DIE!!

No, I'm not referring to the Mayan apocalypse! It bothers me not, if the world ends today or tomorrow!

My only concern is that I have tipped the scale at 53.6 kg and I'll tell you why....  

I had lost consistently, almost a kilo each month as of 07/03/11 from 71.9 kg to 58.4 kg on 16/04/12, the day before I set off for my vacation in Turkey, shedding a total of 13.5kg over a period of 13.5 months!! Quite an achievement, eh?!  

I had parted with Noraini, my Turkey tour mate, striking a pact to each lose about 4 plus-minus kilos to our targeted weight of 54 kg by end August 2012!!  

Somehow, my weight kept see-sawing between 55kg and 58 kg since then!! I failed to achieve my goal and my consolation was that Noraini DIDN'T make it either! Yay!!! My jubilance, uncalled for, right? Sorry! Noraini!  

I guess my inability to continuously shed the monthly loss of a kilo is explainable. Hahaha, the blame game begins now..... 

I suppose it was largely due to savoring food from my Scandinavia, Vietnam and Cambodia vacations in July and August!! Yes, I have a tendency to pile extra kilos while traveling except during my recent trip to India which saw to my weight loss of 1 kilo over a period of 5 days!!  

Satisfying my cravings for durians that season, with excessive partaking of the fruits, was another contributory factor as I simply couldn't resist fighting for more share of the fleshy, creamy bitter-sweet tasted ones!! 

Dining out daily with Ca-Ryn when she was back from Beijing, during that period of time should also be seen as another possible reason to be excused!!  

Whatever, I have since successfully achieved my targeted weight! 

Instead, what worries me now is how to ensure it remained at 54 kg as plummeting any further will result in me looking every inch, a harassed housewife!! 

Doesn't it then spell doomsday for someone, vain as I am now??? haizzzz.....           

Credibility of online reviews through Travel Guides.....

I had just submitted a review of my Ayurvedic experience in India entitled 'An Exhilarating Experience' to TripAdvisor upon persistent requests, which read as follows: 

Strongly recommended for health conscious, leisure holiday makers who relish full body massages and great yoga workouts!  

For those striving to shed extra pounds or kilos, look no further, for, at Chamundi Hill Palace Ayurvedic Resort, you'll realize your DREAMS effortlessly!! 

Best experienced with loved ones and friends in big groups! 

Those who have read my earlier posts may find my comment slightly exaggerated and contradictory but do allow me to enlighten you...it is not. It carries every ounce of truth! 

Firstly, it is indeed exhilarating albeit an embarrassing experience for me to have to BARE IT ALL for the Ayurvedic sessions under the scrutiny of two strangers!  

Secondly, I got to indulge in the pampering massage sessions and yoga workouts not just once but TWICE daily! 

And, about weight loss, I shed 1 kilo within the five days as I couldn't adapt to ingesting the blandly, for heatth reasons, prepared vegetarian meals! It is good to know though that all the table dishes from cabbage to pumpkin to bitter gourd to bananas to......come from within the resort ground!   

Lastly, as most time is spent within the resort with pretty much no entertainment saved for free wifi internet connection, our passing moments greatly depends on the company we mingle with!! It would be an opportunity to make up for loss time sharing what we had always wanted to but never did because of work commitment or another. 

Frankly, my initial reservation about the resort was replaced with enthusiasm as days went by, largely due to the cordiality of the service staff and the group I went with!!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297634-d729986-r147443197-Chamundi_Hill_Palace_Ayurvedic_Resort-Kottayam_Kerala.html

Can you write in English?......

This was asked of me by the Yoga Guru in Kerala! "Why?...." I had questioned, puzzled.... Guess there might be some who speak but do not write English???

"Oh, so you want an evaluation of your sessions? Then you gotta prepare yourself for constructive criticisms, ya?" I complied with, jestingly!  

But why me? I wondered..... Gosh, what am I gonna do? Only anyone who dares seek honest truth about himself may come to me for MY OPINION, otherwise, NO, for I'd REALLY give it all...GOOD or BAD!! 

I would expect the same from whosoever, when seeking assessment of myself, not that I ever did though! The least I would welcome, is to be flattered to my face and be stabbed behind my back!!!

My ever so kind, sister-in-law Siew Hian, afraid, that I may be too outspoken about my sentiments, cautioned me about being too harsh, for after all, he is just, but, an aged man seeking to keep his job...... 

