Life is a journey

In 2 days I'm going to Hong Kong... I'm excited, but at same time a little nervous. It's my first time there, it's a big city. I mean how many global cities are so breath-taking and important like Hong Kong? New York, Chicago, London, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai to name few... I just can't wait to see the unique Hong Kong skyline! I guess when you see it for the first time, you must take a deep breath, before you can fully grasp it.

So anyway, I will be flying again... Planes - I can't without them. I will be flying for the 16th time I think. It really makes me feel I'm always on the move, always traveling, never arriving to where I wanna be. My life is a big journey. I don't know if I will ever settle down somewhere and stay rooted. I will always be on the move. And if I have grandchildren one day, be sure, grandpa will have many stories to tell :-)

[Photo by MKL, 2009]

KTV in Batu Pahat

Let me introduce you Malaysian karaoke

Few days ago, I've been to a KTV (aka karaoke TV) for the first time. It was a friend's birthday party. When I entered, I saw a group of people, maybe 20 or more, in a room with a big TV and a long couch with few tables. There's even a small toilet and a pool table. You have your own waiters, all dressed in black, going in and out, serving you. Meanwhile the people on the side were playing pool, some on the other side were chatting, while the ones in the centre were singing chinese songs. I think KTV can be fun, but I think if you go with people you know. And the group has to be smaller and you better have few drinks before you start singing. I'm sure it's possible to have fun... because this party wasn't fun for me... But most the important thing was to wish the friend happy birthday.

TV screen at a Batu Pahat KTV lounge.

[My MALAYSIA page][My BATU PAHAT page][All photos by MKL, 2009]

»Welcome to Malaysia!«

Today, I decided to go for a walk again. I went for a 15 min walk to the nearest shopping mall. On my way there, while slowly walking between the houses, I suddenly heard someone say: ''Welcome to Malaysia!" I kept on walking and said: ''Thank you.'' I didn't know where it came from, until I saw someone leaning on the fence of the house I just passed by and starting a conversation with me. It was a young Malay man, asking me all kinds of questions in English, like where I was from, what was my name, where I was headed... People in Malaysia are very friendly and it wasn't the first time somebody started a conversation with me. So I am not surprised when something like that happens. Anyway, he said he hoped to see me again. I said ''yes, see you''. But the thing is... I seldom walk that way, so I doubt I will meet him again. But you never know.

Kaya and jasmine tea in Batu Pahat

A simple Malaysian snack

Today, after 1 week of being sick, I finally went out. I walked to a near by corner caffee... The evening weather was mild in Batu Pahat... And I felt I am ready to walk around after being quite annoyingly tied to the bed. When there, I enjoyed some kaya bread and jasmine tea, which were delicious, and just soaked in the whole image: A busy junction, congested traffic and few pedestrians passing by, probably on their way home... As always, I was the only white guy around there...

[My MALAYSIA page][My BATU PAHAT page][All photos by MKL, 2008]

Malaysian public toilet

Something that's different in Malaysia

It seems as if this typical Malaysian public toilet and me won't become good friends any time soon. I just can't seem to have any courage to give it a try. I rather wait till I come back 'home'. Would you become good friends with her? It?

[My MALAYSIA page][My BATU PAHAT page][Photo by MKL, 2008]

Why I love Lee Hyori!

All about Hyori through my eyes

Lee Hyori (Korean 이효리, pronounced "E You Ree") is currently, and has been called for many years before, the Queen of Korean pop. She's born on May 10, 1979 in Cheongwon, a small city located in central South Korea. At age 19, in 1998 Hyori made a major step by joining a Korean girl group Fin K.L., who was extremely successful. Hyori was already outstanding in that time, her talents were noticed by many critics. In 2003 the group split up, although not officially. Some girls started to release their own albums, Hyori was among them. That's where Hyori's rise to fame has begun!¹

HYORI AND I: I started to listen to Hyori in 2008, when she released one of her top hits U-Go-Girl. I remember watching Arirang, the Korean TV channel, that broadcasts outside of Korea, in English. They have a show called Pops in Seoul, where they show all the current top hits from Korea. When I saw that video, I was totally captivated. Not only was the song catchy, but Hyori looked so sexy, I thought she's out of this world. After I've seen that video, I started to google info about her, listen to some of her older songs and I was like: Wow, this girl can sing. And that's how I started to listen to her, I've become a fan. Although I admire her as an artist and I'm also a big fan of her radiant beauty (hey, I'm just a man after all), I'm still reasonable and don't take my admiration too far into some kind of creepy obsession. I love my girlfriend and Hyori will never replace her. I remember my girl once asking me, if I had a chance of spending a night with Hyori (in the case Hyori would want it, lol), would I sleep with her? I said no in an instant. Not even in theory I would betray my girl, even if she'd permit me. No way. Would you? (Women and their theoretical questions... sheesh... :-P)

HYORI'S BEST OF: Here's a list of my favorite songs from Hyori. If you're a fan, you know what I'm talking about. Let's start from 2003, from her first Album Stylish E. Hey Girl and 10 Minutes rock my world from the first album, but I also love Do Me and One Two Thre N'Four. From 2004-2005 I love Cleopatra and Together (this one especially is one of my all time favs) and of course AnyMotion, AnyStar and AnyClub. I really love the videos to the latter 3 songs, Hyori acts amazingly well. Then came 2006 and her second album Dark Angel. I love Get Ya and the video to the song. Woohoo, she's looks hot, although the style is not my favorite. I like Straight Up (and the video is lovely), Winter Freshness and EMMM. Then came 2007 and Toc Toc Toc, also one of Hyori's all time greatest songs. I love this one, too. In 2008 came It's Hyorish, a great album, where I truly love every song. And she also wrote some of the songs herself. I think U-Go-Girl will always remain my no 1, because that's how I noticed her. A special mention deserve the songs Unrivaled Lee Hyori, Lesson, A Barbershop's Daughter, PPP and My Life. Then came 2010 and I was so lucky to get her new awesome album H.Logic during my trip to Seoul. I love all the songs, it's really her best album so far. And the best songs are Scandal, Highlight and Get 2 Know, well, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is not bad either and deserves to be mentioned. Hyori is rightfully the Queen of Kpop and for me the best Korean female artist there is. It'll need years for someone to replace her. Hope that doesn't happen soon.

THAT'S WHY I LOVE HYORI, TOO: Here are some of my favorite photos of her.

Hyori is simply beautiful.

But she can also be very sexy.

The photo shoots she makes are always top notch.

She is a woman desired by millions of men.

So many dream of kissing her lips.

She has the cutest smile, a smile you'll hardly forget.

Hyori rocks commercials. She's desired by many companies.

Hyori is glamorous and womanly. She'll captivate you with her female grace.

Hyori is sexy in the small things she does. That look. Isn't it magnificent?

She has some of the hottest legs of Korea. And that's really a statement.

Hyori is a model and performer. Whatever she does is always the best.

Hyori is simply Perfection.

[1][Exceptional women][My HYORI page][Photos: Source]

I'm sick on 1. jan!

How sick is that?