And The WInd Continues to blow....

This week started slowly but with the bad news that RPK detained for 2 years. Hmmm, all these is just bringing us back a few more steps in our journey towards CHANGE.

I am sure there will be lots more Candle Light vigils - for RPK's and the other detainees' release. Better still, get rid of ISA; it is no longer relevant in its present form!

Over here in Macao, the Typhoon Season continues....yesterday, yet another category 8 warning....causing offices to close early and this morning, offices resumed around 11am.

Last night the storm was strong...so many sign boards were torn down; this morning debris were all over the place. All last night, fire-trucks siren were all over the place, blaring away....

That scenario last night is perhaps what it is like politically in Malaysia. Warning signals all over, and the occassional scare with falling sign boards and lamp posts and uprooted trees.....and what it leaves behind will be debris all over.

The good thing is, it will all blow-over: after some cleaning up, everything is back in order. Better still, having gone through the experience, the next time round, we will tighten the screws on the notice boards a little bit harder, maybe change the location of the lamp-posts and grow stronger deeper rooted plants...

There will always be a silver lining behind the dark clouds.....

My prayers continue to be with RPK and his family, Manoharan and his family and all the rest in detention...

Amen!

And the winds came calling again - and my heroes!

Back in Macao on Wednesday and Friday (22nd August) - Typhoon Nuri came calling. This time the typhoon was worst than the previous one. Stronger winds and certainly much more rain!

Gosh, that makes it two Category 8 warnings in a month.

Anyway, it has blown over now and last night was the closing of the Beijing Olympics. An impressive show indeed and Well Done - BEIJING! London has indeed a hard act to follow; but they will of course do just as well - I am sure of that.

What I feel sad is that now we have the Paralympics - the Olympics for the Challenged. These athletes whould be given greater recognition but they have been and continue to be in the shadows.There will be none of the Live telecasts etc and certainly far less media coverage.

These athletes are equally heroes: but society does not think so. :-(

Nevertheless, for me - they will be My HEROES

When the wind blew.......

Yesterday, the storm warning was at Category 8. This means that people are advised to stay in - as strong wind is forecasted.

I woke up as usual at 6:45 , to prepare breakfast and get ready for work. Turned on the television and heard the Category 8 warning for Hong Kong; changed channel to local Macao Channel and confirmed same Warning for Macao too.

At Category 8, there will be no public transport and most businesses would shut down. Television channels would give 30 minute updates on latest situations.

I stayed indoors - outside, the winds were coming on and off accompanied by rain. Fire truck sirens kept blaring away as trees were being up rooted.

With nothing much to do except the television and reading, it was thus terribly boring. By afternoon, the rain stopped, the winds slowed, wanted to come in to office but as the Category 8 warning remained, thus no public transport.

Went off to the supermarket around 5pm - yeah, thank GOD some were open for business and it was of course packed! The rain however, kept coming and off, sometimes with strong wind, thus making using an umbrella an almost impossible battle.

By 8pm, the announcement that the level has gone down to Category 3 - soon after, the rubbish trucks were already making their rounds, collecting garbage. Such efficinecy!

This morning, the rain is still there, on and off - but the winds are not so strong anymore. I hope it will all get blown away, and tomorrow is Olympic Opening...yeah!

One month and......

Come this Friday, I would have been here for a month. This Friday, 8th August will also be the opening of the Beijing Olympics. This would also be the day I go and place my finger print for my BLUE CARD; that is the work permit here for foreigners.

The past few weeks, it has been really bright, sunny and hot. However, beginning yesterday, strong wind, cloudt and some rain. It is expected that the typhoon will hit by the end of the week!

What a shame - Beijing Olympics - just pray it will not be a wash-out.

I am looking forward to watching the Opening live on tv. Was thinking of going to Hong Kong and join in the crowd at the Open Area where they will show it on large TV Screens....but hmmm the weather does not look too promising.

If it rains in Beijing than pity; no fireworks i guess..:-(

Of course over this last few days, in the news on tv and in print, nothing else but the Olympics. Talk about the weather, the haze...and also the bombing. Yet another terrorist attack in China yesterday.....

