The world is enormous;
My surroundings are amazing beyond descriptions;
My life occupies that little part of the enormity;
and for those of you who are unable to experience;
what my eyes sees, this is the place where I dump;
what my eyes explains to my brain.
Shot by: Shutterdan -- Canon 300D (Digital Rebel) on tripod using timer mode. 1/13 seconds at f/5.6 no flash and focal length is 25mm. ISO 100. Shot on Aug10, 2004 at 18:15hrs. I was on Block A of Jalan 222 apartment that is still under construction. This is the 17th floor and it's the penthouse area.
Photoblogged!!
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Monday, August 09, 2004
Shot by: Shutterdan -- A nightview from my balcony (7th floor) of Kemuncak Shah Alam where I now reside. The six pictures were combined using Photoshop CS each is exposed for 15 seconds using f/16. They were shot using Canon EOS 300D mounted on a tripod. The view is approximated 180 degrees view. Concord Hotel Shah Alam is visible on the right side with a horizontal light on its building.
Photoblogged!!
Life in the Peninsula
Humidity with the heat killed me.
Traffic on the roads could have pounded a huge nail into my head--migraine.
The attitudes of drivers are horrendous that I begin to believe Malaysia is the spawning ground for road bullies.
Everyday I'd wake up to runny nose, burning eyes that felt like they're about to drop off its socket anytime. Now you can really hear me sing "O Canada!" Canada's national anthem. I miss Canada.
My relatives from Montreal arrived on Saturday and we had a huge family reunion feast on Sunday. After that, we had a big pile of durians to quench our deprived obsessions of this bombacacious king of fruit! Quench!? Most of us who have been living abroad could hardly place our hands on this thorny fruit that could kill if not handled appropriately. My goodness, but the meal itself was good!
How am I feeling? Sickly...
Friday, August 06, 2004
Met somebody
Today, Friday, marks the seventh day since I returned. Life has been sweaty here... sweats from perspirations rolls down my back, shirts stucked to my back uncomfortably, sticky neck and body, feeling very disgusting at the end of every day.
I found myself going back to the retail store where I purchased my cellphone frequently hoping to see somebody there who works as an accountant. Even for trival implications which I believe I can help myself to fix it, I rather step in and sit there for couple of hours while the manager of the store figure out.
The feeling of falling in love is just awesome and somehow looking back from the first time we set eyes on each other, I think the attractions between us just grew stronger everyday. Today, boldly I stepped into the store and asked her for her phone number to ask her out. Never would I have thought I am capable of that?! No, the fact is I am 'that' capable but I have broke through an old ground of mine of lack of confidence. Now Ben & Scott would have been so proud of me to hear this. I remember Ben once advised me to 'just do it because there's nothing to lose on your side'. Oh how I miss those days.
It's just a date by the way. I would also love to go out with Michelle's friend whom I met the other night. She's quite tanned and good looking and funny; has some odd obssession with guys from Klang town. I am from Klang. ahem! ;)
Now that I am back, there's so much to complain about home. Maybe I should put the complaints aside and focus more on how to enjoy my days. I realized that finding a proper spot for parking is as bad as being cursed with a broken car. Double parking seems to be the norm here in Malaysia. After making several detours around the block I noted a car backing up and I was relieved that I now have a spot. I couldn't get out for 40 mins because there are cars obstructing mine. The driver is missing. Danny, Welcome back to Malaysia!
My nose knows if this place is right for me. Canada was and has certainly been the place for me, weatherwise. Not here. Been sickly these few days. I really hope I am okay.
I have a few travel plans. I thought Sabah would be a nice place to go. One of the world's best beaches is located in Sabah, East Malaysia. It is attractive as well because no many people in their lifetime here in West Malaysia have travelled East. Perhaps it's their mentality that it is still Malaysia and therefore it will not be as interesting as from where they're coming from. But hey, East Malaysia is somehow a virgin land.. or land of virgins. Okay, lets go screw around and mess up the place! Heck, virgin mermainds are waiting for me! They appear in my dreams... wet ones usually, enticing me to their lands. Tickets are cheap and best of all I'm still spending in local currency, Ringgit Malaysia.
