"Get stuck on fast forward in this high-velocity city"

Walking (or riding around in a Xich Lo) is the best way to absorb the sights and sounds of HCM, as most places of interest are located in the central District 1 (where I live!! ahaha). A walk along the riverfront is an ideal way to enjoy the constant activity on the Saigon River, as small and large boats ply to and from the opposite bank. Alternatively, the rooftop bar of the Majestic Hotel gives the best bird’s eye view of the river. Dong Khoi Street, once again the main shopping street in the city, is crammed with gift shops, tailors, jewellers and restaurants blah blah blah

Key Attractions: (Places to go after you're bored of all the other cool shits we can do like visiting tunnels or shoot real guns...)

Dinh Thong Nhat (Reunification Palace)
The Reunification Palace is beautiful in its ugliness, a 1960s monstrosity designed with the help of Soviet architects. Most people will remember the image of a North Vietnamese tank crashing through the gates on 30 April 1975 signifying the fall of Saigon. The tank still graces the front lawn.

Nha Trung Bay Toi Ac Chien Tranh Xam Luoc (War Remnants Museum)

Notre Dame Cathedral
The twin towers of Notre Dame Cathedral have been a familiar landmark in Ho Chi Minh City since the 1880s. In front of the cathedral in a small garden is a delicate statue of the Virgin Mary. The interior of the cathedral is rather plain, unlike most French cathedrals, with no stained glass, but it is a cool escape from the heat outside.

Buu Dien Truong Tam (Post Office)
Across from the Notre Dame Cathedral, the vast Post Office was also built in the late 19th century in European style. The interior has hardly been touched since it was built and is dominated by a huge portrait of Ho Chi Minh. The building always seems busy but most people are just visitors rather than customers.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum
More Museum

Vien Bao Tang Lich Su (Historical Museum)
Fuck, MORE museum....

Cholon (Chinatown) <-- Yes, we have Chinatown in Vietnam, as well as Vietcong Town
Cholon is in District 5 and is a maze of narrow streets, bustling with people. Most of Vietnam’s ethnic Chinese live here and they are the largest single ethnic minority group in the country. Merchants began to settle in Cholon in the 1770s, although many ethnic Chinese fled the country in 1975.

The Thien Hau Pagoda is one of Cholon’s must-sees. It is dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau, protector of the sea. Photographers are spoilt for choice with the ornate decoration inside the pagoda and the statues of Thien Hau. It is popular with worshippers (the air is always heavy with the smell of incense) and there are regular festivals during the lunar calendar.

Binh Tay Market throngs with people from early morning and the gloomy, narrow walkways are crammed with consumer items and exotic foodstuffs. The sound of bargaining, quite often in Chinese rather than Vietnamese, and the calls of the vendors constantly fill the air. This is one of the best places to see the locals going about their daily lives.

Further Distractions:

Chua Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor Pagoda)
The Jade Emperor Pagoda is one of the most attractive pagodas in the city. Dedicated to various Chinese-Vietnamese divinities, in a mixture of Taoist and Buddhist styles, the pagoda houses numerous statues and delicate woodcarvings with intricate tiles on the roof.

Giac Lam Pagoda
Located 3km (2 miles) from Cholon, the Giac Lam Pagoda is believed to be the oldest pagoda in the city and is a calm place to visit. Families of the old and sick regularly go to the pagoda to pin supplications to the large bronze bell, in the belief that when it is rung, the messages will be sent to the heavens above.

Thao Cam Vien (Zoo and Botanical Gardens)
The Botanical Gardens were established by the French in 1864 and once had the reputation of being some of the finest in Asia. Now, however, the area is just a pleasant one for a stroll in the heart of the city, among tropical plants and trees. The zoo is not up to Western standards, with poor enclosures.

Vietnam is bloooodddyyyy HOT! Played tennis this morning, and realised how shit i am...Went for underwear shopping as iforgot to bring some home...again

Anw, decide that my main character shud be called Lugo...dont ask me why. =)

Continuation of the shitty story from the previous post...