Shouldn't this be enough reason for me to be honest so that he would realize his shortcomings and take corrective measures to cater to the demands and expectations of his students??

Incidentally, this Guru is a temporary replacement for the previous experienced instructor who chose to work abroad, away from home in India!! 

Whatever, within half an hour, I had my response read as follows....... 

Mr Santhos 

Comments expressed herewith may not necessarily represent my fellow mates' opinions..... 

I had expected more physical yoga exercises and therefore was pretty disappointed to find myself attending lectures instead. 

I personally feel that my stay here is too brief for in-depth teachings. 

Emphasis on the breathing techniques which you have covered, and benefits of the various yoga poses as we move along with the exercises are what I had expected to learn. 

However, setting aside my demand of the more vigorous workout, I'm pretty glad that, for the first time in my 5 months' exposure to yoga, I learnt how to perform the sun salutation and warming up exercises on my own!! 

Thank you too, for imparting knowledge on the do's and don'ts exercises for ladies. 

A general comment from all is that they have difficulty grasping your sharing because of your accent and low voice which is hardly audible to those seated further away from you. 

All the same, we truly appreciate the time you shared with us and wish you all the best! 

Cheerio! Leena Wong 

Unlike the evaluation I had passed on services of the crew members of the houseboat, which won the unanimous support of all the travel mates, this was received with mixed reactions! 

To the few not agreeable, I suggested they put in their own commendations!! 

As far as I'm concerned, my ever deeply ingrained frankness prioritized truthfulness whatever the situation!

Too costly, a loss.....

Since my return from India, I had been apprehensive about losing my nose ring, dirt cheap though it may be.....

How I wish now that it was the nose ring that was lost instead of my white gold and diamond earring!!! 

A trip to Gurney plaza today for this pair of Neoprene dumbbells for my arm exercises during the yoga sessions, cost me the loss of the left side of my favorite earrings!





To realize that it must have dropped somewhere around the outlets I visited and not being able to locate it, is frustrating and sad!

The Ayurvedic Experience.....

"Ma'am, this way please...." and, gently holding on to my hand, this sweet teenager led me to the massage room with a knowingly shy smile. 

I was greeted by another young girl in her early twenties and together, they stripped me naked!

While I kept gesturing to cover up in embarrassment, the teenager watched with amusement. 

What she offered to cover the genital served no purpose as it was soon thrust aside as the two masseurs simultaneously worked deftly on me! 

Throughout the session, I was conscious of my exposed body. It struck me that they had seen more of me, than me of myself in my lifetime! 






And, OUCH! How it had hurt on my knees against the hard wooden surface of the bed when made to lie in certain positions to facilitate the massages! 



As they massaged, I found myself literally soaked in oil meant to seep into our layers of skin by way of therapy treatment? 




I was then led to a cubicle where they made me sit and had my entire body rubbed with chick pea, supposedly to remove traces of oil administered!
  

Seated there, while others may feel pampered, I felt awkward and helpless like a spastic as the teenager finished washing my hair and bathing me off with a mere bucket full of warm water! 

Under normal circumstances, it would have driven me crazy feeling still somewhat not thoroughly cleansed.......but as it was, I had accepted everything in good spirit and ended smelling like most Indians........of OIL and all....... 

I came to realize that the Ayurvedic massage which differs greatly from the traditional Thai massage I'm accustomed to, inclines towards treatment of the skin and thus benefited me in the rejuvenation of my much neglected body! 

Heated poultice hammered over my entire body!

Depending on treatment, poultice of herbs heated over
a slow fire differs.... 

 With a two hourly sessions twice daily for five consecutive days, my thoroughly moisturized skin is so smooth now that I would be least surprised if a mosquito SLIPS on it!!

Yoga Retreat @ Kerala, India - November 10 - 20, 2012

Photo shot on the last day at the resort which sits on a 250 acres piece of land!
Myself, feeling and looking great with a nose ring on like the Indians! 

"WHAT? Merely 2 hourly sessions of yoga exercises and Ayurvedic massages twice daily with NO OTHER ACTIVITIES for the next 5 days?" 

An arrangement I was oblivious of, and had felt somewhat dispirited especially after having had the first taste of BLAND vegetarian food served upon arrival!  

My first yoga session too, with the aged Guru, a temporary replacement, I learnt later, who "lectured" more, than getting us involved in physical yoga exercises dissipated further my high spirits!  

Oh no.....to think that I  had visualized returning home with a more toned up and flexible body prior to setting off for this trip!! 