Monday, August 02, 2004
Home is hot and humid
Arrived Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Friday 13:30 local time. My three "Heavy Load" tagged baggages did not come out until most passengers from the same flight as me has claimed theirs and went home. I must be really heavy for those weaklings down there in the baggage areas of the airport.
Anyway, I gave Eelynn and Michelle a surprise visit on Sunday and they almost had their pants down. There are a few more people waiting for their goodies.
Malaysia is nice and hot. There have been changes since I left. New roads, highways and freeways, climate changes (not too much of a difference) and technology!! I got myself a Nokia 6600 and it is totally cool and complicated; so complicated that I realize how tech unsavvy I am or perhaps I've fallen too far back... by living in Canada. To have a cellphone in canada is like a curse so they say. I'm not sure for what apparent reasons though so I'll just leave it be.
Right now I am already missing the wintery days. My nose seems to be letting me know a lot of things it didn't tell me back in Canada. It's a little more runny now than before and the humidity here is to be blamed. I miss the clear blue skies in Canada, the clean air, Jill, Ben, Scott, Kate, Sally Zhao, Charmei (fried noodles), my university, and mostly My Brother.
Looking forward to colder days ahead of me. How I wish I'm going through days (or nights) of 30 degrees below zero!! Fantasizing of snowboarding down the Alps, it used tobe be the Rockies.
Oh, I got laid in Hong Kong while waiting for my connecting flight. It was a blast!
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Andrea
Co-worker or Scott's colleague for Spring/Summer 2004
That wasn't nice of me that I didn't look into your eyes and initiated conversation
This is not the usual gesture I'd offer but I was busy
You seemed too familiar as though I have known you for a long time, a connection
I was busy and time was my constraint but I couldn't steal some off it to be with you... and Scott.
We have not really got to know each other although that idea would have been a blast
If this scares you, know that I am frigthened as much as you because I dont wanna believe there is an attraction between us. Let it something that I can think of as a precursor of my higher self-esteem; live and let love, let love be liberator -- that which liberates me from my insanity to even write this out.
Ah! The power of atractions and love! they both never cease to amaze me.
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Shot by ... the table?? : At Chelsea's place after stuffing ourselves with pizza and watched an independant movie... kinda silly. From left to right by head queues: Me Myself, Ben, Sylvia, Canaan, Scott, and Chelsea. Look!! All of us have clean feets!! Except... lots of shiats going around here. beware, don't step on one. hehe
Photoblogged!!
Shot by Lindsy: Woahh!! This is Lindsy's self-portrait. She did it again -- took the camera away from from Keane's possession and "showed" him how to use the camera in the most proper way. It does look proper though!! That would mean that all guys sucks at using camera! Heyyy, I remember I TOO have cleavege! but without the laces like she does... *winks!*
Photoblogged!!
Shot by Keane: Myself & Chealsea, inclined towards Sylvia for a trio shot. Sylvia wanted a small pop but she got a mini jug of coke and rum. Don't I just have that "Chow Yunfatt" look?? hehe!
Photoblogged!!
Aurora Borealis
Shot by Shutterdan on Tv Mode for 15 seconds (Canon PowerShot A70): I lay down on the grass of the park just opposite Brunskill High School (illustrated) along Wiggins Avenue gazing into the azure skies full of random activities. Notice the different color streaks.
Photoblogged!!
Shot by Shutterdan on Tv Mode for 15 seconds (Canon PowerShot A70): The camera was tilted at >120 degrees on a concrete block. I believe most pictures are shaky, therefore, would appear to be blurry but at an acceptable level.
Photoblogged!!
Over looking the aurora beyond Saskatoon's tallest building--old folks home.
Photoblogged!!
