Chasing Rainbow

It was like a dream to me on how my relationship started with him. It was like a movie. However, movie aren't real. In real life, we have more things to deal with. Things like our differences, our likeness etc...as Charles always say to me, every couple has to meet somewhere in the middle for a relationship to work. I don't think relationship is such a complicated matters. It is always the human makes it complicated. At the very early stage, I wasn't sure where I am heading to, what do I actually want. I was just over with Peter and the next week, I met him. I surrendered myself to all the possibility of the impossible. (ok, going out for dates are the possibility, impossible is having a real relationship with him - culture and religion differences). As time goes by, we had been together coming to a year now - taking into the account a little hiccup back in December 2007.

After the hiccup, I gave myself a chance. I was still wasn't sure where I am heading to. But this time, I know that I've fallen in love with him. I didn't want to admit this. Sergio pointed it out. I still remembered Sergio said," looked, it's obvious you love him. Your entire expression seems too obvious. Call him up and talk to him". I was still stubborn. I was like, why should I call him? he asked me to find someone else. I should respect his decission, aren't I? At last I gave in, I called him. The talked had turned into reconciliations. I didn't want or think very far but all I wanted was a man who can love me and I wanted to give all my love to this man. No matter how imperfect he is...sometimes, when you love someone, you just accept him, for what he is... Friends think I've made a wrong decission but they reminded me that if I need them, they will always be there to support me.

Couple of months later, I heard from a friend of mine that she saw him flirting among the girls in the club. I sort of know those girls because he told me about them before. They were not very decent - in my dictionary. I just listened and of course, I wasn't quite please with this piece of news to begins with. My gf suggested that perhaps I should check anything interesting on his mobile. I was reluctant because this is too much and this is an act of intruding privacy. At the same time, I sort of buy in with this idea. Reason being, I am not sure if this guy is trustworthy (opinions based on other close male friends). To my horror, I actually saw some indecent invitation SMS (proposals) that he sent to a girl. My heart totally crushed at that moment. I was shocked and speechless. I wished to leave him immediately at that moment. My trust was totally and completely crash right at that moment. I felt disappointed with myself. I started to think, what do I expect from him, a man whom knowing his ex-wife for the past 13 years didn't remain faithful to her but looking around before she agrees to their divorce? and I expect him to be "faithful" to me? who am I actually?  I remembered that day, I went a little berserk. Two side of my head is fighting. In the end, I gave in because I love him, it is painful to accept what had happened, which it may or may not happen again in the future. He promised to me that he won't speak to her. But it is not "her" the problem. It is the "principal" problem. It makes me doubt here, WHO AM I to him? I think the answer is obvious, he is not taking me seriously.

I am quite confuse. Why hanging on to me if he is not serious? There are times, I can feel that he does like me. But there are times, I felt like I am just being used.

I am in my delima for couple of months now.

I am not only dealing with someone who is from a completely different cultural background, even completely different religion. You may think that, is it a big deal? isn't it Malaysia is a multi racial, cultural and religion nations? yes, I agreed to this statement. We all live in peacul and harmony life in this nation because we all want to avoid conflict amongst the races here.

We had many discussion and we talked over it many times. He claims that he is not a true follower/believer with his religion. Still, I would say, he still following it at least 50%. He claims that he is not very "close" to his culture and he hasn't been living in that country for 20 odd years. He claims that he doens't even know what is "his culture". Is that possible? I don't know...

In the end, I decided, whatever it is... I am hoping that he is sincere.

Second Day:

I got up around 730AM. I had my breakfast in the hotel. The varieties are very limited. I had Nasi Goreng Indonesia, orang juice (yuck) and tea (yuck).

I booked the hotel driver to Borobudur. The journey took us almost 1.5 hrs due to the jam on the road.

When I reached there, it's nice but very crowded. The reason because it is also Public Holiday in Indonesia.  A lot of Indonesians hanging around there.

