower Bux!

And these Tower Bux allows you exchange for Bitizens coin which in turns allow you to build more levels of shops and other businesses or residential. 50 Tower Bux gives you 100,000 Bitizens Coins. Which is really good “coins” to use for building up more levels of excitement 

However, I come to realise that there are some Bitizens that seem to be not zealous with life. Well, at least that’s how I sees them. Check this one out :

Erin Gonzalez. Check her stats out, although she has a dream job in Asian Cuisine, her enthusiasm for any type of work is below 5. Sad case if you ask me. Imagine a real human who has no zest or life? That’s pathetic isn’t it and I’m quite sure this happen even in our real world.

But wait! Now check this :

Raymond Torres. His statistic is on high 9 for service, food and creativity. I see him as someone with a huge passion for work and life. ok, maybe you think thats because he has a dream job. But if you look at it, he has passion for recreation as well! 3rd example below, now check this one:

D.Carpenter is alot more focus don’t you think? He scores 9 on his passion and nothing else. So this is what I mean. Even Bitizens are made with characters! 

I know right. I may be thinking a little more than I should. But life is like a game isn’t it?

Now back to my game! 

Judgmental or Criticism... a human way of life?

Sometimes I wish people sees me the way I sees myself. But clearly, that isn't possible.
Sometimes, I wish people would stop pointing fingers at others and judge when clearly they aren't in the same situation as the other. And clearly, this isn't possible.
Sometimes, I wish people would be less critical about themselves and others as no on is perfect. Yet again, this isn't possible.
Sometimes, I wish for people to not see things in a tunnel vision as there are always many factors that affect a decision or action. And there again, this isn't possible.

I say this not because I think I don't judge, criticize or point fingers. I do, many times. And I believe everyone does at some point of time. Everyone has their own judgement and thoughts which is why human-beings never agree. Which is why there are people that just don't get along. Which is also why there are arguments and fight that might even end up in break ups of sort in love relationship, friendship, kinship or any other relations. And that is the way of life.

But if human-beings would be a little gracious, a little forgiving, a little understanding, a little kindness and a little less critical that would make life less strenuous. We all fight each day to control our emotions, to fight the thoughts of the most dangerous organs of our body - the mind. And having to face the criticism and negative opinion of others doesn't help.

I am gonna constantly remind myself, to each its own, we will never understand.

P.S. In 21 days!