Striding along the hard cold pavement towards the parking lot, he started to notice that the address for his job is not ordinary.

“Z, Meet at Apart. 21, 25th Floor, Lancaster”

It indicated one of the most posh hotels in New Town and the apartment number gave him an impression of a penthouse.

“Must be some rich people looking for a lost pet or something” said Lee
“When did you start reading through my sms?” asked Lugo
“Ohhh…ever since you installed the 2.5 update on my mainboard? It’s not that big of a deal is it? After all, we’re best pals rite?”
“You sure talk a lot, PAL. And next time, ask me before reading anything, Clear?”
“All righttt” groaned the phone in a unhappy tone.

As they get closer to the carpark, Lugo asked Lee to find the fastest route to their destination. As quickly as Lee talks before she thinks, she is equally useful with these kinds of things. As to why it’s a she, he decided that after hearings hundreds after hundreds of comments from Lee about pictures of hot guys they either receive from some prank email or from random friendster websites.
Even if after all that, his judgment about the phone’s sexual orientation is incorrect; Lugo sure doesn’t want a gay partner in crime so it’s definitely a she.
‘Behind every successful man, it must his female PDA’ Lugo assured himself.

By the time they’d reached the parking lot, which is located roughly 100 meters from Lugo’s apartment, Lee had found 230 ways to get to the destination, some of which might take months…while the fastest one will take exactly 9 mins and 24 seconds if all traffic light is green.
‘It must be her way of showing off’ Lugo smiled at Lee while thinking to himself.
The place is dark and ominous as no cars had been parking here since the 80s and maintenance is long forgotten, which made it an ideal location for ... extraordinary people like Lugo. At the far right corner of ground level there sat his mean of transport, Lugo’s 2nd most treasured possession in the world, after his PDA of course, his very own Mini Cooper. From first glance, it’s rather bland because almost everything is black except a white stripe running across the convertible roof. However, if inner beauty is what matters then this baby is the whole package. It’s exceptionally beautifully designed with leather seats and the car’s framework is made of bullet proof titanium, and it’s all thank to the large sum of money Lugo ‘earned’ from his previous job. Keeping the drug money to himself after handing the whole gang to the cops was a wise choice indeed.
Seating comfortably inside the leather seat, Lugo connects Lee with the mini Cooper and up comes the map with directions towards his destination. Inserting the car key, the engine started almost without a sound, one of the most prized features of this car. After checking the route several times, Lugo drove out of the dark, poorly litted parking lot towards No. 21, Lancaster having no idea what awaits him there.

He lazily stood up from his couch to turn off the TV. His back is aching, sharp needle pain pulsing through his calves due to prolonged period of sitting down. Turning off the static TV was harder than he thought, since he has grown accustomed to its sound, it's like as if he can hear the TV's complaining for overworking it. The moment he reaches for the on/off button, he was so sure he could hear the TV praising him for doing the right thing. Perhaps he just needed sleep; after all, the past week has taken a toll on him. Nights after nights of repetitive dreams about certain events, It's although his subconscious mind is giving him a prediction. Too bad, it didn't come true.
Heaving himself over the massive pile of laundry in the hallway, he reaches for his mobile on top the bed. It was a new piece of junk that he picked up from a dodgy chinese merchant from china town. Sometimes it connects sometimes it doesn't, partly due to the throwing around it receives. Another odd thing though, it also speaks or correctly put, it communicates with him. It might be a thing to get eavesdrop on your conversation once a while, it sure is a totally different thing to hear this piece of junk talking back, giving you advice on stuff you're discussing with other people on the phone. It's as if the phone has a brain of its own. It MUST be from some dodgy feng shui shit. Oh well, it's cheap, it's chinese and it works, what else can a man ask for. And for some reasons of his own, he named it Lee. As to why that is the case, is still a mystery to the rest of his household's objects.

