30 August 2006: A Day of Relative Inactivity

Oh yes, I had forgotten in my previous post to thank Marc, Raymond, and Chee Ming for taking the time and effort off early in the wee hours of Sunday morning to see me off at the airport. I actually didn't expect anyone at the airport prior to this, since I had kept my departure at low profile and Tipin even chided me over the phone right before I left for not informing my dear friends about my impending trip. Sorry guys, but it's only for five months, so please take care and feel free to tell me if you need anything from Taiwan, say limited editions and collectibles.

Today, 30 August, has been cosy and quiet. I bought a Starbucks tumbler after lunch, and like any other tumbler across the world, it is unique to the city of purchase. Thanks to Daniel Chua for this great suggestion years ago. Sounds like those Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts, isn't it? I think that with the purchase, I still fall in the league of people who need to depend on physical mementoes or souvenirs for fond memories of their past tracks in life. No offence to anyone, but I aim to go beyond the material and seek to keep the best memories only in the heart, without the need to infer from any source. I mean, if you require photographs and the like to remember an event or incident, then it may not be that enduring or steadfast after all, isn't it?

Oh here's to mention that my volunteer a.k.a. buddy is Connie Lin, who is a kind and nice lady majoring in Agriculture in the National Taiwan University. Along with her are two friends, Zhang Gang and Tuo Ping who have been assisting us with the nitty-gritties ever since we came in the weekend. Here's thanks to all three all them! I have also known David who studies Agricultural Chemistry in the University, and his birthday falls on 15 December. I plan to play possum by either making a quick leave for somewhere or reducing my dosage of gingko nuts on that day in order to save some cash for my pending trips. But in all seriousness, he's a very nice chap and I enjoy talking to him. My neck aches when doing so, because I'm a pygmy when it comes to facing this 1.8m tall guy.

David (also known as Kang Rong) and his friend Bing Xun, as well as Tuo Ping brought us to a steamboat buffet and we gorged ourselves with the goodies served there. Kinda Singaporean style, I would say. Dead beat now, as I'm typing this in early morning and the internet had been down until now. Thanks again to saviour-of-the-day David who helped me gain access once more.