272 Steps and Surly Monkeys

Recent books read:
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins

"I wrap my arms around his neck, feel his arms hesitate before they embrace me. Not as steady as they once were, but still warm and strong. A thousand moments surge through me. All the times these arms were my only refuge from the world. Perhaps not fully appreciated then, but so sweet in my memory, and now gone forever."    ---from Mockingjay

When I think of the movie, the Hunger Games, I'm immediately reminded of Singapore. I was visiting my sister in Singapore at that time and we watched it together. Although I wasn't quite impressed with the story (I thought it must’ve been influenced by Battle Royale), I think I was able to enjoy the film because I hadn't read the books then.

I have just finished the books a few days ago. Uhm, I quite liked the first two books. Onscreen Peeta and Katniss have no chemistry at all. But I’m glad that that’s not the case in the books. And, I have to say, the game’s arena in Catching Fire is cool! I can’t wait to see how they will recreate it in the next film. But I think the writer lost some of story’s momentum in the last book. Idk, it feels like she lost focus, felt as if she wasn’t into it anymore. I don’t want to give out spoilers so all I can say is I’m a bit disappointed with how some things went. Although, the ending is something I can accept, at least.

So now, what should I read next... Suggestions? Anyone?

I don’t know if I want to finish Banana Yoshimoto’s “Lake” now or if I want to start a new book first. I stopped halfway in the “Lake” but I don’t know exactly where. So if I pick up the book again I’d probably, inevitably, end up starting again from the beginning. *sigh* I started on “The Privilege of the Sword” by Ellen Kushner but I dropped it after the few chapters. I just… somehow lost interest. Lol. So what now? Meep.

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Hmmm, anyway, I don't think I wrote about that trip to Singapore. Jhety, my colleague, and I went there March of last year. We stayed there for about a week and we allotted 1 day to Malaysia. The whole trip was supposed to be with another friend and her family, plus some friends of my sister who wanted to visit her too. But some things didn't work out and in the end it was just only Jhety and me who got to go.

My sister joined Jhety and me in our trip to Malaysia. It took 5 hours each bus ride to and fro Malaysia and Singapore. Probably one of the most memorable to me was how cold it was in the bus. It was freezing cold. And it was especially difficult on our way back to Singapore. I kept my eyes closed, trying –hoping— desperately to fall asleep. And that somehow when I wake, we would already be at the terminal. But I could not sleep…. I don’t remember how I made it through. LOL.

The main and only goal of our little excursion to Malaysia was to see Batu Cave. It takes 272 steps to climb up the cave. I think when you’re a tourist you subconsciously underestimate things or overestimate yourself, probably because you’re excited to see the unfamiliar place. Or at least that’s how I was. I underestimated the climb and thought of giving up halfway up. I was not physically ready for it. Plus, there were the surly monkeys eyeing us and creeping at our sides. Halfway up the climb, when I was seriously contemplating on giving up and scared of the monkeys on the steps up ahead, it started to rain. Maybe THAT was all the help I needed to reach the top. The nearest shelter, you see, was the cave. So up the cave I went –braving the steep stairs and unfriendly monkeys --well, they don’t really attack you unless maybe you’re carrying food or taking pictures of them.

Batu Cave

272 steps

Inside Batu cave, while waiting for the rain to cease

It rained quite hard that day and we stayed for a while in the cave. Until the rain abated.

When we made it back to the city, Kuala Lumpur, we hurried to the Petronas Towers. We each took individual pictures with the towers as our background (pics which I think I lost anyway or forgot to ask Jhet for copies) and then took off again to the bus terminal.

And THAT was how our day in Malaysia went. I wasn’t moved with what I saw and experienced. Suffice to day that seeing Malaysia for a day is enough to last me a lifetime. Ahaha

I don’t remember quite vividly what Jhety and I did in Singapore after that. We just wandered around the city I guess, shopping and sightseeing. We did not go to Universal Studios because we figured it’ll be more lonely than fun with just the two of us. My happy place in SG is most probably be Ikea. I love the place! I go there even if I’m not going to buy anything. I love the food there. XD

Some other food we enjoyed were from Saboten (I wish we have one here. Their tonkatsu are splendid! It’s like Yabu, but it’s not quite the same. Saboten is definitely better), Moss burger, TWG (I think we already have one here, just recently opened), and Hawker food (I loved the stir-fried wide hor fun noodles and oyster omelette. I forgot to take pictures though).

Tonkatsu from Saboten --best I've tasted so far

Love that gravy and cranberry sauce combi!

TWG macarons

The Hor Fun and Oyster Omelette, which are barely there in the pic. XD Sorry, I forgot to take a decent photo of them. But they truly are delicious.

We also rode the cable car even though I'm terribly afraid of heights.

And then, a month after that trip, I returned again to Singapore. This second trip was unplanned. L’Arc extended their 20^th anniversary celebration and one of the stops in their tour was in Singapore. My sister wanted to attend the concert but didn’t want to go alone. And luckily, she asked me to come with her. Ahaha. I wrote a bit about it here in my lj, just in case you’re curious how it went.

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I missed this place. I think I’ve said that countless times before. But I’m seriously thinking of reviving this blog. I miss writing. Even if I’m not good at it. It feels like I’m losing my words and thoughts ever since I have neglected my journals. It feels like I’m losing me. Little by little. . . .  

Err, I think I have to say something more. I don’t want to end this post in a grim tone, do I? *laughs* Well, I’m finally back. For good, hopefully. Yes, I’m going to brush off the cobwebs and scrub the floor of this room, so to speak. I’m opening the windows, pull up the curtains, to let the sunshine in. =D