This one was totally brutal and is a killer! It almost killed me by running and dancing its streaks in multicolor and at speed of light in swivel for a few seconds and then disappears into thin air. This is the best of the best show!
Photoblogged!!
Laid on my back and shot this picture! Sometimes flashes work better!
Photoblogged!!
Shot by Shutterdan on Tv Mode for 15 seconds (Canon PowerShot A70).
Photoblogged!!
Shot by Shutterdan on Tv Mode for 15 seconds (Canon PowerShot A70)
Photoblogged!!
Oops! It did it again!
Gee, there "is" a time limit to record your message, which I good to keep you from floating and blabbling away till sunrise.
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Untitled
Shot by Keeane: Well, needless to say further. If you are seeking for the "virgin" picture, contact me.
Photoblogged!!
That was a blast!!
Soon after stepping out of the theater I realized that "Bourne Supremacy" is the second part continuing "Bourne Identity". It was the former that I watched with my brother. Good movie! The story line wasn't that bad and the special FXs are quite decent too; and the car-chase scenes or maybe you'd like to term it as high-speed pursuits are jaw-droppings aftermath. Sit put in your seat... lest you be swayed away.
There's something about how the movie was shot that I am attracted to; perhaps the positioning of cameras and methods used to capture several out-of-the-ordinary scenes. hmm... I might put that on my wishlist-- be a film-maker by first owning a video camera?
Bah!
Anyway, enough said about movies.
This time I walked to Danville's resident for a scheduled appointment to take some pictures of the stepping stone I made with a big leaf on Wednesday. The concrete is not dry yet but he suggested that we lay it down on his garden for photos. And we did just that!. Embossed on it are the copper wires that I twisted and bended to form alphabets that would apparently spell out my name with a date stamp. Cool!
Here are some pictures of it.
Shot by Shutterdan: There lay my stepping stone on a bed of lilies; ever so strong and steadfast. I feel indebt somehow.
Photoblogged!!
Shot by Shutterdan: Stan Danville laying down the second stone. Mine will be on the third.
Photoblogged!!
Shot by Shutterdan: Stan posing a backache stance. Just kidding. He's picking up something and mind you, he is ever so healthy!
Photoblogged!!
Shot by Shutterdan: A closer view of the finished product.
Photoblogged!!
There it shall lay in garden for eternity(?)
I have left behind quasi-time-capsule souvenir
They have left behind beaconing memory for me
that would raise reasons for yearning to return to Canada
I mean, come on, I don't suppose that any host families make their own garden's stepping stones, right? Let alone your name on one of it. Frankly speaking, Stan Danville and his wife, Nelly Danville, are not even part of the International Friendship Program that the International Students Office of my University runs.
We met last summer after I return from Malaysia for a month's of holiday. Jean (Jingfang) and I went outfor our daily strolls around the place we stayed, which was Soji's 1428 14th street East. Now, on January 30th it was the
coldest day of the year with a temperature of 57 degrees celsius below zero, 1428 got burnt down. Jean moved out of 1428 to live in BC at the end of August 2003. So did I. So, we came upon this beautiful fenced garden full of lilies. We decided to walk into the garden to have a chat with the person whom I know today as Stan. He showed me this water fountain that he made from nothing and continued to surprise me by revealing to me that most of the stuffs I see in his garden are not bought but made with the two hands endowed to him. I am already convinced that this man is not only amazing but as creative as I would like to be. To raise one more brow, over many conversations within that period I just could not believe that we do share some common interests and I would suppose that that is the probably the reason that has kept this friendship. I don't really think that age has largely to do with this although I cannot deny that it could be a contributing factor as a senior citizen in the community spends his/her day trimming the garden, read a book outside, invent something, etc. in other words, they are just too nice and meeting people has always been part of their life in their retirement years.
Onwards to another item.
