I will be travelling from 17th (midnight) to 25th (evening). Thus, I've setup another blog where I could post photos from my mobile during that period (if I could): http://vltravel.blogspot.com/

• Where am I going?

Well my company is sending me to London to attend a conference.

• What will I be doing there?

The conference will only occupy 3 days of my time there but since the flight is super expensive (company paid RM6K for it), thought I ought to maximize the trip and hence the extension to wander on my own.

• Who am I travelling with?

Well, surprise surprise... I'll be travelling alone!

• Why am I travelling alone?

Initially, there were 2 of us, but unfortunately, the other person from our agency was asked to cancel her trip on Friday evening... thus I am left to travel on my own.

• How am I gonna travel alone?

So far, the plan is to sign up for local tours for sightseeing and to meet up my secondary school mate on Sunday. Given that the country is pretty advance, I figured if I return to the hotel before night sets in, I should be ok.

• Am I excited?

Of course I am... Initially I was super duper scared at the idea of travelling alone in a foreign country. But since there's nothing I could do to change the situation, I might as well embrace it with open arms. Now, I try to con myself into thinking that this will be a once in a lifetime sort of adventure and that I should be brave!!!

So... wish me luck! And do remember to check out: http://vltravel.blogspot.com/

What do you do when you are faced with a player?
First thing first, learn the signs of identifying one of course...

He's so compatible with me
A player has many ways of attracting his "target". More often than not, it is via the best buds route. Like how he's always attentive to what you've got to say... How he makes you laugh... How he talks about his dreams... How he seems to be on the same wavelength as you are etc etc...

He has a demanding gf
You think he's ok cos he's attached but noooooo, he tells you all his sob stories about how ridiculously demanding his gf is and how insane she's driving him that eventually you can't help but feel sorry for him...

He's always there for me
Whatever happens, he can and will be there for you... Especially when your bf is far away... Makes you wonder if your bf really cares for you...

and the list goes on...

But notice this... a player will not make any moves on you.
You will be lured to make all the moves...
(Think cos it makes it easier for them to ditch you later on)
And once the prized possession is obtained...
Sayonara honey!

I supposed that's how flings develop. Demand vs. Supply.
So to all gals out there who has second thoughts bout their bfs simply because their bfs are busy and out of the blue appeared a potential "soulmate" - think TWICE and think TRIPLY hard. It may not be worth all the hassle later on.

Take the following scenarios (happened to real friends' friends' friends):

Story 1: Tiga sekawan

• basically a couple and another guy...
• all 3 are friends...
• but somehow, the gal became soooooooooo in lurve with the new guy...
• wanted to and was sooo ready to break up with the bf....
• the gal and the new guy had so much fun together...
• the new guy is understanding...
• always there for her when she needed him...
• especially when her own bf are overseas or outstation...
• they even went on trips together where she basically cheated on her bf...
• when the gal was close to ditching her own bf...
• the new guy told her... that it's not worth spoiling such beautiful friendship...
• especially when all 3 are friends...
• so... sadly, the gal went back to her bf...
• eventually they got married and friends were invited to their wedding...
• the new guy included...
• but of course... when a person is guilty... she can't hold it to herself...
• a bunch of friends knew...
• and saw the 3 of them in a different light...
• a "secret" tat only the husband didn't know...
• in the end, they were happily married
• and the three of them?
• they were all still friends...

Story 2: If it's meant to be, it's meant to be...

• same old shit...
• air stewardess...
• a gal who wanted only 2 things to be contended...
• money & love...
• she had enuf of her own money...
• but she needed more love...
• her bf was always not around when she needed him...
• so eventually she started to have flings...
• not one guy, not two guys...
• in the end... she felt that she's no longer worthy for the bf...
• so she told him the truth and was prepared to be ditched...
• after a really shitty cool off period...
• the guy accepted the gf back...
• and they juz got married this year...

Story 3: If it ain't meant to be, it ain't meant to be...

• same old shit again....
• the only difference in this story is that...
• the gal chose the new guy instead of goin back to the old bf...
• but the old bf being silly and all... risk his own life... and went riding crazily...
• and ended up with a broken leg....
• the gal had to go back to him... to take care of him and all...
• 2 years later...
• they broke off again...
• and now, the gal is married to someone else...
• not the 1st guy nor 2nd guy... but someone totally new...

So the moral of the story is... We need to know how to spot a player from milesss away for these players are so skilled and experienced that they could toy with your emotions as easily as A-B-C. No matter what happens, relationship needs to be treated as work... If it starts getting stale, you'll need to spice it up... Humans tend to take things for granted and thus all the stupid mistakes in between...

P.S. In case you're wondering... NOOOOO, I didn't ditch my bf for someone new and NOOOOO, I wasn't having any flings with anyone and NOOOOO, I'm not two-timing my bf. This post is merely a reflection of my conversation with an e-buddy whom I have known for 10 years. :)

I was happily eating dinner in front of the TV while my family watched "I Not Stupid Too" (a Singapore film written and directed by Jack Neo). Halfway thru the show, I was choking with tears and could barely finish my meal...

The story revolves around parent-child communication that explores the different relationships between generations, and the misunderstandings that occur. The movie also revealed the harshness of Asian parents who single-mindedly demand academic excellence from their children and how children in turn had to cope with pressure from home and school. And it ended with a narration by a 9-year-old boy:

• When we were younger, our life was full of praises, encouragement and support no matter how bad we did (think: burps after milk, 1st few steps, 1st few words, etc etc). Back then, life was so happy and yet, it was always forgotten and often taken for granted.
• Not sure how and when it started but eventually, the praises, encouragement and support turned into punishment, scoldings and even beatings in some cases. Eventually, the doors to our hearts closed even to those who were supposed to be the closest to us; our parents.
• A word of encouragement and little praises are not difficult to say. But often, one chooses to focus only on all the bad things.
• In every child, there live an angel and a devil. Focus on the angel (the good things) and the best behaviors and characteristics will be shown in its full potential. Focus on the bad... vice versa.
• If a child is indeed "rotten", we should focus on bringing out his/her good qualities. If you throw away the entire rotten apple, there will be none left. But throw just the bad portion away... you could still salvage the good side.

Anyway, the movie was sooooooo tear jerking and meaningful that I thought it's worth documenting... (as a matter of fact, think I'd buy the DVD)... Who knows... these tips could come in handy later on in life.

So when was the last time someone ever praised you?