"Power comes from the sinews of my bicep!"

It's been a strange week for me. Elliot Smith said that "happy and sad come in quick succession" but for me they came both at the same time.

Happy was the Hong Kong trip. This was the 5th time I've been to the city, the first being when I was 11 and the rest spread rather evenly over time. Each time I return, it feels like I'm home. Its not just that the place speaks the language that I grew up with, or feeds me with the food I grew up with when Singapore was less sanitized. Its the hustle and bustle of a city truly alive.

This time is different, for the company was sublime (almost). Teh with his GPS satelite uplink, Kumar with his marshalling of the troops, Simon with his immaculately planned itinerary and Mendi with his everlasting mouth. I guess you'll all be amazed that Mendi actually approached a girl and asked her to take a photo with him.

Of course this happened only after some verbal persuasion on my part("Mendi, this is a roll of toilet paper, I use it to wipe my backside but you use it to wipe your mouth. Why? because your mouth isn't any different from my backside)and great stategizing from everyone else.

I should also mention that this trip spawned a whole new set of trademarks. "I am very tired, my leg is calling a day", "My social very good one loh!", "Orh! AH!". I'm sure Kumar can fill in with those I don't remember and the rest of you can guess who came up with all those trademarks.

Staying in the same room as teh and mendi can kill you with laughter. All in all, I'd say this was a pretty steadip travelling crew. But my part of the trip was cut short by my grandfather's funeral, so I guess there has to be another post documenting the parts of the trip where I wasn't there. It goes without saying that I miss Hong Kong and the familiarity I feel with this particular city. I miss the brisk winter wind, with its scent of rain and excitement.

The passing of my grandfather was no doubt a sad occasion. He led a hard life and he deserves his rest now, no matter how much we wish his life could have been better. It has also put religion on my mind. I am increasingly intrigued by the way in which my philosophical standings (I'm Postmodern in that respect) have begun to be integrated with my religious beliefs (Mahayana Buddhism). It looks like the only way for me to attain my eventual enlightenment lies in introspection. Rituals and writing can only guide anyone this far, I must experience and find my own understanding of my existence and my eventual demise.

Ang Heng