On the left is the ancient toys. It is not allow to take any pictures in the Museum, a guard halted me while I taking the photos. Later on, when others were not around, he showed me around to take pictures, at the end, he asked for tips... I thought he is so friendly just because I look like Chinese. At the end, I gave him 50 rupees, really hate giving out bribe!

The staue head on the right got an empty hole, back then there were diamond on the Buddha's forehead, but the savage british army took it away.

The statues crafting style was greatly influence by Greek back then, that's why if you pay attention on the nose, it is more pointed.

These are real gold that the people of the past put it behind their ears as accesories.
After taking the pictures, the guard asked me if I have a pen, I try to look it out inside my bag but couldn't find a pen, then we saw he had a pen inside his pocket, at first I thought he want to borrow a pen, he lead us into the VIP room just because he is funny, later on we found out he is asking for a non-monetary bribe

The guard open the door and lead us to a VIP room of the museum, I quickly took a few pictures of the ancient coins.

Pictures from Taxila Museum

婆婆（祖母）逝世了

今天下午和同事去打篮球，临走之前拿起手机，看看时间，发现手记有两个短信，一个是项目经理问买车的事，另一个就是我妹妹发给我的短信，里面写着：“grandma just pass away。”我顿时说了一声“Shit!"
在离开伊斯兰堡之前，我也曾考虑到不知道我婆婆能够过得了这个年没有，她已经九十多岁了，从我在美国回来度假时就已经看她在床上趟了好几年。她其实健康一直都很好，没有现代人的高血压，胆固醇过高的问题，只是到了85岁以上之后，健康比较没那么好了，曾试过几次不小心跌倒了，我想老人会跌倒，也是因为脚没有力而容易失足的缘故，也不知道什么开始，她就只是躺着，偶尔坐着，后来的几年，都是一直睡在床上了，脚的肌肉也慢慢萎缩了。
她的离开，也让我想起很多以前的事情，就像电影那样，一幕一幕的呈现在我脑海里。我婆婆姓李名有，是大陆和我公公移民过来的，我问她几岁时，她都不记得的，每次都跟我说她生下谁和谁时是几岁。我婆婆不喜欢吃豆芽和鱼肝油，鱼肝油是后来才知道的，不喜欢吃大豆芽是因为她以前就是在市场里面靠卖豆芽为生的，看到都怕了，她的手指，也是因为每天拿着篮子洗豆芽，结果久而久之，手指的第三截（长手指甲的那截）都扭曲了。可以看出我们的先辈都是很辛勤的工作，慢慢的养活下一代，希望他们能够过得比自己好。而我公公好像是来南洋做矿工，这个我也不是很清楚，因为去世得早，所以没看过他。当时婆婆就这样带着四个儿女长大，供养了独生子的爸爸去日本念大学。一家生活得非常节俭，我爸还告诉过我他中学时，每天四点要起床送豆芽去。我婆婆曾经告诉我她以前的老家后面都是树胶山，当时也有人问过她要不要买，她说如果把存下来的钱都买下了那片树胶山就没钱供爸爸读书。她是不识字的，知会只会些数字。如果当时买了那片山，现在可就寸土成金了，因为那片山就在吉隆坡。
xxxxx小时候的婆婆xxxxx
记得小时候，婆婆最疼我大哥，每天她都负责接送我哥哥去上幼儿园，当时妈妈还在工作，只有婆婆和工人在家。有位本地佣人和婆婆很要好（当时没有听说什么菲佣，印尼佣的），这个工人在我家做了好几年，我们都叫她“群姐”，我最记得有一次这个工人搬我洗澡，我看见地上有一只红色的小蜈蚣，告诉了她，她把蜈蚣在我面前踏死，这一幕，我永远都记得，后来中学时候我看见她在一间商场开了一个小食店，那是七，八年后的事，我当时由于害羞的关系，没敢上前和她打招呼，后来，我从此以后也没再看到过她了，如果再相遇，我一定会走前去向她问好。还有一次也是在洗澡间发生的事，有一次洗澡洗到一半，厕所里面出现一只大蟑螂，把我吓得蹲到水缸的上面，那时候我马上喊我婆婆，叫她过来把蟑螂打死。我婆婆听到我的叫声，还以为发生了什么大事赶紧跑过来。她看见我全身赤裸蹲到水缸上面，笑得见牙不见眼。后来因为这个事，也被她日后拿来当笑柄。。。
有一次，大概五，六岁时，和兄妹一齐在家里玩赛跑，说好谁跑第一就可以赢玩具箱里面最大件的玩具。当时我竟然跑了第一，但是我跌倒了，我的额头撞向了台阶，开始流血了，我永远没有忘记那一幕，当时我也没感觉非常痛，走进屋里，看着地上时，看见许多血一滴一滴的滴在地上，到底流了多少血我自己也不清楚，当时婆婆很着急，马上打电话给我爸爸，叫他回来带我去看医生，同时用毛巾帮我按着额头止血。之后我也忘了细节，但是有一点没有忘记的就是当医生在我额头上缝针时，可是痛死我了！那么多年了，疤痕一直还留在我的额头上，就这样破相了，也不知道老天爷还认不认得我。
小时候不知道怎么搞的，和附近一个小孩打起架来，由于自小体弱多病，长得瘦瘦小小，不够人家打，那个小孩用扫把棍瞧了我一把，我哭着跑回家，婆婆看见了从家里，走出来帮我出头，那个小孩见状，也急忙跑回家去。哼，我想要我现在跟这个小孩打架，估计不会打输了。
我小时候，和婆婆吵了一架，骂了她一顿，可能当时说了一些很让她伤心的话，说她只疼哥哥，不疼我，有时候也不知道是不是我脾气不好还是什么（虽然我还是决定我属于脾气比较好那种），我爸妈也都被我骂过，当然事后我还是觉得很内疚，因为觉得不应该这样跟长辈说话，只是有时候很生气时忍不住。当时和婆婆吵了一架以后，她其实也很难过，我记得当晚她很早就去睡了。妈妈知道了这件事以后，叫我去跟婆婆道歉，我记得那时我打开了婆婆的房门，灯是关着的，婆婆在那里还没睡，我叫她一声她还会应我，我走到她床边，跟她说声对不起，之后也没事了，我们有时候还是会一起打扑克牌，知道我中学时，有时候看她无聊，还是会找她一齐配我打扑克牌（其实我是陪她多点）。
我婆婆给我讲过不只一次，一只她以前饲养过的小狗，这只菜狗非常聪明，忘了那只狗的名字。她说那只狗可聪明了，只要你到鸡园里面指着一只鸭或鸡，那只狗就会很机灵的把你要的鸡鸭要着抓来给你。她还说，都怪邻居的一个小孩，跑来她家，用黄豆一颗一颗的扔那只狗，那只狗忍无可忍撞了一下那个小孩，造成他自己跌倒了。后来家长跑来投诉，说要把那只狗关起来，婆婆想要赔钱给他们，但是他们偏不肯。最后，狗被抓去坐牢了。我婆婆说我爸也很疼那只狗，经常放学以后还会带些饼干给它吃，后来也不知道怎样，好像狗被拿去打死还是怎样了。
xxxxx中学时候的婆婆xxxxx
由于婆婆很健康在80岁那年时，还去了香港，台湾，美国旅行，不知道她那时候有没有回唐山（中国）。她每次跟我说“唐山”的事，我当时也搞不懂唐山是在马来还是在中国，有时又说“煤炭山”，长大以后我才知道煤炭山在马来，唐山在中国。
有一次看电视，我婆婆笑得非常大声，不得不佩服她的中气十足，竟然还问我那个是不是周润发还是刘德华之类的问题，真不简单，那么老还知道这些东西，可见头脑还是很清醒。我看见她笑成那样，我也跟着笑了。
我婆婆也很喜欢搞一些针织的东西打发时间，大家都很佩服她眼力很好，没有老花眼，还可以穿针引线。
中学时候，婆婆搬去和我大姑一齐住了，偶尔搬回来住，那时我比较少见到她，感情也慢慢淡了起来。。。

xxxxx大学时候的婆婆xxxxx
1996年那年我妈，我大姑和我一同和我飞去美国，当时婆婆还可以走动，我婆婆在美国和刚结婚买了房子的姑姑住在一齐，看来她那时还是很高兴的，可以探望一些移民到美国的远亲，大家给她搞了一个生日派对，看见照片里的她戴着我姑姑为她配的近视眼呵呵笑起来准备吹蛋糕。我问了一下婆婆为什么不多住一会儿，她说这里天气很冷，还是回去比较适合，那一次，是我最后一次看见她走动的。

