Space Cadet BLing

Introducing a revolutionary new weight loss program… lose 8kgs in 3 weeks! Get a healthy tan that can change a pale Chinese skin to a deep Brazilian brown… (ok, maybe a Pacific Islander brown instead) but the point is… it works! On an average of 5-6 hours of walking up and down hills, a strict diet regimen of Dal bhaat and Egg+Vege Chow Mein, the Annapurna Circuit Trek works! And it could work for YOU!

Need no motivation to walk to see this view of the Marsyangdi Valley near Ghyaru

Ok, jokes aside, I’m finally back in Malaysia from Nepal and I feel pretty chuffed that I can fit in my old jeans again. This trekking thing really does help shave off the pounds, but the hard part now is keeping this weight off… since the view at Bukit Kiara ain’t as motivating as the Marsyangdi Valley and Malaysian food is much more appetizing & fattening than the simpler and more natural Nepali food. :T

Overall, this trip is memorable, and one of the best things I’ve ever done to recharge my spiritual and emotional batteries. I’ve had time to evaluate on what’s meaningful to me and what’s not. What deserves my time and attention, and what doesn’t. There are things it seems before the trek that are just noise… clutter… that fills up my head… which I don’t even need to care about. Namely, is Lindsay Lohan gonna survive the next day? Oh, so and so sports celebrity scandal, oh there’s a sale at so and so shopping mall, got to take advantage of the deal before the promotion expires… Clutter… mindless clutter…

Welcome to Narnia (aka Manang)

And more and more, I’d like to think I’m more Buddhist… No no, I’m not gonna start doing all this mantra thing, and start being all mystical and all that… but more along the lines of being non-confrontational, at peace… that kind of philosophy… I had some long quiet moments in some monasteries which made me somewhat felt like there’s a place where I can find my centre… no noise… no chatter, no clutter.

And the friends and people I’ve met so far during the trek, thanks you guys for making the trip memorable… you know who you are, fellas, I’ll be emailing you guys soon with photos too after I sift through them… but especially to my guide and porters, Nava, Babu Ram and Prakash.

Anyway, I’ll probably still post more Nepal related stuff, but right now… I’m just pooped. Lots of things to catch up, clean up, etc.

So there. Airport. Waiting to board. Typing on unwieldy iPhone keypads. Listening to Orbital’s Hallucinogen. This will be the last time I’ll be using my 3G connection here before I take off. Better use it wisely. Tired sleepy and anxious to get some shut eye. Am getting business class because of overbooking. Awesome! Plane seems to be delayed. It’s 7:42 now. Supposed to depart 7 min ago. Testing my Dale (D90! I mean D90. stupid iphone predictive text) while I’m at it. Gosh. It’s tiring. I think I’ll whip it out on those special moments only or I’ll miss out on my holiday experience. Moderation. It’s 7:44 now. Should I risk a quick shut eye? Ok. Hi Nava, my guide, if u can read me, looks like I’ll be a little late. :T

So, here we go. I’m getting close to that date now, and most of the essentials are done.Some stuff left are:

1. Get a haircut

2. Get a 35mm Nikkor 1.8D lens. I could probably get one for under RM800 here.

3. Another pair of quick-dry nylon undies.

4. Some electrolyte boosting tablets

5. Moneychanger

6. Get a knee brace. My knees aren’t as strong as before.

7. Redeem my RM35 voucher at World of Outdoors Mid Valley. Wonder what I can get there.

8. A silicon case for my iphone. Funny, the ringtone and game sounds suddenly died on me. Maybe I should get it checked, but it’s mighty close to the flight date.  I hope it’s not a precursor of things to come (*knock wood)

9. Lip balm, sun block, excedrin, stuff from the pharmacy. Maybe some Glucosamine for my weakening knees perhaps?

10. Get my bills sorted out!

Wow, that nicely rounds up a top 10.

In no particular order:

1. I Am The One – Inon Zur (from Dragon Age: Origins)

2. Atolago (End Credits) – James Newton Howard (from The Interpreter)

3. Deep Blue – George Fenton (from Deep Blue)

4. Elysium/Honor Him/Now We Are Free – Hans Zimmer (from Gladiator)

5. Gods & Generals – John Frizzell & Randy Edelman (from Gods & Generals)

6. Freedom of the Wa – Klaus Badelt (from The Promise)

7. Resurrection – John Debney (from The Passion of Christ)

8. Give Me A Smile – John Barry (from The Beyondness of Things)

9. Climbing Up Iknimaya – The Path – James Horner (from Avatar)

10. Forth Eorlingas – Howard Shore (from Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)