一个不简单的女生 林詠涵－随心远行 遇见幸运的自己

许多年前，我开始每天在网上浏览，发现了几个我喜欢的关于旅游的博客，Haan是其中一个，而且是很喜欢的一个。

我记得时常看着他的blogs，跟着他的脚步，就像很多人说的，他打开了一扇窗，让人看到路上各种各样美丽的独特的风景，更重要的是他遇到的各式各样好的坏的人们，感动于他的分享，当然对他勇气也佩服有加。

在他的字里行间里，隐隐约约的透露了他的性格，我觉得他应该是一个随和的人，也应该是一个开朗乐观充满正能量的人。他用他自己的方式，做了很多人一辈子都没勇气做的事情，在他觉得普通的上班生活已无法满足他的时候，他坦然的踏出了步伐，走入了探索世界的路程。利用他自己的积蓄，在完全拥有百分百的自尊和绝对的自愛的情况下，完成一段又一段的旅程。

在路上，他仔细的记录他的路程。遇到许多的美好的事和人，给他带来很多乐趣。还有各种挫折，各种挑战，各种坚辛，虽然在身体极度疲惫意志力异常薄弱极度沮丧的时刻，也有想到放弃，但最终都一一克服，走回来了。遇到内心丑陋无耻的人们，还好都化险为夷。热心好心的人其实也不少，让人觉得这个世界还有希望。

还蛮真佩服他的坦诚，在独立坚强的表面下，他毫不保留的透露他脆弱但也极温柔的一面。在和日本人的那个chapter里，我想大部分的人应该会跟随自己的心愿，而他却理性的做出了他认为是对的决定。记得那时在他的blogs里，那段被泪水洗礼的日子，他诚恳的道出他的无奈和心酸。

然后有烈火雄心，他也道出了他极感性的一面，畢竟内心深处还是白分百的女人一个。

后来，得知他出书，真心为他感到高兴。书收到了，看完了，祝福他，在人生的旅途上，继续精彩！

The Invisible Guest



西班牙电影, 英文The Invisible Guest。

杰出年轻的企业家Adrian，在和情妇幽会后遇上车祸，导至对方的年轻司机死亡，而Adrian的车子之后却不能启动。

车祸，对方的司机死了。

车祸后，有一路过的车辆，但被Adrian他们瞒过。
后来，变成控方证人，但最后被Adrian律师收买。

双方都雇及到各自的地位和处境，断然决定由Adrian将对方的车连同死者沉入湖里。女人留下等救缓, 然后分道扬镳，誓永不再相见。

故事继续，双方过后各自收到恐吓信，要他们带着现金到一间偏远的酒店。在酒店里，Adrian被打晕，醒来后发现情妇死了，Adrian被提控。

Adrian和情妇依指示来到酒店。

情妇死在他们带去的现金里。

Adrian的律师为他找来著名辩护律师Virginia。Adrian在Virginia的强势逼供下，把事发真相全盘托出。原来，女人在等救缓时遇到好心人的帮助。在那好心人的家里的相框里惊觉到好心人竟是死了的年轻司机竟的父亲。


谋杀安排在密室里，窗是在里面上锁的，Adrian插翼难逃。

精明的Virginia指出是死者父母杀死情妇嫁祸Adrian的报复行动，死者的母亲正是酒店的员工，他自然有办法在酒店房间安排。



Virginia为了儿子，把法律掌握在自己手中。

Virginia接着要Adrian招认沉尸地点, Adrian更进一步说出其实在他把车推进湖时，死者还没死亡，但他已没退路，还是狠心将车推入湖里。Virginia在獲知一切都是Adrian造成后，为了自身的利益，还是愿意为辩护。

然后，在Virginia走后，Adrian惊觉Virginia给他点出沉车地点时的笔, 竟然是微型录音机，Virginia不是著名辩护律师, 而是死者母亲扮演的，Adrian的所有招供都被录下了，一切为时已晚。

本是单纯的意外，但却因为人性的自私自利，变得复杂起来，为了掩饰、为了自保，违背良心，丧尽天良，结论是自食其果。

好心人（死者父亲)，Adrian, 死者母亲(Virginia) ，情妇。

情节非凡，故事曲折離奇，巧妙绝伦的安排，层次感高超的一部西班牙电影。

Virginia如何逼Adrian把一切招出 (开始时，Adrian并没说真话，一直想把责任推在情妇身上。),  安排的很是精彩，慢慢一步一步的带你进入境界，最后再来一个大逆转，给你一个措手不及，拍案叫绝！

Student Exchange Programme

💖 Bao had been saying that why the application open only in early May, because that was the time she would prepare for the finals for first sem. Second sem starts in July giving us only 2 months time.