However, with my adaptability, I soon found myself cherishing every moment spent at the  Ayurvedic Resort, relaxing on the hammock typing out my thoughts on my iPad, surfing the internet and mingling with my fellow mates....

My favorite spot - on the hammock with the cool gentle breeze kissing my face and exposed limbs
.....heavenly.....
Haha! From nose ring to toe ring, don't I look every inch an Indian?

Bland food? So what? Consume less and work towards my weight loss success! As for lectures from the Guru? Honestly, he imparted fruitful knowledge as a professor should! 

My perseverance prevailed!

Photos here relate to earlier post on trip to Phuket....

Wat Chalong

Elephant Shrine

Patong Beach

Boat ride to James Bond Island!

James Bond Island - Shot from Kim's iPad

Me, youngest in the group of 28.....

Though not a devout person, I tagged along when my sis-in-law from Bukit Mertajam invited me to join her on a trip to Phuket Oct 21-25 for the 9 Emperor Gods celebration!

Haha! She must have sensed the curse on me and hence felt the cleansing and purification in order!

With the continuous deafening sounds of fire crackers and thick smoky surrounding, which DEMON wouldn't flee but us, the sea of spectators and worshippers??! 

Queer that uploading of photos here failed after repeated 20 over attempts made yesterday and this moment! Urgh! Forget it! View my Phuket album at Facebook instead! 

Simply adorable, my darling Cuddles.....

I normally would be up and about by 7 am when my maid routinely takes Cuddles out to the balcony to defecate.

However, there are many occasions, when I will just slumber on following prior sleepless or late nights!!

And, since time immemorial, Cuddles, like an alarm clock, would wake me when it struck 8 in the morning just like today! She will keep pawing on my shoulder until I acknowledged her presence!

Ha ha, I can hear her unspoken words! "Mom! Wake up! 8 am dy!"

Opening my eyes to witness her leaning by my bedside with her pawing action always amuses me.

Many a time, I would greet her wryly murmuring, "OK la, OK la, mummy's up already...." 

There were several instances though when I would just brush her off with "Aiyo, please la Cuddles! Mummy's still sleepy!" or a stern "Enough! Go away!" when she persisted pawing repeatedly! 

Imagine being awakened at 8 am when I hit the bed at 5 am, with barely 3 hours of sleep!!

I felt sorry though when she would drop on all fours and walk away with her head hung low....

With a silent "Sorry darling, Mom will make up to you .......", I would proceed to pursuing my dreams....  

Scandinavia 16/7 - 27/7 ....backlog....

As with most tour packages, we were literally living out of suitcases every day! Imagine covering 4 countries within 10 days...Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland!!





Though it was summer, the weather was cool between 9-18 Celsius. 








Copenhagen seems a ghostly city with most locals away from home for the summer vacation!

We embarked for Oslo the next evening....our first overnight cruise experience.

Oslo, Norway, with its spectacular scenery is certainly not to be missed by avid outdoor lovers of landscape......



Never had I enjoyed long rides in coaches slipping past countrysides and breathtaking sceneries, as then!  

Waterfalls and fjords at every other corner!

Briksdal Glacier

Sognerfjord

Oslo Opera House

Ca-Ryn snowballing me!!

Snow clad mountain

Frogner Park - Vigeland Scultures

The Monolith at Vigeland Park.

Stockholm, Sweden, a city of bridges and islands.

Another overnight cruise took us to Helsinki, Finland.

Pampered pooches on board the cruise....
Pooches in hotels and shopping malls too, a common sight.

Sibelius Monument

Temppeliaukio Church

We journeyed back to Copenhagen for our departure flight home bringing with us souveniers, designer labeled handbags and, leather jackets which are mainly for Ca-Ryn since she needs them to brace the cold in China and Mongolia! 

Phew! Come to think of it, with that amount spent on this vacation and purchases, I could have driven home a Perodua Kelisa 1000 GX MET (A) 988cc to combat my poor parking skills!!!  

I have since named her Charcoal!

She would not have to go through this pregnancy if I had been insistent about having her spayed....

          

.......and I would not have to go through the hassle pleading for these puppies to be adopted!!

Two females and a male born on 05/07/12.





Her sagging teats are evidence of repeated pregnancies! 

Judging her by the teeth to be around 7 years of age, she could have had 13 litters to date!!! 

A week long spaying aftercare within confined home ground was too much for her and me to bear! 

With her incessant barking, it won't be long before my neighbors lodged complaints with the local council!

