Date Profiling Result

Out of fun, i did this online date profiling test. I'm ruby red!
Here's my detailed results - generally true except the part about commitment and not sharing my views.


Ruby Red Relationships
Game for new experiences
Intense feelings
Preference for intelligence makes them seem rather aloof and "hard to get"
Sensual, earthy attributes make them attractive to the opposite sex
Live entirely in the current moment
Dislike routine and strict schedules, and resist being controlled by others
Fiercely independent and need their own space within a relationship
When involved in relationships which provide for their basic needs and which present them with new experiences, the Ruby Red will be happy to do what's necessary to keep the relationship alive and well
If a relationship becomes boring or oppressive to the Ruby Red, they will try to fix it, or move on Take their commitments on a day-by-day basis. Even if they say "I do", it usually means "I do for now". They do not like to make lifelong commitments, although they may very well be involved in lifelong relationships which they have taken one day at a time

Ruby Red Strengths
Approaches sexual intimacy as a physical act rather than an expression of love and affection
Loves to experience sex with all five senses
Spontaneous, creative, and enthusiatic in the bedroom, and enjoy new experiences
Appreciate the aesthetic beauty of "setting", i.e. bedding, lingerie, cologne, etc

Ruby Red Weaknesses
Love to fix things, which may create problems in their personal relationships, just so that they can have the fun of fixing them.
Tendency to hold back their own views on things. They like to listen to other people's views, but are generally non-commital about expressing their own opinions.
Have a habit of evading answering questions by asking more questions. This can be frustrating at times to their mates, if they are after a direct answer.
Don't feel the need to share or discuss their opinions with others. When they are interacting with others, they are in "information gathering" mode, so they tend to ask questions rather than share views.
Don't feel the need to expose themselves fully to others especially in intimate relationships
May build walls around their hearts
Analyse too much
May be viewed as fickle

Ruby Red as Lovers
You live for the moment! Spontaneous and creative, you are loads of fun to be with. You like a relationship which provides you with new experiences and emotions every day. Routines bore you. Fiercely independent, you do need your own space in a relationship and your partner must recognize that. Unfortunately, commitments may not mean so much to you. Faced with a boring or lackluster relationship, you will do your best to fix it or just want out. Remember that a good relationship must be constantly maintained and you can still enjoy a long-term and fruitful relationship.

Journey to the East - Mera Peak 30Oct to 16Nov 2004

As i looked thru the pictures of our Mera expedition, it brought back many memories...memories of joy, satisfaction, disappointment & many other emotions. It was a trip of both physical & mental challenges.

We had talked about this trip for some time & postponed it for a yr. My savings were almost wiped out...spent abt $6-7k. I still rem as i stepped out of Campers Corner with my Arcteryx (sickly blue) jacket & other purchases, my heart bled. I couldn't believe I had just spent $400+on a "raincoat"! I could have walked out from LV or Gucci with smtg else...hehehe

We had only trained seriously towards the last 2 mths leading to the expedition. In any case, i dun think any amt of training wld really suffice. Ultimately, it's one's mental enduranace that sees u to the top and down.

Kathmandu streets look abit like those at Lombok Indonesia, just more rustic. During the bus ride to our hotel, I still couldn't believe that i was in Nepal!

After some shopping for gear, we treated ourselves to a sumptous meal before embarking on a long expedition.

From Kathmandu, we had to take a jetliner to Lukla, the start point of our trek. It was a small plane that could only take about 10-12 passengers. The amazing thing is thatdespite the space constraint, they could squeeze in a flight stewardess to serve us onboard! Take a closer look at the runway. If the engine breaks down, that's sayonara folks! It's a drop point into the valleys.

A group picture taken before the start of trek. We would return to this place some 10 days later.

Arrived at our 1st campsite - Chhutanga, 3430m asl.
The next day saw us crossing 2 high passes. It was rock & ice upslope for most parts (or was it all the way?). Apart from Joanne, all of us arrived at Tuli Kharka, totally shacked out. That night, we did not come out for dinner. Clarence, Nic & I vomitted in our respective tents.

The guides then decided that next day would be a resting day for us.

After a day's rest, we could walk better. There was a stretch where we were reminded of home - a route at Bkt Timah Nature Reserve!

