Hong Kong

     Some years back I went to Hong Kong, my first trip to the city, for a job interview. I was not really hunting for job but this company called me up for the interview and it's worth the try to test my market value, as they say. Although I didn't get the job, maybe my asking price was too high, it was an experience I won't forget. My first time to go to HK, although I have been travelling to so many other places, so I need to rely on myself to move around.

At the HK airport train terminal bound to the city

Azkals

       Some years ago, Azkals went to Singapore to play against, I think, Indonesia or Singapore. That time, it seemed Azkals was darling of the Philippines, they ignited interest in football in the country hooked in basketball. I was a fan boy of football especially that their manager is a fellow Waray, someone coming from my province, my junior in high school.

     We followed them all the way to their hotel after the match since my friendship with their manager and staff helped got me informed where they were billeted. With my Singapore gang we  took photos with them.

Pic with them, I can only remember Etheridge, their goalkeeper

The Hague

    While Amsterdam is officially the capital of Netherlands, The Hague is the de facto capital, or the administrative capital. Here they also house the UN's International Court of Justice(ICJ). In one of my meetings in 2018 when I was working, my former company was based in Netherlands, I visited The Hague with a colleague from China, Steven Mao, last time our  Regional Technical Manager while I was the Regional Marketing Manager.

Breakfast with Stephen at a cafe in The Hague

     I happened to be in The Hague when the Philippines was at the height fighting diplomatically with China at the ICJ over control in South China Sea, and remains unresolved up to today. It is an issue which is highly political. It's not just about who owns these islands but who controls the sea for power. The US definitely will not give up as this sea is commercially strategic thus the world's super powers are fighting control over it, and the Philippines is caught in between.

Arriving at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam 

 

     From Schipol Airport, we took the train to The Hague since our meeting would only be the day after. Unfortunately it was a Sunday, so most of the offices were closed so I joked the ICJ couldn't entertain our dialogue with my Chinese colleague.

Around The Hague 

    We explored the whole city since our meeting starts only the next day. It was a pleasure walking around in their climate which was cool and not humid. I do miss my old job and those meetings, totally detached from realities of the Philippine poor society.

Tioman Island in Malaysia

     Part of the perks of being in Jotun Malaysia was the annual trip. In October 2010 we went to Tioman Island, a serene island in the eastern side of Pahang state. It was my last trip with the company before I resigned at the end of the year. That time, I was contemplating of leaving because I was not happy with my immediate superior. I had no idea by December I would have made up my mind.

The Regional Lab team in the boat

     We were, and still remains, very close in the regional lab, like brothers and sisters. Some of them visited the Philippines some years back, I think 2012. We went to Sagada in the Mountain Province. I really miss them. I think they were my colleagues who were my friends too in the personal level. I won't forget these guys even if we've gone separate ways, we're far away from each other. Some remains in Jotun while others have embarked other journeys in their lives like me.

Snorkeling was one of the must-do in Tioman

He Should Be in the Government

     I seem to be pleased with this guy that I feel he should be in the government. He should be part of the government. He ran for Senator in the last election but did not make it beaten by the traditional politicians.

Yesterday he posted this

   I think he is doing some good things in Mindanao in his farm. If many in the government have his thinking, the lives of the poor farmers would be better I believe.

     Yesterday, I watched David Rocco's Dolce Southeast Asia and his talk with a Thai who went back to his rural hometown in the northeast Thailand instead of Bangkok. He didn't like the commercial life in Bangkok. Instead, he talked about he opted to go organic farming to answer his basic needs. His mind shift was crucial, from commercial city lifestyle to rural way of life. I must imbibe this way of thinking in my new life.

Nasi Lemak

     Nasi lemak is the national dish of Malaysia, it seems. All the races enjoy it especially for breakfast. It started from the basic but now there are many versions with different add-ons. I have learned to love it, even the spicy versions. I used to take it for breakfast in Malaysia. They are peddling it on the streets in the morning wrapped in banana leaf.

     I searched the internet on how to make the basic nasi lemak and found this simple menu  which I assume seemed to be the basic. If time allows me, I want to try it here and see how my family finds it. This is the very basic recipe. In Malaysia, I tasted those with fried chicken, fried fish, beef/mutton curry or stew.

The ingredients to make the rice

The ingredients to make the sambal (something like sauce)

Autumn in Korea

      I was in Korea at the right time it seemed. We had our company regional meeting in Gyeoungju, South Korea, when I was still working, then on the last day, it was pleasure time. We had the chance to see the blooming trees of fall. It was an experience I won't forget.

The colorful leaves of trees

This is maple I believe

Wonderful trip