The Young & Restless

I have no clue what occasion was last Wednesday that my parents decided to return to Ipoh. They told me was a ritual called ‘jie fu’ which means praying to the goddess to receive some luck blessings. Interesting, yet weird at the same time. And a chance it was as Mel called me 3 days earlier and I almost forgotten to mention to her about this. She told me to get Fadli who’s studying at UTP to meet them in Sitiawan as well. I was more than excited, this plan was so quick I hadn’t even seen it coming yet and I’m going down to Ipoh in 3 days time! How fortunate  can everything be when I called Fadli, he’s so happened to be free on that day itself, though a little rush on his final year project in which he has to meet and update his supervisor the next day but he’s cool with the idea. Whoopee! Now it just brought up the toll of my excitement. But there’s a slight problem..it’s gonna be an hour drive down from UTP to Ipoh and also roughly an hour from UTP to Sitiawan. So in total, Fadli has to drive 2 hours down just to get back and from between UTP and Ipoh, in addition to another hour down to Sitiawan..errgh..I didn’t wanna burden him with the driving but it’s hardly do I get such chances to meet them since they’re all living outstation. We had a couple of plans ahead of the meet up and we agreed the best solution there is for Fadli to pick me up from Jusco in Ipoh and have a small tour around his university in Tronoh, then later at night only we’ll leave for Sitiawan since all of them are working in the day. I’ll have to stay overnight at Fadli’s dormitory.

Dad dropped me off at Jusco about 3 plus, just as Fadli called he’s in there getting some daily supplies. Been over months since I last saw him, LOL he obviously didn’t shave; beard and mustache pretty long and kinda in a sloppy state. Well I guess when you’re leaving outside, where do you have the great deal of time to care how about your looks especially when it’s your final year with lots of head-busting going on. Been there, done that and believe me, it’s definitely not a joyable sight. We strolled around the complex, stopped to get some tidbits (kaya with garlic flavour buns..not bad) before we made a move.

There’s been some little disruption at this point..his muscle legs are aching badly due to 22 hours of jungle trekking (Gosh, what kinda trekking is that? Imagine walking non-stop for 6 hours was easy enough to grow blisters on my feet!) and he had to meet his supervisor the next day which brings to a bigger problem, he was wanting to take the free time now to update his project’s progress but was reluctant to tell me till I came. Tried to coax him into going with me cos Mel, Huoy Feng & PeyTsei really wanted to meet us. He could only go as far as if they’re willing to drive down here to Tronoh (then again, what’s in Tronoh?). I was hoping he’ll changed his mind when we arrived at UTP. At the entrance, the security was pretty strict with visitors having to leave either their ICs or dirving license to proceed. Since I was staying in his dormitory for the night, the security requested that he writes a permission letter to the authority concerned in order for me to stay for failing to do so, he’ll be fined. What loads of regulations..is it so necessary to do all that? Anyway, I took the visitor’s past for the mean time to discuss the matter over at his room.

We still couldn’t up with the solution as he really couldn’t go but I’m in dire of going pula..at this time PeyTsei to find out our final decision. Couldn’t answer her as I wasn’t the one driving but driven. Asked her to come down here instead but her parents wouldn’t permit as it’s practically one hour drive from Sitiawan (It’s understandable I mean after all, she’s a gal..who would let them drive all the way here when it’s like more than 10 kms away from home). While Mel and Huoy Feng were way over at Pangkor island, it’ll probably take them 45 minutes to reach the shore of Lumut jetty and for for them to prepare (you know..gals) and stuffs, that’ll be a drag on till past dinner LOL.

And so the final decision was; that Fadli lend me his Kelissa for a day down to Sitiawan and returned it to him next morning. That settled, but where will I stay for the night? It couldn’t be any of the gals’ place obviously. Apparently Peytsei’s dad had a vacant apartment available in Lumut which she had to obtain permission from her dad..and luckily, he gave the green signal. That again settled, but apart from the city of Ipoh, anywhere outside was total lost place to me so how would I know the way to Sitiawan? Just a straight road all the way till I reached the roadsign that said Sitiawan only should I start turning. Settled. There, all done and I’m ready to leave since it’s already 6pm. All I need to do now is a little adjustment into his auto car (Embarassed to say the least I’ve never driven an auto car ever since I’ve been sticking to my dad’s manual Wira from the time I got my license LOL) Luckily it’s adaptation from manual to auto instead of vice-versa for the latter would be more problematic.

Dark clouds forming on the sky and soon enough, it started pouring cats and dogs. Throughout the entire journey, it was really a physical test drive for me in the heavy rain as well as the unfamiliarity of the area. Completely excited with the whole journey thing..if my parents found out I’ve driven alone to a place I hardly knew at all, prepared to be reprimanded by them LOL.

In the town of Ayer Tawar and another 15 mins or so to reach Sitiawan. Peytsei asked me to wait for her in front of KFC. She said it’s along the way and I wouldn’t miss it if I kept an eye on both sides of the road. Through enough, I saw one ahead of me at the junction of a traffic light with a Bata shop next to it. Confirmed with her if this was the one meant and yup. She’ll be short while driving her Saga. In my heart, I felt a sight of relief, knowing that I didn’t overshoot the place and can’t imagine the trouble I’d be if I did.

