Africa by Accident

Music: Mot Ngay Ban Va Toi by Nguyen Duc Cuong

I finished reading The Black Nile about 2 weeks ago.

P/s: so far i've read 16 books this year, which is far from the target of 30 i've set back in January. But then again, at the time i didnt know i would be doing my masters.

When i bought the book earlier this year (yes i brought this book, and a few more from home), i wanted to read a book on Egypt. But the title turned out to be misleading. I made the mistake of assuming the Nile and Egypt are synonymous, how ignorant of me. The author of the book is a journalist who travelled from Uganda, through Sudan..and ended up in Egypt, on the Nile where possible, and keeping as close as possible to the mighty river whenever he had to travel by land. I also found out there's actually the Blue Nile and the White Nile, which finally merges into the Nile that we all know.

In the first part of the book i was disappointed, mainly because it wasnt a story that i expected, and he was talking about the traveling mostly. But later on, when he started talking more about the conflict and civil war in Sudan, the things he saw, the people he met and the stories he heard along the way, it became interesting.

I rarely read about politics and war in Africa, most were new to me, having only been interested in reading about the middle east. Therefore all this new information was quite revealing. Oh the things we dont know. I also always assume that Egypt is in middle east, which is obviously not true. Anyway, the only familiar issue to me was when the author made some references about Joseph Kony.

So i ended up really liking the book, and finally understood why the author titled it The Black Nile. I was also suprised and disappointed at the same time to know that Malaysia, i.e. Petronas is indirectly (or directly even) related to the war in Sudan.. The travel was done a few years before Sudan and South Sudan became independent countries last year (this i knew, but not the history of how or why it happened).

Unsurprisingly, its another war story triggered by the fight for oil resources. Its just appalling to realize that millions of people have died around the world because of oil, and i am a part of it by virtue of being a consumer, and i most definitely cant live without it. What a sick world we live in. Here are some excerpts from the book that mentioned Malaysia.

Awkward With Kids

Music: Just by Radiohead

Last week, upon invitation by the Christian Fellowship Club of my school, i participated in a program to teach english to some underprivileged kids, or so i was told.

So in the end i didnt really teach any english, but we helped the kids with some picture coloring activities, crossword puzzle, and origami. Buat kapal je (nasib baik aku ingat), coz earlier they learned about noah's ark. It was held at a very modern looking church. They also sang an apparently famous song called 'jesus loves me'.

Regardless, we were divided into groups, the younger kids in 2 groups, and the older ones in 1 group. The age range was between 4-12 i think. I wanted to stick w the older kids cause then i can talk to them (they can speak english well) and also i didnt want to do things like 'cakkkk!' with the younger kids. But alas they told me to layan kanak2 yg paling kecil skali.

Omg, i was like so stupid. Sumpah x reti ok. So i just stood there and became the color pencils holder. And during the crossword puzzle activity which i can finish in like 5 minutes with 12 words to find.. I had to pretend i didnt know and to 'search the word together'. Well whats the point if they dont look for the words themselves right. I gave clues.. Sometimes made expressions of utter happiness and awe when they found the words. Omg, so weird. First time ive ever had to do anything like this. And when doing the paper boat, i waited for the kids to show me the steps.. And then say how clever they are.. Hahahhahha.

The kids mostly ignored me though.. It hurtssssssssss!! Waaaaaaa... But one kid came to me and did it all with me and gave me high fives and what not.. Its like he was the adult and i was the kid. I was soooo grateful for this sweet little kid. He made it not awkward at all and that made me feel much better.. So grateful that i made him another origami (not paper boat) and colored it and said 'this is for you'. He said thank you and i saw him slipped it in his jacket pocket. Then when all the kids were starting to leave, he sort of lingered around and looked at me.. So i took a picture with him.

The church we went to was in a place in Onsan, and i was told today that it is the poorest place in Korea. I dunno if thats really true. But the area has a lot of chemical factories, high pollution and nobody wants to do the job in the factories coz its dirty, dangerous, and lowly paid.

