Trip to Laos - Day (-1)

One more hour I'll be leaving my room, going to the airport, flying off to Bangkok.

Later in the afternoon I should be in Luang Prabang, Laos already.

I just managed to finish my packing (as least I think I've packed everything I needed..)

This is really a tough task for me..

I'm not like those people who like to bring their entire house to travel.. if I had a chose, I'd like to go with nothing..

In my past trips, most of the time I travelled with my family.. and I know my family so well, especially my mom and the 2 little lovely sisters.. I know I can just go with them with my own clothes and absolutely NOTHING else.. because they will just bring more than enough.. and I can just use them. =P

This time is of course very different, I have to bring everything I needed, but I also have to avoid things that I don't need so that I won't suffer from back pain by the end of day 1. Also, I'm going to a relatively undeveloped country, Laos, where some of the places I will go have limited electricity supply time each day from 7pm to late at night, so you will never know what you will need.

Of course I don't mind packing for the trip.. but the thing is I'm really tired these days because of all those school works.. and I'm sick! while I need to do all these stuffs and go for a 7-day trip!!

I'm still having a sore throat and headache. And my right leg is like killing me.. I really dunno what's happening inside my thigh.. but it's like some electricity 'attacking' me every 5 - 10 seconds! gosh!

Hopefully it will be better after I went for a massage in Luang Prabang later in the trip.. finger crossed!

By the way, I will be taking two 8+ bus trips during my trip. I'm still thinking of what to do on the bus. Let me show you what the bus looks like. I read from other travellers' blogs that sometimes you get people with AK47 on board.. to be the security guard.. ^^"

well.. I shall be back to Singapore on Sept 29. (hopefully)

until then.. =P

Happy Birthday to You

Oh!! Just noticed that today is Sept 22.
It's my friend's birthday.

He's a friend that I've already lost contact with for quite a few years.
And he's not a very close friend of mine.
For some reasons.. I remember his birthday, every single year, when the day comes.
Although I never get a chance to say happy birthday to him.

This year, let me wish you a happy birthday here..
although I know you are not reading this...

I wish you are doing well.

Things to be done before the trip (updated 3)

hehe.. 5 a.m. already..
given up finishing my Gov't and Politics of S'pore essay liao.. =P
I've already written a detailed outline for the essay, just need to really turn it into an essay..
normally it will take me about 3 hours..
but I need to go to Tiger Balm Garden at 10a.m. for a class field trip..
then I need to go and buy something, and need to pack...
also need to get to the airport by 4:30a.m. tomorrow morning..
so I'd better get some sleep now.. =P i think i'll just write it up after the trip.. or tomorrow if i have time..
arghh.. very tired already...

I tried to get a travel insurance with OCBC just now..
and once again I couldn't login my e-banking account just because I forgot my access code..
No, not my password!! it's something called access code! like your username I guess..
arghh.. and I called the customer service for help.. and lucky me.. their server is under maintenance and I need to call them again tomorrow!!

can someone tell me why while technology was invented to make our life easier but we turned out need to memorise more and more username and passwords (don't forget, you can't write it down anywhere cos it's too dangerous to do so!!) just because of advanced technology??? Should we call this an "improvement of life"??

anyway.. my updated to-do list:

1. Money and Banking Essay - 1200 words (KILLED! HoRRAY!)
2. Gov't and Politics of Singapore Essay - 2000 words (outline done)
3. Plan for the Laos trip and see how much I need to bring with me (done)
4. Go for money exchange (done, thanks Paul for telling me the place)
5. Buy a pair of shoes for the trip (done, wear them today, quite satisfied)
6. Get 2 passport photo for visa (ok, used $5 and 5 mins)
7. Look for travel insurance
8. Do the laundry (all fresh and clean!)
9. Pack!! Arghh!!!
10. Must check the way to get to the Plain of Jars from Luang Prabang
11. Study some more about Laos (I keep reading writings about Laos on shuttle bus these few days.. and.. I LOVE them!!)
12. If the take-home exam for Marketing Southeast Asia Hertiage is out by today, need to go and do some research as well (there are only 2 questions, can leave them till after the trip)

and most importantly

13. To find a way to squeeze all the above into a schedule that fits in 3 day time excluding time in the lectures and field trip!! (is it possible anyway???)

marriage

Something came up to my mind just now.. really wanna write it despite the fact that I've a 2000 word essay waiting for me..

Have been busy with school work and other social activities this semester, didn't have much chance to do some serious writings. I feel really bad about that. Although I managed to get myself started with this English blog, this is very casual writing and its nothing compare to what I used to write in Chinese. And I did have things in mind that I wanna write, just that I couldn't sit still and write anymore... sigh

Anyway.. just now I suddenly remember something I talked with mom last week and wanna write something about it.

She asked me about the new friends that I met here in Singapore outside university. She asked about their age and what they do for living. Actually I'm not quite sure.. =P I never ask my friends this kind of questions. All I could tell her is that some of them are about my age, some are slightly older.. but something special to me is that, seems that they are all married.

Before meeting this group of friends, I've already met some local university students who get married once they graduate. From my observations, Singaporeans tend to get married quite early. hmm.. well.. I should not say "quite early" actually, I do think that they marry in a more appropriate time than Hong Kong people. People in Hong Kong now seems to get married in their later stage of life (i.e. after 35). I guess the main reason is money. In Hong Kong, it's really hard for one to get a flat to start a family, and it's also not very feasible to stay with your parents-in-law because the flats are so small.

