Wednesday, December 25, 2013
All was silent in the night, not even a wind's whistle was heard. Children and adults alike, deep in slumber, dreaming fantasies and nightmares (most likely about the presents they'll receive).
A slight jingle was heard. Hoofs? Snorting? A gust of wind? Killer litter?
You'd hardly hear anything as you drift off into dreamland.
An obese man with an enormous well groomed beard and a belly rivaling that of the Laughing Buddha steps out of his vehicle, a BMW 3 series (apparently the most popular car brand in this country), which he had neatly parked between a TV antenna and a water storage tank on top of a HDB building. He'd had traveled halfway across the world so far and was on a really tight schedule. He'd like to think of himself as a philanthropist but all he really wants to do is make the world happy. He looked around for a chimney but could find none.
Cursing under his breath, he swiped out a device from his immaculate red Armani suit and dialed a number.
"Rudolph, beam this one in..."
As he said so, a faint glow appeared in the homes of many, under Christmas trees made out of the real stuff that you see in western countries or those made of plastic. The glow subsided and seemed to have taken a form, materializing into perfectly wrapped gifts, each stuffed with toys, gadgets, fashion apparel and accessories or a PS4. 8 years ago, these items would've still been handmade at a factory complex in the North Pole by elves but nowadays, their role had been outsourced to poorly paid workers in China. Rising costs of labour and materials had affected this seemingly magical obese guy too.
He made his way to his vehicle, in his hands he held the Thank You notes written by the many that believe in him. He'd read them later, when time was on his side again. Then again, he was often busy.
The vehicle purred, it sounded so velvety and smooth, like butter melting down the side of a frying pan, much credit to excellent German engineering.
Then it disappeared.
No trace was left, no carbon emissions or nitrous oxides. A slight jingle was heard and it faded away...
His son was asleep. The man stopped his storytelling and kissed the forehead of his offspring. He stealthily made his way out of the room and closed the door with a faint click. He grabbed the painstakingly wrapped gifts hidden in the storeroom, placed them under a plastic fir tree he'd bought at a supermarket and went to bed, but not before shaking a pair of jingle bells outside his son's room.
I had a really enjoyable month so far. I had a party at my home last weekend where my cousins and my Sec 2 bunch of bros came to enjoy good food. We talked much about serving army. Ironically anyone talking about army stuff would be asked to keep their mouths shut a year ago!
Much of us have or are going through the memorable BMT experience, a handful starting their service in their units and some of us going to ORD.
It was great to meet up with old friends and we'll continue to stay in contact.
On Tuesday, the command team bought ice-blend coffee from Starbucks for everyone in company. It was such a simple yet meaningful gift. I suppose they thought: I like my coffee like my guys, strong and flavorful! HAHA
I also went to watch The Hobbits with YK and Bry, glad to have spent time with them this festive season and feels good to have met up with them. We also went to eat some really yummy ramen!
That's all for now, enjoy reading the story I've whimsically made up.
Merry Christmas!
signing off.
Call Of The Wild at 8:44 PM
Sunday, December 08, 2013
I've come back from Bangkok relatively unscathed. I've gained a few pounds and returned with an additional luggage bag full of clothes but I'll make do with it.
Despite the political turmoil that is brewing, the shopping district is relatively peaceful and people live their daily lives as usual.
This trip was an eye opener and not because of the shopping deals you can find there. Shopping all the time is really boring although I don't know how my Mom is so entertained by it.
The
Maeklong railroad market & the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi was the highlight of my trip and I really like exploring the plethora of exotic shops. The experience of walking along railway tracks with vendors parked less than a metre from the tracks or floating down a congested waterway in a wooden raft was like taking a shower! It was a refreshing sight, invigorating even and a little adventurous.
That was all in one day. The other days in Bangkok was spent in shopping malls shopping for clothes which I dislike and I felt that was a waste of vacation time. The clothes look good though but I still dislike shopping for clothes.
Why do you dislike clothes shopping?
Well, it all boils down to my childhood, where I accompanied my Mom often to places like OG or Takashimaya to window shop, buy clothes or housewares. These trips, devoid of any fun that a child of that age desires, not even a visit to the toys department, bored me to tears. My Mom is also notoriously picky as known in my family and takes a long time to choose what to buy. Most times, I'm left standing awkwardly beside a display rack. I do give her opinions on her choice sometimes, often when she asks. Other than that, it is just me waiting for her. No entertainment devices for me whatsoever, no gameboy, no psp, because my parents did not believe a kid my age deserved such things. Nope, they thought it will ruin my ability to study or make me think weird or become violent. Well, that is nonsense!
I still wait patiently while she shops till this day, its the least I can do for my Mom. My ipod keeps me happily distracted. (i bought this ipod myself btw)
So it was a wonder once more that I didn't die of boredom and survived the numerous visits to Naraya, the long alleys of retail stores in Platinum shopping mall as well as various random stalls selling clothing by the sidewalk. I do not wish to go shopping for at least a month after that, like I said, I came back relatively unscathed.
Then it hit me, this the season to be jolly buying presents....
sobs
signing off.
Call Of The Wild at 4:45 PM