Writing from the office

Boyfriend came over the weekend and brought me stuff that I needed. Always love long weekend, especially I have started working as a research assistant and having classes on Sundays. Cooked a few meal last weekend, and enjoying the calmness that I found in cooking, it helps to keep my mind away from research, school and money. :) 

Working in the office for the upcoming journal submission has been very hectic and tiring for me. My brain got saturated after a couple of hours. Gahhh, need to know how to unfreeze my brain. 

okayy.. back to work. :)

September

Its been a busy week. First week of September always full with unexpected surprises. Exhausted. Budget approved, bought my very first desktop after 10 years. I remember my first desktop was bought when I was standard 6, Gateway. All I did with my desktop was typing, and had some typing competition among cousins see who type the fastest. Teehee. I trained myself well for immediate typing skill. Gonna start "working" as a research assistant, having a desktop in the office means that I need to go to the office at 9, finish by 5.30pm. Gahhhhh. Its nothing different from a working life, maybe, with lower salary. And classes on Sunday. There goes my weekend, can't forge out any free weekends to go back to KL. Mehhh, I miss home. I miss hugging my dogs and just laze around on the couch watching some random masterchef show.


:) Wish me a happy September.

A picture I took when I was in the main campus. Gonna start staring into the sky for more adventurous idea. ;) 

Monday Blues

Didnt have any good sleep the night before. I guess I never gonna be able calm before I leave for another semester. Came back to Melaka, drove around non stop. I never expect anything from the poor  management, I tried to make some jokes to lighten up the blues. Took some time to get some right info done. I am now an official master research student. Really forgot about the registration fees, everything is expensive now, registration fee and tuition fees have went up, and procedure has changed. 

Petrol price increased by 20 cent. I think its the worst news for the day. Bad way to start September.

Mid 20s crisis

25 Things I Want Myself to Know at 25

Its very interesting to read. Sometimes I forgot how old I am. I do pretend I am still at the age of 20s, but if i use my fingers, i'm approaching the mid 20s. For the past one month, I seem lost. I guess its just a normal phase every recent graduate will go through. I did not dive into the pool of job seeking, I just didn't feel like it. How's my proposal application? Hmm, I have no idea. I don't think I can do anything but try to figure out what I am going to do the next day. It hasn't been an adventure month for me. I have stay home most of the time, trying to organize and clean every little corner of my house. Thats me when I am bored. Trying to learn some new recipe, trying to mingle around with friends but not much. I also try to pick up reading, but my french book has been sitting in Melaka for the past 1 month. I seems to enjoy the late night reading. It feels like I have a little space of my own and im trying to learn about myself again.

Four years had passed. I dont remember how it felt like when I was preparing myself to enter the university life. Four years ago, I was still young and wild. Having new ideas in my head and kept thinking when and how am I get back to KL. Melaka isn't a good place for me at that time, my friends, my family, everything I used to are in KL. And now, I have choose to go back to Melaka for the sake of convenient. It has become my comfortable zone, faces that I know, and I can easily drive to places that I think I would enjoy. However, going back to Melaka this time will be a lot different than usual. Familiar faces have reduced, this round I gotta be much more independent and discipline. I have to organized myself for a healthier lifestyle, at least I feel like I am breathing as a youth, not some mid 20s who lost her adventure side.

I would love to make a list for myself before I go back to Melaka. Things that I want myself to know before I lost myself to the boring lifestyle.

1. You are a graduate student now, spend more time on reading. Open up your eyes to the world.

2. Speak up. Speak up for your new ideas, share ideas and LISTEN to the others.

3. Cook more, healthy dishes and food that you know its good for your body.

4. Spend some time outdoor, at least 3 times a week. Get yourself moving, do something beside rotting in the house.

5. Come back to KL often. Visit your parents, they are getting old, call them up.

6. Save money. Money doesnt grow on trees anymore.

7. Plan! Plan for fun activities, outings, jungle trekking, picnic, anything that sounds fun! A movie date consider fun!

8. Remember to say Thank You and Welcome. **reminder**

9. Pick up a hobby. It could be painting, photography, writing, cooking, a hobby that keeps you happy.

10. Smile more.

Taiwan Trip (Summer - Taipei Region)

The best thing to do to relax your exhausted mind is to go for a getaway. Taiwan Trip was the trip of the year, I spent a couple of months to plan out the trip. :) And I am glad that it turned out great. 

No matter where I go, the first place I would explore is 7-eleven. I felt in love with the 7 eleven in Bangkok, I never thought Taiwan's 7-e is better. Basically, I would visit 7-e at least once a day throughout my trip. That explains how good it is to me.