xxxxx婆婆的晚年xxxxx
我在美国渡过了52个月以后，第一次回家，看见婆婆趟在塑胶椅上，偶尔坐着，偶尔睡觉，早晚就在客厅坐着跟睡着，我问她要不我把你转去对着电视机的方向，她说不需要，听不懂他们说什么。我的婆婆就只会说客家话以及一些非常简单的马来语，当然还能够写自己的名字，虽然不是写得非常漂亮，但是至少别人看得明白。我们三兄妹的客家话也是从婆婆那里学过来的，可以的话，我以后也要跟我孩子说客家话。反正英文，中文可以到学校学。
有一次晚上回家，家人都上去睡了，她叫我帮她点蚊香，我把蚊香点着后，没有放在太靠近她的位置，因为不知道这种蚊香味吸多了会不会不好。
婆婆看见哥哥结婚了还有抱过了曾孙，相信她也觉得活得差不多了。由于在她有生之年，没机会喝到我给她倒的媳妇茶，所以她事先告诉了我妈，把一枚金戒指转交给送了我，金戒指是比较沉的，可惜没办法带在中指上，只能在结婚时带在无名指上。所以我暂时收起来，等我有一天结婚时才拿出来戴。
第二次回美国度假，我的婆婆已经移到楼上去住了，我以前的小房间兼书房现在是婆婆住了，为了方便照顾婆婆，家里也请了一位十九岁的印尼工人照顾。工人也睡在我房间里面。婆婆跟我抱怨，她很想死但是又死不了，我看见她这样也很难过，她越来越瘦了，看到她这样不禁流下眼泪。
有一天，大姑又跑来跟我投诉，说我爸爸都不进房探望她，很少跟她说话。我不知道他们到底发生了什么事，一天，我气着把我爸拉进来看婆婆，问她好不好。我想，当时我爸可能也是有病了，一个以前很多话的人，变得比较沉默寡言。我妈说，我爸有一次告诉我妈，叫她要坚强一点，他自己说搞不好他会比婆婆先走一步，没想到，正如他所言。
等到我第三次回马来不再回美国，这时候婆婆更瘦了，瘦得像皮包骨似的，有些皮肤得部分也开始溃烂，还好有一个做护士的堂妹带了一些药膏给婆婆搽好了。有时候要比较大声的说话她才听得见，她的记性还是那样的好，可以记得来探望她的人。
记得有一天工人去我哥的家帮忙打扫，差不多三点了还没回来，我于是赶紧拿了碗，盛了碗粥，拿去喂婆婆吃粥，那是我第一次喂她吃东西。婆婆虽然瘦得像皮包骨，但是不知道为什么，她身体还是很重的。我又不敢随便抱她，因为我感觉到她好像很脆弱似的，好不容易我用手臂抱她做到椅子上，一口一口地把粥喂给她吃，她看起来好像很有胃口，她没吃饱，我再那些面包给她吃。吃饱以后，我还拿了一汤匙的鱼肝油准备喂她，希望可以补一下她的钙质，没想到她把带甜的鱼肝油吐出来，说太腥了，我那时候才知道她不喜欢吃鱼肝油，也才知道我们这位工人要照顾我婆婆还不容易，这位叫Wati的工人在我家做了四年，她告诉我妈，说她的背有些疼了（应该是常年抱我婆婆所致），而且很想家，所以要求回去，我们也没有再强求她留下了，她已经帮我们续了一年合约；虽然这个工人偶尔很粗心大意弄坏了很多东西，但是也没怎样责怪她，所以我朋友说我们对工人太好，我告诉他。你对人家好，人家自然对你好，她们又不是赚很多钱，所以我们都从不要求工人一早做到晚，有时七点后没什么事，都可以和我们一齐看电视，累的话可以早点睡。
婆婆一年比一年的消瘦，我也渐渐地因为生活的忙碌，比较少进去房间探望她了，只是偶尔进去看看她怎样，她可以说话时，问问她怎样，或者喂她喝点水。有时看见她的骨头突然痛起来，我的心也很痛。我其实希望她可以早点离开人世，因为留在人世也只有痛苦，这也是她想要的。一次，我大姑也请了一位尼姑来帮她打斋祈福，希望可以安然离去。其实一位老人能够活得那么久，其中一个原因也是因为她有获得适当的照顾，一个老年人如果没有人理他，照顾他，喂她吃和洗澡等等，估计也不能耐多久，等我老了，我也希望不要麻烦人家。Wati临走之前说婆婆虽然是身体功能逐年老化，但是可以多活一年，确实如此。。。
晚上大了个电话给我妹妹和哥哥，听我妹说，昨天婆婆吃不下东西，吃进去就开始吐，晚上请了一位医生到家里，开了药还是不行，今天早上喝了一些麦片，下午的时候就这样呼出她最后一口气离去了这十五个月里面，我痛失了两位亲人，一个爸爸，一个婆婆。看见年迈的婆婆，想去，去不了，改变了一些人生观，以前人家要祝人家长命百岁，但是我真的不期望长命百岁，我想，健健康康地活到70岁也该差不多了，我也不舍求更长命。人生苦短，想做的事，可以的话，趁年轻时去完成，至少今生无悔。
这篇文章，是献给我婆婆的，花了三个半小时完成，由于激起了许许多多的回忆，所以也是流着泪完成的，就是因为这样，我没有把“爸爸走了”这篇东西，写在博客上面，因为爸爸的离开让我更加难过，只要梦见或想起他时，我都会很伤心的。今天吃晚饭时，同事问我难不难过，她说她以前祖母去世时非常难过，我告诉她，难过毕竟是有的，虽然我也感到高兴，因为她不再需要辛苦地等着生命的尽头，因为，她人生已经到达了终点。
“婆婆，很对不起，我很可能没办法赶得及回去送你最后一程，希望你离开人世以后，去到极乐世界后可以永远快乐地活着，我知道你已经脱离了苦海了，虽然我心里感到难过，但我同时也是替您高兴的，因为我知道您已经没有痛苦，你一直期望的那天终于来了，一路好走喔。我回到家以后，一进门，第一件事就会为你上香。多年以后，我们或许会再次重逢吧，再见了！ 孙儿 文广上”

F6市场重游

由于下周就要回家了，所以下午跑到F6市场采购披肩和看看是否还有其他礼品可以买的。
吃过了一餐很贵的KFC（RM20的KFC）以后我们便走到一家我和我同事“认证”过的商店采购披肩，里面的披肩可说琳琅满目，除了出售披肩以外，我之前的波斯（伊朗）丝绸地毯也是这里买的。一进店，就看到那位熟悉的老板面孔，我走过去和他大了个招呼问好，握握手，笑着问他还记得我吗？他当时店里生意很好，还没来得及招待，叫我慢慢看。
我们这次来了一共四人，所以便在店里面一边看一边询价。今天来到这里，两位店员给我“鸟”了他们一顿。主要原因我很讨厌人家对我漫天开价，把我们当成外国人乱砍，对我而言，那是一种智慧上的侮辱，也显示了商家不够老实。每个东西有一个价，如果你知道它不值那么多钱，那么就拜托开一个合理价，我们作为消费者也不是傻的，会心里计算东西的材料成本和人工费用来估一个东西的合理价。很多时候，我一听到第一次开价太离谱，我第一个反应就是走出店门，费事跟他讲太多，纵然他们一般都会接着问我要多少钱。
首先来的是一位新来的店员，对我来说，他是新来的，因为两个月前来的时候没见过他，这是第一个中我“鸟”的人。我拿着一块有许多花纹的Peshmere披肩问他多少钱？（注:Peshmere/Cashmere是一种羊绒材料，主要是巴基斯坦靠近喀什米而(Kashmir)，山上的羊都靠由身上的羊绒保暖，所以羊绒质量不错，能够制成许多披肩，毛衣之类的产品，但是由供过于求，大部分羊绒还是来自蒙古一带，只是别人还是喜欢叫Peshmere/Cashmere，只因为，羊绒来自Kashmir）,店员回复了我要四百。我再问他，这个要四百吗？好像不是纯羊绒的吧。这个店员敢敢当我是第一天来的，他告诉我这是纯羊绒，还说什么品质很好的鸟话。我直接告诉他，那么你拿一个打火机给我，让我证明一下是不是羊绒。他顿时哑口无语，说是混的(it is mixed). 我于是驳斥他别当我是新来的，我再这里好几个月了！他讨出计算器，按了三百。我于是准备转身去看别的东西不想理他，想看看老板是否有空，直接找他谈。
这位店员看我转身，拉着我的手臂，问我要多少钱。我很讨厌这种要求买价开价的讲价方式，我便问回那个店员，不如你告诉我你能卖多少钱；他坚持要我开价（要求我开价讲了两次），我不耐烦的在他的计算器按了50，问他可不可以？（既然他漫天开价，我也胡乱开价），我肯定知道这个价格没法成交，我告诉他，你要我开价我就给你这种价，你要不要？是不是你开价会比较好些？说完，我转身也不想理他了，再看别的披肩。
这次来了老板的儿子，我想大约12岁左右，我其实也不会看小孩几岁，只是随便猜。这个小孩之前我来这个商店也给我做弄了一次，主要原因是上次买地毯时，老是在我耳边的一再强调“good quality”这个字眼，烦死人！我到现在还记得他的声音和长相。我于是便直接问他，既然所有东西那么好，都是Good Quality的，那么，请你告诉一下我，哪些是Bad Quality的？他笑笑，我跟他说，品质好坏是客户评价以后告诉你的，不是你在那里瞎喊你的产品good quality的。
我这次看见他，准备“测试”一下这个小孩给我什么样的报价，我指向一堆我比较知道行情的披肩，问他多少钱，他报了200，我说200？这个100块就可以搞定了！他说没那么低，我坚决地回应，要不我带你去买？他不作声，勉强和尴尬地笑了一下跑开了。我便告诉其他同事，还是我们选定了以后再和老板杀价，不要跟这些小喽啰讲太多了。
在店以后停留了超过一小时，最终四人一共花了尽一百美元，两位同事各买了一条，另一位常驻同事没买，省下的都是我的。我马上主动刷卡，趁机会换些现款。还没付款之前，我又故意做弄了那位小弟一下：），问他价格是多少，装着他爸爸跟我说过，我又忘记了；这次他比较醒目了。直接喊他爸，问他爸算我多少钱。呵呵。
买完披肩以后，另一个同事打电话给我的同事，说顺便带她去买松子，就这样我结束了我今天的采购。上车离开F6市场。

Some Sri Lanka Scenery Pic

Last time I didn't take much pictures in Sri Lanka, so I am adding some pics which were taken by my colleague