Mousum Kharka 3430m asl Cooking Tent & Happy Sherpas Our Dining Tent

If ever there's a best service award in the world, i wld nominate the Nepalese Sherpas. I was deeply impressed by their service standard. They ensured that our toilet tent is up before we reach every campsite. They woke up early to boil water and serve it at our doorstep...and the water is for washing up! We even have warm water, soap & dry cloth for cleaning our hands outside our dining tent!

We rested at Khare - 5000m asl and practised our ropework & snow climb. I had 3 layers on me and it made peeing so difficult. Look at the guys! It's so easy for them.

By the time we crossed Mera La & reached High Camp (5800m asl), i had decided not to summit. I could manage the walk although i was cold & slow but i did not want to drag the team down. The sherpa who was taking care of me was suffering with me...in his minimal winter gear. With my pace, it would antagonize the chances of summitting AND descending within the good weather window. It was a sad decision but i never regretted it. The mountain will always be there :)

The next morning, Joanne, Jack, Nicholas & Clarence summitted at 11am.

A dramatic episode later followed. Hee...stubborn me had refused to eat while waiting for them to return from summit. I spent the entire morning lying in the tent. My head spinned the minute i tried to wake up. When Joanne hit the tent to check my condition, i was near unconsciousness. According to her, my pupils dilated. The team rushed me down to the nearest campsite - Khare.

At first, a porter was piggy-backing me. Within the first 10m, the "seat" didn't hold well & i kept sliding down. I proceeded to come down and walk with their assistance...2 porters were holding me up on both arms.

When we hit Khare, it was dusk. Joanne & gang have held their bladders for the last 12 hours..there was no chance to pee at all after summitting!

The next morning, a major decision was to be made. The original plan was to enroute to Island Peak after summit bid. But due to my condition, we have came too far to Khare. If we want to carry on with Island Peak, we wld need to climb faster. Half of us wanted to cut short & return to Kathmandu while the other half decided to push on. Ultimately, Island Peak was abandoned due to bad weather. The chief guide told us that a Caucasian couple was evacuated the day before. Anyhow, i still felt guilty.



We proceeded with our descent. For me, it was not any easier. I was suffering from gastritis on the way back. However, as we went lower, I was getting back to "normal". It's a natural process. Once we go beyond 3000m asl, our bodies are out of comfort zone. I had AMS and so as i descend, my body is put back to normality.

We took a group picture at Chhutanga before heading down to Lukla for our celebration.

Remember at the start of this post, i whined abt my heart bleeding...having spent so much $ on this trip? Well...the $ was well spent. It fetched me an experience never to be forgotten, a strengthened character & precious friendships. Til date, the tenacity of the mild-mannered Nepalese sherpas & guides still stays with me. Sometimes i wonder how they are now.

A tribute to the Shepas & team:

Pemba - Chief Guide

Dawa - Asst. Guide

Nima - Asst. Guide who patiently walked beside me & took care of me

Jamba - The bubbly Cook

Lilah - The cheerful Kitchen Boy

And the "nameless" small uncle who was carrying our metal dining table thru'out the trip. I guess the table was very heavy for his built that he always reached the campsite after us :(

I would return to Nepal again.

Seoul Survivor 31Apr-06May 2004

I lost my "virginity" to Seoul. Hahah..it was the first place i travelled solo to. I vividly recalled my heart beating reeeeeally fast as i entered the departure gate. Was glad when a few of my good friends sent me off...that gave me a morale boost!

One solo trip taught me the basic essentials of independent travelling. I gained lots like packing the really necessary stuff; learning to recognise your way around & taking pic of urself on YOUR own (note - i was still using the non-digital camera at time of travel) and; overcoming the language barrier via non-verbal methods (and that includes sincere efforts to try communicate in the native language).

Day 1:
I didn't book any accomodation prior to arrival. Meijin remarked that i was "adventurous" when i met up with her & Charlene in SG after the trip. Charlene said she wld never do such a (stupid) thing. Spent the entire morning finding lodging with my heavy MacPac. Thanks to a kind soul, i finally got one.

Later that nite, i got lost in the vicinity where i was staying. How did that happen? Well, on my way out with the landlady's English-speaking daughter, i got so engrossed with our chat that i forgot to familiarise myself with the surroundings. Worst of all, i did not take down the address! I tried to call from the phone booth to ask for directions (din wanna trouble my landlady to bring me back). After several futile attempts circling the neighbourhood, i sat there & cried. The streets were so quiet & there i was..hungry, scared & tired. I hadn't slept after i touched down at 7am :(

I chided myself & tot "so stupid..u think crying's gonna help meh?". Finally, I called to ask the landlady's daughter to pick me up.