Charcoal, released to where HOME is to her! 

The home where she had spent her days for the last 7? 8? months!

Spayed, ear notched, HAPPY and FREE......

Is the CURSE never gonna end?

It is too much to bear! God...what is the name of your game??

My software problem with iMac which had since been resolved on Thursday played up again this morning. 

I couldn't access the Internet and tried everything possible as advised by the technical support assistant over the phone. 

Just as I have resigned to sending the desktop back again on Monday, the Facebook page suddenly displayed right before my eyes! Weird??? Anyway, this is not what I am about to share.

Look at this....

A silly lady brushed her car against mine when turning into Jalan Delima from the Jalan Mesjid Negeri traffic light junction and had the cheek to say I was speeding!

I do not deny driving fast, DEFINITELY NOT SPEEDING, to beat the light but I was in the right lane when she, trying to beat the light too, avoided the motorcyclists in front of her to cut into my lane.

My relief when sighting a traffic police who came to the scene within minutes was short lived! Instead of assessing the accident, he directed us away from the site, citing obstruction even when the light had turned red and not safe for us to drive across! 

Then, stopping the flow of traffic, he gestured us towards Jalan Delima and sped off!!

While the lady reiterated about me speeding???!, her insolent teen daughter was screaming her head off at me! 

Gosh! It took me all my might to resist slapping her hard across her face for calling me a bitch and bragging about me being jealous of their better new car??! 

Guess it runs in the family as at the police station, I overheard the father mentioning some side mirror replacement of Rm3000 plus!! So it seems, they are the ONLY RICH in town!!

I don't know much about cars but if I'm not mistaken, the emblem of a W symbolizes Volkswagen???  

The ironical scenario is the fact that I had left my hand phone at home knowingly when I exited my main gate, thinking it was too much of a hassle to get it as I was running late for my dance class!

I had thought, I hardly receive calls these days, so why bother?? 

And therefore....WITHOUT the phone camera, no shots were taken and it is now a case of her words against mine and vice versa when she was obviously in the WRONG!!!

They had probably assumed they were in the right as the right back side of their car was grazed, I told the inspector who recorded the statement.

However, the Inspector corrected me saying "Ini bukan belakang tapi tepi kereta...." meaning to say I did not hit them on the REAR which would have rendered me GUILTY without trial, I suppose??!!

I feel a CURSE on me.....

DAMN IT!! Since my newly purchased Mac OS X crashed, I have been tied by hands and feet!! 

Importing photos from both digital and phone cameras were unsuccessful, hence thwarting my attempts of uploading pictures for my blog and Facebook....watching online streamed dramas not possible and...WHAT NOT!!!

Gosh! It had been more than a month of HELL for me....the auto gate, the fish pond's pump and ALL 3 water cisterns system malfunctioned causing me hundreds of ringgit to repair and yet cannot be fully resolved!!

My few months old phone battery can never be fully charged! A trip to the dentist had me advised of braces fixed AT MY AGE! The body kit of my Camry etched yesterday!

GOD! HEAVEN FORBID ANY WORSE TO COME!!!   

My views stands! Does that mean I'm wrong???

While at the PSC steam room, in the midst of sharing, an acquaintance complained about her despicable friend. That this friend of hers who is obviously jealous of her presumably better life, just could never cease to taunt her over everything she does!! 

Ha ha! Sounds familiar! Don't we all experience that sometime or other in life?? But why allow yourself to be annoyed by someone who kept hurting you, I asked of her.

I would shy away from such people and if confrontation still persists, it will be an eye for an eye!! I'd never allow myself to be trodden upon!!

Then she went on that this friend has always assumed herself always right, no matter how wrong she was many a time. As such, would never allow room for self-betterment!!  

Oh, yeah?? To this, the  Capricorn Pig, I am, offered my differing views!! 

If her friend should feel at all comfortable with her decision, so be it!! Who is to judge, RIGHT or WRONG? 

I'm pretty sure all would have known about what I'm going to elucidate further! Case 1: A half full glass to me may be viewed as half empty by you! Case 2: There are two sides to a coin...I see numbers, you see an emblem!

In both cases, neither you nor I am wrong!!

To cite an experience, I was adamant about sending Al-Wyn and Ca-Ryn abroad to further their education hoping that they stay rooted to me.

Though I had been labeled possessive, selfish and conservative and that it was about time I changed my mindset, I still maintained my stand till today.