She drives to the campus on her own during the weekend to study in the library.

Anyway, we sent in the application form accordingly and received the offer letter on the 8th of May.

- First of all, we were informed to pay for the:-

Overseas Student Health Insurance Cover (Single): AUD $423 (OSHC amount due for 8 months)

together with the acceptance form.

- On 12 May, we received the CoE (Oversea student Confirmation-of-Enrolment).

- With this, we could proceed to apply for Visa which she did on 16th of May.

Student Visa Sub Class 500 application came in a form of some 20++ pages to fill. (AUD550)

Hair trimmed and colored before departure.

- Meanwhile, she and her friends had been searching for accommodation to share which turned out not so fruitful as they found out that a lot of accommodations required a lease term of 12 months.

There is only one accommodation offer a lease term of 1 sem but it's a single room. Good things is it's en suite and it's within walking distance. The downside is the lease end in 31 Jan which means for the last 2 months we will have to pay for nothing if she choose to come back in Nov when the exam is over.
I went to the bank on 23 May, to do a TT of AUD1,083.30 as security deposit which equals to 1 month rental when there is no better alternative.

The shoes and skin care in zipper plastic bags.

Then we waited for the Visa approval.....and was wondering whether the medical check-up is compulsory.

Enquiries sent to various channels and the replies were uncertain. The campus here offered talk on the program and they too not sure.

Bao then checked with some of her friends who are already study there and the answer was compulsory.

- So the father sent her to the designated clinic to get it done. It was a very simple test and the cost is RM250.00

Skin cares, toiletries, int adapter, multiple plug, etc....

When we learned that her friends received the Visas the day after the medical test, and we did not, we got panicked.

For the next few days, we were so stressed worrying about the mistakes in the application form.

Then she found out that the info on the parents part was not filled. She quickly got it rectified on 29 May and finally received the visa on 31 May. It was really a huge relief for us.

- On 30 May, I made the payment for air ticket special offered by Mas at RM2,489.00.

Down comforter, pillow and quilt cover from Ikea. Vacuum pack bags from daiso.
The hostel is not providing bedding linen at all.

On 21 June, we were informed that the travel insurance is a must. So we quickly contacted the insurance agent and it was done within 2 days time costing RM1.3k.

So blessed to have them who drove all the way from Sg on 25 June just to show their support. The gratitude I feel is driving me to tears!!
Some even changed into AUD, my dear sister, beloved niece Tess, nephews Desmond and Jamesmond.
Not forgetting Bao's godmother's also in AUD.
With this, I did not have to go to the currency exchange for the initial stage. 

Vacuuming the packing.

Bao's aunt, the father's only sister, dropped by 2 days before she flew with some"pocket money" as she put it. She gave good advise as she has 2 daughters studying in London.
The next day she called up Bao's father to buy her a backpack which he told her it's not necessary. 

The luggage...

She said she needs the plush toy....

Smaller luggage.

Vacuum packed.

Finally yesterday the father sent her to the airport at 6.45pm for her flight at 10.10pm.

The tears the mother and the daughter has been carefully and painfully holding on for so long finally dropped when she hugged her mother tightly just before she stepped into the car!!

Mother's Day 2017

📌Just 2 days ago, I was telling my daughter about my idea of being a mother.

I told her that I don't believe in children should repay and recompense the parents for bringing up and providing for them.

They didn't ask to be born in the first place and they certainly did not get to choose their parents.

On the contrary, it is the parents' responsibilities to provide and take good care of their offspring not hoping to have any forms of returns in the future. 

Yes, I absolutely believe it is the parents duty to prepare the children well for their future endeavors and by doing so doesn't mean that the children are in debt to them.

This was said after I found this on the bed after I came out from the shower and she came to my room shortly later.

  I like to light scented candles after my shower everyday.

I think I have nothing else to regret in my life ever since she came along. 

