便宜货...

有時候便宜不見得是不好，端看你怎麼看待它...... 真正的價值不在於金錢，而在於自己心中所佔的地位與份量。 祝每個人找到屬於自己的幸福 便宜貨 作者／狼米 【作家散步道】 我被女人甩了。 我記得，當初我花了畢生的心血，好不容易才追到這個女人。 我送她大把大把的玫瑰；逛街時買她最喜愛的名牌； 出遊時帶她上著名的景點、住高級的飯店；吃飯時，當然也是名貴餐廳的精緻餐點…… 我用我所想得到的奉獻，給予她滿滿的愛情。 她說我是世界上最懂羅曼蒂克的好男人。 然後半年後，她有了別的男人。 之後的日子，我開始忘記怎麼刮鬍子。 偶爾，也會忘記吃飯；或是忘記洗澡。 唯一清楚的是還記得去上班。 突然有一天放假時，我一回神，發現自己頂著一頭亂髮，穿著皺T恤、運動褲與夾腳拖鞋走在鬧區的街上。 我摸摸褲子口袋，皮夾裡只剩幾個銅板、一兩張零鈔， 於是慢慢拖步走向最近的那家銀行，插入提款卡一看，只剩幾千塊餘額。 我打了個哈欠……記得半年多前，我好像還有近百萬的存款，全都花到哪裡去了？想不起來。 但在下個月的薪水入帳前，我好像得先想個辦法解決這半個月民生問題。 我領了兩千塊，進了一家宣稱最便宜的量販店裡（因為我記得家裡冰箱內就只剩半罐乳瑪琳）。 然後我看到這輩子完全沒看過的光景！ 天啊！為什麼會有這麼多人？！ 還大多是攜家帶眷的出動，而且每個人的手上的手推車都是滿滿的， 好像東西都是免錢的一樣猛搬！ 我推著車被迫擠著前進，漫無目的的到處亂看， 然後在熟食區看到一個讓我不禁精神一振的東西，是我最喜歡的──涼拌毛豆莢。 標價：100公克8元。 怎麼可能？！太便宜了！我隨手剝了一個試吃，哦！味道還不錯嘛～很高興的拿了袋子開始裝。 就在我包了一大包準備去稱重時，然後就聽到隔壁有個太太在跟她老公對話， 老公說：「買點毛豆吧。」 「8塊？漲價了，上禮拜我們買的時候才5塊呢！」那太太嘖道。 我一聽簡直就是傻眼！5塊？！再看看我手上那一大包…… 算了，還是買吧，因為這樣對我而言已經是很便宜了， 記得有次跟前女友去某家茶餐廳吃下午茶，一小碟毛豆估計只有十幾枚， 只夠塞牙縫，卻要價50呢！ 而我這一袋稱稱，剛好一斤，600公克48元。神啊！這夠我剝到手軟了～ 後來我更在其它什區發現許許多多便宜的東西，精神一起，不知不覺搬一搬，滿車了… 用手機的計算機算一算，才一千多塊！ 而這些東西可夠我吃到下個月啊！我霎時有種很滿足的感覺。 推著車子到收銀區去排隊，一邊等著一邊思考了許多事。 我該重新過活了。 想想分手也好，我不再需要一天到晚24小時待命等她Call； 假日的時間可以自己安排，想做什麼就做什麼； 不用再費心思去想著怎麼討她歡心；約會的開銷也通通都自動歸零… 半年多來，我從百萬富翁變成窮光蛋，也實在是夠不可思議了。 終於，我前面那一位顧客，堆在輸送帶上那座山一樣的東西，已經快結完了， 馬上就要輪到我，我正準備推車卡位時，一轉眼就瞄到身後排了一個女人。 她手裡拿著一個便當，一瓶蕃茄果汁。耐心等候著。 真是稀奇，在這種地方，只買兩樣東西？ 我看了她一眼，說：「讓妳先結帳吧。」 她眼睛一亮，非常燦爛的笑著：「真的嗎？謝謝，謝謝，謝謝！」 她一邊結帳一邊跟收銀小姐說：「今天人真是多。」 「因為中元普渡快到了，這是正常現象。」收銀小姐面無表情的刷著條碼說。 「還好有這位好心的阿伯，看我只有兩樣東西，就說要讓我先結帳，真是太感謝了～」 說著就笑著跟我揮手說再見。 〝阿伯？！〞我大驚！ 她算起來是跟我平輩吧！叫我阿伯？我看起來有這麼臭老嗎？ 不會吧？我一邊結帳一邊越想越不甘心。 我頂多只是不修邊幅，難道這樣就使我成了老態畢現的中年糟老頭了嗎？ 自尊心嚴重受損……推著車子走出去時，看到那個女人正坐在餐廳區吃便當。 我忍不住走過去： 「小姐，妳幾歲？」 「咦？剛才的阿伯。我嗎？我28。阿伯，你問這個要做什麼？」 「沒，我只是想證明妳不能叫我阿伯，因為我才30歲。」 「啊？」她掩嘴，「對不起，我以為……」 「沒關係，是我自己頹廢。」 看到她的便當，終於讓我記起餓的感覺，於是，「妳可不可以幫我看一下車子？」 我把車子放在她身邊，然後去點了一份59元的排骨麵套餐又回來，開始專心吃午餐。 吃著，我可以感受到她的目光頻頻偷偷打量著我， 我低著頭吃麵，突然冒她一句：「妳一直偷看我，我會以為妳暗戀上了我喔。」 她被我的突然說話嚇了一跳，我心裡感到好笑。 「呃，不是……我仔細再看看你以後，發現你的確不是老，只是邋遢而已， 如果好好整理一下，應該是個年輕的帥哥才對。你不該那麼懶的。」 「我不是懶，只是失戀而已。」 「啊？對不起…」她又掩嘴了。 後來我們變成了朋友。 我們最常一起做的事當然就是去逛量販店，或是任何有跳樓大拍賣的百貨公司。 從那次起，我終於體會到為什麼有些人就是喜歡打折這種名詞。 因為撿便宜會讓人產生一種類似多巴胺的激素，從骨子裡感到舒暢得很； 只不過這種激素有一種缺點──大量分泌時，常會讓人失去理智就是了。 我發現她很容易感到開心。 前女友要送99朵玫瑰才會笑；而她，只是在白河路邊， 隨便買一枝10元的蓮花給她，她就高興到會轉圈圈。 前女友要吃燭光晚餐才會覺得滿意；而她，只是在夜市請她吃鹽酥雞， 就快樂得走路都會用跳的。 前女友就算我每天接送，也不見感動； 而她，只是因為我知道她正在經期間，所以買泡沫紅茶時便吩附店員不要加冰塊而已， 她就窩心到緊緊抱住我。 太便宜了！這麼不費力的女人，不追到手怎麼行？ 後來，有一次我跟她在某百貨公司的花籃車拍賣裡，把一整堆像山一樣的衣服， 一直挑挑挑，挑過不要的就放另一邊，像愚公移山似的，一座山被移成另一座山， 店員的表情讓我不禁暗笑到內傷； 後來終於挑到一件中意的裙子，只不過有點髒污，以及脫線。 她回家洗乾淨並縫補好它，下次再穿出來時，看起來竟是高級貨色！ 她說，有時候便宜不見得是不好，端看你怎麼看待它。 交往半年後，她懷孕了。 我想，這應該叫做買一送一。