I pray for a peaceful Olympics....

hmmmm, Macao oh Macao..

Yesterday, in HKG, a long tiring but interesting day. Tried out the FREE ferry ticket from HKG to Macau. It works....

The Venetian, one of the biggest Casino operator here also runs a Macao-HKG Ferry Service. If you join their Rewards Club (free membership) you can than get FREE tickets on their Ferry. Normal tickets costs around HKD148 (RM60) one way. Only condition is, cannot pre book and only available two hours before the departure.

As it was a weekday, no queue and thus it is practical. I can just imagine the long, long queue at weekends....:-)

This morning, I went to open an account at the bank. However, the banks here have very strict requirements for opening bank accounts, especially when it is for Foreigners. I find this most "unfriendly" and not customer orientated seeing that Macao's economy is completely relying on foreigners.

I went to 3 banks and only one showed any sense of good customer services. Disappointing really. Of course, being me, I made noise, and only than one gets some semblance of sense and service! Gosh, Macao, oh Macao...you have a long way to go....

:-)

Malaysia on the news......

On prime time television last night, there was a mention about ANWAR's Press Conference re the sodomy case. At the weekend, there was a documentary on Lim Guan Eng and Penang. Funny thing was the programme refer to Guan Eng as the CHIEF EXECUTIVE of MALAYSIA.............hmmmmm :-)

Over here, all eyes are set on for the 8th August Olympic Opening. One just cannot escape from being reminded about it.

Yesterday, I was walking around at the newly opened FOUR SEASONS Retail Outlet. I bumped into these two Towering basketball players from the US DREAM TEAM. Gosh, they were tall - reminded me of the Twin Towers :-)

Its all these little things that make one miss home haha.

Last Sunday and again on Monday, I had my meal at a small Malaysian Kopitiam here. Not too pricey neither is it cheap. The food was nothing to shout about but the landlady's service was good - good atmosphere too!

After a few weeks of hot days, it rained heavily on Sunday but only for a short while but it came with strong wind. Yesterday, was terribly hazy and now this morning, the sky is dark; forecast of thunderstorm.

Let's see what the sky brings today....

And more from Macau...

Kind of settled down in my new place. The kitchen is up and running since the weekend. However, accessories are still incomplete, so for now can only cook for two maximum. Other stuff are due in, and until than only basic cooking. Still, feels so much better than outside food!

This week sees the opening of yet another high end retial out at the Four Seasons. We are supplying the staff for 7 outlets - the guys and gals have been having their training over the weekend and also this Monday to Wednesday pending the opening on Friday. They will be trying out their uniforms and having their haircut and grooming sessions.

I am busy making introductions to our clients and the industry. I am also keeping myself to the updated versions of the applicable law governing my industry. The laws are always being ammended! Gosh!

Back in the office, I am streamlining our documents, templates of our contracts and terms.

All in I think the week ahead would be busy and interesting.

My second week in Macau

I moved into the apartment yesterday. Gosh, it was a real summer day - lots of sunshine and sweat.

I moved in and started doing some shopping for household stuff. Still a lot more to purchase to make it a comfortable and homely place. It will come to that - but for now, just basic requirements.

This is much better than staying in the hotel; much more comfortable and relaxing. The television reception is great too, all 50 channels of it! Current favourite channel is CCTV Music Channel.

From Macau .....

I write to you from Macau.

I was greeted here with heavy rain (showers of blessings). I can be contacted in Macau on 00 - 853 - 6650 65 46.

As always I will be keeping a close watch on the Malaysian Scene and blogging on it from Macau. This would mean I am seeing things from a slightly different perspective.

Meanwhile, many Malaysians in Macau in the gaming industry. Saw quite a few of them at the Immigration Department this morning. They were there for their VISA application.

I hope to actually meet up with these Malaysians here over the next few weeks. It would be interesting to see thier viewpoints about working here in Macau and also their take on Malaysia.

Will write more soon.....