操心

前几天与雇主商讨了续约的事宜，雇主提议将合约延长两个月至六月。同事们都接受了建议除了我之外。不想呆在这儿了！同事劝我留下保持整体的队伍。

我们聘雇的当地员工知晓后都怀着不安的心情，担心我们的离去也是他们被革职之时，因为他们不属于地头帮分子。一向来我们都把项目上的疑点和违规的勾当呈报给雇主，不晓得他有太多顾虑、受制于人、无能或另有图谋，始终未能清理败絮。这让地头帮更加为所欲为，而我方却束手无策。对如此散乱的管理感到非常失望。算了吧！反正这不是我的公司、也不是我的国家，何必为此操心！

Boring Oscar

I watched the Oscar some days ago. After finishing the show, I realized that for what I wasted my time watching this senseless award presentation event? People talked the same things every year – thank so and so, a wonderful team, excellent script… boring? I don’t know who is who, but I just appreciate good movies. No doubt The Hurt Locker and Avatar are excellent, the foreign movie Un Prophete is good too… Up In The Air, The Blind Side are good to kill time… I need Oscar to tell me which movies are worth for watching.

Foreign Labours

Malaysia imported lots of foreign labours for the jobs they dislike to involve in, mainly the construction and plantation industries, and restaurant service sector. In the early stage, our narrow minded government opened the market mostly to Indonesians because of religion sake. After some years of residency, these immigrants were given a PR status, followed by citizenship. This was the tactic to increase the percentage of Muslim in Malaysia within the shortest period so to weigh up the political influence. Comparatively, other countries offered citizenship to the brilliant mind so to improve the quality of the country, but our stupid politicians apparently had no such vision.

The economy downturn and fear of terrorism have forced several European countries tightening their immigrant policy. The elimination of African illegal immigrants in southern Italy, the ban of burqa in France, and the prohibition of constructing minarets in Netherland have triggered protests.

Bangkok

I spent a night in Bangkok before flying back to Kigali. First of all, I still don’t like the new airport. It is further out from the city, less organized, looks like a huge factory storage.

Bangkok city center especially Silom area has more mega size shopping malls sprouting. As usual, I have visited the famous 4-faced Buddha beside Erawan Hotel. Delicious foods can be found easily. The nightlife at Patpong was lively as usual, every 20m someone would approach and offer me various kind of “entertainment”… well, this is Patpong especially when you are a bachelor strolling alone in the area… ha ha…

Bombs in Kigali

Alert! 6 bombing cases within 2 weeks in Kigali, stirring panic in the city. Grenades were thrown in various spots, the latest was into a public transport. The victims suffered light injuries, news reported. No one claimed to be responsible for the crimes. Speculation said the act was to destabilize the politics and thus influence the coming national election in Aug. Seems that these bombs were just a warning, otherwise a greater destructive explosive would be detonated.

Chinese New Year Vacation

Back to work now after spending 2 weeks Chinese New Year vacation at home. Since this trip was not planned and most of my friends were not informed, basically I spent mostly on eating and sleeping and babysitting my niece and nephews. Have gained some weight swiftly which I had tried hard to get rid off in the past months.

Unwillingly

Went to immigration office this morning trying to extend my work permit, but in vain. Have to leave this country before the expiry on 14-Feb. The officer rejected my request for 1 month extension while waiting for police clearance process from Malaysia. I begged for 2 weeks… 1 week… No! No! No! No more concession granted. I said I would pay for penalty. No! No! No! You must leave.

Frustrated! I had no plan to go home though 14-Feb-10 is the Chinese New Year because I plan to leave this project by end Apr-10. Furthermore time is too short for me to handover my works to someone else. Also I have to skip 6-7 basic French lessons which I’m enjoying a little lately.

PIIGS

Goodness... just sense a hint of global economy recovery, and there comes the news of Europe countries - PIIGS (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain) are bogging deeper into economy crisis due to spiraling debts. Governments are forced to slash their spending to help contain their annual budget deficit. The worsening situation might trigger greater recession in the region. The question of bailing out these countries would become desperate, would Germany or France able to help? Very very difficult… Very likely before this turmoil is settled, east Europe countries would follow the pave.

