Language Imperfection or Clever Disclaimer?

Recently, I have been in this dilemma of pursuing my passion for writing (and being proud of it) and my disability of being perfect grammatically in my language. No doubt that, by posting this online, I am declaring that I have decided to put the former into precedence. I suppose, my language imperfection should not stop me from filling the white pages which is rightfully my expressions.

To explain my case, I must say that I regret not having a strong fundamental in English language while at school, secondary level to be exact. I was not paying too much attention on the importance of this language. Furthermore, without some needed factors to boost my interest, I had slipped into the great deep recession level of my grammar ability.

However, my confidence was regained when I started studying for my degree and I had reached quite a comfortable stage in expressing my thoughts as accurately as possible. Well, good enough to earn myself the classification I had always dreamed of.

When I started working briefly in the corporate world while doing my final year, and fresh after my graduation, I felt dwarfed and crippled once again by my language ability. Somehow, I could not express myself well enough to be “corporate” or “agency” enough whether through writing or speaking. I attributed it to my inability to be comfortable in these situations or was I just too impatient or immature? I just could not blend in and I did felt alienated.

Naturally, I knew that the corporate world does not belong to people like me as I just don’t possess the natural ingredients (which we like to use the terms, passion, motivation etc) to thrive or even to survive in this competitive culture. I just don’t have the tenacity, maybe because I always wanted and treasure different things in life. Or maybe that’s just who I am, an introvert who prefers to be isolated sometimes.

Nevertheless, I feel blessed now with my current situation. After all that I went through, my tough times of searching what I finally felt at peace with, I think I should not let my often omitted “ed”, “s” or whatever sentences that should be structured differently to qualify as grammatically correct, to restrict me. After all, I do plan to improve on my English by taking a course with British Council when I have the chance. I must say, this is not an empty promise that I will allow myself to make. Let’s see.

My Lovely Swiss Aunt

She appeared into my life 13 years ago in 1994. I remember I was a tiny little girl with limited, almost non-existent encounter with a real white lady. I was quite nervous and from the excitement of my aunt in meeting her, I could tell that I must be at my best behaviour and be the best guide of my very own city, although, at that time, I only knew very little (I think I still am).

I remember, the moment of truth finally arrived and I think we got her some Orchids, which broke the ice. We chauffeured her to Ampang for a nice Chinese dinner in a proper air-conditioned restaurant, none of the ones we always ate when no important guest around. I remember we ordered steamed prawns, some standard green vege, tofu maybe and steamed fish (my guess).

I recall that she asked a lot of questions, which I had tried my level best to answer them. She said, what lovely names you and your brother have, the same as the Prince and Princess of Monaco (at that time). Thank goodness, I knew something about Monaco and royalties, an applause to my brother’s regular diet on celebrities and royalties gossips.

After the dinner, we headed to Central Market, the local art and cultural scene in KL. We stopped by for some pictures, which I had a chance to have a look again when I met her in Zurich recently.

My visit to Switzerland two weeks ago was such a memorable one, thanks to her, my lovely Swiss Aunt. She travelled all the way from Nyon, stopped by Berne to visit her sister and then to Zurich, after my Mount Titlis conquest. I couldn’t recognise her at first but after some eye contacts and calling out of names, we finally met again!

What gradually reminded me of her was the sound of her voice, always so positive, encouraging, generous, caring, curious, enlighten, intelligent, knowledgeable and thoughtful which sum up of who she is, even back then, as how I would remember. We spent the evening, chatting over grilled prawn spaghetti, ham and cheese sandwich and the local Swiss rosé. We wrapped it up at the hotel’s bar with some port. Our topics covered the pasts, the presents and I was truly amazed how well-stocked she is with news of Singapore and Malaysia especially the general political scenes over the years!

The very next day, together with my lovely travel companion, we toured the city of Zurich, where Swiss Aunt was last there 30 years ago. It was also a sight-seeing trip for her. We went near the zoo, hoping to catch a great city view since it is situated on an elevated land, which we ended up talking and walking and missed a tram! We then travelled back to the city and spent some time in a floral café, near the landmark Zurich clock tower, St Peter’s Church. My travel companion vowed to own one like this in Singapore one day.

We also lunched at Bahnhofstrasse, where we had some good vegetarian food. And finally, when the moment arrived, for us to part, my heart felt quite wrenched to bid this farewell at Zurich Central Station. I instantly felt lost of having a companion, a friend physically although our encounter together was just less than 24 hours.

To our surprise, she bought us two pieces of the most delicious chocolate triangles ever. How thoughtful she is! While savouring the Swiss chocolate melting in our mouths, we reminisce how we miss having Swiss Aunt around with us in Zurich.
The good news is, we might be seeing her again very soon. I can’t wait.

Daring Pasts

Reminiscing some past encounters, I realised that, I was after all quite adventurous (actually, it’s ignorance or lack of situational awareness) when I had the same job a few years back. I remember I walked out the street of New York for the first time even though it was already dusk. I remember I lost my way and had to ask an African-American security guard to direct my way back to the hotel. I grew quite panic when the streets became so dim and the streets emptying.

Another encounter would be Camden Market. I remember that, the tube to Camden station was closed due to a suspected terrorist attack. Fearless me, I took the tube and bus instead to the famous market and watched it transforming into a full-bloomed shopping area in the afternoon. I remember vividly, the images of punk rockers, gypsies, and non-conformists with tattoos and piercings all over their bodies.

Another funny one was in Jeddah. We are forbidden to walk with males who we are not married to. Hence, a group of us girls, walked behind our male counterparts and spoke almost too loudly that might have invited us some unforgivable attention. We were wearing the black “abaya” and joked we looked like pontianaks roaming the sunset street.

