Billy Joel’s River of Dreams, nominated in 1994 for Record of the Year in the Grammy would probably be the best reflection of this question. Have we lost something in the past that we very much wanted to look for? Were they be lost of time, lost of faith, lost of trust or believe; something so treasured that we sometimes goes on chasing, searching, tracking or even mourning over? Would there be cases that we don’t even know what we are looking for?

Billy Joel’s river of Dream goes:

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
From the mountains of faith
To the river so deep
I must be lookin’ for something
Something sacred i lost
But the river is wide
And it’s too hard to cross
even though I know the river is wide
I walk down every evening and stand on the shore
I try to cross to the opposite side
So I can finally find what I’ve been looking for

Even from the mountain of faith, some will be so determined to look for lost love, lost friendships, lost time and lost childhood but knowing that they will not be easy to be found. The river is wide, many barriers to overcome and waves to subside. Will patience presides? Will time tell us that we have found what we were looking for? Or will time tell us to stop looking for something?

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the valley of fear
To a river so deep

I’ve been searching for something
Taken out of my soul
Something I’d never lose
Something somebody stole
I don’t know why I go walking at night
But now I’m tired and I don’t want to walk anymore
I hope it doesn’t take the rest of my life
Until I find what it is I’ve been looking for
(Three beat Pause)

Should we just forget what we have lost? Would it matter if we finally found them? Will it change and rewrite our life history book? Would it sooth out soul and calm our emotion if we can find it? Will it be worth the effort and stress looking for them? I don’t know, I will never know. But if it matters then I think we need to brave the river so deep, never mind how tired we are and how long it will take. Should you think that the search matters do it! Do it but remember that is part of your life’s journey and don’t regret missing the better part of your life.

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the jungle of doubt
To the river so deep
I know I’m searching for something
Something so undefined
That it can only be seen
By the eyes of the blind
In the middle of the night (break)

Sometimes we are indeed blinded or clouded by beauty, power, grudges and even unrealistic dreams that we walk through the jungle of doubt, not knowing what we have in mind. Some have to battle them out and in the journey loses more friends, loved ones and also themselves. Pity but we see more discontentments, more ill feelings, more wars and even more suicides. Are these we are looking for? Have you got them, yet?

I’m not sure about a life after this
God knows I’ve never been a spiritual man
Baptized by the fire, I wade into the river
That is runnin’ through the promised land (Long Five beat Pause)

I not sure either. Sometimes I fear that what I finally found may not be what I have been looking for after all. Many people trade their life, their family, their wealth and even their conscience looking for more wealth, taller buildings, bigger ego and even beauty; will these made them happier or making others more delighted? I don’t know, I will never know. Many caught up by the law, caught in between divorce proceedings, trapped in death row or even trapped in psychiatric ward forever. Be cautious looking for something, look for the right thing.

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the desert of truth
To the river so deep
We all end in the ocean
We all start in the streams
We’re all carried along
By the river of dreams
In the middle of the night

We will all end in the ocean, yes we will. But the search will not end. Like surviving the Titanic mishap, we will never ends the search for something to cling on; we feel by searching, we feel more secure. Some went on looking without finding, some search without looking and of course they will be some finding without searching.

Yes I do. I am looking for something. Just like you. And your immediate search is this beautiful song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U94lGTSzaoU

Good luck in your search.

Seen here was our departure from LCCT Kuala Lumpur and touching down in Hong Kong on day 1. I just love the sight in the evening at the pier overlooking the Hong Kong island. Magnificent daily laser and colour shows.

Hi, this is your 47 years old self. I am writing to you because I want to share with you what you will be going through in the years to come, completing your teenage years and then moving on to adulthood. At 16 I know you are now beginning to see changes in your physical being. A tall boy, that is. I know that there are many expectations from people around you looking forward to see you growing up and becoming a good person, especially expecting you to excel in sports. I know that you love football and badminton. Don’t worry, just go on to enjoy these games. You will not be able to made it to top flight sportsman; not because you are not good with them but you have better skills that you will soon discover and I will try to write them here so that you can be prepared psychologically.