一个关于亲情的故事

转摘自公司网

曾听一位老伯讲述过这么一段故事，一个关于亲情的故事：在我们国家西部一个很贫困的山区，那儿常年缺水。那里劳作的牛，一整年就几乎是干渴着身体。也许它们已经在渐渐的去适应这种恶劣的环境，也不得不去习惯环境。但是，水是生命的源泉！ 山区里的饮用水是由地方政府提供的，每月派遣送水车到村里，由村长平均分配。送水车开在崎岖的山路上，一路巅跛，有些水就落到了地面，这时车后面总会跟着牛。它们在吸取快被土地吸干的水份。然而在一次送水的途中，却被一头老牛挡住了道。任凭谁也拉不到它。老牛的主人用鞭子一个劲儿的抽打着老牛干瘦的身体。谁都能够明白老牛不肯离开的原因，可相比之下，水更加的珍贵。牛背被打得满是血痕，老牛却还是一动不动的趴在那儿。此时，水车司机从车内端出了一碗水，对无奈又心疼老牛的主人说：“别打了，这是我带来喝的水，给它喝一些吧，看样子实在是不行了。”这碗水放到了老牛面前，可只见老牛流下了泪，然后朝身后“哞，哞”地叫了几声。在场的人都觉得奇怪，老牛吃了这么多苦，不是为了喝到水吗？却见一头小牛从不远处跑来，趴在老牛身边，对着碗里的水，大口大口贪婪喝着。而老牛只是用舌头舔了舔小牛嘴边的水滴子。原来老牛拼了命去拦截水车，为的就是让自已的孩子能够喝到水。孩子总是那么的幸福，在爱的呵护下茁壮的成长。也许在亲情的观念里，磨难显得是那么的微不足道，那么的不可怕。爱的道路有时只有一个理念，那就是：让我们爱着的人幸福。

兑换率

今天回到Guest House准备进去房间时，柜台经理走过来，喊了一声我的名字，我问他什么事，他从钱包里面讨出30钱人民币，问我这三十快钱如果换成卢比，可以换多少钱？向来数学不是太强的我，用心算从人民币换成马币，再由马币换成卢比。心算到一半时，我又从口袋拿出我的手机，准备做一个换算。大约过了半分钟，他有点不耐烦，索性问我要不他把这三十快钱人民币跟我换五十卢比。我当时还迟疑了几秒，说我考虑一下吧，然后进房间，放下东西，立即大电话问我同事值不值得？因为实在懒得思考，昨晚四点早上才睡觉，头脑已经有点慢了。
同事告诉我值得一换，后来我自己也算了一下，我用三快多马币换取十五快钱，很值得呀！我于是打开房门，跟他说了一声“Deal！”，把五十卢比给他，然后收下他的三十人民币。（应该不会是假钞吧）我问他怎么会有人民币，他告诉我说是之前那两位中国房客因为卢比不够，给了他人民币。这两位中国房客我也见过，因为之前他们上不了网，前台叫我去帮他们弄电脑，之前由于也帮一位日本房客弄过，所以前台每次都找上我了。
有时像这种那么好的东西（三块换十五块），还是多些提防比较好。很多时候就是因为许多人贪小便宜，所以因小失大。曾经看过一部电影，叫做“创业玩家”，许冠文主演的，戏里面有句话令我印象深刻，主角说：“当非常美好的东西和事情降落到你头上时，首先你要问自己，如果有那么好的东西，它到底会不会轮到你呢？”凭着这句话思考，就不容易受骗了。经常很多无名短信，电邮说你中奖了，或者又有什么灵丹治百病的，有或者什么迅速致富的东西，其实很多都是不现实的，但往往还有很多贪小便宜的笨蛋往里面踩，又笨又贪的时候，肯定中招了。所以有时候促销员要“送”或者免费东西给我时，我还懒得收就是这个缘故，世上哪里有白吃的午餐啊？

男人的爱只有一次你珍惜了吗

摘自网上：

人们长说痴男怨女，古人已经解释的很清楚了，痴男，男人对爱的痴情，对感情的专一也只有男人自己才知道。女人一辈子可爱上多个男人,而男人却可以同时爱上多个女人,可女人却不知道其实男人一辈子只爱过一个!
　　男人真正纯洁的爱只有一次的，当那次爱来了，他会不顾一切，当那次爱死了，也就不会再有了，那次爱的太深,然而痛的也太深。
　　所以那次之后男人的爱也就麻木了。男人以后也会爱上别的女孩，只是那种爱却已不再纯洁，包含了欲望，包含了同情，包含了怜惜……
　　女人的心都是水做的，然而最毒也妇人心，所以受伤最多的是女人，伤人最深的也是女人。女人的爱可以有很多次，而男人却永远只有一次的，男人遇到那个最爱的女孩之后把所有的爱都给了她，可有多少女孩懂的珍惜。
　　于是男人哭了，男人流泪了，伤心至极而绝望的泪水，慢慢的男人开始亲手去埋葬自己那唯一的爱，把它尘封在自己心底最深处的某个深渊。
　　可当夜深人静的时候，他会疯狂的跳进那个深渊，妄图去寻找那次爱的痕迹，哪怕是一丝丝一点点，可结果却跟以往一样的一无所获，只留下自己独自缩在黑暗的角落孤独的一根根抽着寂寞的烟，孤独的流着伤心的泪水。
　　当然女人埋怨着男人的花心的时候是否曾想过，男人最珍贵的东西也正是被你们无情的毁灭，当男人羞涩的说着我爱你的时候你珍惜了吗？当男人为你流泪的时候你帮他擦拭了吗？当男人乞求你别离开的时候你回头了吗？
　　都说男人花心，可女人何曾知道，男人的花心是因为痴心，爱极而痴，痴极而痛，痛极而死。这次爱灰飞烟灭后男人对爱的心就死了，男人再也不会对女人真心的付出真正的好了，没有了心劲，没有了激情，不再相信真正的爱情，对爱总带着点玩世不恭，有些事，一辈子只有一次。
　　当男人全心爱过一个人之后,该付出的付出了，全心努力的去把握过，曾试图给她想要的一切，曾试图为她而死，但回报却是无动于衷，于是在一次次寂寞的等待中，心血一点一滴的滴干了，最后心血全无，心灰意冷，当爱情失去信仰，当感情失去忠一的港湾后，对于男人来说,爱情是什么这一切就都显的无所谓了！男人的心冷了，就再也难以热起来，因为爱过一次之后已经让他失去了爱的能力。
　　男人最爱的真的只有一个，男人心里最清楚，如果你是你能感觉到的吗,，感觉到了，请你珍惜好吗？

是有创意？还是没文化？

最近在网上看见一则新闻，主题内容：“张柏芝要把她和谢霆锋的小孩命名为“谢皇上”，是有创意？还是没文化？”
我倒是觉得是没文化多点，这种名字，小孩长大以后不给人笑死才怪，拜托取一个像样一点的名字吧，以免小孩恨父母一辈子！

无聊的长假期

本来放个两天假是不错的，但是也没去什么地方，每天睡到自然醒才起床，吃吃早餐，上上网再睡个午觉又一天过去了。基本上能上的网站也都上了，论坛里面回的贴，还没有我看得快。竟然到Wikipedia查一些以前小时候看过的卡通，查查它们的由来。例如，Smurf，原来是来自比利时的，只是后来被一个美国人带到美国制成卡通外销。这几天真是把电充得很足！

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每天有时候也只是吃一餐，那就是晚餐，早餐不算，因为不需要付费的。所带来的钱早已经花光，目前还跟同事借了250美金过日。原来睡觉还可以省钱，哈哈。当身体进入冬眠状态，就变成了低耗状态，没有那么快肚子饿了。现在到外面吃饭买东西都刷卡，最后两餐还是女同事付帐，等明天把向她借来的50USD换掉，就可以请回她吃饭了。目前现金非常短缺，连一张250卢比的电话卡恐怕也要讨空整个钱包才买得起。

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伊斯兰堡真是可以称为“乌鸦之城”，半夜两点多是还可以听见乌鸦在呱呱叫，真的很吵。除此之外，就是回教堂每天祈祷五次的连环轰炸，由于Guest house靠近回教堂，所以声音比较大。不过，还是觉得乌鸦叫声更加烦，曾有人这么说，多亏这些乌鸦，它们可以帮忙处理四周的垃圾。但是我觉得真的是太多了，应该像以前巴生港口那样，政府给每位打下一只乌鸦的人付50仙，从此以后，乌鸦数量减少了，从此洗脱乌鸦之城的恶名。现在倒是燕子比较多，因为居民在养燕收集燕窝。

The Flight Attendant vs Air Stewardess

“These girls should be more beautiful than the normal girls due to their special occupation.” Quote from my friend that a Stewardess should be more beautiful than a usual girl when they take up their job, and their beauty is the first impression that they can give to the passengers instead of their personality, if they posses both traits, it will be perfect.

I am going to put out my thoughts about Flight Attendant and Air Stewardess.
I still remember the first flight that I travel in life is back on August 7, 1996, Singapore Airline, from Subang Airport to San Francisco, at that time, KLIA does not exist yet. I heard from a friend that traveled more than me, he discussed with another friend of mine which flight's air stewardess is prettier than the others. Well, at least I thought that Singapore Airline's air stewardess is not bad. While I met this friend in LA, I also remember he said that the US domestic flight's air stewardess is old and ugly. Well, I experienced it during my first flight from San Francisco to LA and then from LA to Salt Lake City, I forgot which plane that I took, but I am sure that I travel with Southwest, Delta Airlines, Continental before, I can say that I hardly remember any beautiful air stewardess during my flight, but one thing I never forgot, in most cases, they greeted me with smiles and also I can tell some air stewardesses are very cheerful in personality, despite they might be a bit old( in their forties or fifties )or might not be the one you seen in the Hollywood movie.

