Hungry Protesting Students

"New protests against the Israeli offensive were held around the world. Hundreds of Muslim students stormed a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in the Indonesian city of Palu waving Palestinian flags and burning the US and Israeli emblems. "

AFP

I guess demonstrators need food too. However couldn't they have entered the premises in an orderly manner? (They are students after all). I guess if the article was reworded as

"New protests against the Israeli offensive were held around the world. Hundreds of Muslim students entered a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in an orderly manner in the Indonesian city of Palu waving Palestinian flags and burning the US and Israeli emblems"...

it wouldn't have sounded as zesty and would be in contrast to the angst and grief usually displayed by such protests. The KFC staff must have had their hands full.

Conversations with an Indian taxi driver

On the way back to the office in a cab and behind a bus and it goes like this..

Driver: You have plenty friends driving bus (motions to bus in front)?
Me: No
Driver: Plenty Filipino drive bus no?
Me: I'm not Filipino.
Driver: Oh so where you from?
Me: Singapore, and take THAT! (I bash him in the face)

The above is just so typical of the generalisation and assumptions that go on here and is extremely annoying but I can't help the way I look any more than he can help assuming that all Filipino looking characters ARE Filipino. (They could be Malaysian or Indonesian or in my case, Singaporean) This incident is not the first and it sure as hell ain't going to be the last.

And no, I didnt bash him in the face, although I would have liked to.

Back in Dubai

As expected, time has flown and I am now back in Dubai. The trip home was a good one which in no small part was due to the fact that I took it slow and did not plan too hectic a schedule for myself. I also managed to cross everything off my list from eating what I wanted (Chilli crab - twice!) to getting my brushes and paints. I also took almost every opportunity to stuff myself silly and get myself drunk. Why at the Xmas office lunch party I was blind drunk by 5pm! (Something I told myself never EVER to do again.)

The Malacca trip to attend the inaugural Sequerah clan reunion was okay but the trip was more to catch up with second cousin Cecilia and spend time with Geraldine who graciously put up with going up that rotating tower contraption with me.
The National Service reunion was also a blast although a few people whom I was hoping would be there did not turn up. Big thanks to Alfee for driving me home that night! (yes...I was drunk).

And I finally got to meet Geraldine's mother (twice) who said I was a "nice boy". I have been told that this in itself means high praise already.

Towards the end of those 16 or so days at home, it felt like it was time to go "home"... It also helped that Geraldine would also be flying out to Dubai a few hours after me.

Happy as a Pig in Shit.

I am as happy as puck! It's only half a day more in the office and then it's 2 weeks of hardcore eating, drinkin', camera equipment shopping and lotsa bonin'.

Heeeeyah!

This time next week..

I will be home!

Photography by the Creek.

We had a photography walkabout by the creek last week when it was nice and cool, unlike the oven like conditions we experience a few months ago.

As usual the creek was bustling with activity.

There was a marathon going on. The recent rains left lots of large puddles.

This guy was probably so overjoyed with the weather that he couldn't resist a few cartwheels for my photographic benefit.

The last week was simply wonderful as we had 3 days of public holidays because of Eid, which back home would be Hari Raya Haji. So from Friday to Tuesday we did bugger all. I may have gained a few pounds though but that's okay. With the cold weather setting in I'll need the insulation.

Almost a week more...

As the days past and my fly off date approaches, my motivation to do anything (particularly work) declines. It feels like the 12th of December is going to be some sort of release for me. I used to think that the Xmas lights along Orchard road were corny but now I somehow cannot wait to see them!
Will it feel like it did the last time going home, like waking up from a dream?