                                          Flying to Phuket, 2007.

The path of motherhood has brought my life to a different chapter.

                                           Disneyland, Hong Kong, 2008.

Her early years had been challenging as I tried to be a dutiful mother.

                                                      Taichung, Taiwan, 2009.

                  Uluwatu, Bali, 2010.

The role has taken years for me to adjust and still trying...

                                           Like this photo of us taken at Augusta in Australia, 2011.

I definitely do not agree that a child should wash the feet of the mother as a gesture of  appreciation. Not being offensive here. just that I find this ridiculous!! 

                                                      China, Xitang, 2012.

I told her to take good care of herself and to live a fulfulling life will be my reward, not trying to sound noble here.  

                                                  Slope Point, New Zealand, 2013.

In my old age, I wish I have enough to cover myself till my last days.

                                            3D Art Muzeum, Penang, 2014.

I hope I will not become a burden and a nuisance to my child.

                                              Lake Saiko, Japan, 2015.

I will only wish that I am still able to provide her assistance and support in any forms even when I am in my retirement age.

                                                           Hanoi, Vietnam, 2016.

Today is Mother's Day 2017, I am here at home all by myself, she is in the uni working hard for her finals for sem 1, and...yeah....thank you for being such a sweet girl, Happy Mother's Day!

Life is great to have you as a daughter.


Together we shall continue to enjoy Broadway Musical and jigsaw puzzles and countless movies and TV shows and great books and not forgetting Shopping!! 


To the little things we cherish and share in our daily life, and also our little canine companion, cheers!!  

And to our endless arguments and disagreements and shouting and tears, we forgive and we forget!!  

13,200 PIECES JIGSAW PUZZLE - SACRED AND PROFANE LOVE

I have been searching for jigsaw puzzle ever since we completed 8,000pcs Sistine Chapel about 2 weeks ago.

Our mind is set on 9,000pcs and above. And yes, there are plenty, there is even a biggest one now at 40,000pcs beating the previous 32,000pcs. As I search, I realized that what I really like are those of renaissance paintings like The Studio, Sistine Chapel and The Interlude we had done.

There are 3 in particular.

1. The Annunciation by Leonardo Da Vincci. Love the color combination here!

           Picture courtesy of:   https://www.flickr.com/photos/27203838@N02/6814563173

2. The Diputation of the Sacrement or Disputa by Sanzio Raphael.

Picture courtesy of: http://modelkitday.blogspot.my/2012/02/disputation-over-most-holy-sacrament.html

3. Sacred and Profane Love by Titian.

Picture courtesy 0f: http://rarepuzzles.com/shop/art/13200-clementoni-sacred-and-profane-love-titian/

The Annunciation and The Sacred and Profane Love are definitely discontinued items. It's not easy to get.

The Disputa is not in the size we preferred.

Then we decided to go for the 6,000pcs View by Bruegel since we couldn't find the Annunciation and The Sacred Love. It is priced at EUR135.00.

 Picture courtesy of :  http://rarepuzzles.com/shop/art/6000-nathan-the-view-jan-brueghel-the-elder/

We contacted the seller and had almost arranged for payment. The seller is kind enough to give a discount of EUR20.

Then on 23 March, there was a new listing on ebay. I got so excited and bid for it immediately.

It started off GBP49.90, there was another bidder countered bid immediately after I placed a bid. It went up to GBP101 the next day.

I told my girl if we didn't stop, it would go higher and higher. We should stop and wait.

For the few days we checked everyday. On the last day, we woke up at 5am to try.

At the last minute, I punched GBP180, it was immediately out bid at GBP202.00 and it ended instantly.

For the next few days, I couldn't shake it off my mind. I had wanted to win badly.

So I went back to rarepuzzles.com. I knew they had it but it was prized at EUR315.00.

We contacted the seller again to ask for a discount. Mr Jorge is once again kind enough to offer to waive the shipping cost of EUR54. However we had to pay for insurance about EUR14.

Though the price is much higher compare to the one on ebay, I decided to go for it. Yes, it is very pricey @RM1.6k but for something I afraid I am not able to find again. 

We paid through paypal last night, and Mr Jorge confirmed receiving it shortly after. He watsapp me at 11.30pm to say that the shipping company does not cover insurance. I got the msg this morning only when I was getting ready for work. He then replied that he found another shipping company which cover the insurance and it will ship out on Monday. Expecting to arrive in 7 - 10 days time.