But, as fate has it, though both graduated locally, their careers take them away from home....Al-Wyn, a financial controller with an MNC in Singapore while Ca-Ryn, based in Beijing, is an assistant to the vice president of the richest lady in Mongolia dealing in gold mines!

However, if situation is such that I'm destined to be alone, why fight it but accept it gracefully?? 

Even if I can turn the clock back, my decision would still be the same! If I can have it my way, I'd still rather have them by my side! 

Just as there are some who advised that Ca-Ryn should be home with me as I don't need her fat salary to sustain a living, there are those who opined that her bright future should not be compromised!

There you are! By allowing her to stay on, I'm avaricious, asking her to come home, I would be selfish! So where does this leave me??

Whatever, there are always TWO SIDES no matter how thin we slice....

Excerpts from searches online...my Western/Chinese zodiac signs....

CAPRICORN PIG
These are upstanding people who genuinely care about the welfare of people. They are hardworking, motivated people who are the first to speak up when something needs to be done.

THE SIGN OF THE PIG
"Its better to give than to receive" would probably be the Pig’s motto. Pigs are more comfortable giving of their own time or attention than they are to ask others for it. They do not find asking for help an easy task and would rather carry the burden themselves. Pigs will do anything they can to maintain a sense of peace amongst family or friends. This can lead to a tendency to be taken advantage of, but Pigs basically forgive and forget everything. They are compassionate souls who simply want to keep the peace.

PIG PARENTS AND BABIES
Pigs are devoted mothers and fathers. They are affectionate and loving, supportive and caring parents. They are homebodies, preferring to stay at home with their families than to go out on the town. A Pig’s priority is his children, and curse the man who dare to hurt his child or to lay a hand upon him. A Pig can be a real monster when he feels his family is threatened.

THE PIG ON VACATION
As much as Pigs love food they would truly enjoy a culinary experience on vacation. When traveling they tend to dine at the finest restaurants, eat the richest chocolate and drink the most expensive champagne. In addition, their natures to be relaxed and laid back would lead them to an easygoing vacation somewhere on an island or in a resort where they can hang out and be completely taken care of.

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES 
Pigs are great friends to have on your side. They will nurture you, care for you and make sure you have everything you need. In times of trouble, Pigs are genuine friends who will give you the shirt off of their backs if you need it. They entertain their friends and host parties as often as they can. Any chance to gather n a social setting is enough for a Pig to have a party and most of the time, he doesn’t really need an excuse to host one. They are loyal and good-natured, always willing to lend a hand or an ear.

I've decided to 'UNLIKE' the pages...... I can bear no more.....

For a while, since liking the pages, I find myself pretty entertained by the comments exchanged pertaining to posts shared by MDDB and MIAR. 

MDDB is more action oriented and with a very much greater audience and, support in terms of donations....

Efforts taken by the NGOs in saving and caring for the strays were undeniably commendable! Though I've lost count of the moments I had cried over the photos, stories and videos shared....I was never so depressed as I am now over the recent sharing by MIAR.... Had wanted to attach the video and photograph depicting the Koreans treatment of the canines....which had since been removed... I guess may be due to the protests from some who do not take to the sharing.....   

It has brought a flashback from the scene I witnessed at the wet market while in Vietnam.

Tears had sprung to my eyes then, when my eyes met those of two white ducks which were placed lying on their tummies with their feet bound, on top of a crate amongst several chickens.

They were literally pleading to be saved from being slaughtered, with their eyes and faint quacks. It had struck me at that very moment that they could have been our canine friends.... 

I made a momentary vow then to abstain from consuming meat.... a vow which was not honored as heading home, at the airport, from Burger King, I ordered 2 pieces chicken wings.......

I have till today still find it hard to resist any dish that spells chicken, crabs, lobsters, prawns or fish....

To steer away from guilt, I find myself citing the above being staple foods for mankind, just as the mosquitoes being food for the lizards, worms for the birds, smaller fishes for bigger fishes, smaller animals for larger ones....a predator prey cycle...

Yeah, I know and I'm sorry...very lame, my excuses for being a BEAST of prey.....


writtten on 15/09/12 8.49 am

Dedicated to all, who have, in one way or another, contributed to the well being of the strays......

Since Sunday evening, I had been viewing photos, videos and reading comments shared in the Facebook pages of SOS, MIAR and MDDB.... 

There were moments of joy that had me laughing in stitches and moments of sadness that had me raining tears onto my iPad..... 