Europe 2007

Embarked on a 17 day journey (from 23rd Mar to 12th Apr) to a much dreamed place, Europe.
SG - KL - Frankfurt - Krakow - Prague - Budapest - Vienna - Venice - Rome - SG.

This had been the longest trip yetsofar... and its really tiring tokeep travelling. Having to readjust to the new environment each time, the weather, the environment, the train or tram or bus system. Many firsts, many new experience, many new people we met. Each day becomes a new experience. There's so much to talk abt, but sadly.. i was too lazy to blog as we travel. Despite carrying my small computer.

I miss SG food alot. we got really sick of pizzas, geletos, breads every mean... Suffering from jet lag.. 6 hrs behind SG time.. got to catch some sleep..

Wallets Anyone??

迎新年，贺新年‘07

推旧迎新，清理旧物，并不是喜新厌旧，不怀旧，或是狠心。 而是为了摆脱过去的阴影，大刀阔斧，一刀两断，来个直接了断，劈开新道，瞻望美好的未来。。。

亚洲 - 欧洲 之游

跨越两州，化越时空。
风俗民情，五彩品分。
海天辽阔，金时点滴。
处处欲游，该往何处？

2007!!!

Tine to let go of the Red Balloon...

Changi Airport

Home Sweet Home...
Meeting a friend at Pacific Coffee at T1 for coffee. I love this place. Tucked in one corner of the airport where at Counter 1. Coffee, Free Wireless Internet, Greenery at the background, Aircon, a HUGE couch, a leg rest, soothing music. Lovely place. Sacrificing all these once i decide to settle down in SG... or maybe somewhere else...
Changi Airport is still the best airport in the region. It feels like HOME

Palmy - "kwaam jep bpuat" from Beautiful

ใคร คนที่เคยรู้ใจ รอยยิ้มที่เคยรู้จัก กำลังจะหายลับไปทุกที
krai kon tee koie roo jai roi yim tee koie roo jak gam-lang ja haai lap bpai took tee
Someone who used to understand me so well and the smile that I was familiar are fading slowly away from me.

