Mama Mia!

It's almost 4:00 p.m. and I'm sitting inside the Western Australia State Library, blogging now and listening to some beautiful live singing by an Italian choir ... You see, there's a celebration of the Italian community and their many contributions to the society here. There is presently an exhibition of moving testimonies in huge posters, accompanied by vintage pics of the early Italian immigrants, some of whom were p.o.ws of WW2! Fascinating ... really touching tales of discrimination and the consequences ... Certainly many democracies can learn to be repentant of their past mistakes and Downunder we can see with our very own eyes, a nation that is not afraid of its past shadows! Cool, even he Italian consul is here with some sort of Aussie statesman in the ceremony...Many of us are busy with our own activities but occasionally, some of us would glance at all the merry-making... uncommon practice out West that many asian libraries would frown upon in their old autocratic--or shall I say, authoriterian style!

How strange it is ... I wasn't supposed to be here! I would have been relaxing on the Indian Pacific train bound on a three-day ride to Adelaide! I tried booking a seat and even went to the train station at East Perth, after catching the metrotrain there but couldn't get a seat!

I sort of miss a wonderful French gal, Clemency who was on her merry way to Sydney on the Indian Pacific train. We were the only two persons sitting together and instantly hit it off. She entrusted her many belongings in my care when she had to go elseway and I did so likewise. She was smart, having just completed her uni and advertising studies ... She could be a Hollywood star with her stunning looks! Hell, sure wish I could flirt! Anyway, we couldn't help feeling a little sad to part as friends ... funny that she had just arrived from Auckland and I am on my way there!

Ah yes! Here's little update about this marvelous Aussie one-person only toilet ... I discovered that the public library one is really classy! When you enter inside it withits spaceous size, a male voice tells you to lock the door, followed by a lovely tune in the sound system ... It was soothing but the voice will remind you that "You have TEN minutes" in the loo. Hmmmnn ... I love the tune ...It was something about love--just forgotten its title... wonder if a different tune will come on? Gotta drop by to find out after this!

One little thing that bugs me about this place is FLIES! Nasty pests that will even attempt to enter your nostril and mouth, even when you're walking ... Malaysian flies are never this aggressive! Wonder if there are any attempts or campaigns Downunder to get rid of them permanently!

Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot...

As the last strains of that haunting song fades...Columbans! Faithful souls of our old school with its Irish saint, Saint Columba! It's time again to come together to celebrate the 80th anniversary of our alma mater!

The tentative date is Saturday, 8th August, 2009 (That's right-8/8/09!) at a leading restaurant-either Eastwood Valley Country Club Restaurant, Imperial Ballroom or Mega Hotel Restaurant.

The ticket will cost RM50.

Oh yes, I'm making arrangements to fly out our beloved Aussie principal, Ms. Leonie Armour from Down under. I'm going to be honored to have her as our guest in my home for the duration of her stay here with us.

Don't miss this big event, folks! Be there or be square!

Here's a joke for old buddies... By the way, bet you never knew-Ms. Armour's Irish!

Two men were sitting next to each other at a bar. After awhile, one guy looks at the other and says, "I can't help but think, from listening to you, that you're from Ireland."

The other guy responds proudly, "Yes, I am!"

The first guy says, "So am I! And where about from Ireland might you be?"

The other guy answers, "I'm from Dublin, I am."

The first guy responds, "So am I!"

"Sure and beggorra. And what street did you live in Dublin?"

The other guy says, "A lovely little area it was. I lived on McCleary Street in the old central part of town."

The first guy says, "Faith and it's a small world. So did I! So did I! And to what school would you be going?"

The other guy answers, "Well now, I went to St. Mary's, of course."

The first guy gets really excited and says, "And so did I. Tell me, what year did you graduate?"

The other guy answers, "Well, now, let's see. I graduated in 1964."

The first guy exclaims,"The good Lord must be smiling down upon us! I can hardly believe our good luck at winding up in the same bar tonight. Can you believe it? I graduated from St. Mary's in 1964 my own self!"

About this time, Vicky walks into the bar, sits down and orders a beer.

Brian, the bartender, walks over to Vicky, shaking his head and mutters, "It's going to be a long night tonight."

Vicky asks,"Why do you say that, Brian?"

"The Murphy twins are drunk again."

Wise Hotel Tips

I think I'll throw in another naughty piece for this holiday season as so many visitors are traveling and putting up in hotels.

This extract is from Miri's great Community Net's blog. I guess it'll be a great idea to borrow something from my many buddies there. It's titled Ghost Protection in Hotel.

Just two days ago I was escorting an old buddy and her daughter with all their luggage to a hotel room. They'll be holed up there for a number of weeks... so this piece today will be sound advice for them! Haha... D & S ...Beware!


Ghost Protection in Hotel

My friend who works in a hotel sent me an email, please read.

----->Believe it or not

In every single hotel, there shall be at least a permanent room which should be left vacant at all times. No matter how full the hotel is, they are not to sell that room(s) to any guest. It is said that special room is 'reserved' for those 'special visitors'.

So, if you plan to stay in some hotel, always book in advance. Try to avoid a walk-in. If the receptionist tells you there's no more room available, do not insist on one anymore or try to bribe him or her to give you a room. If you do that, most of the time the room you have will be that 'special room'.

Sometimes, those 'special visitors' might go to other rooms also, so here's some tips on how to protect yourself:

- Before entering your room, always knock on the door first, even if you know the room is vacant.

- After you enter the room, if you feel very cold suddenly and have 'chicken spores', leave the room quietly and immediately and go to the receptionist to request for a change of room. Most of the time the receptionist will understand what's happening.

- After you enter the room, immediately switch on all of the lights, and draw the curtains to let the sunlight in.

- Before you go to bed, arrange your shoes so that one of them is upside down. Some say this is representing yin & yang to protect you while you're asleep.

- Always leave at least a lamp on while you're sleeping, preferably the toilet lamp.

- If you're staying alone and they have given you a twin bed, do not sleep with the other bed vacant; try to put your things like luggage on the other bed before you sleep.

p/s I was told that there was a recent exorcism performed at a well-known hotel not
too long ago and I know it's true ...