Would someone be dropped out from EU eventually? I think the pace of expanding EU zone is far too fast considering some poorer members are not ready to catch up the infrastructures needed to develop along with the western members.

Comparing to BRIC (Brasil, Russia, India and China) that group the strong growth countries, the name of PIIGS is humiliating.

Shit, EURO has dropped drastically recently. I have told all my friends to invest on US Dollar since months but I don’t have the saving to gamble on it.

Driving In Kigali

What a blessing… yesterday’s rain has swept away the heat that grilled Kigali in the past week. Somehow it caused traffic jams in the city for unknown reason. I had to detour and reached home ½ hr later for just a distance of 7km.

Though the traffic queue was long, but rarely some undisciplined drivers jumped the queue from the opposite lane. They deserved a credit!

Day before my car broke down in front of a restaurant, it was too heavy to push. It barely left enough space to let other car passing through. Eventually a gentleman assisted me to tow my car, but we blocked the road for a few minutes. A snobbish idiot blared its horn CONTINUOUSLY signaling us to give way. Axxhole!!!

Earthquake in Kigali

Minor earthquake shook Kigali in the midnight, twice. I was wakened, felt like someone shook my bed, but I thought was just a dream. But my colleagues who stay on the higher floors felt vigorous shaking. They said dogs in Kigali were howling, many residents ran down to the open space… I was not aware at all. Maybe a volcano in the region will erupt soon.

人在江湖

逐渐体验到人在江湖身不由己的处境。我不耍心机、不计算他人，奈何却未能阻挡暗箭。整个佈局我只是一颗棋子。若我抽身离去将会影响部分的运作令到同事的负担雪上加霜。友说我蠢，何必为公事太执著？我想这是因为自我要求过高及珍惜现状的团体精神。友劝亦应学习如何放手。

Haiti Earthquake

Have been >2 weeks since the earthquake shook Port-au-Prince. The city is left with a huge pile of rubbles, enormous figure of casualty and death toll… Foods are scarce and expensive, no shelter, 5000 prisoners escaped, lawlessness is fostering, the city falls disorder. The calamity has worsened the struggling life of this country - among the world’s poorest.

I don’t know what would I do if the home I built up was shattered overnight, and lost everything. I wouldn’t have the time to re-build what I’d lost. I’m always curious, what keeps these poor people to live their life? Many of them have to struggle for foods, sickness, education and all kind of problems that couldn’t be solved without money. Don’t they feel tired? What’s the meaning of life?

Our Driver Is An Artist

Patrick, one of our company drivers, is a part time artist, fairly well known in the country. Our Client knows him more than our boss. He attracts some fans wherever he goes. He has released a new album recently. Two songs have been uploaded to YouTube.

Burj Khalifa

Formerly known as Burj Dubai, the 828m world’s present highest building officially opened on 04-Jan-10. It’s more iconic rather than realistic. This money burning project doesn’t look so unique, the structure design is not innovative, lacking the elegance of Petronas Twin Towers, can’t beat the gravity defying idea of Beijing’s CCTV building… only tallness is about. For this height, not much can be done on the slim structure.

I’m curious if one would feel swinging on the top floor? How could rescue work be done in case of fire or emergency case? How much energy is wasted to flush the toilet alone? How much time and cost is needed to clean the dust off the glass?

A friend said, it would be a good exercise if you recall leaving the house key on your office desk when you are at the car park!

Arson Attacks

4 churches in Malaysia have been set arson by unknown on Friday. Police yet not solve the case. The Prime Minister condemned this provocative action jeopardizing the integrity and harmonious relationship among the races. He defended his political party would never involve in this crime, another idiot politician warned the public not to accuse them or they might face consequences. Stupid!

Feel so bad that the racial and religious issue has been escalated to another level. Why someone’s brain is so small that they couldn’t tolerate the existence and believe of the others?

If I were the Prime Minister, I would order the full force to investigate this issue and the mastermind to be executed!

