What a rush!

One lesson from the previous weekend, always have a plan B.

The story goes like this.

Saturday morning, I am to go on a day trip and the booking confirmation mail says that I need to be there latest by 8.45am. From the hotel to Central London, the whole travel duration will take about 1 hour. I went out after breakfast at about 650am to catch the 7am train. If it's going as planned, I will reach the bus station for the departure of the tour before 815am.

I have checked the train service and it is working fine. So, I waited and waited, the train was late by 20 minutes. No worries, because I have plenty of time to spare. Happily boarding the train and trying to catch some zzzz...A few stations after, barely half way, it stopped. Service interuption. Well, no worries yet. It might just take a while. It edge slowly into the nearest station. And it is stuck for another 15 minutes.

By that time it was almost 750am. I thought, I can't risk it by sitting here. I got down, exited the station and try to hail a cab. There is none! It is still very early. So I thought I will call the cab service number I have (smart that I have one with me). And *toot*, as luck would have it, they don't provide service to that area.

Ok, so I thought I might just hop back on the train, hoping that it will be on its way very soon. By 815am, I am a bit panicky. Still at the same location. I called the tour and asked to change my travel date but no luck as any changes should be 24 hours before. I was losing hope and thinking I will not be able to make it for the tour anymore. The kind lady told me I can still make it as the bus only leaves at 9am. That gave me renewed hope.

I ran out and asked around a few times and finally (FINALLY!) I found a cab. I was telling the driver in panic mode that I need to make it to the bus station in 15 mins. Drive as fast as he can and I am willing to pay tips. He said he will try, as it takes at least 20-25 minutes. I was just praying (haha, as if i know how to) and keeping my fingers crossed through the whole journey.

The driver was good and he said I am very lucky as the traffic turns green everytime. Wll, if I am lucky, I wouldn't be in this situation. And yeah, I made it 5 minutes before 9am and boarded the bus. Phewww.........

But I don't have time to visit the loo, thus, I have to hold it for an hour. LOL...but one just can't ask too much, can they? I made it anyway!

There it is, my amazing race adventure for the morning.
Will keep the rest of the tour for another day.

7th October a year ago....

7th October 2012 - seems just not long ago.
Blink of an eye, it's been a year now.
I remembered that morning, I woke up with red rashes on my neck. I was like F***! I have not have this before and now, on this particular morning- you must be kidding me!
But luckily the redness subsided after an hour or so...
Back to the topic, yes, it's been a year. Not particularly a smooth year. It has it's up and down. Like they said, marriage is not a bed of roses.
It's not easy to fit in and change some of your habits that you've been doing for the past 30 years. It;s all about tolerance and trust.
Many asked why we are not getting a place of our own. Many reasons actually. But the main one will be, we want to be closer to both parents. I'm settling in now, adjusting to the new environment, adjusting to new lifestyle.
Many also asked, when are we making a little one? That's the question people throw to you after you got married. Before, it will be " When are you getting married?" and after you got your first child, it'll be "When is the next one coming?". LOL...
The first year for us will be strictly honeymoon year, we have so many things to adjust and adapt. Many things to discuss, plan and work it out. So yeah...we're pretty comfortable now. Next step maybe? :)
Anyway, Happy Anniversary dear! I'm sorry I am so far away. Raincheck when I come back.
Thanks for being such a wonderful husband (well, sometimes you made me 'kek sim' also (vice versa)). Hehe...What is the fun without some challenges and some hiccups along the way, right?
We'll have many more happy years to come.

Brandi Carlile - The Story (OST The Lucky One)

Just watched this. Beautiful story but Zac Effon's acting is bleehhh...Love the song...

All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am

But these stories don't mean anything

When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true, I was made for you

I climbed across the mountaintops
swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules
But baby I broke them all for you

Oh because even when I was flat broke

You made me feel like a million bucks
You do, I was made for you

You see the smile that's on my mouth
It's hiding the words that don't come out
And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess

No they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what I've been through
Like you do, and I was made for you

All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am

Oh but these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true, I was made for you

Oh yeah, well it's true that I was made for you

Frightening experience

There was a time during my travel that I've encountered a frightening experience. No, not "those" kind but one that is quite dangerous and now that I think back, it's really stupid of me to land myself in that situation.

It happened in Houston. As usual, I always liked to explore new places on foot. I get to see more and can be trigger happy throughout the walk. I took the cab to downtown one fine Sunday morning. Little did I know, downtown Houston on a weekend is practically a dead city. It was about 830 or 9 in the morning and I can barely find anyone on the streets.

It's ok if there were no one but the scary part is, a lot of beggars were loitering around. They will approach you for money or food. Made me feel like I'm walking in a deserted town with zombies around. I was advised to ignore them as it might be dangerous to give them any money.
I had planned my walking journey from downtown all the way to the museum area. It's about 10km walk.

The more I walk, the more I feel uneasy. The surrounding got quieter, the neighborhood got dodgier.
I tried to get a  cab but there's none around. So, I had no choice but to continue walking. It was obvious, I was walking into a "black" town. At one point, a guy approach me asking me what time it is. I just ignored but he kept following me. At this point, I had already taken off my watch and ring in order not to attract any attention. I was really scared, I find the nearest store (lucky for me there's a big pharmacy in front) and stayed in there for while.

At another point, I saw this two guys walking on the opposite side of the road. When they saw me, they purposely crossed the road and walk towards me and started talking stuff. I was freaked out and half walk half run as fast as I can.

I can't imagine if anything bad happened. They could have been armed with a knife or a gun.
Stupid me to be ignorant of where I am walking to and stupid me for not being smart enough to turn back when I feel something is not right. Now, wherever I go, I make sure I have a contact for cab service and also a pepper spray with me.