Ya Hanana-(acapella version) By Jaswan Abdullah

Dear.. thanks for coming over to visit me.. your 2 weeks stay would be my unforgettable memories this year.. luv you !

26th August 2013

26^th August 2013

Hanged out with Indonesian CS-er named by Adhi Pratna, former teacher in Indonesia but working under civil service since a year ago. Came over with his female colleague – Sheny Diah Puspita. We had good and sweet time. Dinner in Mangrove Resort & had random talks. Somehow he laughed a lot on my spontaneous answers. He’s so adorable and warm hearted guy.  The typical comment from the tourists – what? No way.. you don’t look like 26! - -‘ fine.. I could take it as compliment. 

They suggested me to put Indonesia in my wish list, any part except Jakarta. We had random talks about floods, history, culture, language, music etc… Unfortunately, we just hanged out for once and I didn’t have time to meet them on the following day.

6th August 2013

6^th August 2013

Another CS-er came over to Brunei for short visit. Michelle Jane, New Zealand girl aged 33-year old happy-go-lucky teacher who doing sports came over hosted by my Sri Lankan friend. We could mix well and agreed to some points of life. Growing up in mess and bad school doesn’t really mean we gonna have spoiled future. It’s all about the step, how far we could take to change / improve our living. She has a sister who owned cattle farm inherited from her late husband which interest me.  Unexpectedly, we had a tour to Empire Hotel which happens to be her stay in next march 2014 for her sport tournament.  Can’t wait to see her again!

Good way to respect each other’s opinion – highlight the point if you agree but stay quiet when you disagree. Some people tend to be reserved, keep quiet and rather observe the situation. Others might simply speak out whatever they dislike and disagree. To some points the conversation will seriously turns hotter. People tend to judge us, simple judge us and always judge us. Just be yourself and stick to your character.

The unforgettable smiles ~ CS Family Part 2

2nd Aug 2013

August 2, 2013, Friday

1:43 am

It’s a great start on Friday~ I just reached my home sweet home after sending my last cs guest to airport upon her request. It’s unforgettable week for me. I couldn’t imagine I have found 4 new friends within 5 days J Muhammad Ahad, Alexandre Borges, Ahamed Rifnas & Myra Brucelo… You are really awesome guys! We should have reunion one day. Couchsurfing really amazing org to reunite us like Caucasian siblings J

Spent my Tuesday to Thursday with Muhammad Ahad, the handsome Pakistani cs. I was kinda touched when he ditched Ahamed just to be around me. Probably he felt so comfortable and he said it’s not good to let the girl to drive the car alone while the bunch of males in separate car, was just an excuse to accompany me driving. Sent him to airport on Thursday morning after watching the sunrise together in Empire Hotel. He loves the sea breeze & nature. He was a caring friend & polite. However, he’s quite selective in food due to some sickness he has to control the consumption of oily stuff with cholesterol as he has to get some medication. My eyes teary when I sent him on NO WAITING parking... we have such a good connection in veryshort time & he loves Brunei so much...

Alexandre Borges is French guy which happened to be Ahad’s roommate in Youth Centre dorm. Ahad introduced me when he first arrived on Wednesday. He was travelling and explored some hills in Kuching, Sarawak before he reached Brunei & travel to Pulau Perhentian in West Malaysia before plan to stay in Indonesia for a month. Interesting travel experiences as he has explored Morroco, Portugal, Spain, Malaysia, Singapore etc. Pretty good looking face with light brown eyes. He has one year off before he get back to work in France by February 2014. His parents staying in Portugal and he’s still learning more to speak English. He joined iftar with us as well, and brought him along to see the new mosque. We enjoyed the night view in Empire Hotel. I didn’t manage to meet him before he departed to KL on Thursday. For him, Brunei is a nice place to relax but kind of hot & humid for him. I didn’t really have chance to read his character because he will answer whenever ask but still flexible to mingle around. He’s one year older than me ( I don’t have any idea how he knew about my age, probably told by Ahad). Eventually we stay in touch in fb & I tagged our memories photos together ~ He never want to burden me alot, just go with the wind and love outdoor activity but lazy to wake up early for sunrise moment.

Ahamed Rifnas is Sri Lankan who works in Brunei since 3 years ago. Eventho he’s 25 but he has matured look with creative mind. Probably because he’s exposing to field and site works, he really know perfect angle to take photo. He’s kind of annoying ever since we met up in Shaliheen Mosque when Ahad invited him to join us along. He has just joined cs in last June 2013. He likes to piss me off and turned me as laugh stock coz everyone thought my spontaneous expressive response toward his jokes as funny. Ahh… I never keep grudge, I’m just being expressive and happy go lucky. Everyone thought differently, as if I get angry & get insulted by his words. I couldn’t join them for midnight tour and dinner after we left Empire Hotel. He felt guilty and kept saying sorry to me. Hahaha… Anyway, he’s kind of conservative and preached me a lot. I appreciate his advice as a brother. We sent Myra together to the airport & had safe journey home.

Myra Brucelo is sweet single lady, who’s so open to me. We talked and shared some stories. Maybe because we are females so we have connection. She works as Liason Officer in Ministry of Youth and Sport in Philippines for over 10 years! Now, she’s coming 36 by end of August. She has 2 sis and 2 bros. She’s has been known as gay lady amongst her friend because she could mingle around the gays and lesbians easily. I never question why she stayed single, but she openly shared that she tried to find one but due to busy working life, she hardly had leisure time for herself. I sent her to the airport this morning & so glad to meet her!

Hope to see them again someday, in some place in the world ! Such a strong bonding.... Guys, I love you so muchh... thanks for being lovely friends !

hosting for the first time

31st July - Morning 

It's tiring morning. It's not because of fasting month or packed work. but I kinda have lack of sleep as I host a guest for the first time in my life :o I just can't imagine, I've done quite alot this year.. It's a guest from couchsurfing.org , he travelled to Brunei until tomorrow. 

Luckily I'm quite flexible and easily mingle with any stranger, so hosting him is 'nothing' to me. He's pakistani guy, studying in Singapore, taking major in Mechanical Engineering & second major in Business. Had travelled to over 20 different countries within 4 years. Age 23 and having 3 sisters. Wow.. Quite interesting background. On last Monday, we met for the first time and I fetched him in his hostel & we went to the mall. Yesterday we enjoyed local cuisine for iftar and Pacific Rim movie together (with my lilsis as well) . He's asking what's my plan for him today. I have told him that I never work with plan, so better work in spontaneously. 

We shared views of life, I showed him the beauty of my country, youth activities in leisure time & culture as well. I can read his mind & actions sometimes, which surprised him anyway. It's good starting with nice & polite surfer from cs... I'm glad to choose to meet him & always trust my right intuition.