The Lost Symbol – Dan Brown

Probably over expected, the latest novel of Dan Brown turned out to be quite boring – I spent 3.5 mths to finish reading (well partly because of the hectic works recently). Apparently the author is trying hard to layout a suspense and mysterious yet with realistic element plot, but it lacks the magic of his previous success. The ending of the novel was particularly uninteresting, too much biblical talk.

New Year Watching Movies

Did nothing but just staying at home watching the following films.

Surrogates – Quite an interesting futuristic idea, story was simple, Bruce Willis was no longer an invincible hero. Not bad to kill time.

Inglorious Basterds – Germans wouldn’t like to watch this movie. The character of the Jews Hunter – Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) was impressive, but Brad Pitt was overacting. So-so…

Where The Wild Things Are – Stopped after 15 min, it was for the kids.

This Is It – The final tribute to MJ, composed largely of the footage of his final concert rehearsal. The film was only presenting the MJ’s dedication to his music, not a hint of any negative element. The choreography was beautiful, that’s what I like most of this documentary.

Christmas Eve

I didn’t want to be alone yesterday night, so I went to the disco near to my apartment, anticipating some celebration or special program. Within 5 min a foxy lady approached me offering her companion. In the next 10 sentences, she started urging me to go back to my apartment, touching my hand, my face, staring at me passionately… I wanted to have someone to chat with but her English was limited for “business” communication. I ignored her later and excused myself.

When I shifted to the dance floor, immediately 2 more ladies came to say hi… not so attractive. They invited me to dance, but I had no intention to move. They caught the signal and left me alone.

At 12:00 midnight, no countdown, no screaming, no artificial snowflake, no whistling, no Santa Claus, no mask, no caroling, no special program, not a bit of Christmas feel… what a disappointment. The whole disco had only countable foreigners… I left after 2 beers, it was showering.

人情味

三日前账房向我索取本月雇员工资表，并说要赶在佳节之前发放。我问点解最后一刻先至通知，我需要时间齐集工作时间表。Alright，无所谓，为咗同事我一日之内赶起畀佢。
寻日下昼，條友先致电问我何解超时津贴过高，担心总部问长问短，可唔可以将工资延至一月直至阿头过完节返来。我话班同事需要呢笔钱过圣诞，唔应该抽起。跟住账房走来话佢地嘅计算方式同我嘅有啲出入，要我重新计算，否则条友唔会签纸。顶！玩嘢啊！为免佢诸多借口，我再做过，明知条友今日亦都唔会发放工资。班井底蛙冇料却揸住鸡毛当令箭。真系滚！
同事话冇钱呢个圣诞点happy啊？

Earthquake

The recent management re-shuffling has caused some colleagues losing their jobs recently in the head office. Sad to learn a few known persons are on the retrenchment list. Ever since working in this project, I realize the cruelty of the office politics, had never experienced so tense as yet. I reckon the flame would spread to this site office sooner or later… see who would be the unlucky. I’m losing my faith and hope to this company gradually.

No Christmas Feel

No Christmas feel in the town - no Christmas songs blaring our loud, no decoration in the public... only a Christmas tree at the airport, a life size Santa Claus model shaking hips in front of the supermarket... very quiet... I don't feel the Christmas atmosphere.

Miss Rwanda

Last Friday, Sport and Culture Ministry of Rwanda re-organized the national beauty pageant after 17 years apart. TV live broadcasted the sensation. I managed to watch the climax at the end of the show.

My personal opinion is that most of the contestants are too thin, not far from famine look. They performed catwalk on the stage, but exaggeratedly swaying the hip and crossing their steps like modeling… kinda lacking of graceful look. It was awkward to see the crowned champion while waving to the audiences, she cupped her right hand turning 90 degree left and right. The image consultant should be spanked. The first three was each presented a big shopping bag with gifts sponsored by a local supermarket, imagine how it matched the elegant night gown?

Christmas Vacation

All colleagues have left Kigali for Christmas vacation, am now alone in the office monitoring and running the on-going projects. Have been quite stressful lately, and these additional works from the colleagues burden me additionally. Colleagues said I could leave for vacation together if I wish to, and leave the shits behind. I don’t know if they really understand what we are aiming for. The whole thing might be turned upside down if our projects are left unattended, it would ruin the efforts we have been working hardly on so far…

KaraOK

Last week we found a new Chinese restaurant in town, newly opened in Oct. Service is good, foods is authentic and excellent, the best among the Chinese cuisine in Kigali though prices are slightly higher than the others. Billiard pool and KaraOK are for free.