The programs for the underprivileged kids, mostly who has single parents, is supported by the government. The church was so high tech ok. 2 large flat screens, equipped with computers and projectors, stereo system. Around the hall there were 2 drum sets (normal and electronic), sooo many guitars (acoustic and electric alike), and an organ. We were served some fruits and food after the kids were gone. All in all it was a really good outing. Will probably join again next time round, if time permits.

Coincidentally i just finished reading the book Little Princes by Conor Grennan the day before, who told of his experience taking care of orphans (or rather, victims of child trafficking) in Nepal.

Live from Jordan

I thought a one hour run on the treadmill could give some needed endorphins to lift my spirits up, but that didnt happen. This sort of confirms an article i read recently that the fact that ppl feel better after exercising is possibly not all that true. Based on the research done, it concluded that its the idea of exercising rather than the act itself that gives the feel good factor. Although i do still believe that endorphins does actually make one feel better. I guess it depends on the kind of emotion and state of mind during the exercise that determines the level of feel good hormones that you produce. Now that is my own theory, dont quote me on that. But i digress. I want to talk about this great book i just finished actually.

So i did accomplish something today. I finished a book titled Live from Jordan by Benjamin Orbach, one of the 7 books i ordered through our school library. The book was everything o expected and much more. Written by an American Jewish that have a commendable working knowledge on middle east issues and its history who went to Jordan University to further his arabic language studies, a Michigan alumni (undergrad), masters from John Hopkins, a stint of summer studies at Hebrew University and another uni in Cairo.. He gave a wonderful narrative of the lives and thoughts of arabs that became his friends while he stayed in Amman and Cairo, and travelled to Syria, Palestine, and Turkey, mostly regarding politics, America's foreign policy, the Palestinian issue, anti-americanism.. Etc. ok that sounded boring but in actual fact it was damn good read. All those time i spent reading the news and opinion pieces about the middle east on every reputable news website imaginable (al jazeera, ny times, times, economist and many more) was not for naught. The author gave me a clearer understanding on some issues, while putting his unbiased and objective thoughts and observations (for the most part).. And i also got some quick and concise history lessons as well.

A highly recommended book. It brings the current book im reading (yes ive already started on a second book today) to shame. Im reading it so fast just to get it over with. Haha.

So thats already two posts today. I should get a life. Till then.

Happy yet lonely

Music: Angels by Robbie Williams

I've mentioned a few times how great my new found friendships with these really great bunch of people here are.. But as wonderful as they are, i miss my old friends and my family a lot. Starting a new chapter of my life by coming to a place without knowing anyone, in an international setting excited me. But right this very second i long for the familiarity back home, with people whom ive known for the most part of my life. To put it simply, i am homesick and lonely.

In the past few weeks, ive noticed some changes in  me. I remember i last time i felt that i was changing was around 4-5 years ago when i started caring for different things, some things became unimportant and i became interested in matters that i wouldn't have cared to think about before. I guess that was a transition from being a teenager and student to real adult life with jobs and friends around me taking that important, almost inevitable, step into family-hood. This time round, it probably has something to do with me reaching the 30-year mark of my life..

Granted, when it comes to traveling, ive been to more places than the majority of my friends. In that regard, ive been told many times, "i wish i could do the things that u've done". But i guess with the absence of any plans relating to marriage, there was nothing else to do or pursue the past few years. Although i still have yet to feel the urge to start a family even now. Hence why I decided to do my masters anyway. Maybe I will never ever want to start one. But never say never right. Or is it because I haven't met anyone. Or because I have been disappointed over and over again.

I still cannot pinpoint what is changing in me right now, but i know that i am. The process has started but the results have yet to materialize. It is said that doing masters is sort of the time when you discover, or maybe rediscover yourself, especially when you are abroad. However i dont really feel that way at the moment. Its all so confusing to me right now.

Anyway, I can say that I am happy here. Just once in a while the feeling of loneliness decides to drop by for a visit. So a message to anyone who is reading, never fail to appreciate those loved ones around you.. whom you get to spend time with even when at times you feel like they irritate the hell out of you (it happens right?). At least you have them around.

With that said, i should be off to the gym right now to keep up with the Shin Ohtake workout program that I've been trying out. So far so good, as I've lost 1 kg in a week. But man his regime is really tough. 

