This was probably something that no one saw it coming earlier, but when Brunei went ahead with the implementation of the Syariah law earlier this month, we've been getting a lot of international coverage. And it started off with LBGT supporters calling for the boycotting of the Beverly Hills Hotel in LA.  From there onwards, it pretty much snowballed to a bunch of rich and famous people jumping in the boycotting bandwagon of assets owned by the Brunei Investment Agency around the world, particularly hotels under the Dorchester Collection . Source: Hollywood Reporter Source: Pink News Source: Fashion Times Perhaps the video that surprised me the most was this video of Japanese protesters outside the Ambassador's Residence of Brunei in Tokyo, Japan.  Having born and raised in Brunei, any form of protests in this country is considered very illegal. Mainly also due to the fact that we are still under a Martial Law since 1962 . So to actually see peo...

Read something that I thought was totally worth sharing. Someone posted the question "Have you ever picked up a hitch-hiker?" on Reddit and this guy shared a profound experience he had. By u/rhoner : Just about every time I see someone I stop. I kind of got out of the habit in the last couple of years, moved to a big city and all that, my girlfriend wasn't too stoked on the practice. Then some shit happened to me that changed me and I am back to offering rides habitually. If you would indulge me, it is long story and has almost nothing to do with hitch hiking other than happening on a road. This past year I have had 3 instances of car trouble. A blow out on a freeway, a bunch of blown fuses and an out of gas situation. All of them were while driving other people's cars which, for some reason, makes it worse on an emotional level. It makes it worse on a practical level as well, what with the fact that I carry things like a jack and extra fuses in my car, and know ...

It's been officially 4 months and 6 days of unemployment. Now this part of making my big move back to the motherland was definitely unexpected. And for each day that passes by, it is starting to get depressing. And truthfully, I am already running out of optimism and praise for my own country. "Where did I go wrong?" That's the burning question that constantly floats through my mind every night before I sleep. My last trip back to Brunei in June 2013, I was actually filled with excitement when I decided it was time to move back here. I've seen friends who once studied and worked in Australia / UK / NZ doing relatively well with their careers locally. People I talked to then,  said convinced me that despite loving the lifestyle overseas, it's still easier to save up when you're back here. And that was what I was after. I needed to save money for my wedding. And I needed to do it fast. "Don't worry, you're yellow IC right? Easy for you...

Managed to slip in a last minute trip to the border for a quiet celebration with Calla and a few friends to welcome the new year. As I reflect back on 2013, I feel it's been a rather quiet year for me. My highlight of the year would definitely be my proposal to Calla back in June.  And then taking a trip to Bali as a best man for my friend's wedding. Besides those two events, I feel like the first 3/4 of my 2013 are filled with memories of  me being busy with work. And then the remaining 1/4 of my 2013 is of me being a major bum. I sure hope 2014 will be a more exciting year.