Once in a long while I do wonder why the “quality” of the air stewardess in Asia is different than those in US. I finally understand why when I took my Employment Law class. I do enjoy the class because we did a lot of case study about affirmative action, sexual harassment, discrimination against national origin, sex, race, etc. I think the main reason that we have the good looking and the not-so-good looking in both domestic and international western airline is due to they cannot discriminate a person on his or her look as long as he or she can perform the task as a flight attendant. Note that I am using the word “flight attendant” now; this is because people does not use the word like “Policeman” and “Stewardess” for more than ten years, and this is due to sexual discrimination, that’s why they are changing the pronunciation to “Police Officer” and “Flight Attendant”.
Since then, I really have no objection if the Asia International Airline is having a not-so-good-looking flight attendant in the sky, and I also feel great if the attendants are beautiful, as a guy, who will resist that? I think the most important thing for a flight attendant is the friendliness and personality. If a fifty years old auntie who is physically fit on lifting a 8kg luggage, can balance herself while walking on the narrow aisle, off course, provided she also possess a wonderful smile to all the passengers, I really can't see that she is not capable for the job given the same pay with the younger staff. I think the only thing that concern the airline company is the health benefits for the elder cost more than the younger one. Believe me, they tried to avoid this but they can’t, if all the flight attendant are young, they might get sued for Age discrimination.
Is it necessary to hire a young and beautiful flight attendant? I think the Asian airline is a bit shallow on this, if you really need to hire a young and beautiful candidates for your company, then you better run a whore-house, when you need your staff to be pretty, friendly and can provide good service to the customer, because this is necessary to run such business, it became a job requirement, this is the point where great service won't sell if my employees are as ugly as hell. As for modeling company, they can shelter under the discrimination law, in my humble opinion is due to one of their requirement is able to perform a catwalk which is very subjective, and the fashion which target on the specific audience. For example, if you are selling your fashion to obese people, then the model that you select in usual case shall be obese candidate; nobody will question you why you are not using the skinny model and question the agency by yelling at them, “Are you discriminating me just because I am skinny?”

Everybody knows that flight attendant command good pay in Asia, a lot of girls wanted to be the flight attendant because of high pay, 20 days work in a month, and also you get to travel around the world, who knows if you get lucky, you get to know the rich bachelor sitting in the first class cabin. Unfortunately, their job did not bring them much respect that they suppose to get. One thing that came up from a Asian mind about flight attendant in Asian airline is they won't be too ugly, almost quality assured. Secondly, the flight attendant is treated as the “Attendant from the sky”, or “Air Waitress”, after 4-5 years flying around, people don’t view that as a proper job experience. Thus, they faced some problem on getting another job if they want to get away from airline service field. Off course, unless she married to a rich guy that she get to know on the plane which rarely happens nowadays. Why? Air ticket has become cheaper, it is more affordable than before, it is not like many years ago, only rich people gets to fly.
Lastly, I think that being a flight attendant is not an easy job, no matter the flight attendant is old or young, pretty or ugly, it is just another occupation that I saw from my point of view. However, the job function is more on service oriented; thus, I think as a professional flight attendant, they should treat all the passengers with smile and politeness, after all, when we reached our destination after a long journey, all we want is “have a pleasant flight with xxx airline”.

GOLF 101

昨天早上跟同事去打高尔夫球，主要想参观一下伊斯兰堡的高尔夫球场。本身对高尔夫球没有多大的兴趣，记得在大学期间和一位朋友玩过了一下，当时的印象就是，杆一挥，偶尔还不知道球飞去了哪里，然后冒着热烈的太阳底下四处找球去，感觉好像很无聊似的。而另一个主要原因不喜欢打高尔夫球是因为以前曾经阅读过了一篇文章，它描述了高尔夫球场破坏大自然环境。一些人认为高尔夫球场环境优美，可以感觉到大自然的气息，其实是不正确的。要开辟一个高尔夫球场，首先要求的土地还比一个足球场大，多少课树林需要铲平才可以建一个球场。为了确保土地能够长出绿油油的草坪，经常都要放一些化肥，而这种化肥也会促使污染，或许经过多年改良，会比较好一些。一些人觉得打高尔夫球场是一种高尚又“时尚”的运动，因为一般上收费比较贵的缘故，觉得自己很有品味，很“高级”似的，可以认识一些富商，可以在高尔夫球场谈生意，纯粹不是因为了去运动，或者热爱这个运动。
也幸好，不是每个人都喜欢这个玩意，要不然，不知道多少棵树又要被Bulldozer推倒，开辟成一个又一个的高尔夫球场。人类大部分都是自私的，只要有些钱，哪怕什么东西买不到，狐皮，虎皮，象牙；可以天天吃鱼翅，哪怕鲨鱼要被人吃到绝种（反正“我”吃得起）；海中的渔产供应还应付不了人类的需求，来不及长大就被抓起上座去了。之前有一位同事在非洲买了象牙，被海关逮住，不知道后来是罚了款，还是被判坐牢，我一点也不同情他，只想跟他说活该，明知这些是受保护的动物，就是因为有人买，才有人卖，没人买时，杀截停止，这些稀有动物才可幸存。为了避免离题，还是回到高尔夫球场。。。
把车开到球场以后，就有一大批球童虎视耽耽地看着我们，有一个迫不及待的走到车厢后面准备帮我们拿球杆。我的那位同事觉得很讨厌，都不想给他拿，叫他走开。进去以后，我们主要的时间花在开球动作，我当然也参与了。这是我打高尔夫最久的一次，手心都磨损了一点点，如果不带手套，肯定更严重。这里打球还不会太贵，入场费，小费，球费加起来大约二十多马币吧。
不过这次也没激起我下次还想再来，我们在那里逗留了差不多两个小时半就离开了。。。

Feedback from MAS Leader

"Thank you for your feedback, We will be forwarding the details below to our service quality dept as well as our F&B unit for their knowledge as well as to allow the appropriate response to your end. Pls allow some time for this to happen, and please be rest assured that this matter is being dealt with accordingly."
Best rgds,Farzleen F. Khan for leaders@mas.com.my

I got an anonymous feedback of hiring pretty girls as the flight attendant. My feedback will be:
For me, I really don't need the flight attendant to be young and pretty. The most important thing is, the personality, even though the flight attendant isn't that outstanding in looks, but when she got a friendly million dollar smile and great personality, I believe she can create a happy flight experience to the passengers. May be ten years ago I will said that I prefer the young and pretty, right now as I am turning older, I go for the better service, a young and pretty chick that doesn't offer a great smile and great personality won't get higher credit then a "ok-looking" chick. :)

Suicide Bomber Attack in Marriot Hotel, Islamabad

Yesterday I overheard the news about suicide bomber attack outside Marriot hotel, two persons were killed which include the bomber himself.
Marriot hotel is just less than ten minutes drive from office, I never been there before but I heard from my colleague that the supplier brought them there for dinner before, it is one of the most expensive restaurant in Islamabad. I also had one supplier that ask us out for a drink or dinner before, but we rejected her.
This morning I picked up the newspaper and confirmed the news, but off course, you won't see it in CNN, because it is a small news, no big deal though, unless 20 people died in the incident.

"The Extremist" Debate

While me and another colleague were waiting for our driver, I had a conversation with my two suppliers, one is the designer who is around mid 30s (Name is Saeed) and another old folk who is 57 (name is Khurshid), we talked about the government (Chinese, Pakistani, Malaysian), economics, social, and politics. It came to a point that we talked about Muslim Extremist when I said that Pakistan is one of the breeding bed for terrorist besides Afganistan. We began on this topic when my colleague wrote his email, "JiaYingBin", and Khurshid told me "bin" in Arab means "Son". I gave a classical example, "'Osama Bin Laden", Bin is son, laden is the family name, Osama is the name.
Mr. Khurshid is a very sincere Muslim believer, he tried to pray on time every day, I bet he didn't miss more than 3 prayers everyday. After two months dealing with him, I felt that he is really a good example of True Muslim, he is honest and sincere; he gained respect from a lot of people who knew him, he also worked as a social worker during his free time. He commented that there is no such thing as "Muslim Extremist", he commented that it is some sort of propaganda that US used it against the Muslim world. So the conversation just began to heat up, I asked him what is his view point on September 11 where as the two planes crashed to the Word Trade Center and kill thousands.

The answer that the elder gave me was surprising...

Mr. Khurshid commented that the plane crash was just a conspiracy that was done by US government themselves, he told me that on that day, none of the Jews went to work because they know the plane is going to crash into the building (off course I disagree with him). He also mentioned that it is impossible that the plane will make the building collapse, I argue with him, from what I saw in the discovery channel, it is because the full tank of fuel that fired up, the heat is so intense and it melted the steel of the structure. Why in the hell that the government wanted to do this, what is the motive? The action had done a lot of lost which I don't think even there is benefits behind the conspiracy, the benifits will not offset the damage that the incident had brought to the people.
He also mentioned that there was a TV show about two Americans debating about this, one of the debater said that 9/11 was something that is created by the government for the sake of controlling the world, the oil, etc... (Mr. Saeed nod his head with support). He said the building was about to expired, that's why they have to collapse it just like they always did on demolishing old buildings, because it is cheaper to demolish it with explosives. I find it totally rediculous and I think it is the Muslim World that create such a propaganda against the United States (off course, I didn't tell him directly about this).
In some way, I do believe that in some case, the US government did creates hatred among the people and the local government which is not Pro-America, but I strongly believe the US government will not command the commercial planes to hit the World Trade Center, this is something that is pointless and non-benificial to the country! Khurshid argue that how come the flight is on the sky for four hours and they can't do something about it. I explained that this is because nobody ever imagined that the big plane has targeted to crash into the World Trade Center.I asked him back while the plane United 93 was hijacked, there were people on the plane that actually made a phone call to their family, telling them what it going on inside the plane, the person who hijacked the plane is the Muslim from Arab, not American Pilot, not a government servants. That is the act of the "Extremist"! I haven't got a chance to talk about extremist on Southern Thailand that beheaded some Buddist by creating socal unrest in the past two years, I want to tell him that most Thai people are peace loving people, only a Muslim extremist can invoke such a great hatred in them and do such a brutal thing to infidels. If these people are not fanatics or extremist, who are they?!
Well, we don't' have any hard feelings with our arguement, but I do hope that we look on both sides of the story and think about the issue with a fair judgement. However, I don't think his standpoint is strong enough to overthrow the "facts" that we learned from the media. Like I mentioned, there is no motive for the US government to have such act on its' home country. No point on doing such things.
During my dinner time with my female colleagues, I mentioned to her on how powerful that the media control how the public think on certain things, luckily we had internet nowadays and we can always get some "second opinion" or some "facts" that are not reported on mainstream media. That's why, I tell her, I am reading three different sources when it came to news, one is the mainstream paper, second is a non-government related/Opposition website, third is the news from freelance reporter or blogger.
On today' s conversation, it is really an eye opener for me, at least I get to listen from other side of the story and what the people see and think on certain thing and issue.