คำพูดที่ซึ้งใจ ที่เคยว่ารักมากมาย ไม่มีอีกแล้วนับจากนี้
kam poot tee seung jai tee koie waa rak maak maai mai mee eek laew nap jaak nee
Words of gentleness and of much love are no more from now on.

ถ้าคนจะไป ก็ต้องไป
taa kon ja bpai gor dtong bpai
If someone must go, then it must be.

รักเท่าไรแต่ฉันคงทำได้เท่านี้
rak tao-rai dtae chan kong tam daai tao nee
No matter how much love I have but this is all I am able to do.

ได้แต่ยินยอมรับความเจ็บปวด
daai dtae yin yom rap kwaam jep bpuat
I can only willingly accept the pain.

และฉันจะอดทน แม้แทบขาดใจ
lae chan ja ot ton mae taep kaat jai
And I will bear it although this is torturing me.

ไม่อาจจะวิ่งหนีความจริงที่มันโหดร้าย
mai aat ja wing nee kwaam jing tee man hoht raai
Can never escape the cruel reality.

จะพร้อมจะยอมเข้าใจความเปลี่ยนแปลง
ja prom ja yom kao jai kwaam bplian bplaeng
I am prepared to understand the changes.

จะอยู่เพื่อเรียนรู้ความเจ็บปวด
ja yoo peua rian roo kwaam jep bpuat
I will live on to learn the pain.

จะฝืนเดินต่อไป แม้ไร้เรี่ยวแรง
ja feun dern dtor bpai mae rai rieow raeng
I will move on even though there is no strength left in me.

และคงมีที่สักวันนึง ฉันจะเข้มแข็ง
lae kong mee tee sak wan neung chan ja kem kaeng
And someday I will become strong.

ถึงแม้ไม่รู้ต้องนานสักเท่าไร
teung mae mai roo dtong naan sak tao-rai
Although I never know how long that will take.

เธอ เธอเคยเป็นทุกสิ่ง
ter ter koie bpen took sing
You, you were my everything.

จะขอขอบคุณทุกอย่าง ที่เคยให้ฉันจนวันนี้
ja kor kop koon took yaang tee koie hai chan jon wan nee
I would like to thank you for all the things you have given me until today.

ถ้าคนจะไป ก็ต้องไป
taa kon ja bpai gor dtong bpai
If someone must go, then it must be.

รักเท่าไรแต่ฉันคงทำได้เท่านี้
rak tao-rai dtae chan kong tam daai tao nee
No matter how much love I have but this is all I am able to do.

ได้แต่ยินยอมรับความเจ็บปวด
daai dtae yin yom rap kwaam jep bpuat
I can only willingly accept the pain.

และฉันจะอดทน แม้แทบขาดใจ
lae chan ja ot ton mae taep kaat jai
And I will bear it although this is torturing me.

ไม่อาจจะวิ่งหนีความจริงที่มันโหดร้าย
mai aat ja wing nee kwaam jing tee man hoht raai
Can never escape the cruel reality.

จะพร้อมจะยอมเข้าใจความเปลี่ยนแปลง
ja prom ja yom kao jai kwaam bplian bplaeng
I am prepared to understand the changes.

จะอยู่เพื่อเรียนรู้ความเจ็บปวด
ja yoo peua rian roo kwaam jep bpuat
I will live on to learn the pain.

จะฝืนเดินต่อไป แม้ไร้เรี่ยวแรง
ja feun dern dtor bpai mae rai rieow raeng
I will move on even though there is no strength left in me.

และคงมีที่สักวันนึง ฉันจะเข้มแข็ง
lae kong mee tee sak wan neung chan ja kem kaeng
And someday I will become strong.

ถึงแม้ไม่รู้ต้องนานสักเท่าไร
teung mae mai roo dtong naan sak tao-rai
Although I never know how long that will take.

และคงมีที่สักวันนึง ฉันจะเข้มแข็ง
lae kong mee tee sak wan neung chan ja kem kaeng
And someday I will become strong.

ถึงแม้ไม่รู้ต้องนาน....สักเท่าไร
teung mae mai roo dtong naan .... sak tao-rai
Although I never know how long that will take.

Taken from http://www.ethaimusic.com/lyrics3/621.htm

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RaNdOM totS aNd SiGHts

Morning alarm at 730... too early. I have failed to wake up at 730 again. Coz i was packing my luggage last night...

SIA bought another 9 A380 (Asia Biz News on BBC)??!!

The same motocyc was waiting for me. I look at him. He nods. I nodded. We got onto his bike and off we went. The same traffic jam. The same stalls along the street. Dug out a 20 from my shirt pocket. Korp Khun Krap. He smile. Few words exchanged. It had became a routine...