We sat and chatted about Canadian history, Malaysia (pronounced as Ma-lay-sia and not Ma-lay-zhuh) on most part. Then he took me down to his 'dungeon' where he works at polishing stones and jewelries during the winter. The entire base is just full of tools and motors that I suppose would assist in his polishing work. So, I had the opportunity to polish a stone for myself and so I did! I got a rounded Snowflake Obsidian 1 inch in diameter and about a quart of an inch in thickness. He showed me how to do the job and I polished the stone from its coarse surface to a glossy shinning stone. It's the kind of stone where kids would find on the beach or by a river and keep as souvenirs. Their borders or corners would usually be rounded and blunt (not sharp) and a variety of mineral deposits in layers are visible. Here are the pictures:
Shot by Shutterdan: The Snowflake Obsidian stone is waxed onto a stick so that I don't get my hands grinded by the machine. I am polishing the stone here until it glitters! It's mica not gold!
Photoblogged!!
Shot by Shutterdan: The polished stone in my hand. From pointy edges to polished dome. My Precious!! My precious jewel from Canada!
Photoblogged!!
So, at 23:00, we drove out of town (about 10 minutes) to pick up Amanda (who is now engaged to Tony, the two person behind my head) and headed to The Hose. Most of the people whom we played Ultimate Game together were there drinking and yakking away. As usual, we were late because Scott was driving. He needs to have a talking wrist watch that would annoy the daylights out of him by reciting every quarters of the time and probably yell
"Scott! Scooot now!! Scooot!!"
That would be horrendous if it were to be true for him. I get too IMpunctual sometimes too and because I am a (Canadian??) Malaysian, we have coined a name for such impunctuality -- Malaysian Timing -- as though we're dumb in telling time and meeting appointments on time.
Why am I having so much fun now? Like, what happened to the days before tonight? These people are people of substance and I'm just about to learn about them getting to know them and right now to even think about not being able to party with these people again would probably cause some tears rolling down ones cheeks.
But one has to move on in life, eh? It's good to get comfortable with what you have and your surroundings but it's never too good when you get too comfortable that laziness pops up and you're not motivated to do something else. If you don't know what I'm talking about, try looking up for a book called "Who moved My Cheese" authored by Dr. Spencer.
Friday, July 23, 2004
Slide shows
Well, I am glad that Claudia finally got her chance to look at her own glamour shots. While looking at her analyzing each slides that she picks up and held out at arms length, my heart just beats faster and you know I think I also feel a little panicky as I am afraid of her being very critical of how I have made her look like in the shots. Anyway, there are 37 slides and she's gone through each and every one of them and now comes the verdict:
"So, how are they? Do like like them?", I querried in deep trembling voice.
"So-so lor... there are some good ones", she replied with a smile probably feeling a little embarrassed too.
"Well, you can probably go through all of them again because I am going to have ask you to pick out the ones you want for print", I explained.
She nods her head.
From #37, she filpped through the slides until 25 and called out "number twenty-five" as her first slide of choice to print.
In my head I questioned myself about the last 12 slides. Perhaps they are no good. Oh well, at least from #25 and below, there are more good ones (the ones she likes) as she called the slide numbers out. 15 slides out of 37 she picked out for print. I dont know about myself but I think that is quite an achievement for me. However, I should also give myself the benefit of doubts that "what if" she chooses out of obligations or sympathy...? Anyway, the whole thing didn't turn out bad... it was a good scene. I guess we're both glad with the results... although we're not taking into consideration of the bad shots.
Gotta go... might go and watch "Bourne's Identity".
SMS.AC Alert!!
I have been a member of SMS.AC for a long time now. You would probably know they are free-service providers when you sign up. However, behind the attractive word "Free" that consumers like me are always looking for on the WWW, there is a price to pay.
When you DO sign up, I learned (just now even though I was already a member for over 2 years) that you have several credits per day in which will allow you to send text messages via their website for free. Those credits will be replenished at midnight Pacific Time. However, your membership with SMS.AC will warrant an automatic sign up to their other "pay per use" services. You will be charged for every text messages received. I have gone through their Terms and Condition and assuming I have not overlooked any clauses, there is no where it mentioned that users like you and me will be bounded to such situation, which does actually opens up a door for them (SMS.AC) to milk us out.