"Goodmornnniinnng" screamed the mobile as soon he switches on, "How are you feeling today?"
Ignoring his loud companion, he slowly put on his usual outfit. A clean black suit, black shirt and finished off with a white silk tie.
"Beeeeeppppp!" Lee rings as it vibrates happily on the bed.
Grabbing Lee with his left hand, buttoning up his jacket with his right, he made his way towards the door while reading the sms.
"Finally..." he murmured.
While placing his Glock securely in the leather holster, he quitely opened and closed his apartment door.
"Fuck...I always forget my ray ban on Tuesday morning!" he cursed while walking into the bright sunlight.
To be continued...

Haha just feel like writing some short story bout some cool guy, most likely about a wealthy, well educated, yet rebelious son from a well known mafia (or Vietcong if that satisfy your fantasies Jo) family. Haven't thought of a name for him yet, so helps appreaciated! =)
PS: Tin is still fcuked for exams...

Chpt 1: Choice

"The sun is already up..." he told himself while scratching his head. It sure is hard to let go of people you love, things you treasure. To him, the feeling of letting go of somebody dear can be so painful that sometimes he thought it would have been better to not know them at all. However, he has no control over these things so the best he can do is put one foot in front of another. He will still be sad, he might regret his decisions later on, but at least, for now, he can smile and told himself: "Time has started moving again..."


There are times when friends are leaving you behind, only then you will know how much he/she means to you.
To me, Earth is that person.
Having you around most of the times are always fun. Your sense of punctuality and humour are equally retarded. But that is what's special about you. You've never failed to make me laugh, although some of the times, at you, not with you.
However, i've never truly realized how it would never be the same without you.
Without you, Winnie has no rivals.
Without you, OGG had lost one of its greatest soccer player.
Without you, Jonathan will be lonely.
Without you, I will have no one to share Que's jokes with.
Without you, Pin will be lonely
Without you, the times we will have at Amusement Zone will never be the same.
And the list can go on and on.
But because my time is limited, i just wanted to say:
Thank you Earth, for simply being yourself and take care of yourself back in Thailand.

Had dinner tonite with lots of close friends. It was suppose to be Earth's farewell dinner but somehow my birthday celebration sort of became a main event. Sorry Earth and thanks alot guys, i treasure you all.
Adam and Tesh: Your present is so nice! But what even nicer is what you wrote on your card. I'm honoured guys.
Arum and Myra: What a surprise! =) Lovin' It.
Steph and Kat: Just my kind of book! I guess my vote pays off right? =P Just kiddin, thanks heaps guys.
The 4 Musketeers: What can be better than an RDX cardigan! And the gift wrap was great too! Thanks alot guys.
*EDIT* Due to certain public critics, i shall edit some of the wording ahaha...
Joelle: Yes, will always be yours Vietcong and yes men's peripherals do hang when the wearther's hot to catch a breeze.
Rodelle: Will&Grace = Tin&Rodelle. And what would my lil bro says when he sees Du Ma May written in my postcard hmmmmm
Lisa: ...... Annnd I willll alwayyyss loovvveeee vespaaaa.
Deb: stop scribbling XOXOXOXOX while eyeing the food!! heh heh heh.

With all that said, thanks alot guys. This would be my most memorable 19th birthday ever, but jeez, ask me what i like first before buying the presents! Gosh, freakin Idiots! =P Jokkkeess

Had dinner with Joel and Katrina tonite! They were both wearing camouflage gears so i thought for a moment that theyre going to war or something...phew, didnt know year 12 could be that hard. Anyway, ate at shitty Taiwanese Cafe that rips you off so im quite upset! after that...went to noodlehouse and ate again! lol...then an hr later, surprise surprise, we were having max brenner! what a night!

But thats not all, went back to Rods' place to study...got another hour done, which isnt too bad, but after that, fucking around was all ive done...sigh...