Day 1:

We arrived Taipei at 12am. It was such a hassle to arrive so late and luckily Nihao@Taipei waited for us to checked in. The next day, we took a train down to Jiu Fen.

How to get to Jiu Fen:

1. Get yourself to Taipei Main Station

2. Go to the 1st Floor (Ground floor), ask for ticket to go to Ruifang Station.

***If the train doesnt go to Ruifang station straight, but went to Baidu, makesure you get down at Baidu and do an interchange to Ruifang.

3. Take Bus 788 Keelong to go to JiuFen. 

** another reminder is that make sure you got your own Youyou card beforehand, it really helps to minimize all the trouble. Its about NTD 200, and it will have NTD 100 for you to use, before you go back, you can return the card and take back your deposit NTD 100.

I arrived Jiu Fen just nice for our brunch time! :) We walked around Jiu Fen Oldstreet, and then took a bus to Jinguashi. You can take the same bus to go to Jinguashi (where you get down for JiuFen)

After Jinguashi, we had our evening at Keelong night market. Outside Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park, there will be busses to go to Keelong, Bus 788. Keelong night market has no much attraction, but the things that sell in the night market is way CHEAPER than Taipei night markets.

Next morning, I decided to embrace the view I had in our minshu. We stayed at JiuFen Zhingzhan. If you love the stairs, go for this minshu, otherwise, dont make it your first choice. Everything else is good, but the stairs from the minshu to the main bus station near the Jiufen Oldstreet is killing our legs. 

Basically, wherever you stay in Jiufen, you will get the same view as I have here.

**about NTD 500-600 per person, for a group of 6 people in a room.

Day 2:

After breakfast, we took the Bus 788 back to Ruifang Station. We bought a return ticket to go to Shifen. It is cheaper to buy return ticket instead of an one way ticket. 

The Shifen Oldstreet is very different from the Jiufen's. Basically, what you do here is you put up a skky lantern full with all those hand written messages. Buy your small little lantern souvenir here, dont buy it at Taipei. 

Souvenir: Sky Lantern.

Shifen Waterfall

I really enjoy the view there.

How to get to Shifen Waterfall:

If you love walking, at the end of Shifen Oldstreet, keep on the right, keep walking, you will pass by a school, keep walking still. Approximately 20 minutes, when you see a T-juction, keep on your left then, keep walking for another 15 minutes, you will see theres a sign for Shifen Waterfall on your right.

You have to walk for another 10 minutes before you get to the waterfall entrance. NTD 100 for the entrance fee.

After Shifen, we went back to Taipei! For a good rest before we head to Ningxia night market. Personally, I prefer Ningxia Night market compare to any other night market. They have the bext Oyster Meesua, Hot Mochi with Ice, and lots of good food! Basically I prefer a much simple night market. :P

My favourite in Taipei.

Day 3:

We had a good sleep the day before, and we decided to go to Yehliu Geological park! The view is superb. But going there during July, it was hell of Summer. Prepare yourself with a good umbrella, bare with the strong wind too! 

After that, we basically took a cab trip to Yangmingshan. We were so lucky that we took that decision instead of taking busses. Because I see no busses on the way to Yangmingshan and the mountain road is killing one of my dizzy friend.

We took a short walk at Yangminshan, beside the National Park, theres nothing much actually.

If you come in February, you will have a good view of those blossom flower. Spring Festival is in February!

Thanks to Taxi Uncle, he manage to send us to Damshui for the sunset!

I love the way they put the field for people to relax.

I love the view. And there have this huge field where you can just lie down and relax before you take a tore on your purse for shopping at Damshui Oldstreet.

We didnt go to Fisherman's wharf. Because we were too tired. So we just walked around Damshui Oldstreet, its like another old market. :) They have this AhPo TieDan. Try it out. 

From Damshui, we took MRT back to Taipei Main Station.

** Damshui is the last station**

Day 4:

Taipei 101 view. Make sure you get your youth travel card at the Visitor Information Counter (near any MRT), because it will helps you to get your 10% discount on the Taipei 101 ticket. It was NTD 450 for me. 

How to get to Taipei 101:

1. Took a train from Taipei Main Station to Taipei City Hall Station. 

2. Shuttle Bus is provided to go to Taipei 101. From Taipei 101, same shuttle bus is provided to go back to Taipei City Hall Station. FOC.

After Taipei 101, we had lunch at Uni-Hankyu, it just above the Taipei City Hall Station.