She brought me over to her house for a moment while awaiting for Mel and Huoy Feng who’s already back here but still busy putting on their best dress LOL. I didn’t mention, I actually forgotten to bring my jeans. Only three quarter journey to Ipoh did I realised my blunder. So for the time being, I was stucked in my knee-length short pants..wasn’t a great sight to bare my hairy legs :-S. Gosh, when they meant busy putting on their best dress, the words certainly applied. We waited ‘hours’ in front of Mel’s house and still no sign of them coming out of the house. Tired of waiting, Peytsei decided to bring me have a look at her kindergarten she was teaching..this’d buy some time. Aiyoh..memang lama..when we got back, they’re still not done! Wonder how many layers of makeup and lipsticks they wanna apply baru satisfy LMAO..kidding ;-P. Ah…finally, I saw glimpse of both descending the stairs with Mel’s brother opening the door for them. About time really. They decided to have dinner at Pizza Hut. We ordered the new Atlantis Seafood..really delicious with the onion toppings. I wanted to hear all about the recent news what with Mel having a new boyfriend who works as a chef at the same Pangkor Island which they all called him Simon Gor Gor. She told he was very much an excellent boyfriend who takes care of you 24-7, brings you really good food, pretty much knows how to be a perfect husband LOL. Only problem she had was his over-protectiveness; didn’t like any other guys to be too close to her.

I got up and excused myself to the loo for a second and when I came back, they had paid the entire meal, including my part. I wasn’t very comfortable with the idea of having gals doing the treat. They wanted to do some shopping at a local departmental store before starting off the journey to Lumut. We bumped into Mel’s brother and his galfriend and he greeted me ‘boss’…out of nowhere. Made me real confused but whatever LOL.

Peytsei drove us down to Lumut where his dad’s vacant apartment was situated. When we got in, the place had been furnished completely and all 3 rooms had clear bedrooms ready. The gals picked theirs and I picked the room next to it. Would be a little waste if didn’t have a look around the place so I brought along my digicam and a little scout around the area in the silent night. 2 big swimming pools right below with the bigger size being filled with water. Took a couple of group photos before we finally called it for the night and back to our respective room.

Got several knockings on the door. Drowsily, I got up and looked upon my alarms set. Aiyah..terset in silent mode..no wonder it didn’t ring. It’s 5.45am and Mel & Huoy Feng has to return for their work in Pangkor Island while Peytsei back to her kindergarten teaching lessons. Dropped them off down at Lumut jetty and waved goodbye to them and we headed back to Peytsei’s house where I parked Fadli’s car for the night. Had some light breakfast before I continued my journey back to UTP.

As upon reaching UTP, gave several calls to him but no respond. Must be still sound asleep LOL, so I had to wait till he sees my miscalls. In the meantime, I tried to retraced my steps into his dormitory but I wasn’t very sure which block was it that he stayed. My first attempt had knocked into somebody’s else room…omg..embarassing..apologised to him and suddenly Fadli called to confirm the exact block. Went for lunch at his uni’s cafeteria, very modern style and so unlike TARC’s narrow and stuffy. The land in UTP was so wide that one facility to another are like miles ahead but I really like the design, very modern, glass concept  and spacious (maklumlah..Petronas so rich mah). The library was just whoa..I was really amazed at how many levels the entire building was..the place’s just so big!

 

View outside the compound of library. Behind Fadli is the chancellor hall where convocations all other formal functions are being held.

Gosh…look at how many stories high.

Look at the amount of space on each level..

Having to observe just the library itself can make you go awe if your first timer, don’t forget, we still got the lecture halls to check out and boy what a sight below.

Side view of 1 of the lecture halls. 2nd pic is the lab corridor.

Man, I’d really love to study in a place like this but having said that, there were many cons which we need to considerate..mainly the abominal fees and the place was secluded.

Was almost lunch and it’s time for me to get back to Ipoh. There’s a bus stand right outside the university where majority of buses would pass by Ipoh’s Juscom according to him. All I had to do was wait for an incoming passing bus from a distance and enquire first whether they’re passing by Ipoh bus station just in case. Up came the first bus but the driver told me he isn’t going there so I decided to wait for the next. Sun was really heating up on me and the next bus seemed forever. Finally one sighted, and again he told me he wasn’t going to Jusco’s Ipoh but to the Ipoh bus station instead. Well I figured Ipoh bus station shouldn’t be far from my relative’s place so I boarded it anyway. Couldn’t stand of waiting another one.

Arrived at Ipoh bus station, called dad to come pick me up. 30 minutes passed and still no sight of them. I was beginning to wonder was this the right destination that driver pin-pointed. Thank god my second grand uncle spotted me. Apparently, the station was supposed to be in the opposite direction but instead it stopped here with the other buses, even though both sides of the bus station are linked somehow.

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