A young thai boy was standing on the ground floor looking up at the big christmas tree on the 2nd level. "Joy to theWorld" was playing. His brother was playing with the koi fishes beside him. He was pretty much lost in his own world. Does he understand Christmas? How's Christmas like for Thais? For a young Thai boy (i always think tt in abt 10 yrs, Bkk is going to be so much like SG. The people and the place)? Made a point to ask the people that i am going meet abt this today.

Gosh.. the girls on 28th Floor from the advertising agency always look so fashionable and pretty...

My colleague and partner were taking pics in front of the Q-House Lumpini, while waiting for me to arrive. Mickey Mouse and Donald duck?!

Christmas carols are being played in this building too. So Utain, why are all the buildings playing Christmas Carols? "I dunno... most thais dun celebrate and its not even a public holiday."

Met 2 clients today. "So how ya spending your holiday season?" "Going outcountry.." Thais love to travel within their own country. Cheap and many places to see. And Thai is only used in Thailand only. Not a useful language.

Went to "Hong Kong Mkt" for lunch. Haven't quite eaten here for sometime. Had "Gao Lao Bhet" (duck soup with vege). Thai street food always just mix vege and meat together as a single dish. Cheap and good!

Rushed to another site today. The usual jam along Suriwong. Slept on the journey. Woke up abt 20min later... cab fare was abt 65. I love the taxis in Bkk... cheap and good. But know your roads... i paid a few sch fees liaoz. Its quite funny when u get those out of country drivers and you got to teach them how to go to places.

I got a little disoriented as i walked up the bridge. Left or Right. Gosh, I've walked this bridge SO MANY TIMES!!! Left to Paragon, RIght to Central World.

Accor Group. They owe Novotels and Sofitels in the region... The people here speaks good english.

It is freezing cold in the server room. So I held my hands together in front of my face. Just then, my client came in and greeted me "Sawadee krap". I looked at him, a little puzzled. Then i realised, he tot that I was "wai-ing" tohim. We had a good laugh.

Walked around Central World. I think i will miss the freedom here.

Nice weather. It's abt 27 degrees. Some sunshine. Some wind. Cooling, yet there's warmth from the sun. I love the weather. I heard tt it can get to abt 5 degrees in Chiang Mai at this time.

"Hello, do you need anything?" "Adobe illustrator. U can use it for your collages next time too" "they are my tools wherever I go". I wonder where i will go next. What i will be doing.

Its so easy to spot SG people in Bkk. Go to Siam or Chatuchak, keep quiet and listen. You WILL hear a SG talking somewhere... 4 guys talking abt their shopping trip?!?! I met them again at MBK. They were pretty surprise to see someone in office clothes, carrying a laptop, talking onthe phone in SG English. HAHA...

Stupid Alvin offed his HP. Too bad, I can't get your Ume Shumero "Hold Down Gum". Its suppose to be SUPER HARD hair gel. I wonder how much does it cost?!!?!

Went to Patpong with a SG colleague and his gf. The vendor quoted 900 for a leg chain!?! Discussed in thai. 400! OK! Darn... i think it could go lower.

Same CD shop. Darn... i dun have a DVD writer/ reader at home?! Can only settle for the CDs. It costs 1/2 the price than in SG, if you can find. Anyone can donate a old drive?

Stupid 10 baht can't be accepted by the BTS ticketing machine. A nice guy offered to chnage that 10 baht.

I hardly get to sit on trains. Coz i know i will have to give up my seat as someone else who needs it more will come onboard. I got my seat today and decided to sit on to it.

Nice dinner today. Celebrating the New Yr / Xmas with the rest of my thai colleagues coz i am leaving for SG tom. Beautiful place. Its call Dairy Queen, Krung Bhpet Saphan. Near to Pier 61, further down Yok Yor. Nicer food and nicer environment than Yok Yor. But a little further. Many traditional thai food today. 6 people, < SGD 90. Brought our own Red Label and Red wine. No corkage. "Raw prawns and bittergourd with chilli and fish sauce".. can't rem the name of the dish. I first had it at a restaurant in Thong Lo with a thai friend.

Thais loce to just speak in thai. I'm lost in my own world again. Sometimes picking up some funny things. Sometimes just simply lost... Gonna take sometime to understand people. Although its a little to let people understand where i wanna go and wat i wanna eat.

Salary in thai can be very low... ireally dunno how they survive on it. There's a social fund and also a provident fund, to provide BASIC medical needs and retirement planning. Sometimes i feel guilty about spending too much. Sometimes it irks me tt our company pays them so little. But thais are Happy Go Lucky people... they just carry on with their life..Sook San...

I tot... BKK seems small. But as i explore further, there's more to this place. (I only know the BTS and MRT regions!) The people, their old culture, the ermerging culture, the buildings, the roads.. all foreign but sometimes seemed familar... Kinda getting used to the place.

Betting on the Future

Having a Vision?
Having a good Hunch?
Think you have good Foresight?

Let's take a bet on the Future!
http://www.ideosphere.com/