Anyways, went "training" with rui again tonite, it was real good, sort of managed to partially do precision jumping and rolling! After all, you've got to "sharpen your skill before you sharpen your sword", aint it Rui bro. Anways, a while later, it rained...so thats a nite.

Arum, my exams are on the 5th, 6th, 15th and 16th. I'm planning to fail the exam on the 6th...When's Chem mid year? Monday? Btw, Joel has been very sneaky the whole night, he was texting someone the whole time! So Kat and I gave her/him the nick name of "Dota 123". Any ideas? =)

Another constructive day for me, been working for 2 hrs! Yet the relationship between me failing the Statistics Sub and the No. of hours i've studied is still a strongly positive correlation, which i don't even know what that means...just that writing that down made me think i've actually learnt something for the past 2hrs... sigh

Steph, checked out your design! Its fantastic! I couldnt even dreamt of doing such a thing, you're truly better than me ...at designing t-shirts only tho! =P

Arum, Im too lazy today to register to vote for Steph...btw i heard you can register unlimited times so... you can do it for all of us!! =). And last year's Chem mid year was crazy, i got C+, so hopefully you're doing better! I'm sure you are tho...And watch out for short answers, theyre quite tricky!

Joel and Kat, im having dinner with you guys tonite so both of you can have good food as well as bitch with me bout how shit school is... 2 birds with 1 dinner!

Adam, Mr Fry is da bomb. Do not diss him! ahahaha....but yeah, do miss cuthy! When you coming out again?

PS: I think my sense of humour is becoming like Joel's...

Thursday, 01/06

...sore arms, sore bum, sore thighs, sore all over...
Last night, after having a feast of highly concentrated sugary food, i was extremely hyper. No, not arum's hyperness which makes her laughs at absolutely everything (yes, even Joel's jokes...sorry joel, but your dota jokes are just not funny anymore =) ), but the hyperness that makes u want to jump around and shit...Yeah that.
Anyway, so rui convinced moi to go climbing with him for the first time. Since im still a noob, he taught me some real basic stuff, and i meant it, BASIC STUFF. But overall it was so much fun I seriously did not know that climbing over things can be this tiring yet fun! Anyway, thanks to that, now im sore all over and cbf to study...and i might fail uni cos of that...which is a minus.

But afterall, life is still good, i mean, hey, i cant solve a math question, but that doesnt mean i can sound all depressed and suicidal (yes Kat and Arum, i'm talking to you guys). Year 12 sure is hard, we all know that, but try to view year 12 in a different way! There are so many other options for you even if you dont do that well in school! And im really worried after reading your post...i hope Myra and Steph are taking good care of you guys! And if you're still depressed for one reason or another,...... i'll write a letter to the school saying how angry i am!

"Stress is good, but too much stress and you won't perform your best" by Mr Fry aka B-Rad <-- he told me this back in yr 12. Cool guy rite? =)

PS: as to answer who wrote the strange post on my blog, its "5-6am can still have an affair?" =)

Dear all...

Its been such a long time since my last post. (correction Joel, the previous post wasnt mine, i never sound that emo and even if i do, i wont post it. However i really appreciate Joel being the first to check on my blog ever since my "hibernation"!) After weeks of reading friends' blogs(Joel, Kat, Adam, Arum and of course last but not least Rui), i feel like writing again!

First up, let me wish all the best to those who have mid year exams coming up (esp Arum since she did the same for me, what comes around goes around rite?)
As well as those who have EE due in similar time frame, best of luck to you guys!
Then to Adam, Joel, Houngers, i think its time to pause that Dota Tournament and concentrate on your work...but then "im not your mum and im your friend" (Wolverine, X-Men 3), just do whatever you want cos M Uni is not what its all cranked up to be anyway...f#ck im cool...

Secondly, let me take a second to wish myself all the luck i can get so that i can pass this first semester...uni is seriously kicking my ass and i want to drop out and do TAFE Cooking!

Then finally there's a Stock Clearance Sale in Myer and David Jones today!

PS: Tin is going to fail uni...