Simple Serenity: Peaceful Sky In A Puddle

I went cycling yesterday evening before dinner and had a zen moment - I spotted the reflection of the sky in a pothole puddle. And it reflected on me.

Look out for beautiful things even in the most unlikely and unattractive places. I hope that I remember this as I trudge through a likely long and painful work week ahead. *sighs*

Beautiful Clouds on a Beautiful Saturday on the Waters

I think clouds are amazing. I love clouds.

Splendid Sunset Clouds

Although not quite ‘caught’ up in their situation; I was quite taken aback by the ‘misery’ of my colleagues whom I had a meeting with yesterday in Miri; that even lunch time does not seem to bring much joy to their long drawn faces. As such I’d to amuse myself with the larger than life mural painted on one wall of the coffee shop / restaurant.

Catch yourself laughing at the silliness of it all

Have a productive remaining week but please do not get so caught up with it. Loosen up, smile and choose to be happy regardless of the silliness of it all. It’s only bloody work and don’t let the crabs drag you down! Amen.

With Mimik an adventure racer who at one time after a particulary 'adventurous' sea kayaking outing with me off the Bako coastline refused to talk to me after that!

Not one to keep a good thing to myself I also invited my friends Reuben (who cycles to work - except that his work place is just round the corner of his house, a good 5 minutes away!) and Cynthia who has just recently bought herself a mountain bike. With more enthusiasm than good sense; we turned up at the appointed meeting place (behind Arif Hotel in town) well before the appointed time and in typical Malaysian custom had to wait a good hour before the rest of the cyclists turned up in assorted fancy looking road and mountain bikes and attire. Let’s just say that the 3 of us don’t quite look the part. Anyway we finally set off at 7.30am. Incidentally there are several groups of cycling enthusiasts in Kuching and this informal group was organized by a fellow architect, Hj. Mohd Khaidir Abang who now heads the Dept of Technical Services in DBKU.

Odd kayaker/cyclist out but I still managed to reach Serian! ;)

Anyway I made it to Serian despite the smells (after kilometers 30 onwards there are various poultry and pig farms alongside the highway), heat (I’m glad I brought my full brim hat instead of a cap) and ‘burning thighs’ - yeah a new ’sensation’ to me that borders on getting a full muscle cramp. Upon reaching Serian I gratefully accepted the (tempting) offer from Reuben (grinning comfortably in his Hilux) for the ride back to Kuching, as by then the near noon sun was really bearing down. The Hilux was part of Reuben’s slew of contingency plans that he put into effect after kilometers 20 which no doubt that Cynthia appreciated as well as she was picked up by Reuben a short distance later. Their spirits were willing but their butts were not!

Reuben & Cynthia : "Their spirits were willing but their butts were not!"

We had a great experience and were discussing plans for our next cycling trip already on our lazy drive back to Kuching! It’s a good thing that we have short memories. Did any silly things on Sunday?

Monday blues if you get stopped by Monday

Hey! It’s back to work Monday and I’m still in a Tg Datu frame of mind having spent a wonderful weekend at the remote National Park there. And on the way there on Saturday morning we were stopped by a police road block for no apparent reason as the policeman for some strange reason only asked to have a look at the passport of the American lady who was in the van with us. Perhaps he has some other motive in my mind until he probably notice that I had taken a snap of his badge. Duh! Whatever.

After Tg Datu, it's a struggle to get back to work!

The house across the road from us had been empty since we moved in and had recently being sold (to a sucker) termites infestations and all; and as such warrants major cleaning up and renovation works which has been going on for the past few months. We have noticed that the workers were fishing from the river and setting up crab traps. But we didn’t realize that they have also been setting up traps to catch the monitor lizards as well until Friday night when to my horror, I found Penny caught in one.

Penny in pain and her owner equally anguished

After hosing off the mud all over her; I carried her to the van to bring her over to see the vet who after sedating Penny managed to remove the hooks through her mouth and embedded in her front left paw. We are relieved that Penny survived the ordeal and now more worried about how to keep her safe and well within our compounds. It’s a cruel, cruel world out there - especially for animals. *sigh*

"Cherry Blossom" or Tecoma in full bloom in Kuching

Like all things beautiful, this is fleeting, so enjoy the magic while it last and have a magical weekend; because despite the best of plans magical weekends also don’t last! Whatever.

Grace modeling the latest in kayaking footwear from California

And I thought I have seen all sorts of inappropriate footwear on our kayaking trips until Grace from California, USA insisted that her shoes are more than able to stand up to the rigors of our kayaking trip and that she would be completely fine with them on the waters! So what do I know about ladies shoes and fashion anyway. *sigh*

Grace putting her best foot forward and putting her shoes and Kendal through their paces

The Borneo Post, Monday 31st August 2009

My wishes are plenty and on this National Day and for always,  I wish for you peace of mind and may each day brings you more joy, wisdom, riches and love. Amen.

Patriots on the waters @ Kg Semadang on Merdeka Day

Although I enjoy the company of like minded friends and strangers, I love to paddle and cycle alone as I can do so at my own pace and curiosity - so that I can stop and look at or photograph whatever takes my fancy without holding anyone back. And on some of my solo trips I have come across strange and sometimes bizarre situations and objects out in the middle of nowhere. And each time I had been so taken aback that I forgot to video or photograph the encounter or object. But on last Sunday on my cycling trip to Beliong I came across an object tied to the wooden post of an old decrepit hut as I was seeking out shade from the burning afternoon sun. I was startled to discover that it is a voodoo charm of sort - as it was a small ‘doll’ replica of a human inside a liquid filled glass jar impaled with a big needle/pin!

The discovery spooked me and I immediately stepped out of the old hut and move on. However after cycling away for a couple of minutes, I began thinking that if I relate this ‘tale’ to my friends they would probably ridicule this as a figment of my creative imagination or that I can sure tell an amusing story - if I don’t have any photographic proof. So I turned my bike around and cycled back. However as I got nearer I suddenly have silly misgivings that if I photographed the object, I may got charmed instead! I braked and hesitated; sweating and huffing as I baked under the hot sun. I finally took out my Canon G9 and zoomed it all the way out, took a quick snap and pedaled furiously away. I was a ten year old kid.

Is this object a black magic charm or just someone’s perverted idea of an elaborate joke? Maybe it was put there to scare away nosy (ten year old) children or superstitious villagers from the hut for whatever reasons? What do you think?

Inexplicable objects in strange remote places are better to be left well enough alone (well, saved perhaps for a zoom shot from a respectable distance). Whatever.

I’m not superstitious but I don’t know if this has anything to do with the above but two most unfortunate incidents happened to me yesterday (but which I’m not going to elaborate). Let’s just say that it was unpleasant. Sheer bad luck? Maybe - but if I do die suddenly, you can then all speculate if this has anything to do with my Sunday ‘discovery’ @ Beliong. Ha ha ha! But please don’t laugh lah.

Have a great weekend and remember that curiosity kills the cat - so stay away from strange objects and people. But look who’s talking! Whatever.