You might probably be asking yourself how would they charge you. Well, SMS.AC is predominantly a text-messaging provider company and when you signed up you have provided them your cellphone number. That is where you are vunerable.
My cellphone bills have been regular and I am quite familiar with the iteneries within in until I received my last bill. Take a look and I shall draw your attention to the highlighted item that reads "Total Pay Per Use Service Charges".
I just got off the phone with Rogers operator/customer service assistance. Been on the phone for like 33minutes! They have been trying to resolve what seems to be my problem as well as Roger's. Because it appeared on my bill, therefore, it does mean that Rogers know about it and was charged thus I am responsible for the charges. But How did I not know about it?!" This is what I'd call it hidden charges.
I don't exactly know how it (SMS.AC) works out. They may have changed their policies, terms and conditions without notifying or highlighting key points that could and/or would change or influence consumer's choice on whether or not to continue to stay as their members. For most cases, silence construes acceptance or agreement, which I think is totally unjust.
Recently I have been receiving a lot of text-messages from them and I haven't actually question myself as to why and how seriously... until today.
So, the purpose of me writing this to you so that you be aware of SMS.AC's cunningness or wittyness in their business conduct. Alhthough I do not and am not a member of any pornography websites, I know how they work-- you sign up for XXX's 3 days trial at NO COST and failing to withdraw your membership within 72 hours gives XXX the right to bill you their full membership rates as well as you are automatically signed up to XYZ, AXX, ABC, XZZ trial porn sites for free... but you'll be billed. Before you know it, you've been billed by 10 sites behind your back when you are only aware of ONE porn site that you signed up for at the end of the month when you look at your credit card invoice.
Another point I am making: ALWAYS (EXTRA EMPHASIS!!) READ AND SCRUTINIZE "TERMS AND CONDITIONS" and "PRIVACY POLICY" whenever you sign up to a web service site that requires your financial information (e.g. credit card).
There's another reference to this testimony and is found at Abysm Of Time. Who ever needs a translation, I am more than willing be at your service. All you have to do is to let me know... using the comment link available at the bottom of this posting.
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Not quite a good start
I wasn't going to miss another bus as I was late for a scheduled physical therapy appointment. It was already 13:54 and I was still in my room; I have 1 minute. I dashed out of my house half naked and the 6A bus passed me and stopped at the bus stand which was just next block. There wasn't even a chance for me to slide in my shirt (buttoned) as I did the fastest sprint as I could... on my almost torn sandals. Just a few more steps away from the stand, the bus left.
"No!!!", I exclaimed!!
Already panting and grasping for air, I walked at ease and realized that the bus was slowing down at the ambering lights ahead on College Drive and Wiggins Ave. Determined not to miss my ride, again I did the 100 meters sprint. As I approached the junction of Wiggins I was sure I could get the driver's attention. It stopped at the next stand on Wiggins. A couple of people got down and doors were closed. I was only 3-4 leaps away and the bus had to step on it.
"Nooooooooo......!! Not again!!", I shouted in frustration. Who wouldn't be frustrated after attempting twice or more to flag down the bus after a few sprints? I gave up and guilt almost ate me up for leaving my door late... but, alas, I heard screeching noises from the bus and that's a good sign--the driver had lifted up his leg on the gas pedal and stepped on the brakes! Woohooo!! I jogged there to make my entrance... still half naked! Stepped up the stairs and dug up for coins in my pocket, still topless! Passengers by the windows who noticed me running after the bus applauded me and one of them made a comment:
"You must be ready for the Olympic games!".
I was panting like mad. I offered a generous smile to the person who made that comment as I walked down the aisle passed him looking for a seat to put on my shirt. gee!