I walked around that area for 1 hour then I headed back to the hotel. It takes another 1.5 hrs again to reach the hotel. It's all due to unnecessary jam on the way as well. They only have single lane therefore it easily jammed up the road.

Later on, I had lunch in my favourite cafe and also headed to Via Via Cafe for dessert and also free Wi-Fi.

Around 5PM, I headed to Kaliurang, a little town that very close to Mt. Merapi. When we arrived there, it was already completely dark. I love the air there because it feels fresh and chill a little. I went to the cafe next to our Vogel Hostel for dinner. The dinner is just bearable not very fanctastic I would say.

After dinner, I went back to the hostel for a quick shower then I headed to bed. I need to get up before 3AM for the trekking to the volcanoe. There is a briefing at 330AM.

First Day:

I don't recall I slept that night. I remembered watching Travel and Living on the TV. It was showing the Rich and Famous People in Europe. I remembered about this Italian guy who invent "Geox". Matt bought a pair of that the other day in The Pavillion. He said that shoes are really good! and then I saw Richard Clayderman.. wow! but.. indeed he looks much older now. Anything after that I completely forgot.. not even how I ended up in bed. Must be around 1AM Ha ha... blur case.

I set alarm at 2.50AM because I need to get to KL Sentral by 4.30AM for the Skybus to catch my flight at 6.55AM.

I arrived Solo around 9:30AM I didn't expect such a "poor" airport which reminded me of Sibu airport 20 years ago.

Solo_airport2

From Solo Airport, I went directly to Yogjakarta City. That was a disaster because I never book any hotel in advance. It is also a Hari Raya in Indonesia. Everyone from Jakarta flood Yogja city. All the hotel rooms are fully booked. I practically went in and out of roughly 10 hotels before I found one with 2 rooms left! Although the price is high (Rsp 302,000) for a Guest House but I don't have choice because I don't want to end up sleeping on the street!

In evening, I hired a bechak (Rsp 20,000) to go to Malioboro Street. That is a very busy street in Yogja. Lots of people selling food, souveniors, cloths, batiks...

Malioboro_street

After walking on that street for one hour. I headed back to hotel to get some sleep which I lack off.

That's basically my first day.

Yes, this is the title i read on the "Most Viewed" on The Star newspaper after lunch. I just clicked on it. I was shocked to see the picture of a girl. http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/27/nation/19002268&sec=nation I have not seen her for many years. She is a friend of a friend. They used to study together in that famous art college in KL.  Being a Mass Comm. student, she is quite an ambitious girl. Besides ambitious she is also a very sociable girl. She came from a decent and upper class family. I've met her mom. Very friendly woman. i am sure this news definately breaks her heart....

However, this news really give me a shock...

It was a marvellous evening!!

The MPO Box office decided to sell their suites to the members at the last minute. All seats are taken. I've seen a few empty seats on the ground. I guess maybe those seats were the guests that couldn't turn up on time - traffice jam!! All the suites were taken up! surprise! surprise!! surprise!!!

This was the very first time that i was being brought into a suite.The suites behind mine even have a butler service! Wow.. I would say... this is really posh....  I know, if Leo is there, he would love this kind of posh service. From the "balcony" I can see everything ... although the view from top of the musicians' hair is not very attractive, but first time, i get to see the Conductor's expression when he conducte the pieces. i guess I was so lucky this time that this conductor is actually a young bloke - should be in his early 40s? or he look younger? Better than the In-house condutor which above 60s? I think? I always thought to be a great conductor, with enough of experience, you got to be somewhere near to sernior age. I was wrong about this opinion.

However, the guest flutist, Torress looks older than the conductor. However, he blew his flute and do his salsa steps. Wow! very typical Latin dancer move. I can't imagine myself that the concert hall can actually turn into like a Cuban Club. that would be real cool.. and less serious, i suppose. Anne and I felt like dancing to some of the pieces. The music is highly enjoyable!!