Free Books For The Bookworm

Music: A Thousand Years by Christina Perri

One cool thing about my school's library is that we can place orders for books that we want, and they will buy for us upon approval by the prof in charged. A few weeks back i requested for 7 books, all non fiction. 4 books have arrived and the remaining 3 have been ordered. This is pretty cool for someone who loves bookstores like a kid loves candy stores (aku la), coz english books are super expensive here. Moreover, the selection of english books here are dismal!! Granted i wont own the books, but its not big a deal coz i rarely read any book twice..in fact, the only books ive ever read more than once are those by Judith McNaught.. Hahahha.. And that was 10 years ago. Oh yeah.. And Harry Potter..

So far i've managed to read 6 books since august. All but 1 were borrowed from the library. Mostly based on real life stories written in a autobiographical but fiction with also some non fiction elements sort of way.. whoa does that even make sense? lol. I've written about some of them previously, but just to summarize..

1) Playing Cards in Cairo - Hugh Miles
This book goes into the personal lives of a few select women in Egypt.. Although i wouldnt generalize the stories and stereotype Egyptian women, it did give a glimpse of the culture there.. And some parts were quite shocking too. For Muslim women that is.

2) The Bang Bang Club - Greg Marinovich
The life of 4 photo journalists covering the situation in South Africa just short of being deemed a civil war starting from the release of Nelson Mandela to the first ever democratic election, is being recounted. Let me just say that this job can really fuck you up, if you're contemplating to be a war-covering journalist or correspondent. I guess thats inevitable when you have to witness brutal murders everyday, take pics, and cant do anything to help the victims.. Shit.

3) Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother - Amy Chua
Personal story by author, married to a Jew, who decided to bring up her 2 daughters the so called Chinese way in America.

4) Fever Pitch - Nick Hornby
I only picked up this book coz of the author. Funny guy. I never knew that the English obsession for their football scene can be to that extent, and Hornby even claimed that he's not that crazy. Coz others are worse, or better.. Depends on how u look at it.

5) We Can Have Peace in The Holy Land - Jimmy Carter
Here the ex Mr. President talks more bulls about the peace process for Palestine. He sounds holy and sincere and all but..mehhhh. Cant believe any US president in this already more than half a century crisis.

6) Lttle Princes - Conor Grennan
An American who had a stint of volunteering in an orphanage in Nepal, only to find out that the kids are not actually orphans, but victims of child trafficking. He set out on a mission to reconnect these childrens with their parents who live in the most remote areas of Nepal (particularly the Humla region). Noble work. The story was personalized to what author felt and thought and experienced yada yada.. I really liked it though. Cried a few timrs too.. But i've learned to read these type of books with a pinch of salt after discovering the half truths if Greg Mortenson's Three Cup of Tea.. There's probably some embellishments here and there.. But nevertheless Grennan sounded more real and honest compared to Mortenson.

Ok, now i must aim to read those 7 books i ordered in a span of 2 months.. cant wait!! Text books can take a backseat hahaha.

Cold Day Running

Music: Skyfall by Adele

Today i participated in my first ever 10km run in Koreaaaaaa. I thought i'd never do these runs again. But an opportunity came up and i registered.

The event was called the Ulsan Marathon for Human Rights. Although i didnt see anything displayed wrt human rights.. I expected a display booth for awareness or something, but nada. As usual, after 1km of running i regretted joining the run. Why dont i ever learn from past experiences, i wonder. Furthermore, it was extremely cold today, cloudy and no sun. Urghh the torture!! I didnt even practice and didnt have my carbo load aka rice for dinner last night and didnt have bananas to eat before the run.

Anyway, surprise surprise i actually did a personal best at 67 minutes.. My previous record, at last year's std chtd kl marathon was 80 mins. A big improvement!! Didnt expect that. My kenyan friends all did sub 45 mins. Giloooo.

The craziest and maybe a little sakit hati part is that all these old korean men and women were overtaking me like nobody's business.. Damn these old peeps are fit!!! The only ppl i overtook were kids.. And a couple of young ladies..

No matter, it felt so good after i finished, i guess thats why i keep on doing it ;p