The funny thing is.. I am planning to stay in Singapore for several years.. and when I told mom about Singaporeans' get marry in their 20s.. her response was 'Then will it be very hard for you to find a husband?'

hahaa..

afterall.. she's still hoping that I'll be able to get one!
sorry mom, I always try my best to do what you want me to do..
but this time.. I guess it's not something I can control already..
I guess I just meant to be alone.
I'm starting to accept the fact, and getting ready for it.
I hope that you won't be forcing me this time..
cos I just cannot force someone to marry me if nobody love me. =P
and I really wish that you are not the one who give me pressure on this.
Ask me to do something else....
you know I will do anything you want me to as long as I can do it.

even grandma also said that girls can live without guys (although I never agree =P)
you still have two other daugthers.. I'm sure they can do that..
it's too late for me already..
let me do something else for you, okay? =)

what I've just done....

I couldn't believe what I've just done...
I just watched a French movie - Tais-toi
I had a good laugh..

but...
what about all the things I have to do??
why the hell did I let myself watch the movie at the first place?

arghh..
anyway..
i feel so happy after I watched it.. hehee..
and I'm thinking of watching one more movie tonight... hahahaha

Things to be done before the trip (updated 2)

1. Money and Banking Essay - 1200 words (KILLED! HoRRAY!)
2. Gov't and Politics of Singapore Essay - 2000 words (done with outline only)
3. Plan for the Laos trip and see how much I need to bring with me (done)
4. Go for money exchange (done, thanks Paul for telling me the place)
5. Buy a pair of shoes for the trip (done, wear them today, quite satisfied)
6. Get 2 passport photo for visa (ok, used $5 and 5 mins)
7. Look for travel insurance
8. Do the laundry (going to do that now!)
9. Pack!! Arghh!!!
10. Must check the way to get to the Plain of Jars from Luang Prabang
11. Study some more about Laos (I keep reading writings about Laos on shuttle bus these few days.. and.. I LOVE them!!)
12. If the take-home exam for Marketing Southeast Asia Hertiage is out by today, need to go and do some research as well (there are only 2 questions, can leave them till after the trip)

and most importantly

13. To find a way to squeeze all the above into a schedule that fits in 3 day time excluding time in the lectures and field trip!! (is it possible anyway???)

take good care

I'm so sorry to hear the news from you.
I'm so sorry that I don't know what I can help.
Please take good care of yourself and your family.
Bless you.

Things to be done before the trip (updated)

1. Money and Banking Essay - 1200 words
2. Gov't and Politics of Singapore Essay - 2000 words"
3. Plan for the Laos trip and see how much I need to bring with me (done)
4. Go for money exchange (done)
5. Buy a pair of shoes for the trip (done)
6. Get 2 passport photo for visa
7. Look for travel insurance
8. Do the laundry
9. Pack!!
10. Must check the way to get to the Plain of Jars from Luang Prabang.
11. Study some more about Laos
12. If the take-home exam for Marketing Southeast Asia Hertiage is out by today, need to go and do some research as well.and most importantly

13. To find a way to squeeze all the above into a schedule that fits in 3 day time excluding time in the lectures and field trip!!

Things to be done before the trip

Attending normal lectures and field trip on Saturday morning not included:

1. Money and Banking Essay - 1200 words
2. Gov't and Politics of Singapore Essay - 2000 words
3. Plan for the Laos trip and see how much I need to bring with me
4. Go for money exchange
5. Buy a pair of shoes for the trip
6. Get 2 passport photo for visa
7. Look for travel insurance
8. Do the laundry
9. Pack!!
10. Must check the way to get to the Plain of Jars from Luang Prabang.
11. Study some more about Laos
12. If the take-home exam for Marketing Southeast Asia Hertiage is out by today, need to go and do some research as well.

and most importantly

13. To find a way to squeeze all the above into a schedule that fits in 3 day time excluding time in the lectures and field trip!!

a little relief.. or not?

Someone must have forwarded my blog entry to my lecturer of Money and Banking..
cos the lecturer suddenly suspends the mid-term exam for one week till 9 Oct!! hooray!!
I'm thinking of giving him a kiss tomorrow during the lecture!! hahaa

okay.. now.. my updated b'day plan again:
1. 8am -10am EC3341 International Economics Mid-term Exam
2. 10am -12nn EC3332 Money and Banking lecture
3. 1 hour rest + lunch
4. 1pm - 3pm Markting SE Asia Heritage tutorial
5. finally got 3-hr break
6. 6pm - 8pm Intercultural communication lecture

looks much better?
let's look at the timeline, shall we?

September 17 : Today!
September 18 : Intercultural Communication mid-term exam
September 23-29 : Laos trip
September 29: International Economics essay due (hey! I'm still in BKK man!!)
October 1: Government and Politics of Singapore essay due
October 2: refer to the b'day plan above
October 4: Marketing Southeast Asia Heritage take home exam due
October 9: Money and Banking mid-term exam

so basically.. after tomorrow's mid-term exam and before I start my Laos trip.. I will have to finish the two essays which will be due just after the break... besides, I also have to get ready for my trip... I still have lots to prepare... like I've just noticed that I'm going to arrive at Phonsavan by bus at something like 1 or 2 a.m. and I really have to plan how I'm going to find somewhere to stay after that... argh... all these are killing me..

can I have more time and energy... and most importantly.. self-motivation?