In the next few years you will soon realise that education will become your priority, very much supported by your parents. They will give you moral support but I must say that they will not be able to sent you abroad for studies due to their financial situation. I know you would envy that but they can’t. Just try your very best to achieve what you dream of in the examinations. You will in the next year sit  for your high school certificate. I will not tell you now what you will achieve but you must remember, there is no substitution for hard work. I know that you are pretty strong in mathematics, glory on that!

When you have completed your high school, continue to study hard because you will be studying a field called Accountancy. The college you will be attached to is a very competitive college and hence, hard work is a must. This place is affordable and your parents can afford paying your tuition fees. And you will be very lucky because your eldest sister is giving you pocket-money too! Remember this deed forever for without this deed life will become more difficult there. Believe me you will be pass your Chartered Accountancy and become a Chartered Accountant, but you must work very hard. Don’t worry, be focus and just study hard!

I must tell you that upon graduation, your career progress may not be all rosy. You will encounter several significant setbacks. I will not tell you what they are now but they are significant, be prepared! You will have severe difficulties each time and that is because you have some weaknesses in you. Try to build your mental strengths because today, I believe in fate; can’t explain to you about fate but your stars will lead you to a noble profession of teaching. Sound awkward but believe me, you will find a mix of happiness and sorrow here. Just take the challenges rationally as they comes by and you will be proud going through it all. Believe me, just take the challenges.

Talking about happiness, in your love life you will find a beautiful lady that becomes your wife and eventually a mother to your lovely girl. She will be your source of inspiration, love her. In bad times, believe me she will be strong enough to give you all the support. Love her.

Not forgetting, of course, are your parents. They will age too as you grow older. Remember to take care of them in the future. I know there are communication gaps between you and them (and also in the coming decade); don’t complain, don’t abandon them, don’t hate them. They are doing their best to give you the best in life. As I grow I can understand now what they have gone through. Believe me it is not going to be easy for them too. I hope you will understand. Take care of them. As for your siblings, remember to keep the bonds no matter what happens. I must remind you that there will no other more valuable things in life except these bonds; bonds that were given by your beautiful parents. They too, wants you to live happily, believe me.

As I am still wading through the facts of life everyday, I will not be able to guide you more but I promise to write to you again as and when I need to remind you something important. Meanwhile just enjoy your teenage years, be good and study hard. Cheers.

Love.

Note: written as inspired by Angela Aki’s song ” A Letter to my 15 year old self” (Keep on believing).

Enjoy the song here  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSThlYVFPBQ&feature=related

This shop is in Sentul, traditionally a railway depot during the Japanese Occupation and WWII. My granddad did worked in the railway company, mainly carpentry work on their coaches. He and his family lived nearby. Today this place is more vibrant but yet maintaining few of its icon making up from few post missionary schools and the railway station itself.

Coming back to shop, it is known as Sentul Ah Yap Charcoal Hokkien Mee restaurant. I have been there twice and never failed to be amazed by the taste of their Hokkien Mee. Here is their address, including some branches. Why not just go to the one in Sentul for their original taste and charm.

Sentul Ah Yap Charcoal Hokkien Mee Restaurant

 Last evening we ordered, what else? Hokkien Mee! This is a closer look so that it can wet your appetite in no time. Look at the ingredient used and the thick yellow noodles that have been fried to perfection as they are spiced up by generous amount of lard used.

 

Frog with Brands Essence. (Tien Chi)

Marmite Chicken

Fried Carrot Cake?

 

Prosperity Tofu

 

 

Seriously, the Hokkien Mee is excellent and that reminded “mee” (pun intended) of the same dish during my childhood. Just original ingredients. Just plain original Hokkien Mee. Yap, that’s the place.

 

Sentul Ah Yap Charcoal Hokkien Mee Restaurant

 

 Till the next plate, Chao.

 

 

I found this site to be so genuine with people all over the world writing the likes and dislikes on so many topics ranging from hotels to restaurants to sightseeing etc. I will be busy giving review writing on my past visits and experience too. Keep watching.