After receiving treatment, I paid and left for Walmart to get my photos. When it's my turn to pay I gasped and panicked digging all the 6 pockets of the cargo pants I wore.
"Heck! where is my wallet!?"
Apparently, I left it at Daniel Kimbers Physical Therapy clinic. The panic attack subsided after I made a call to the clinic and so I strolled down 8th street when my sandals torn into two pieces.
"Give me a break!! It has not been a good day to start with since I stepped out of my door at 13:54!"
Limping my way to the clinic and took back what belonged to me and limped back to Walmart to pay for the merchandise.
Limped all the way to Sportschek and the first thing I did when I stood before the shoe shelves was to kicked off the rotten sandals I was wearing and pick them up to dump it in my trash bin behind me.
The sales assistance grins. I bet he thinks that "this" guy is certainly going to buy something from here. hehe! Of course I am! Don't wanna be walking on bare foot now do I?
Great!
Headed to Black's photography to pick up slides I shot for Claudia. Some turned out so-so but most of them are okay and there are a few exceptional ones. Felt excited as it is my first time shooting on slide films. Color saturations are top quality and they were all super vivid! I have to keep in mind to underexpose by either ½ or 1 stops next time I shoot slides, and overexpose by the said amount when I shoot negatives. I'm quite satisfied with the quality of slide films has to offer!
Later in the evening, I was at Stanley Dansville's to make another impression of stepping stones that he lays down in his magnificient lily garden. This time it'll be a different stepping stone -- it has my name printed on it. Not that I don't already mind people stepping on my name, but how many international students (I'm from Malaysia) would have their names on a concrete stepping stone in somebody else's garden in Saskatoon, let alone Canada?! *sniggers!* I thought of it as a time capsule and offered that idea to Stan, a retired mchanical engineer who will be 83 years old in a month, and he pretty much liked the idea and adopted it. Best of all, he taught me how to do it and I did everything on my own.
After that, I joined Scott, Andrea, Andrew, Jordan, and a few other friends for a game of Ultimate -- the ultimate frisbee game!
Whew! What a day! :)
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
A forwarded mail with good intentions
Dear Guys,
Please update how true is this if you've been there.
Please forward to all your girl friends out there!
Subject: FW: Aware of the RUSH club washroom!
To every ladies out there,
Please be aware that there is a new club which used to be calledViva located in Eastin hotel called RUSH Club.Inside the ladies washroom there is a blue water flowing glass with a mirror next to it, it's a one directional mirror from the guys washroom.
So ladies be aware because we can't see the guys from the oppositebut the guys can watch every single move and things that we are doing in the washroom except when u're in the cubicle.
I've been to the club and my bf told me about it.He said he sees every gal in the washroom clearly and the otherguys are like watching a show in their washroom. Please pass this messageto all of ur gal frens to aware them about this humiliating action that isgoing on at RUSH Club.
The Group of Asians in Waskesiu
Shot by LF: Group photo... how about a lift of my leg for kudos!? Had good time!
Photoblogged!!
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Just in case you're wondering...
... about the motion picture of the sexy lass in white on the right side bar of this page, you might have asked yourself why is it there and perhaps wonder about the degrees of a social deviant I am that would equate to a sick pervert.
Before you allow your mind to lead you thinking in that direction, you must first allow me to clear up the stench in the air then you make your judgement.
I, too, have never heard why would anybody want to hack into personal blogsites like mine and put up stuffs that the hackers thought was funny or just for the heck fun of it.
Doesnt' it look cool? Okay. That picture is situated on the "About" [this blog] part and not "About Me" part so it doesn't speak of my sickly fetishes or that I'm sick. Whatever I do to that picture it will still come back. So, for now I'll just leave it as it is until it's time is up. Right now I"m too lazy...
Cheers!
Monday, July 19, 2004
Another weekend in Waskesiu
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Got up at 06:15 and started packing up before my ride arrived at 07:10. Threw in a sleeping bag, a pillow, a tripod, a camera, and some clothings into Julian's truck.
