'1st Post in Penang'

Hey there, i just arrived in Penang yesterday,that most amazing thing was that i managed to find the place where i'm going to stay in probably the shortest time possible. Few things to keep in mind during your drive in Penang, if u haven't already experienced it:

1. You CAN'T get lost. Signs and landmarks are everywhere, but of course, the numerous one way streets are really getting on my nerves, and this is only my 2nd day!! :-)
2. Drive cautiously 'cause u never know when someone might just swerve into your lane w/o signalling ( Cars AND motorcycles included!).
3. Finding a good, cheap and strategic parking spot can be hell sometimes.
4. There is no such thing as FREE parking in Penang, unless of course, you have your OWN house or something.

So yeah, i managed to get to my place, but as the landlady wasn't in, i went for a quick tour to the office to see my travel time. Did it in about 15 minutes. After which i tried to find my way back (Note to Jing: Signs MATTER after all!!! hehe) and got back in around the same time. Nearly banged into a few things (vehicles AND people included, but then again i think the SAME applies to everyone driving in Penang) during my travelling.

Spent the middle part of day resting and sleeping. Heavy rotations of Idlewild's 'The Remote Part'.

Tried calling up a friend for dinner but that didn't happen, but we're both going back to Taiping this weekend for 'Cheng Beng', problem is: we're leaving at different times. Fortunately i didn't have dinner alone, as i tried my ex-colleague (during my 'Teacher Days') and managed to arrange a dinner meet. A lovely dinner. It was nice to hear so many changes in the school, and how everything is growing (but in some parts generating chaos ;-). I can't say i regret my decision on leaving the school, but i kind of miss it (just a teeny weeny bit :-).

Almost everyone whom i managed to ask concerning the Earthquake which happened the day before said that they experienced it to a certain degree. Strangely (according to my landlady), people who were sleeping on the ground (not beds) didn't feel a thing at all!.

All in all, yesterday was a good and eventful day, just that the parking thing frustrated me for a while. I found out that even the parking spaces within the flat compound were actually being rented out, around 35rm per month and the tenants had to pay for it 6 months in advance.Oh well, one more day to build me shrewdly. I parked right behind some girl's car (Big teddy bear in seat next to driver, fluffy decorated pillows......) near a rubbish dump. The other cars were similiarly 'kissing asses'. I got up early this morning to my relief that nobody tried to smash or damage my car. License plate TP = not Penang-ite = an apt victim for roadrage/ bullying in general?? (yeah i came up with the equation, i'm neurotic yes).

Good day ;-)

"....maybe you're young without youth, or maybe you're old without knowing anything's true, I think you're young without youth..." - 'American English' by Idlewild