Last night, all the members of orchestra did not wear their usual black suites and black dress. They all dresses like going for a cocktail party. There's a female violinist even had a flower on her right ear - kind of Spanish look, match the theme!! and i saw my favorite Jazz Pianist there! oh man, I forgot his name. I only remember he came from China - Shang Hai? Bei Jing? I don't recall this. Then the drummer, yea... the LOUD drummer boy. i forgot his name. Anne thinks he is cute. I guess drum isn't my cup of tea. I still prefer piano.. at anytime.. and violins in the orchetra.

Wonderful music! :-)

5 Sep Wed 8.30pm
Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
Jacomo Bairos conductor
Nestor Torres flute

Latin Jazz Fiesta

GINASTRA Malambo from Estancia Dances
LECUONA La Comparsa
MURCIANO El Condor Pasa (Peruvian Folk Song)
PONCE Estrelitta (Star of Love)
HERNANDEZ El Cumbanchero
GUGLIEMI arr Torres Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White
VELAZQUEZ arr Torres Besame Mucho
TORRES Till Forever
TORRES Let There Be Light
TORRES Rhumboso
TORRES Café Cubano
ARLEN Over the Rainbow

Guest conductor Jacomo Bairos leads the MPO and flautist Nestor Torres on a musical trip through the infectious music of Latin America.

How so funny. I didn't plan to go to this concert. However, since I bought the ticket, why should I waste it? I invited Anne to join me to the concert. I hope I don't start doing my salsa at the Suite! (Yep! I manage to grab 2 seats on the Suite box)

Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
Matthias Bamert conductor
Sumi Jo soprano

10th Anniversary Gala Concert

DEBUSSY Children's Corner orch. CAPLET
GOUNOD Je veux vivre from Romèo et Juliette
BELLINI Prelude to Norma
VERDI E strano... Ah, forsè lui... Sempre Libera from La Traviata
MEYERBEER C'est bien lui... La la la air chèri from L'Etoile du Nord
SAINT-SAËNS Bacchanale from Samson & Delilah
OFFENBACH Air d'olympia from Tales of Hoffmann
RAVEL Daphnis et Chloe Suite No.2

Another Opera!!! I love it!!! :-)

Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
Matthias Bamert conductor
Kumpulan Wayang Kulit Anak Seri Baju Merah Dalang Saupi bin Isa tok dalang

WONG Empunya yang beroleh Sita Dewi
BIZET Jeux d'enfants
RESPIGHI La Boutique fantasque (after Rossini)

This concert is part of celebration for the 10th Anniversary MPO. The conductor classify as 10 years old as "youth". Therefore, he includes "Children Songs" (Bizet) and "The Toy Shop" (Respighi). He ended another piece by Rossini which is not in the program for the 50th Year celebrations of our National Independence Day.

This was the very first time I watched a Malay shadow puppet show. I would say, it's nice for an experience... given another chance, I don't think I would want to see it again. The reason being the puppet story teller speaks in Kelatanese Malay but I don't understand most of his words. Also another matters was I never understand all those Hinduism mythos. Therefore, I have difficulties to understand all the fairy tales being told... shame on me, isn't it...? :-)

I have been a real lazy bones for months. The last book I read was Shopaholic and Baby - that was July. Since then, I haven't read anything else.

Since I was in Kinokuniya Bookshop yesterday, I decided to buy mysef 2 new books - Red Azalea (By CheeMin Ann) and Dragon Lady (By Sterling Seagrave). Later I walked pass Times Bookshop, I saw May 13 (By Kua Kia Soong) - this book was banned by the government a month ago. Now they put it back on the shelves for sale again. I quickly ran into the shop and grab a copy of it.

I shall savour these books for the next 3 months or less!!

Red Azalea

Anchee Min

Dragon Lady: The Life and Legend of the Last Empress of China

Sterling Seagrave