After a two and a half hours on the road we arrived Waskesiu. We were on one of the beaches to start off with lunch at around noon time. Played and relaxed on the beach till 17:00 when rain clouds were already setting in. Some of our guys said that there was going to be a thunder storm in this place earlier but nobody seemed to be bothered by it too much because the sun was scorching our skins earlier and at this time it would be been deemed to be an impossible phenomena. Skies were clear and cotten-candy clouds painted the blue skies pretty. Man, I even got a mild sun-burn.
A group of people went to town for a shower while a few more stayed back. I stayed back for some sun and photo-shootings (scantily clad girls in bikinis perhaps?). At around 16:45, Leonard, Raymond, and Jotham Gan have all gone to the campsite to pitch up our tents leaving behind Josephine (Jotham's mother), Melissa Gan, and myself at the beach side. They came back 20 minutes later and I must say their timing were excellent. We would be under water had they not. All of a sudden, winds up to probably 56 km/h were constantly blowing for more than 5 minutes. It's not like a gush of wind for a second or two but a constant flow of air so strong that it would have perhaps moved the lid of the hibachi sideways. Waves on the waters became violent. The six of us pack up stuffs in haste and headed out to our campsite. No rains yet but we were already expecting one.
It started rainning already when we arrived at our campsite and since there were 11 of us in total, we had to pitch up another tent. Four of us got out leaving behind Josephine and Melissa in the van to do just that. Each of us held a corner of the tent and stretched it out to lay it on the ground. As soon it the tent was on the ground, something dropped from above and hit on the tent right in front of me and I thought the tree bore some kind of interesting seed or fruit as it was white in color. The second I picked it up it didn't take me long enough to know that that is an ice ball. About an inch in diameter and half and inch in height and looks like an UFO's flying saucer (oval).
"Hey guys! It's a hail!! This is ice!", I exclaimed.
Already [half] drenched in the rain, we must have unanimously agreed in our minds to get into the tent that was already pitched because somehow we believed that that one piece of hail that fell off the sky had a purpose.
Those 3 guys quickly crumble-folded the tent and walked towards the tent. They were confused as they did not know where to put the tent -- back into the van or bring it into the tent that was dry on the inside. I shouted to get them into the tent and they did. As we hurried in, the rain just got heavier. We opened the 'window' of our tent and we can see Josephine and her daughter stucked in the van on about 10 feet away to our front left side. A minute later (17:40) there wasn't much rain but this time little hails poured down.
We sat/knelt in the tent and stared at each other in consternation just watching one of mother nature's powerful force unveiling her wraths. The grounds were beginning to look like a floor of white sago seeds rolling in all directions as water droplets hit them. The hail got worse. 5 minutes later, the sound of hails that hit out tent grew harder and louder. We looked outside once again and we were telling each other to look how the size of the hail changed. They were no longer the size of sago seed but now the size as big as foosball and golf balls. It size of it all were just mind-boggling.
Josephine later on relate to us her experience to be inside the van during the hail. It's like somebody playing a drum kit's snare and you're trapped inside it. She got so worried that those hails would crack her windshield so without much hessitation she switched on the wipers at max speed hoping the pair of wiper blades can bat the thousands of hails pouring down on her van and on us. We thought the movie we watched a few weeks ago--The Day After Tomorrow-- is not simply just a movie but some kind of manifestation as prophesied in that movie.
The hail storm lasted about 20 minutes and it is the first hail storm I have experienced to date. Alas! That first hail that dropped on the tent we were going to set up has served as a warning to us all -- "GET IN!! Or else you'll be hurt!!". If that's the work of God, He must have been gracious to have warned us! Glory to be Him!!
The rest of the people finally arrived at the campsite at around 18:10 when it the hails were already over. I bet they have had hell of a ride to here. One by one came into our tent. We sang and played the guitar. Jean, from Taiwan, is apparently quite talented at strumming the strings and singings as well.