Worst Orange Juice from MAS

I just dropped another email to customer care and this time, leaders@mas.com.my to complain about the lousy orange juice they are serving up there, if I still didn't get their reply, perhaps one day I will walk to their HQ and yell at the relevant department.
here is what I wrote:
Dear leaders of MAS:
I just drop another mail to customer care and I wondered if they really care because I never get any feedback from them. So I am write a letter to you guys and hope as a senior management member, this letter can brought to your attention. I wondered when is your last time flying with MAS economy class where most of the passengers and sales come from economy class. If the answer is yes, I wondered if you have tried the orange juice?
My mainland chinese colleague and I flew from KL to Islamabad two months ago, and both of us commented the orange juice that was served on the plane taste HORRIBLE!! I can tell you, even Indian and Pakistan local flight serve better quality orange juice than MAS. I am a frequent flyer and believe me, I never tried any orange juice which is worst than MAS, as I recalled, it is not like that before. My friend who came to Malaysia first time, also commented the orange juice taste horrible in her blog. I understand that MAS have to undergo some cost cutting, not to mention the quality of the meal is so so. However, I think the orange juice is a simple thing that will make a difference. Sooner or later, more and more people will commented MAS offer third class orange juice, and I can tell you, do not underestimate the power of "word of mouth".
As a Malaysian, I felt ashamed that our only international flight that represent the country offer such a inferior product to foreigners. if you are reading this and you never had a sip of the orange juice, please do feel free to help youself and try some. Off course, as a economy class passenger, we don't expect the flight attendant serve us Perrier mineral water or 100% Orange Juice, but at least, can you get something that is benchmarked to other airline? I think it is better you don't serve orange juice at all if you are giving the passengers this kind of low quality product. I hope as the senior leaders of MAS, you guys can seriously address this issue to relevant department. Thank you!


Choong

Bed Bug Attack!

I woke up last week and found out there is an insect died next to me, I was unable to identify what kind of insect is it, so I log onto wikipedia.com and hopefully I can find some pictures to confirm on what I am guessing - Yes, I am right! A blardy bed bug. A day or two before I spotted the lood suckers, I thought my arm was bitten by some Pakistan poisonous mosquitoes, it start to swell a bit and it feels a bit itchy if you try to scratch it. The night before I sneezed like 30 times and have a running nose. I walked to the pharmicist which is very close to my guest house, "60 second walk" and asked if the pharmicist have any ointment that I can treat the swelling mosquito bite, he was tell me that I had an "allergy", I double confirm and finally got the pills from him. The bed bugs will cause allergy reaction as per stated in wikipedia.
After I took the pills, the next day the swell started to went off... just two days ago, I was bitten again, three little bumps this time, I started to fill a little bit pissed and complain to the guest house manager that we have a "bug problem" with the room that I moved in three weeks ago. He told me that they will spray, but I didn't see the situation improve, I want to move upstairs and they always give me the reason that there is no space upstairs. If I found a nice guesthouse by any chance, I will moved out for sure if I find a good place to move with my other colleague, even though I felt that this house was a lot better compare to the previous one.
Besides bed bugs, let me tell you, while I was surfing on my bed, I saw little roached crawl up to my bed a few times, it just happened few days ago, within one hour's time, one baby cockroach crawl to my bed on the left and another from the right, off course, they never seen the daylight again after I saw them. Luckily those cockroaches that I encountered are not the big one, or else it will really scare the shit out of me if they crawl to my bed!

Pakistan Family

100+ years old bridge

on the way to Nathia Gali

On the way to Nathia Gali

Nathia Gali Trip

Persian Carpet that I bought

Love the work of art!

Pakistan Main Street - Jinnah Avenue in Blue Area

（|)(-)

At first I don't know what is the symbol "()(-)
means, later on I found out that it means "CDA", City development authority

猜猜伊斯兰堡共有几座高楼？

跟着一班年轻小伙登山，真把我给累死了。

Pakistan scenery

Faisal Mosque

南亚最大清真寺

二00六年的最后一场雪

后天就是2007年，昨晚睡觉之前在MSN和朋友聊了一下，心里有许许多多的感触，因为可以感觉到已经度过了人生的十个年头。或许是1997年的时候令我有比较深刻的印象。
1997年香港回归大陆，许冠杰唱过的一首歌“话知你97”；1997年发生了金融风暴，我那时候第一次去了纽约，上了World Trade Center，第一次在大学学打篮球等等不断浮现在我脑海里，如今就快到了2007年。
我第一次看见雪是在1996年，当时去了美国犹他州念书，有一个早上，一打开房门，看见外头白白的一片，非常兴奋，马上拍了一张照片。毕业以后去了加州找工作，除了冬天去滑雪之外，没有再看见过雪景了。
上周和同事们到位于伊斯兰堡东北部的一个叫Nathia Gali的地方看雪，也没觉得有太大的感觉，看着一些年轻的同事们把手放进雪堆弄成雪球打雪战，玩得不亦乐乎的；也有整个人睡在雪上的。感叹自己好像老了似的。
回家途中，小巴一度卡在雪里，男士们都下车推车，感觉还是蛮刺激的，一不小心，车子有可能会调入山崖的。不过我们还是很安全的回到伊斯兰堡。
我想这次一定会是我所看到的2006年的最后一场雪吧，再看的话，应该也是2007年的事了。公司今天主办了运动日，我下午准备参加他们的篮球比赛，虽然膝盖偶尔在上楼梯时会少许阵痛，但是这不会阻绕我去运动的决心，我已经超过一个月没打球，再不动就更懒了，在此顺便也祝大家新年快乐！

Night Hunting in Pakistan

Sri Lanka shots

PIcs from Sri Lanka

Our office in Colombo, they called it "World Trade Center".

Nathia Gali，Pakistan 雪景

任正非:我的父亲母亲

在偶然的情况下搜索到这篇文章,我从来没有见过华为大老板的照片,所以连他长得什么样都不知道.有一位老员工曾经说任总是个哲学家,再来才是企业家,也听说过一些同事说他很低调,没有架子,不像老板.任总在公司里面还是挺受员工欢迎和尊敬,那种尊敬可以看出不是敬畏,而是崇拜的那种尊敬.我想必定不是没有理由的,把这篇文章copy下来,放在我的blog里面供大家阅读一下他的想法:

