Oh no!

I just got back my pre-assignment medical checkup results. The report ain't a pretty sight. My lifestyle here in US is taking a toll on my health. Especially during the colder autumn and winter season.

My results came back with two highlights, poor performance on a step test (where they check my heart rate during a simple exercise session) and high cholesterol levels. :(

I have to admit, my lifestyle is not really healthy for quite some time now. Ever since autumn, I've been skipping my weekly exercise. It doesn't help that outside food is extremely unhealthy here and I've been eating out during lunch for quite some time. So, in order to motivate myself, I'm going to stick that health report in the bathroom mirror. Hoping that everytime I look at that health report it will motivate me to exercise, eat healthier etc. Pray that I'll have the discipline to stick to it and when I have my checkup the next year it won't be bad news anymore. :)

San Antonio (Day 2): Remember the Alamo?

Day 2 in San Antonio started at the Market Square where we were supposed to have breakfast. Extremely huge crowds in the more popular restaurants and running out of time, we end up strolling along the market square with growling tummies.

The Market Square is said to be a mexican market place. Personally, I find it too touristy and nothing in it actually reminds me of a market. It's more like a souvenir shopping place like Benh Thanh Market in HCM, Vietnam. Otherwise, it's quite a colourful place.




The crowd and street entertainers at Market Square.


Pinata. You know? The thing which you whack it with a stick and stuffs come out :p

Still hungry, we went to the River Walk area in San Antonio where all the other attractions are. Took a quick walk to check 2 tourist destinations off our checklist (San Fernando Cathedral & Spanish Governor's Palace) before hitting a local deli for brunch. Why is there a spanish governor and who's San Jose? Well, don't ask me as I have no idea at all. One of the downside of travelling in US is that they take it for granted that everyone knows about the history of US and didn't make it a point to explain.


How they can call a small place like this a palace is really beyond me.


A detailed shot of the facade of San Fernando Cathedral. Wonder if that sculpture is him...

The brunch on the other hand is quite a delight. It's a german deli (Schilo's) that managed to keep their prices relatively low in the River Walk area.


Steaming, creamy and fattening cup of hot chocolate.


German staple, rye bread and a couple of wurst. Those are two different wurst but I totally forgot their names.

After brunch is the highlight of the day. It's supposedly a famous war story from which a famous phrase is born. "Remember the Alamo". Why they want to remember it and what it's all about you can find out for yourself. This Alamo is like the most important site to visit in San Antonio and is some sort of shrine for the Americans. To me, it looks like A-formosa.

A conversation with my dad after my trip however revealed why the Alamo was quite famous. My dad learned of the Alamo from comics and cowboy movies when he was young.

No photography is allowed within the chapel of Alamo. Don't worry, you are not missing a thing with the lack of photos. Why? Because there's practically nothing there but some old flags to indicate where those sacrificed warriors hail from. On top of that, there's like only a couple hundred of soldiers who fought in that battle. It's like a huge anti-climax considering the long wait to get inside and all the fanfare about this battle.


A corridor leading up to the Alamo


Look at the freaking line to go into the Alamo shrine.


Outside the Alamo is this big Oak tree which is supposedly the first transplated Oak.


A bit too late to post this pic, but it's a nice looking xmas tree in front of the Alamo.

What I really love about San Antonio is actually the River Walk. It's simply a pretty and romantic place. Imagine sitting by the riverside enjoying a hot cuppa and watching people passing by. Taking in the view of the numerous arch bridges criss crossing the river. It reminds me of the pictures my dad took during his trip to Suzhou. Even though it's not as steeped in culture and history as Suzhou, the river and bridges are much cleaner and lend a certain charm to that area.


Ain't this a beautiful place? Nothing like Sungai Kinta :)


Lining the sides of the river are restaurants, pubs and hotels. Tours were conducted along the river on these river barges.

On our way back to the car park we saw this KL tower replica. It's known as the tower of americas. Look really similar right?

San Antonio (Day 1): Seaworld Fun!

It was 27th Nov 2008 when I went for this short weekend trip to San Antonio. After that I've been preparing and going for a couple of longer vacations which explains this long overdue post. Anyways, the highlight of our trip to San Antonio is the Seaworld park. The highlight of Seaworld? It's Shamu the killer whale.