The storm subsided 20 minutes later, 18:35-ish. Mosquitoes came out! Great!! Why didn't we have a break from mother nature? I have seen those mosquitoes the size of a twoonie coin (2$ Canadian coins). Here is a pic of that coin: 
. When one of those blood-sucking pest lands on your back, you had better slap on it fast and hard when its stomach is still empty or you're gonna get your own blood splattered all over its land site. God knows what kind of viruses/bacteria it carries. I learned that mosquitoes only detects carbon dioxides that our skin pores and breath emits. They don't have those super high tech heat sensors or was it called a thermal goggles, no, no shiats like that. Products like insect/mossies repellents sprayed onto the skins prevents CO2 from emitting into the air. really effective! I've seen a wandering mossie buzzing close by my left arm confused whether or not to land on its land of milk and honey.. but hessitated and landed on my shirt (where I didn't spray anything on it) to meet its death.
Great! Now that rain has subsided, firewoods were wet and we can't start a fire! How can we have dinner? Soon I realized that the woods were wet on the outside but dry on the inside so I began splitting them using a 20" axe and violà, we made FIRE!!
Kevin drove Josephine, Mariata, and I to Waskesiu's town for shower. We left at 20:40. Just 3 minutes before we arrived town four of us got the opportunity to catch the breath-taking sunset on the horizon of Waskesiu's lake. I asked Kevin to pull over so that I could capture that rare moment. It reminds me of some arts we used to draw during our elementary years in schools where the bright orangy-red sun sinking down into the sea or behind some mountaineous humps or both. The reflections of the sun on the water is not missed too. The sensation was so... oh, so wonderful! Magical if I can say?
Anyway, the shower facilities in town were closed. We arrived 20 minutes late. So, I suggested that we sneaked into another campsite that has shower facilities. That campsite is electrified, but ours are not. Mission accomplised! Feel so refreshing!
It was already dark then. It was 22:00. When we were back at the campsite, all were already gathered around the hibachi warming up, singing and having fun.
By midnight, most have gone to bed. Those who were still up were:
Jotham, Leonard, Jean, Char Mei, and I.
Leonard, weilding his digital camera, and I decided to head out to the lake nearby (~2 minutes walk) to be away from the trees and to get a better view of stars. The Big Dipper (Ursa Majora) was really, really big in the clear dark skies.
We walked down several steps in half a circle before we came to a landing. It was low tide then and it was 01:40. The second we landed on the platform and looked up the skies (that's what we were there for anyway), we beheld something else we never would have thought we'd see. Jotham, Leonard, and I were "Taken away" in spirit just by looking ahead of us. We were facing north as Polaris was just right above and in front of us. For 30 minutes, Leonard and I rushed each other for the one tripod we brought with us taking turns shooting at the amazing showdown on earth -- Aurora Borealis or commonly known as the Northern Lights.
Not wanting the other 2 lass to miss the show, we decided to call them, who I believe are still playing the guitar and singing around the hibachi, over to join us to watch the show.
We stayed up till 03:15 before hitting the sacks.
Sunday, July 18, 2004
More meat for breakfast. They have, I think, done quite a good job in taking care of the food part. We were all fed quite well and energized for the day's activities. So, kudos to those who have prepared and thought out for the meals.
Packed and headed out to town by 12:30noon. Most of us went into the water. The sun was at its peak heat and I could literally feel it scorching on my skins as though I have my arms just over the electric stove set on max temperature. Well, guess what? For the first time in Canada, I got sun burn. I had one yesterday but this time I thought I could really want to burn myself. Frolicking under the heat of the sun at the beach and later sun bath for 40 mins did a lot of burning. I'm now... an African Chinese!
Left Waskesiu at 16:10. Still hot! To be in the van with only a window that opens a crack is stifling and perhaps a torture!
Had good dinner at the Mandarin Restaurant when we arrived Saskatoon.
That's that!
The pictures of this trip are up next. They are photoblogged!
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