I marveled at the commitment and perseverance of these NGOs and some individuals in helping the strays.....  Much as I love these canines, I can't visualize myself dashing around saving these vulnerable strays the way they did! 

They have earned my utmost respect and I really do feel ashamed of myself....

A simple SOS on the FB Wall sends concerned volunteers responding swiftly and scuttling to the rescue as in the recent case at Segamat. 

A bitch and it's newborn puppies were captured by the local council on 30/08/12 which demanded Rm200 for their release failing which all will be euthanized by the 2nd week. 

Even not at the scene, sitting within the comfort of home, just by reading their posts, I was emotionally moved by their compassion for the innocent strays.  

Whatever, all ended well with the intervention of a SOMEBODY! 

And just as I was referring back to FB for details, this popped up..... 

My God! Such cruelty does exist.....

It has been 2 hours now since this was posted and the poor thing still could not be located by individuals rushed to help out at the scene..... 

Let's pray hard that this too ends well....

Are these NGOs not working towards the same GOAL??

While trying to garner support from my group of friends who are mostly dog lovers, to purchase tickets for a charitable night event, I was sad to learn about PASS's reluctance to collaborate with the other NGOs namely, SPCA Sungai Petani, MDDB, MIAR. 4PAWS and PHS to resolve the strays issues. 

They have questioned PASS's restraint to kick start the saving of strays when it had already been allocated the land and had received generous donations. 

Oh yes, they do understand that there are building by-laws and what not to comply with when building the animal shelter, but could PASS not erect a temporary make shift shelter to house the strays which need immediate care and attention whilst waiting for the council's approval which may take umpteenth months? years?.... and the targeted donation sum of Rm500,000 be met? 

As they have cited, the main objectives are to PROVIDE THE STRAYS a better home and keep them free of danger whilst waiting to be adopted and to SPAY/NEUTER THE STRAYS to curb further, the multiplying of strays! 

Procrastination may threaten the lives of the VULNERABLE STRAYS and see to the emergence of more pitiful UNWANTED PUPPIES..... 

Perhaps PASS has valid reasons which it can share? 

I have forwarded to one of the organizers, an email written without malice but only to clear whatever misconception the public who had contributed in one way or another, may harbor.....

For your information, Penang Animal Sanctuary Society was abbreviated as PASS, Saving Our Strays, Penang as SOS, Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better as MDDB, Malaysian Independent Animals Rescue as MIAR, Penang Animals Welfare Society as 4PAWS and Penang Humane Society as PHS.

Nite nite .....my loved one......

 
Unlike Cannon, he had shown no signs of pain but a pathetic look.... He was almost thirteen years short of 2 months....

He had not been mobile since last Monday and had rejected food.... I was advised to have him euthanized... I decided against it!! No way..not unless he shows signs of sufferings...

His appetite improved within the day after the administration of medication. His cravings for food was normal until this morning....

He had vomited a pool of blood.... Though he had rejected his food and favorite snack, he took to my offer of teriyaki chicken!

The same pathetic look greeted me when I checked on him coming home about six-ish... He refused the chicken I offered... Within minutes of turning my back on him, my maid shouted... He had given a struggle and had defecated and passed on.......

My contractor could only be available tomorrow morning...

Hence, between my maid and I, Baxter found his place next to Cannon within the home ground.... 

My sun-beaten looks....

Tuinny had, since seen my photos taken in Turkey posted on Facebook, remarked that I appeared dark in all shots captured! Photographs in Scandinavia, Vietnam and Cambodia too! 

How can I not be tanned, when time was mostly spent outdoors, sight-seeing, during those trips! It was actually worst while in Turkey.  

With the cool climate, hours under the blazing sun, visiting the archeological sites and other places of interests, with barely shades all around, went unnoticed! In fact, my cap and sunglasses  were my only shades at most destinations! 

Until I stripped off my clothing, did I notice the stark difference in my skin tone! What perturbed me was the dark upper lip which I had never noticed! Viewed at close range, it was as though I had sported a moustache....how unsightly! 

It was until I googled checked that I realized it was melasma, a type of brown discoloration due to sun exposure which can be minimized with the application of a sunscreen which I've never practiced! 

Whatever, 'the moustache' had since disappeared though I've gotta be prepared for a recurrence with my upcoming trips to Songkhla, Thailand and Kerala, India!....

Though sunbaked, I still feel I look good with the compliments I've received this far from friends and ex-clients I run into. "Hitam manis!" mar....