任正非：我的父亲母亲
来源：刘韧 转载

这是我一生中最大的憾事——如果8日上午我真给母亲打了电话，拖延她一两分钟出门，也许她就躲过了这场灾难……
　　上世纪末最后一天，我总算良心发现，在公务结束之后，买了一张从北京去昆明的机票，去看看妈妈。买好机票后，我没有给她电话，我知道一打电话她一下午都会忙碌，不管多晚到达，都会给我做一些我小时候喜欢吃的东西。直到飞机起飞，我才告诉她，让她不要告诉别人，不要车来接，我自己坐出租车回家，目的就是好好陪陪她。前几年我每年也去看看妈妈，但一下飞机就给办事处接走了，说这个客户很重要，要拜见一下，那个客户很重要，要陪他们吃顿饭，忙来忙去，忙到上飞机时回家取行李，与父母匆匆一别。妈妈盼星星、盼月亮，盼盼唠唠家常，一次又一次的落空。他们总是说你工作重要，先工作，先工作。 　　由于我3日要赶回北京，随胡锦涛副主席访问伊朗，在昆明我只能呆一天。这次在昆明给妈妈说了去年11月份我随吴邦国副总理访问非洲时，吴邦国副总理在科威特与我谈了半小时话的内容。首长说了这次我随访是他亲自点的名，目的有三个：1、鼓励和肯定华为，并让随行的各部部长也正面地认识和了解华为；2、了解一下我们公司的运行与管理机制，看看对别的企业有无帮助；3、看看政府对华为开拓国际市场是否能给予一些帮助。妈妈听了十分高兴，说“政府信任就好，只要企业干得好，其他都会随时间的证实而过去的。”　　最近这两年，网上、媒体中对华为有一些内容，也是毁誉参半，妈妈是经过“文革”痛苦煎熬过的，对荣誉不感兴趣，对一些不了解我们真实情况的文章却十分忧心。我说了，我们不是上市公司，不需要公示社会，主要是对政府负责，对企业的有效运行负责。我们去年交税20亿多，2001年要交40多亿的税。各级政府对我们都信任。我们不能在媒体上去辩论，这样会引起争论，国家纸太贵，为我们这样一个小公司争论太浪费。为我们这样一个小公司，去干扰国家的宣传重点，我们也承担不了这么大责任。他们主要是不了解，我们也没有介绍，了解就好了。妈妈舒了一口气，理解了我的沉默。这次我还与母亲约好，今年春节我不工作，哪儿也不去，与几个弟妹陪她到海南过春节，好好聊一聊，痛痛快快聊一聊。以前，我节假日多为出国，因中国过节，外国这时不过节，正好多一些时间工作，这次我是彻底想明白了，要陪陪妈妈，我这一生还没有好好陪过她。没想到终成泡影。 　　8号那天，圆满结束对伊朗的访问，我们刚把胡副主席送上飞机，就接到纪平的电话，说我母亲上午10时左右，从菜市场出来，提着两小包菜，被汽车撞成重伤，孙总已前往昆明组织抢救。由于相隔千万里，伊朗的通信太差，真使人心急火燎。飞机要多次中转才能回来，在巴林转机要呆6.5个小时，真是心如煎熬，又遇巴林雷雨，飞机又延误两个小时，到曼谷时又再晚了十分钟，没有及时赶上回昆明的飞机，直到深夜才赶到昆明。 　　回到昆明，就知道妈妈不行了，她的头部全部给撞坏了，当时的心跳、呼吸全是靠药物和机器维持，之所以在电话上不告诉我，是怕我在旅途中出事。我看见妈妈一声不响地安详地躺在病床上，不用操劳、烦心，好像她一生也没有这么休息过。 　　我真后悔没有在伊朗给母亲一个电话。7日胡副主席接见我们8个随行的企业负责人，我汇报了两、三分钟，说到我是华为公司的时候，胡副主席伸出4个指头，说四个公司之一。我本想把这个好消息告诉妈妈，说中央首长还知道我们华为。但我没打，因为以前不管我在国内、国外给我母亲打电话时，她都唠叨：“你又出差了”，“非非你的身体还不如我好呢”，“非非你的皱纹比妈妈还多呢”，“非非你走路还不如我呢，你这么年纪轻轻就这么多病”，“非非，糖尿病参加宴会多了，坏得更快呢，你的心脏又不好”。我想伊朗条件这么差，我一打电话，妈妈又唠叨，反正过不了几天就见面了，就没有打。而这是我一生中最大的憾事。由于时差，我只能在中国时间8日上午一早打，告诉她这个喜讯，如果我真打了,拖延她一、两分钟出门，也许妈妈就躲过了这场灾难。这种悔恨的心情，真是难以形容。 　　我看了妈妈最后一眼后，妈妈溘然去世。1995年我父亲也是因为在昆明街头的小摊上，买了一瓶塑料包装的软饮料喝后，拉肚子，一直到全身衰竭去世。
　　爸爸任摩逊，尽职尽责一生，充其量可以说是一个乡村教育家。妈妈程远昭，是一个陪伴父亲在贫困山区与穷孩子厮混了一生的一个普通得不能再普通的园丁。 　　爸爸是穿着土改工作队的棉衣，随解放军剿匪部队一同进入贵州少数民族山区去筹建一所民族中学。一头扎进去就是几十年，他培养的学生不少成为党和国家的高级干部，有些还是中央院校的校级领导，而父亲还是那么位卑言微。 　　爷爷是浙江浦江县的一个做火腿的大师傅，爸爸的兄弟姊妹都没有读过书。由于爷爷的良心发现，也由于爸爸的执着要求，爸爸才读了书。爸爸在北京上大学期间，也是一个热血青年，参加学生运动，进行抗日演讲，反对侵华的田中奏章，还参加过共青团。由于爷爷、奶奶相继病逝，爸爸差一年没有读完大学，辍学回家。时日，正值国共合作开始，全国掀起抗日高潮，父亲在同乡会的介绍下，到广州一个同乡当厂长的国民党军工厂做会计员。由于战争的逼近，工厂又迁到广西融水，后又迁到贵州桐梓。在广西融水期间，爸爸与几个朋友在业余时间，开了一个生活书店，卖革命书籍，又组织一个“七·七”读书会，后来这个读书会中有几十人走上了革命前线，有相当多的人解放后成为党和国家的高级干部。粉碎“四人帮”后，融水重写党史时，还把爸爸邀请过去。 　　爸爸这段历史，是文革中受磨难最大的一件事情。身在国民党的兵工厂，而又积极宣传抗日，同意共产党的观点，而又没有与共产党地下组织联系。你为什么？这就成了一部分人的疑点。在文革时期，如何解释得清楚。他们总想挖出一条隐藏得很深的大鱼，爸爸受尽了百般的折磨。 　　妈妈其实只有高中文化程度，她要陪伴父亲，忍受各种屈辱，成为父亲的挡风墙,又要照顾我们兄妹七人，放下粉笔就要和煤球为伍，买菜、做饭、洗衣……又要自修文化，完成自己的教学任务，她最后被评为中学的高级教师。她的学生中，不少是省、地级干部及优秀的技术专家，他们都对母亲的教学责任心印象深刻。妈妈这么低的文化水平，自学成才，个中艰辛，只有她自己知道。 　　父母虽然较早参加革命，但他们的非无产阶级血统，要融入无产阶级的革命队伍，取得信任，并不是一件容易的事情。他们不可能像普通农民、工人那样政治纯洁。他们是生活在一个复杂的社会中，这个社会又是多元化组成的，不可能只有一种纯洁的物质。历次政治运动中，他们都向党交心，他们思想改造的困难程度要比别人大得多，所受的内心煎熬也非他人所能理解。他们把一生任何一个细节都写得极其详尽，希望组织审查。他们去世后，我请同学去帮助复印父母的档案，同学们看了父母向党交心的材料，都被他们的真情感动得泪流满面。终其一生，他们都是追随革命的，不一定算得上中坚分子，但无愧于党和人民。父亲终在1958年国家吸收一批高级知识分子入党时，入了党。当时向党交心，不像今天这样信息发达，那时，反对个别党员，有可能被说成反党。我们亲眼看到父母的谨小慎微、忘我地拼其全力工作，无暇顾及我们，就如我拼死工作，无暇孝敬他们一样。他们对党和国家、对事业的忠诚，已经历史可鉴。我今天要忏悔的，是我没有抽时间陪陪他们，送送他们。 　　回想起来，革命的中坚分子在一个社会中是少的，他们能以革命的名义，无私无畏地工作，他们是国家与社会的栋梁。为了选拔这些人，多增加一些审查成本是值得的。而像父母这样追随革命，或拥护革命，或不反对革命的人是多的，他们比不革命好，社会应认同他们，给以机会。不必要求他们那么纯洁，花上这么多精力去审查他们，高标准要求他们，他们达不到也痛苦,而是要精神文明与物质文明一同来支撑，以物质文明来巩固精神文明，以一种机制来促使他们主观上为提高生存质量，客观上是促进革命，充分发挥他们贡献的积极性。我主持华为工作后，我们对待员工，包括辞职的员工都是宽松的，我们只选拔有敬业精神、献身精神、有责任心、使命感的员工进入干部队伍，只对高级干部严格要求。这也是亲历亲见了父母的思想改造的过程，而形成了我宽容的品格。
　　我与父母相处的青少年时代，印象最深的就是渡过三年自然灾害的困难时期。今天想来还历历在目。 　　我们兄妹七个，加上父母共九人。全靠父母微薄的工资来生活，毫无其他来源。本来生活就十分困难，儿女一天天在长大，衣服一天天在变短，而且都要读书，开支很大，每个学期每人交2-3元的学费，到交费时，妈妈每次都发愁。与勉强可以用工资来解决基本生活的家庭相比，我家的困难就更大。我经常看到妈妈月底就到处向人借3-5元钱度饥荒，而且常常走了几家都未必借到。直到高中毕业我没有穿过衬衣。有同学看到很热的天，我穿着厚厚的外衣，说让我向妈妈要一件衬衣，我不敢，因为我知道做不到。我上大学时妈妈一次送我两件衬衣，我真想哭，因为，我有了，弟妹们就会更难了。我家当时是2-3人合用一条被盖，而且破旧的被单下面铺的是稻草。“文革”造反派抄家时，以为一个高级知识分子、专科学校的校长家，不知有多富，结果都惊住了。上大学我要拿走一条被子，就更困难了，因为那时还实行布票、棉花票管制，最少的一年，每人只发0.5米布票。没有被单，妈妈捡了毕业学生丢弃的几床破被单缝缝补补，洗干净，这条被单就在重庆陪我渡过了五年的大学生活。 　　父母的不自私，那时的处境可以明鉴。我那时14-15岁，是老大，其他一个比一个小，而且不懂事。他们完全可以偷偷地多吃一口粮食，可他们谁也没有这么做。爸爸有时还有机会参加会议，适当改善一下生活。而妈妈那么卑微，不仅要同别的人一样工作，而且还要负担七个孩子的培养、生活。煮饭、洗衣、修煤灶……什么都干，消耗这么大，自己却从不多吃一口。我们家当时是每餐实行严格分饭制，控制所有人欲望的配给制，保证人人都能活下来。不是这样，总会有一个、两个弟妹活不到今天。我真正能理解活下去这句话的含义。 　　我高三快高考时，有时在家复习功课，实在饿得受不了了，用米糠和菜合一下，烙着吃，被爸爸碰上几次，他心疼了。其实那时我家穷得连一个可上锁的柜子都没有，粮食是用瓦缸装着，我也不敢去随便抓一把，否则也有一、两个弟妹活不到今天。（我的不自私也是从父母身上学到的，华为今天这么成功，与我不自私有一点关系。）后三个月，妈妈经常早上塞给我一个小小的玉米饼，要我安心复习功课，我能考上大学，小玉米饼功劳巨大。如果不是这样，也许我也进不了华为这样的公司，社会上多了一名养猪能手，或街边多了一名能工巧匠而已。这个小小的玉米饼，是从父母与弟妹的口中抠出来的，我无以报答他们。 　　1997年我国的高等教育制度改革，开始向学生收费，而配套的助学贷款又没跟上，华为集团向教育部捐献了2500万元寒门学子基金。
　　父亲一生谨小慎微，自知地位不高，从不乱发言而埋头在学问中，可在“文革”横扫一切牛鬼蛇神的运动中，他还是被揪出来，反动学术权威、走资派、历史有问题的人……万劫难逃。他最早被关进牛棚。 　　1967年重庆武斗激烈时，我扒火车回家。因为没有票，还在火车上挨过上海造反队的打，我说我补票也不行，硬把我推下火车。也挨过车站人员的打，回家还不敢直接在父母工作的城市下车，而在前一站青太坡下车，步行十几里回去。半夜回到家，父母见我回来了，来不及心疼，让我明早一早就走，怕人知道，受牵连，影响我的前途。爸爸脱下他的一双旧皮鞋给我，第二天一早我就走了，临走，父亲说了几句话：“记住知识就是力量，别人不学，你要学，不要随大流。”“以后有能力要帮助弟妹。”背负着这种重托，我在重庆枪林弹雨的环境下，将樊映川的高等数学习题集从头到尾做了两遍，学习了许多逻辑、哲学。还自学了三门外语，当时已到可以阅读大学课本的程度，终因我不是语言天才，加之在军队服务时用不上，20多年荒废，完全忘光了。我当年穿走爸爸的皮鞋，没念及爸爸那时是做苦工的，泥里水里，冰冷潮湿，他更需要鞋子。现在回忆起来，感觉自己太自私了。 　　“文革”中，我家的经济状况，陷入了比自然灾害时期还困难的境地。中央文革为了从经济上打垮走资派，下文控制他们的人均标准生活费不得高于15元。而且各级造反派层层加码，真正到手的平均10元左右。我有同学在街道办事处工作，介绍弟妹们到河里挖砂子，修铁路抬土方……，弟妹们在我结婚时，大家集在一起，送了我100元。这都是他们在冰冷的河水中筛砂，修铁路时冒着在土方塌方中被掩埋的危险……挣来的。那时的生活艰苦还能忍受，心痛比身痛要严重得多，由于父亲受审查的背景影响，弟妹们一次又一次的入学录取被否定，那个年代对他们的损失就是没有机会接受高等教育。除了我大学读了三年就开始文化大革命外，其他弟妹有些高中、初中、高小、初小都没读完，他们后来适应人生的技能，都是自学来的。从现在的回顾来看，物质的艰苦生活以及心灵的磨难是我们后来人生的一种成熟的宝贵财富。 　　“文革”对国家是一场灾难，但对我们是一次人生的洗礼，使我政治上成熟起来，不再是单纯的一个书呆子。我虽然也参加了轰轰烈烈的红卫兵运动，但我始终不是红卫兵，这也是一个奇观。因为父亲受审的影响，哪一派也不批准我参加红卫兵。后来我入伍后，也是因为父亲问题，一直没有通过入党申请，直到粉碎“四人帮”以后。
　　1976年10月，中央一举粉碎了“四人帮”，使我们得到了翻身解放。我一下子成了奖励“暴发户”。“文革”中，无论我如何努力，一切立功、受奖的机会均与我无缘。在我领导的集体中，战士们立三等功、二等功、集体二等功，几乎每年都大批涌出，而唯我这个领导者，从未受过嘉奖。我已习惯了我不应得奖的平静生活，这也是我今天不争荣誉的心理素质培养。粉碎“四人帮”以后，生活翻了个个儿，因为我两次填补过国家空白，又有技术发明创造，合乎那时的时代需要，突然一下子“标兵、功臣……”部队与地方的奖励排山倒海式地压过来。我这人也热不起来，许多奖品都是别人去代领回来的，我又分给了大家。 　　1978年3月我出席了全国科学大会，6000人的代表中，仅有150多人在35岁以下，我33 岁。我也是军队代表中少有的非党人士。在兵种党委的直接关怀下，部队未等我父亲平反，就直接去为查清我父亲的历史进行外调，否定了一些不实之词，并把他们的调查结论，寄给我父亲所在的地方组织。我终于入了党。后来又出席了党的第十二次全国代表大会。父亲把我与党中央领导合影的照片，做了一个大大的镜框，挂在墙上，全家都引以自豪。 　　我父亲也在粉碎“四人帮”后不久平反。由于那时百废待兴，党组织需要尽快恢复一些重点中学，提高高考的升学率，让他去做校长。“文革”前他是一个专科学校的校长。他不计较升降，不计较得失，只认为有了一种工作机会，全身心地投进去了，很快就把教学质量抓起来了，升学率达到了90%多，成为远近闻名的学校。他直到1984年75岁才退休。他说，他总算赶上了一个尾巴，干了一点事。他希望我们珍惜时光，好好干。至此，我们就各忙各的，互相关心不了了。我为老一辈的政治品行自豪，他们从牛棚中放出来，一恢复组织生活，都拼命地工作。他们不以物喜，不以己悲，不计荣辱，爱国爱党，忠于事业的精神值得我们这一代人、下一代人、下下一代人学习。生活中不可能没有挫折，但一个人为人民奋斗的意志不能动摇。 　　我有幸在罗瑞卿同志逝世前三个月，有机会聆听了他为全国科学大会军队代表的讲话，说未来十几年是一个难得的和平时期，我们要抓紧全力投入经济建设。我那时年轻，缺少政治头脑，并不明白其含意。过了两、三年大裁军，我们整个兵种全部被裁掉，我才理解了什么叫预见性的领导。 转入地方后，不适应商品经济，也无驾驭它的能力，一开始我在一个电子公司当经理也栽过跟斗，被人骗过。后来也是无处可以就业，才被迫创建华为的。华为的前几年是在十分艰难困苦的条件下起步的。这时父母、侄子与我住在一间十几平方米的小房里，在阳台上做饭。他们处处为我担心，生活也十分节省。攒一些钱说是为了将来救我。（听妹妹说，母亲去世前两个月，还与妹妹说，她存有几万元，以后留着救哥哥，他总不会永远都好。母亲在被车撞时，她身上只装了几十元钱，又未带任何证件，是作为无名氏被110抢救的。中午吃饭时，妹妹、妹夫才发现她未回来，四处寻找，才知道遇车祸。可怜天下父母心，一个母亲的心有多纯。）当时在广东卖鱼虾，一死就十分便宜，父母他们专门买死鱼、死虾吃，说这比内地还新鲜呢！晚上出去买菜与西瓜，因为卖不掉的菜，便宜一些。我也无暇顾及他们的生活，以致母亲糖尿病严重我还不知道，是邻居告诉我的。华为有了规模发展后，管理转换的压力十分巨大，我不仅照顾不了父母，而且连自己也照顾不了，我的身体也是那一段时间累垮的。我父母这时才转去昆明我妹妹处定居。我也因此理解了要奋斗就会有牺牲，华为的成功，使我失去了孝敬父母的机会与责任，也消蚀了自己的健康。 　　回顾我自己已走过的历史，扪心自问，我一生无愧于祖国、无愧于人民，无愧于事业与员工，无愧于朋友，唯一有愧的是对不起父母，没条件时没有照顾他们，有条件时也没有照顾他们。 　　
爸爸妈妈，千声万声呼唤您们，千声万声唤不回。 　　
逝者已经逝去，活着的还要前行。