There are quite a few activities in Seaworld, San Antonio. Even though they say that this is the shabbiest Seaworld in US. It's good enough to satisfy me. The only park I've ever been to before this is Genting Theme Park.

Anyways, the shows are scheduled in such a way that we have to rush from one to another in order to make it to all of them. The first one was the seal, sea lions and walrus show with a Christmas theme.




Seals / Sea lions having thnx giving dinner. Envy envy.


This walrus is supposed to be Santa doing sit-ups.


Nat. Geo. pic as never seen before, two sea lions getting at it! :D

After that it's off to see some penguin feeding plus Q&A session.


I was paying attention during the feeding + Q&A session, thus no pics of penguins rushing for food.

Then it's to the star of the day, Shamu's show! We're sitting quite near the pool (within the splashzone). Ended up wet after a tail flip splashing session by one of the whales. It was a really involving and fun show I'd say.


Killer whales doing a belly up. Looks cute until the splashed the water with their tail fins.


Acrobatics.


Amazing backflips from gigantic killer whales. I have to get a faster lens. Can't capture all these fast action.

After a quick meal, it's off to see dolphins, beluga and more people in tights. :)


A beluga whale. Never seen these things before. Portrayed to be very gentle creatures.


Dolphin feeding cum petting session.

There's a 4-D theatre as well featuring the Polar Express, no pics for that though. After that it's time for some action. Lucky for us, one of the guys are not a big fan of adventurous rides. So he look after the stuffs while we go yell our lungs out!


Ready for some Steel Eel action?


Village ppl excited at their first US coaster ride!


Just a perspective shot to see at what height this ride is. Our rear ends actually got lifted off the seats during the 100ft quasi-free-fall drop.


This is another ride with impressive 360deg twists & turns.

To end our day at Seaworld. It's a stroll around the park taking in all the other sights there.


Jelly fish. Ain't they beautiful? If only they don't sting.


Santa's job is real hard these days. Diving santa?!!?!


Fun antics from the ppl in costume.


This is the smelliest place to pass by. I was really struggling to take this pic.

New Year, New Resolve, New Challenge

First off, Happy New Year Everybody!

Just like that and we're through with 2008.
My new years have always been mundane as I'm not a strong believer of new year resolutions. The most exciting new year for me was being stuck in a traffic jam after being bugged to see fireworks on 31st Dec 2007/1st Jan 2008.

My crossing over to year 2009 was spent sleeping and resting in El Paso, Texas. Why I was in El Paso? That's a tale for another time, after I've posted my long overdue posts of my other travel destinations. However, I wish to share my last breathtaking view of 2008 at a viewing point on the Franklin Mountain. Overlooking 3 states in 2 different countries or so said the guidebook.





The year 2009 must have been a really depressing year to look forward to for a lot of people. What were you thinking when you celebrate the New Year this time around? For me, I was lying in bed watching the news after 600 mile drive. What went through my mind were several big "bangs".

"Bang" no.1 - The sound of aerial bombings and rocket launchers in Israel-Palestine conflict.

"Bang" no.2 - The sound of the oil barrel hitting rock bottom (prices). Mixed feeling on this as I'm in the O&G field of work. Hooray for lower gas price at pump. Nervous and sad due to reduced profit margin in the O&G business (translated to job insecurity / slimmer pocket)

"Bang" no.3 - The sound from credit "crunch" and bursting of the economic bubble supported by excessive spending of Americans (or citizens of the developed countries in general).

"Bang" no.4 - The sound of the "tin-tin kosong" in Malaysian politics banging around doing nothing substantial.

Amidst all these depressing events that happened in 2008 and carried over to 2009. There are some glad tidings as well. Numerous friends and even family got/getting hitched and enjoying/going to enjoy marital bliss. Continued good health of the people I love.

The New Year certainly brings with it new challenges. For me, it would involve a lot of decisions. To stay or not to stay, to invest or not to invest, which path to take? etc... I pray for wisdom and resolve in making and sticking to these decisions when the time comes.

To the newly married, I wish you a blissful marriage. To everybody, I pray that you have the strength and renewed resolve to face this trying times. Above all, I wish you good health as the chinese saying goes "as long as there's a green hill, you won't run out of firewood" ... if you get my drift.