                     Picture watsapp from Jorge, 7.April 2017 telling me that it is ready to ship.

We are very excited and looking forward to our next challenge.......


Updates:  Finally it has arrived after much anticipation and it's in perfect condition.
                   The packing is simply superb! 

Date received: 25 April 2017

"Fragil" box after removing of the wrappers.

Layers of bubbled wrapped.

And finally, layers of shrink wrapped.



Lion

5岁的Saroo和母亲、哥哥、姐姐住在离开加尔各答1千多公里外的小村落。

母亲在石矿的收入微薄，没钱上学的Saroo跟着哥哥在火车站做各式各样的工作来维持生计，有一次他们在载满煤矿的火车上偷取煤块换取两小袋牛奶，Saroo想吃的红饼都没法买，真令人心酸。 

                                                                          Saroo 与哥哥感情深厚。

一天，哥哥要到较远的地方工作，Saroo执意跟着去，哥哥没法，只好带着他坐上火车出发。

到达后，疲倦的Saroo睡倒在车站的长凳上，无论如何都不愿起身，哥哥无可奈何留下他，告诉Saroo他将回来接他。

醒了的Saroo左等右等没等到哥哥，结果上了火车，以为哥哥会在火车上。

在空空的火车上，Saroo没法在火车停下时打开车门，心急的跑上跑下，企图下车，可是门就是打不开，倦了的Saroo睡着了。

当他醒来时，他已在一千多公里外的加尔各答了。

                                                                               孤苦伶仃的Saroo。

可怜小小的Saroo在人山人海的车站跟着人潮走，走到售票处想买票，可是售票员没听过小村落的名字，凄惨的Saroo更被可恶的大人驱赶。

就这样, 5岁的Saroo就流落在加尔各答的火车站。

                                                                                  可怜凄惨的Saroo。

那种惨状是可想而知的，晚上他跟着几个流浪的小孩露宿地下通道, 亲眼目睹他们被强行带走，还好机灵的他成功摆脱追赶他的人。

                                                                                  让人心酸的Saroo。
  
还有一次一个女人差点就把他拐了。虽然个人觉得5岁的他能够识破女人的奸计有点难以信服，也许经过地下通道的经历，他变得更加机灵。

                                                                          差点落入不法份子的Saroo。
   

                                                 牵动人心的Saroo, 用捡到的汤匙模仿餐厅里的人用餐。

后来他终于遇到一个好人，将他送到警局，但还是因为们没听过他说的村落名字, 被送到孤儿院。在那里，同样面对着种种可怕的遭遇，虽然义工有透过报章寻找他的家人，但都没有消息，还好后来他被好心的澳洲夫妇收养了，总算脱离了非人生活，建康成长。

                                                                           在孤儿院恐慌无助的Saroo。

                                                                    Saroo问义工: 母亲没找我吗？

                                                                           终于被好心的夫妇收养。

                  天王巨星变大妈的Nicole Kidman对Saroo爱护有加。

成年后，朋友建议他透过Google Map寻找他的家乡，他更看到那没吃到的红饼唤醒了遥远的回忆，积极的寻找，至到接近喪失斗志当儿才在Google Map发现了小村落，原来5岁的他把名字说错了，所以人们无法找到他家人。

                                                                                 成年的Saroo和爱人。

                                                                               几乎喪失斗志的寻找。

                       并非不育，而是认为以其自己生育，倒不如养育不幸的小孩，如此高尚的情操。

于是他最终成功找到了母亲和姐姐，也得知哥哥为何在许多年前没回到车站接他，原来哥哥很不幸的在那时已被火车撞死了。

                                                           母亲一直都没搬家，坚信Saroo会回家。

电影是根据真人真事的自传A Long Way Home拍成的，拍的很感人，小时的Saroo真是触动我心深处，一连几天都围绕在我脑海，后来才知道原来他的名字其实是Sheru，狮子的意思，所以影片叫Lion。

          大小Saroo和真正的Saroo。

最后电影银幕显示，在印度每年有80,000小孩失踪，Saroo是属于很幸运的个案，没落入不法分子手里，否则后果不堪設想。