BBQ + Pakistan Most Beautiful

This morning, due to the regional VP is here, my colleague and I were invited to join them for barbeque next to the lake, at first I thought it was the lake that we used to hunt , but it is not, we drove to a place which is about 80 minutes drive, it is a government dam which has a nice view. Commoners are not allowed to visit the dam, but one colleague called up the authority and told him that our regional office VP have to leave tomorrow, so he hope that the official can let them in to the dam.Surprisingly, they let us passed.

My colleague "kick" the driver away and ask him to take taxi back, so I take control of the Honday City iDSI, 1.5M. I was telling my colleague that I miss driving, and here comes my chance to drive. So I really had a good time and the so called Pakistan most beautiful is sitting next to me, felt a bit pressure too... heheh. There were two cars and eight person going for such a short trip, along the way, I was surprised to find out that the toll employees let our car passed by just because we are "Chinese". I think Pakistan and China really have a strong political friendship with each other, perhaps, "strong alliance" would be more appropriate, just like USA and UK, which they fought the Nazis together with each others like brothers.

It has been some time I didn't do the BBQ thing, and I never enjoy much on BBQ because eating BBQ food very often will increase the chances of cancer. However, today it is different, we had the Pakistan "Most beautiful" girl prepare the BBQ for us, I think the food was great, especially the mutton, and perhaps it is also because of the nice view at the dam, cool wind and sunlight. I really felt like I am in California!
Talking about the so called Pakistan most beautiful girl (which I agree), she is not our company's colleague, she said she lived in Pakistan for seven years, she is originally from Xin Jiang, she told me that she came here for study and fell in love with the country so she decided to stay here, now she is running a guest house and trading business in Pakistan.
In case you are curious how she looks like, sorry I didn't get to take pictures with her, she has nice long hair, pretty eyes, not so pointed nose, slim but not skinny. And there she had my vote for the prettiest chinese girl in Pakistan.

The visit to Faisal Mosque

Shah Faisal Mosques is the largest mosque in South Asia, it is located not more than 10 minutes drive from out guest house. Me and my housemate went there on Saturday afternoon to check out the sacred area of Muslims.
I feel a bit lazy to put the pic in my blog, however, you can check it from wikipedia if you are interested to find out how it looks like. :)
Due to we are foreigners, a number of Pakistanies viewed us like we are from different planet when we walked around the big mosque. There were lots of teenages there too, I guess may be is their school holiday or what (mostly girls around 12-15 years old). My good looking colleagues was dragged by a bunch of girls students so that they can take picture with her again and again from different batch like a celebrity. However, I also hope that I can take picture with the locals but the teenage girls shy away when me and another male colleague approach them. Well, we were invited by some guys too, they use their phone cameras to take some pictures of us... Perhaps Chinese faces are something new to them. Hahhaa. :)

