crossroads.

Its quarter to midnight on a deserted junction where two people are trying to figure out their next move into getting home.

The lamposts have dim lights, the vehicles are far and few.

There comes along a young man, looking all disheveled and lost. Unkept hair, tucked out shirt with mud stains.

Shows us a tiny piece of paper with a line printed on it.

"How do I get to this place?"

One of us, keyed in his address onto google maps and realized it was a long way down the stretch of road.

"How do you intend get to this place? Its rather far. And the buses and metros have already terminated their services."

"I was robbed some couple of hours ago. I have been walking for a long while. I went to the police station to report the crime and they told me, they will not be able to help me because I was from a different province; not a local. I was given the address to seek shelter for the night".

"Oh.."

"I am tired from all that walking. I approached several people for help and everyone thinks I'm ought to get them. I don't want your money, I just want directions. I just lost my hard earned savings."

"hmm..Well you will have to just walk straight all the way, maybe in an hour. You will reach your destination."

He left thanking us.

He must've walked perhaps 200 meters and was seen flagging down a police car. He approached them to relate this situation and was shown to continue walking in the same direction as we had informed him.

"Maybe he really needs help."

"Yeah..He does look rather desperate".

We were still waiting for our cab.

He had walked further down the stretch and this time had flagged down a bunch of traffic police men. They also didn't do much to change the situation but rather gave him similar directions and drove off.

We finally got a cab.

"Where will you be heading?"

"Ermm...Just drive straight. Will let you know."

Along the way, we saw "our friend" still walking down.

"Hey mister, come. We'll give you a ride".

"Huh! Oh!! I'm so thankful".

"So we will be heading to this address..." one of us read from the slip of paper.

The cab driver was visibly shocked. But had managed to piece the story before the night ended.

"It's really nice of you to help me. I am extremely grateful. I wish I could give you something in return but I haven't got anything on me. My hard earned savings of 4000 bucks was robbed. I was suppose to send it to my parents back home. I don't know what I'm going to tell my mother. I had to convince my mother into letting me to come to the city to work and now I have been robbed and left with nothing."

"Its okay. You will be fine. I'm sure this office you're heading to will help you sort your matters".

"Yes. Yes. I hope. Thank You again. You say you guys are students I can only wish you well in your studies and thank you very much for helping."

His destination had arrived and our job was done.

The night was long but it left us with a sense of hey-we-did-something-good.

I understand we ought to be cautious, but when does one draw the line between helping and walking away?

First CT Scan

CT scan in general is not that terrifying. Why am I saying this?

Cos I just had one. A Summary of why I ended up taking a CT scan was cos, I abruptly fainted and hurt my head real bad. Which by the way has left me with a battle 'bump' on my head. 

Initially, I self diagnosed myself to be safe and without any possible blot clots in my brain. Although the bump hasn't quite disappeared yet. 

After the fainting incident I had blurred visions, I wasn't walking straight no more. And I couldn't be on my feet for more than a minute. You would see me looking for something to hold onto to regain my balance.

Now that lead to me going to the hospital to have a consult. The doctor sent me for a CT scan just to make sure I haven't had any hemorrhage. 

And..That's how it all began.

The results were in under an hour and me and my brain are both perfect and fine.  

Gonna hang the scan on my wall. :)

My First Snowfall!

It may not be the best but its my first. So it is the best snowfall!

If Cheese is God, Yoghurt is Demi-God

Beijing Yoghurt

I had THE MOST AMAZING Yoghurt today. It was the best since I tried the Beijing Yoghurt. Infact it was as good as the Beijing Yoghurt if not better! I miss Beijing. :-(

Planning to visit that Yoghurt Store again and this time armed with Maria, I will be!

Tokyo Crossing in Shanghai

Around Huai Hai Lu, the expensivo street of Shanghai filled with brands that are beyond my purchasing ability, stood a junction. What I hadn't noticed before was the junction was very similar to the crowded Tokyo junction. Given it was broad daylight, you could see the crowds moving in all 4 directions and diagonally as well. What completed the picture was the traffic police who was doing his dance in the middle of the junction. Ok maybe not dance dance, but signalling for the vehicles to pass and the pedestrian to stay could very well be a dance. 

No I haven't got pictures. I left Maria at home. :( However, I did find a similar one online. :D

Tokyo Crossing by Duncan McKenzie

Now the junction at Huai Hai Lu was almost the same, except you will have to imagine the streets to be much narrower, a lot more people, (I barely saw the black and white zebra line), and in the middle; instead of an empty square stood a "dancing" traffic policeman. :-)

Over a Cup of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Hustle and bustle need not necessarily be on the streets. It can invade an otherwise, quiet cafe; on a cold winter's night. Every man for himself. And every other hot drink on the menu, his coveted companion.

The jazz music in the background; with its prominent saxophone piece.  Hot, piping cups of Americano, Latte or the ever-needed Espresso shot for a reality check. Haven in three different sizes yearning to be held by the customers; for the insane winds beyond the cafe, not only lashed at the shivering trees but also took its shot on the poor men, much poorly equipped for the crazy winter.

To the left of the barista's counter, was an ever enthusiastic, probably high on sugar elderly male. He never once took a break from his talking. His listeners included a plump, short haired lady and another middle aged female with much shorter hair but red in color. They were such good listeners. Or actors for they did appear as if every Chinese word the older man said held power. 

Abruptly, the older man's words came to a halt. A younger lady had just joined the crowd and it was her turn to share her thoughts. The man instead kept himself occupied by turning to his right, sharing a smile with a girl in a sky blue hoodie. As, he left to leave with the rest of the females, he again gave a "good-bye" smile to the girl. All there was to it was a smile and people were acquainted; even if it was for a brief second.

Image does not belong to this site so bless the soul who took this shot.

About a meter from where a new friendship took birth, were seated a pair of young chinese dudes. Looking all cool and hip, they were discussing about Obama and checking out a girl simultaneously. Politics in the air. Fashion in their wear. Hot Cuppucino in their hands and eyes towards the really tall, almost cow-girl like lady who seated across from them. Multi-tasking?

Another group settled in the middle of the cafe grounds. All five of them had similar features and exact same blonde hair. They were a family from a non-English speaking European country. The three sons can very well be triplets if not for their varying heights. The family were probably on their way back home from fetching the kids from school. Such massive backpacks, with only the children owing one each, spoke so much of school than a camping trip.

While their bright yellow hair shined under the orange lights of the cafe, a bright red coat made its presence felt. It was worn by a young chinese female, presumably in her mid 20s, with hazel colored hair. For the first time, a traffic post, with the stop signal was witnessed inside a cafe. 

Middle aged ladies in their colorful scarfs and middle aged fashion statements occupied the tables closest to the barista's counter. 

A group of Caucasian men with receding hair lines, took the seats furthest away from the women. Deliberately? Stock Markets, dilemmas over property investments, Sydney or San Fransisco, etc. were their train of thoughts while their poor lattes stood waiting patiently.

A young bespectacled chinese dude, whose dressing style suggested a creative mind, settled into the seat nearest to a power point. He had his precious Mac. A cup of hot chocolate and his eyes were glued to Apple's screen.

All of this took place, approximately 45 degrees from where me in my sky-blue hoodie and my beloved Caramel Macchiato were comfortably positioned.

Once Upon A Time...

But what do you say to takin' chances?

What do you say to jumpin' off the edge?

Never knowin' if there's solid ground below

Or a hand to hold

Or hell to pay

What do you say?

What do you say?

- Taking Chances - Celine Dion -