We spent 3 dinners last week here. On Friday, after dinner we had an enjoyable KaraOK session, though English songs choices are limited. Has been years since my last KaraOK visit. We “screamed” like hell… had no idea if our voice chased off other diners. Anyway, it was good to find another entertainment.

楚河汉界

难以抽离颠覆的楚汉局势。左右为难、举步维艰。纷争白热化，只想尽早完成任务，奈何地头帮处处针对为了想公告谁才是掌权人。权与利益也！一山不能藏二虎，而养虎者未能驯服猛兽。担心他一天反被虎嚼。

Facebook

与旧同学再度联系的感觉很窝心。简单的问候挑起某段愉快的日子。面容依稀不变，但十多年前的傲慢青春已逝。照片上多了个伴侣与小孩。不自禁唏嘘自身还是孤单寡人。。。人生到了某个阶段是否该找个伴相互依靠到老？好累人的选择。。。我仍享受自由不甘受束缚。

Volcanoes National Park

Last Saturday, with colleagues and friends, 6 of us had visited the Volcanoes National Park for the last mountain gorillas on earth. We spent a night at Gorillas-Volcanoes Hotel (USD 110), but the mosquitoes in the room kept me awake almost throughout the night.

At 7am, we reached the ORTPN office (Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks). Our guide Felix gave a brief introduction. We were told only 7 Gorilla groups were open to the tourists presently, ranged from 7 to 20 gorillas each. Max 8 tourists were allowed to visit per group per day. The one we were going to spent with named Umubano, comprised of 11 members including 2 babies.

After half an hour drive on the so-called “African massage” service road, we parked our cars at a village. The guide “advised” us to hire a watchman to look after our cars, this cost of EUR 5 was kind of blackmailing, I believed.

The trekking took approx 1.5hr. The sceneries were great, passing through green farms and villages, kids asking for money or shoes or pen. Guide explained the diets of the gorilla, and reminded us repeatedly of our behavior for safety and conservation sake.

Some parts of the trek were full of mud, but much better than my expectation. The final stretch was a little challenging when climbing up very steep slopes. The weather turned cloudy, light showering. All of us were over excited to see the Silverback (leader of the group) sitting just 3m from us. This lazy beast just sat idly crossing his arms with head bowing down. Shortly we spotted other members scattered around. Our cameras clicked non-stop. We had only a small place to stand, all of the photos were more less shot from the same view. Every single movement of the gorilla especially the baby's awkward move cheered us up immensely. We were only allowed to stay 1 hr with the gorilla, was said not to stress the beast too much.

With my resident visa, I paid USD 250 for the visit permit, otherwise USD 500 would be charged to the tourist. I think the price is OK, considering this was an opportunity of the life time.

Felix explained the enormous efforts were being carried out to protect these primates. The statistic shows more than 700 gorillas are living presently in Uganda and Rwanda… couldn’t remember what he said about Congo statistic. A certificate was given to each participant end of the trip.

Birthday

For the 29th birthday today… Colleagues sang birthday song over long distance phone call; messages filled the Facebook; received a cake, gifts plus chunks of my favourite non-ordinary chocolates; had a great dinner at an Indian restaurant; followed by a brief drinking session at Mille-Collines Hotel.

Really appreciate the cheering moments with friends, at least had a great time before X’mas… I would be alone then in this city monitoring the projects.

Please...

Since weeks many people walked in daily seeking for job. With the limited vacancies, I have no choice but to shun off many applications.
Please! Give me a chance...
Please! I have a family to feed…
Please give me a try…
Please, I have been jobless for months…
Please… God bless you…
“I’m Sorry…,” I replied. I’m really sorry…

不困愁城

当猜疑逐渐侵蚀累积的信任，很无奈兼失望。为免将事件复杂化唯有啞忍淡化承受指责，不为了某某的言语而困愁城。看来是铺排功成身退之际了。