Night Hunting

Just came back from a full meal in company canteen. We had rabbit meat as main course.
The night before I joined my colleagues for night hunting. I am not a fan of hunting game and I don't feel excited carrying a gun to shoot rabbit, fox or wild boar. I just join them for some lifetime experience.
We sat inside three Toyota Hilux pickup trucks and drove offroad to the plains surrouding a lake in Islamabad, I forgot what's the lake' name may be called Rawa lake or something.
The night was damn cold out there, I think is only few degree celcius out there. We waited at the hunter's house for half and hour before we start our hunting, at first, I thought we are going to hold the gun and hunt for wild animals, at the end, it is we who sit inside the car and watch the hunter fire their guns. One of the hunter that wear a glasses doesn't look like a "hunter" to me, from what I heard from my colleague, he is a lawyer. He explained to me about the difference of the 12 gauge bullets, blue color is for birds, red color bullets are for rabbits, the trasparent bullet with several iron balls are for hunting wild boars, etc... I checked out the hunting guns that they have, one is double barrel and another one is a Italian made hunting rifle that can load 4 shots. His said his uncle possess a M16 somewhere in the house when I ask him do u have a AK-47. However, his uncle refuse to take it out, so I don't have the chance to hold the real thing.
So when everyone is read, the driver drove everyone one out to the plains... one guy hold the spotlight wiring the power from the truck battery and another hold the rifle, whenever they spot the rabbit, the hunter will fire their shots. Once they hit the rabbit, they will rush to it and catch the rabbit. What they do is they will take out a hunting knife and slice the throat of the rabbit right away. The poor rabbit will start to bleed and died in a minute. The scene was a bit bloody and I don't think I can do that if you give me the knife.
There was a time while we drive around the bushes, the driver came a cross a fox that is very close to the truck. I think I can reach the fox withing three regular paces because I was sitting close to the window on the right side. I was praying inside my heart and tell the little fox to run quickly. Luckily, the hunters who stand behind the car trunk didn't notice the fox even though they shoot the lights to the bushes. The driver at the front keep on pointing the direction of the fox, but the fox manage escaped from their eyes through camouflage and with the protection of the bushes. I felt happy when the fox left safely.
In about two hours, we managed to hunt down three rabbits and then we stopped next to a rocky wall which the hunter let us do some "target practice". Off course, I don't waste such golden opportunity to try out the rifles. I had a few trial shots with the double barrel gun and the Italian made hunting rifle. I prefer the Italian made rifle due to it is more stable when you pull the trigger. I also found out that the lawyer hunter is a sharp shooter.
We reached home around 11:45pm at night...

Sad but true

While Malaysia fiddles, its opportunities are running dry

Michael BackmanNovember 15, 2006

MALAYSIA'S been at it again, arguing about what proportion of the economy each of its two main races — the Malays and the Chinese — owns. It's an argument that's been running for 40 years. That wealth and race are not synonymous is important for national cohesion, but really it's time Malaysia grew up.
It's a tough world out there and there can be little sympathy for a country that prefers to argue about how to divide wealth rather than get on with the job of creating it.
The long-held aim is for 30 per cent of corporate equity to be in Malay hands, but the figure that the Government uses to justify handing over huge swathes of public companies to Malays but not to other races is absurd. It bases its figure on equity valued, not at market value, but at par value.
Many shares have a par value of say $1 but a market value of $12. And so the Government figure (18.9 per cent is the most recent figure) is a gross underestimate. Last month a paper by a researcher at a local think-tank came up with a figure of 45 per cent based on actual stock prices. All hell broke loose. The paper was withdrawn and the researcher resigned in protest. Part of the problem is that he is Chinese.
"Malaysia boleh!" is Malaysia's national catch cry. It translates to "Malaysia can!" and Malaysia certainly can. Few countries are as good at wasting money. It is richly endowed with natural resources and the national obsession seems to be to extract these, sell them off and then collectively spray the proceeds up against the wall.
This all happens in the context of Malaysia's grossly inflated sense of its place in the world.
Most Malaysians are convinced that the eyes of the world are on their country and that their leaders are world figures. This is thanks to Malaysia's tame media and the bravado of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. The truth is, few people on the streets of London or New York could point to Malaysia on a map much less name its prime minister or capital city.
As if to make this point, a recent episode of The Simpsons features a newsreader trying to announce that a tidal wave had hit some place called Kuala Lumpur. He couldn't pronounce the city's name and so made up one, as if no-one cared anyway. But the joke was on the script writers — Kuala Lumpur is inland.
Petronas, the national oil company is well run, particularly when compared to the disaster that passes for a national oil company in neighbouring Indonesia. But in some respects, this is Malaysia's problem. The very success of Petronas means that it is used to underwrite all manner of excess.

The KLCC development in central Kuala Lumpur is an example. It includes the Twin Towers, the tallest buildings in the world when they were built, which was their point.
It certainly wasn't that there was an office shortage in Kuala Lumpur — there wasn't.
Malaysians are very proud of these towers. Goodness knows why. They had little to do with them. The money for them came out of the ground and the engineering was contracted out to South Korean companies.
They don't even run the shopping centre that's beneath them. That's handled by Australia's Westfield.
Next year, a Malaysian astronaut will go into space aboard a Russian rocket — the first Malay in space. And the cost? $RM95 million ($A34.3 million), to be footed by Malaysian taxpayers. The Science and Technology Minister has said that a moon landing in 2020 is the next target, aboard a US flight. There's no indication of what the Americans will charge for this, assuming there's even a chance that they will consider it. But what is Malaysia getting by using the space programs of others as a taxi service? There are no obvious technical benefits, but no doubt Malaysians will be told once again, that they are "boleh". The trouble is, they're not. It's not their space program.
Back in July, the Government announced that it would spend $RM490 million on a sports complex near the London Olympics site so that Malaysian athletes can train there and "get used to cold weather".
But the summer Olympics are held in the summer.
So what is the complex's real purpose? The dozens of goodwill missions by ministers and bureaucrats to London to check on the centre's construction and then on the athletes while they train might provide a clue.
Bank bale outs, a formula one racing track, an entire new capital city — Petronas has paid for them all. It's been an orgy of nonsense that Malaysia can ill afford.
Why? Because Malaysia's oil will run out in about 19 years. As it is, Malaysia will become a net oil importer in 2011 — that's just five years
away.
So it's in this context that the latest debate about race and wealth is so sad.
It is time to move on, time to prepare the economy for life after oil. But, like Nero fiddling while Rome burned, the Malaysian Government is more interested in stunts like sending a Malaysian into space when Malaysia's inadequate schools could have done with the cash, and arguing about wealth distribution using transparently ridiculous statistics.
That's not Malaysia "boleh", that's Malaysia "bodoh" (stupid).

The office in Islamabad

There are only a few tall buildings in Islamabad, our company rented three floors in a tall building called Saudi Pak Tower, I am not going to use the word , "skycraper" because it ain't that tall.
The UN South Asia HQ was located at the same building too, you can see guards and white color UN vehicles in the neighborhood and office.
A Chinese staff told me that this is the worst office environment, I thought he is comparing with Shen Zhen office, so I tested him. I asked whether is his first time you go oversea. He said, No, he been to several other offices in different country and none of it was as bad as this one.
Ok, let me tell you why it is so bad, the first impression that you walk into the office, you feel that the ceiling was too low and it is over crowded, you feel that you have limited space and that makes you doesn't feel good about it. Secondly, it was dirty and old, design was very outdated, I start to cough for the few days and so does my colleague, she said she feel like she is inhaling dust and always feel very dry in the office. I am sure the filter of the A/C is seriously clogged and the floor really needs some mopping.. today I really feel like taking all of the filter out and clean it for god sake.

Guest House in Pakistan

We arrived at our hotel about 9:30pm at night, the guest house we moved in was quite lousy, I would say, a Chinese colleague told me that he stayed there for two nights and moved out right away. I let my colleague pick the room that she likes, then I choose the remaining choices. The one on basement smells and the one on the top floor seems to me is a better choice.

I don't really like it but I have no choice, the bathroom on the top floor is not located in my room, I have to crossed the hallway to the bathroom. It was quite cold at the top floor due to the window was opened, I didn't take a shower that day because it is a bit late and too cold for me. The hot water is not hot enough in that house. Some of the paint from the ceiling is falling off, the flakes dropped on top of the bed and I have to abandon the other bed and changed to another bed so I won't inhale those chemical, the furniture inside the room is quite old... I woke up around 5am that day due to I am freezing out and start to feel hungry.

One thing that both me and my colleague like about the guest house is the manager of the guest house is quite friendly, however, the place is really beat up and we don't plan to stay there for the entire business trip, we moved out after four nights staying there...

Things that I like about the guest house:
1. Friendly Guest House Manager
2. Bigger TV with channels like HBO, Fox, CNN, Discovery, Nat Geo, etc..
3. Close to food court

Things I hate
1. Looks Old
2. Water Heater not good enough, water temparature is not consistent, sometimes you only get warm water.
3. My colleague saw a cockroach in the restroom when she take a shower. (Hope is not a big one)
4. Paint falling off from the ceiling
5. Too cold (I requested a gas heater the other day)
6. Toilet that looks old and you are not sure when the toilet is going to clog.
7. NO INTERNET CONNECTION!

Now I had moved to a new guest house.
Things I like:
1. Better room (after comparing another 2 guest house)and newer toilet
2. Internet connection ready
3. Bigger Room
4. Adequate TV channels with Chinese Channel if you want.
5. Close to supermarket, may be I should use the word, "Store".

Things I hate:
1. 13 inch TV (R u kidding me? Or they want to test my eye sight?)
2. Not so close to food source.

Fast food

11/18/06
It happened in Karachi, Pakistan airport when me and my colleague wait for our plane for transit to Islamabad...
I felt a bit hungry and I am not sure whether I can find any food source once I arrive Islamabad, so I decided to order some fast food to eat before boarding the plane, local time is 6 something PM. I am glad I saw the big "M", once me and my colleague secure a seat, I go and place my order for a McDonald Meal.
I walked to the small McDonald Counter...

Me: Good Evening, Can I order the McNugget Meal?
(For your info, the Mc Nugget meal at the airport consider an expensive in Pakistan standard, it cost 210RS which is about RM13-14, if you have a meal in regular local restaurant, a plate of rice, a drumstick and two beef+potato cake only cost RS80-90.)

Attendant: Yes, no problem. Can you wait sir?

Me: Huhh??? (I am sure that I am ordering "fast food", am I?) ....... Wait for how long?

Attendant: Twenty minutes.

Me: Twenty minutes? Errr... Ok.. I will wait..

I paid that guy and look at my watch and prepare to wait...

After 15 minutes, I received my Mc Nuggets, one of the worst MCD meal that I had... The fries and nuggets didn't taste as good as it suppose to be, but somehow I tried my best to finish everything and wait for the plane...