In the Middle East also, Dubai to be exact, my buddy and I were walking in the normal street like everyone else, until we realised that a posh sport car tailed us from behind and made some remarks before accelerating past us a couple of times! That was quite scary. Thank goodness, it was a sport car and not some black-tinted windows MPVs!

Well, there should be more encounters that have always reminded me to stay alert whenever I am in unfamiliar lands. However, they wouldn’t stop me from many more encounters which I hope only positive ones in the future.

Snow White

Zurich has always impressed me with all things winter and cold most of the time, which to many, can be rather depressing. I was once too, caught with such perception, hence all my sight-seeing aspirations would always be put on hold.

Strangely, not this time around. Perhaps, due to the coax of a perfect travelling buddy as a nice company. Freshly from touching down, we headed straight to a year-round snow-capped mountain. Despite only less than two hours notice to join the tour, we still able to make it as we were assured. It must be the efficiency and strong relationship between the hotel and the tour operators there.

Rushing our guts out, we still managed to pack some food to survive a two-hour bus ride to the mountains. Upon boarding the almost-full bus with nationalities of all sorts, we found a two-seater at the rear starboard side and began munching our packed goodies. Half-way through our pure gastronomic act of nourishing our hungry pangs, Christina, our gutsy and very Swiss tour guide walked towards us and forbidden us from eating further. She also didn’t fail to make us feel rather uncomfortable by reminding us again through the passenger-address (PA) as if we will resume eating behind her back. Well, we understand her intention of keeping the bus squeaky clean, but after a 13-hour flight with minimum food, our bodies are prone to gastric. If only they have a notice somewhere as we would have finished our emmental and tomato sandwich and chocolate Danish before we board. Anyway, we just learned our first lesson of Swiss social etiquette. We should be more careful next time.

After about one and a half hour into the journey, and with Christina’s Swiss-German accented English voice constantly on the PA like most good tour guide, trying to educate us on our new surroundings, we finally reached Luzern. We were told that we will be spending some time there after our visit to the mountains. As our main goal is to see snow in summer, we didn’t care much of Luzern.

Soon, we finally made it to the base! We were told that the cable car ride will take about 45 minutes and Christina tirelessly reminded us to be back to the base punctually so that we can all be on time for our schedule back to Zurich.

Our first cable car ride took us to Engelberg, where we still see greenery everywhere. Then, we boarded the world’s first revolving cable car and our ooos and ahhs began to take precedent. For the first time, our surrounding view is nothing but the whiteness of snow!

Our excitement grew even further when we stepped into the sea of whiteness and heading for some snow fun activities. We headed to the Glacier Cave as our first stop and I was amazed by the icy coldness akin to living in an igloo. You can also play your country’s national anthem by the push of a button! I obviously pushed for Malaysia’s. Within seconds, the whole icy cave was filled with Negaraku and my heart felt patriotic in this foreign land. Obviously, both the countries do share some really good bilateral relations.

Our tickets entitled us to a four-minute Ice Flyer (another cable car) ride to the Glacier Park. The Ice Flyer was quite intimidating for some but to me, I was glad to be hung high up in the air with magnificent views. Our legs were just hanging and your heart does feel like dropping when you are so exposed to the openness of such altitude.

Before we decided to respect Christina’s insistent on punctuality, we thought, we should grab a bite first since we are not allowed to eat in the bus. We ordered French fries, tomato soup and hot chocolate in the pizzeria. All were so heavenly in taste! The fries are the best I’ve tasted so far! With mayonnaise and ketchup, it reminded me of Amsterdam’s famous Pomme Frites! We also have two extra packet of mayo without needing to pay CH 0.50 for each. What a generous cashier we had that day!

On our way down from Mount Titlis, we were just continuously confronted by such breath-taking views of Switzerland. We also have just experienced the amazing change from where the clouds used to be below us is now above us. With the wind-chimes-like sound of the cow bells worn by the cattles in the farm below our feet, we thought, how lucky we are, to have made such a great feat to the top at 10,000 ft high...

Bon Voyage!

You should already be in Down Under now and starting to have a blast. You are also amazed with your ability to cope with your predicted condition. Your confidence increases as you regain your joy for travel and meeting your loved one.

All the best to you!

Hope and Wisdom

Today, I am lucky enough to rekindle with Ms Hepburn after a long break. I read the first chapter of her biography and my day is dimmed with her encounters during WW2 when the Nazis occupied Holland. It was an enjoyable read indeed, with words that penetrated my imagination of an era where people long to forget but yet important in history.

My memory jogs back to similar fate of a young Jewish girl in Holland itself, in Amsterdam to be exact. The little girl famously known as Anne Frank who wrote important notes that will forever remain literally valuable.

A thirteen-year old writer who would have become a journalist or like Hepburn, a movie star should she was still alive. This was attributed to her gift in writing and her admiration for many movie stars of her time when her tiny little room was decorated with magazine pictures of them. I wonder how it was like to live in those eras, when these two hopeful souls lived purely on hope and passion for the future and their pursuance.

I finally remembered how silly I was for not buying the posters of Hepburn’s many famous movies in Copenhagen and my recent encounter of Holly Golightly’s picture art in Ikea KL. I always dream of having a room themed after New York and Holly Golightly or Hepburn will be a perfect representation. Another room will be themed Cape Town, South Africa.

I think in life, it is so important not to give up hope. As a born-optimist, I harbour great hopes for the future. Another important wisdom to share, “never envy or jealous for what others have but be contented with what you already have.”