Day 2:
Was so tempted to stay in bed and not go out. Guess i was a little traumatised the nite b4. I did forced myself to get up eventually. Afterall, i had intended this trip as a proof to myself that i can be independent.

After b'fast. i took the subway to do some hiking at Pukhansan. It drizzled the minute i touched down at the start point *frown* Not wanting to take chances, i reluctantly bought an umbrella. From there on, i always include a brolly in my packing list.

On my way back, i went to get bus tickets for my trip next day to Seoraksan. It was a fun challenge trying to get myself understood where i wanna go & when+what time i wanna depart/return. Thankfully, the manager at the bus interchange was polite & patient. Once again, I was impressed bythe Koreans' helpfulness.

It was dusk when i left the interchange in search of HRC. Zhiwei has asked me to get him a HRC tee. Knowing how expensive cabs are in Seoul, i die die take subway & ask my way ard. Imagine my pride & joy when i finally found HRC, following a passerby's general directions & my newfound instincts!

Day 3:
Checked out & headed for Sokcho. By now, i had devised my own method to communicate with the Koreans. Since they dun understand me when I tried to speak Korean, i wrote some common phrases on a piece of paper. If my initial contact failed, i wld flash them the question i wanted to ask. It works! At least, it got me to Sokcho..hee.

Again, i din arrange prior lodging. I alighted & asked some elderly folks for the nearest accomodation. An uncle gestured me to follow him. Strangely, i did. I tot it shld be safe since it's bright daylight. He brought me to his hse & met his wife who explained to me (in 3qtr Korean & 1qtr Eng) that they have a room for temp stay. I immediately took the offer since price was the same as the one at Seoul city, with free meals thrown in *snigger*

I rested early that nite.

Day 4:
Set off early to Seoraksan...well, not that early..at 9am :P Another booboo was awaiting me. After some hiking, i realised Seoraksan thru Sokcho entrance was closed for trekking :( The cute ranger advised me to take a bus & try the other entrance at Seorakdong.

It was quite a long wait at the bus stop. An elderly granny chatted me up. Despite the language barrier, we cld roughly understand each other (with my hard-to-comprehend Singaporean-accent Korean).

Seorakdong was a total contrast to Sokcho. It was very commercialized with lotsa tourists. I was even surprised to see a cable car facility leading to the summit. With a climber's pride (ah seid..cheeeey), i refused to take the cable car to reach the top. I switched my plan to just enjoy the hike to whichever point i can reach.

After a long day, I went back to the homestay & ate the same food. I also watched a Korean variety show & laughed along. Hahah..i cldn't understand but somehow found their actions funny when they tried to sing "Fly Me to the Moon".

Day 5:
Arrived back at Seoul city *yawn*. Called the recommended stay by Lxxxly Pxxxxx. Argh, I won't ever go back there again. Weird crowd, old facilities & inaccessible to subway stations.

Worse of all, i caught a chill in the room later that nite. I had gotten used to sleeping on heated grounds & warm Korean-styled "tee lum" at the homestays. It felt terribly miserable when i vomitted in my own room *pout* At least when i fell sick during Rinjani trip, i got friends to "sayang" me. I was all alone this time *sob sob*

Day 6:
I tried to go out but returned back to the hostel within an hour. Din wanna risk fainting on the streets. Decided to cut short my trip by 1 day. Called Joanne & updated her. Later, I stayed in my room & slept thru the entire day, only to wake up to COOK so that i can take my med.

Day 7:
I was relieved when the plane finally landed home.

Well..my greatest gain is that i seemed to have developed an instinct after this trip...a traveller's instinct...knowing when to be on ur guard, suspecting u may be heading the wrong direction within a short while. While I wouldn't say i disliked travelling alone, I definitely didn't enjoy it IMMENSELY either. One thing for sure - there was smtg "happening" everyday!

Hamster Mega E-Project

This is gonna be one humongous project. Reckon most of us have gone digital for some time. And since i am lacking storage space for hardcopy albums, i have decided to go e.

Contents: My entire photographic collection of travel trips, gatherings, runs & events from 2004 til current.

Deadline: Rat Year Day 4

The clock starts ticking now! Porrrr!!!