I had the best Garlic Ramen. :) yummmmm.

We took MRT from Taipei City Hall Station to go to HouShanPi Station (It is where the Wufenpu District located)

Raohe Night Market is 20 minutes walking distance from Wufenpu District, if you plan to go to Raohe Night Market, please do not miss out the yummy food (the picture above -油葱饼). 

**If you love shopping, Wufenpu District is definitely a good place where you can restock your summer clothes compare to Ximending. Its way cheaper and you can find really nice and unique accessories. 

Day 5:

How to get to Ximending:

1. Take MRT from Taipei Main Station to Ximen Station

Ximending

** Everything there opens at 11.00am onwards. Dont waste your breakfast time going there early.

Ximen Red House. 

We were in good spirit, we decided to walk to Long Shan Temple. We were regretting while walking there. Tips: Take the train until LongShan Temple, you wouldnt want to walk from Ximen District to there, trust me. =]

Be prepare for the crowded temple. :D it was a great experience. After that we took the train back to Ximending (it was just opposite the Longshan Temple)

More shopping! A great place for shoe lover, but not for bigfoot like me.

We had a little bit of time to spare. We decided to go to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall.

How to get thereeeee:

*** Take the XiaoNanMen route.

Finally! We came to Shilin Night Market. It was hell confusing, but great night market for my fellow friends! :D Their food stalls mostly is at the underground food court.

How to get to Shilin Night Market:

Take the MRT to JianTan Station.

***NOT Shilin Station. :)

Day 6:

On the last day of my plan, we went to the Taipei Zoo!

Normal price: NTD 60

Lucky day : buy one free one, only NTD 30 for us.

I saw beautiful giraffe. 

**If you have a choice, dont go to the Zoo on a weekend. Its very pack.

After Taipei Zoo, we went for the crystal gondola. :D

How to get to the ZOO:

1. Take MRT to Zhongxiaofuxing station, interchange to Taipei Zoo!

After Taipei Zoo:

1. You can either take the gondola via Taipei Zoo station, or go out from Taipei Zoo, take the gondola nearby the zoo entrance. Its about NTD 60 per trip.

2. The highest station is Maokong. 

Taipei Main Station at night. :)

Here is what you need if you are just planning your trip around Taipei. Useful information! ;)

On my very last day at Taipei, we decided to go separately instead of as a group. I went back to Shilin to buy Birkenstock. It wayyyy cheaper than buying in Malaysia. And we had a good relaxing time at Nihao@Taipei.

I would recommend this place. 5 stars! :)

This is our bunk bed room. ;) we have 6 girls. 

The cozy relaxing sharing area.

Recommended backpacker place:

http://www.booking.com/hotel/tw/nihao.en.html?aid=311984;label=nihao-SlPkQFf0YwdOpmSQN*Q9qgS32444024833:pl:ta:p1:p2:ac:ap1t1:neg;ws=&gclid=CKXo6tfQ_LgCFURV4god1WgASg

http://www.agoda.com/asia/taiwan/taipei/nihao_taipei_hostel.html?type=1&site_id=1430286&url=http://www.agoda.com/asia/taiwan/taipei/nihao_taipei_hostel.html&tag=c843de40-b793-4a1f-87f6-3059bacf1324&gclid=CIWn4djQ_LgCFTF04god8UwAmg&cklg=1

No. 41, Section 1, Zhōngxiào West Rd, Zhongzheng District  Taipei City, Taiwan 100 +886 2 7725 9779 **Great location, next to Taipei Main Station, walking distance to the MRT underground exit ** Walking distance to Taipei Bus Station ** Above 7 Eleven ** Above a great noodles shop!

Whoever is reading this and planning a trip to Taiwan, good luck and have fun! You will fall in love with the places and people just like how I did. ;)

  

Wil

He is someone whom I made friend with recently. As a stranger for the very first night, he didn't seems very different from the others. After a few conversation over the days, he has became one of the people who inspire me. Met him while I was on a holiday trip in Penang. He is a couch surfer, couch surfer is people who want to travel and see the world, and they are usually the backpackers who request couchsurfing (stay over for a night or two at another couch surfer's house). Shobee is a couch surfer and so does he. He has shown me the world in a very different way. Listening to those conversations between him and Aroon, had really helped me to pick up myself and try to do  something in life. To see the world does not seems as expensive as before, he make me feel it is possible to backpack and just follow the flow of your life.

It make it easier for Aroon and I to achieve our misison. :) 

Penang

Unemployed undergraduate. 

A unforgettable Penang Trip. Willy.