3 years ago, almost

In a little more than 2 weeks, I will mark the 3rd anniversary of the start to what is largely the third main phase of my life. How time flies!

When I looked back, it was as though yesterday that we were just plotting and planning to catch up and drink the night away. What was thought to be only an opportune meeting had indeed carved out a phase of my life right out from my fantasy into realization.

"from the day we were supposed to meet at IOI Mall at 830pm, with little bit of drizzle..1 waja and a mighty innova parking opposite of each other...that was the starting point of getting us back on track again, I believe..."

Was it my girlish fantasy working into overdrive, seeing what was clearly supposed to be seen, instead of going with an open mind and closed heart? Or should it be the other way round, closed mind and opened heart? It might seemed that fate brought us along that night, that the stars and planets secretly aligned to make what we both wished for to fall into place, and got on moving on track again. I would always remember that feeling.

"Such lengthy mail, yet seemed like not long enough for you to convey whatever that's brewing in your crazy smart head. But hey, in case you feel like leaving your shitty job, you may want to consider a job as a writer or article contributor, you can write too :D"

I shall miss the minutes of swinging in between crazy craps with you so easily, having lunches with you, getting pointers, and playing with n82's cam module, and of course, feeling uneasy kena stare!"

How easy it was to communicate with you then! Everything was free flow, expressive and needn't be run through multiple layers of muslin cloths. Words were exchanged unstintingly, expressions were shared lavishly, honest thoughts were so generously laid out in emails and brought to life by the emotions they conveyed so vividly. How sweet we both were. How gentle. I will always cherish those exchanges!

"yet, sometimes, i wonder, if you know, why do you insist in pushing, and really pushing for my answers, or affirmation?

"i'm exhausted, always when i think of you, because i cannot fathom how you cannot understand me."

3 years ago, almost. We cannot turn back the clock, to the times that we cherished and treasured, for then the history will be rewritten and we will not be as what we are now. But yet, at times, I really wish hard for a time machine to be at my disposal, so that I may visit these moments once again, when I am at my lowest ebb or living my life to the fullest, just to remind me how lucky I am.

Thank you so very much for the memories and for the courage.

"Further message truncated due to quota reached, ML "

KTM intercity service

The investigator is back, with some good news!

I went to the KTM website, http://www.ktmb.com.my/ and I wasn't disappointed! Yes, that's a good thing, for I had been let down by many times before by these service providers through their sites.

The site is quite good actually, if you take your time to navigate. Clicking on the available tabs one by one, reading the information given, I actually felt confident enough to try out the trip tomorrow (or later today, technically speaking!). The site offers the schedules, the types of train available, the various lines, services provided, among others, and best, it's bilingual. And the English is good!

I particularly found this link here https://intranet.ktmb.com.my/e-ticket/login.aspx , super useful for me! It certainly summarized all the information that I clearly. And it is simple enough to use. Basically, it follows a little like booking a plane ticket, only this is restricted to a one way journey per booking. You choose your station of origin, then your destination, and after that, your travelling date. Once you have done that, your train service options will be listed, also in the same page. You can then choose the option best suited to you, either by time or by the train service. Select it and you can at once see the seating style and the corresponding fare. Very easy and straightforward. Good for people like me.

Of course, I have not ventured so far as to ticket purchasing yet. Today's exercise was to gather as much information as I can on the KTM intercity service. I sure hope that part would be equally user and customer friendly, if not better. Now, I have faith! Awesome site!

Oh and also a couple of things KTM might want to consider to add to the site are,

1 : Adding information on the all stations along the intercity route, eg: current condition, amenities available, etc. Pictures help.

2 : Describe and promote the towns which these stations are located, even the small ones. I think it will appeal to locals especially, as we are able to learn about the towns and their people. Who knows, it might help spur domestic tourism.

Just my two sens worth! Cheers and thanks for the good information!

And the search train rails on!

Right now, as I am checking out the train service in my country, I realized that I know very little of them. I don't know if they have any train line which stops at each train station in country.

Train service is not really popular among people that I know. The handful of people that I know had taken the train before, probably prefer driving to train taking now. It never crossed my mind to ask them about the service either then.

So right now, I'm left to conduct my own research. I really hope that I can get enough information from the internet without needing to call the train service provider tomorrow. If it gets to that, it would be a little disappointing to me considering that the government is really trying to promote tourism here.

My initial browsing so far has led me to some schedules of trains, express and non-express, I think. I am not sure about the latter, as the isn't any description on the name of the service. All the express train line names are preceded with the word 'ekpress' which cannot mean other than 'express'. I hope.

It is the non-express lines that I am interested in. I just want to try out the service first, so the idea I have in mind is to hop from the nearest station to my place to the next nearest station, and then back. That's the master plan.

I wonder too, how can I get to that train station, if I do not want to drive or take the taxi. I wonder if the is any public bus that goes that way. Or if I do drive, is there any parking lots available for the commuters.

And not forgetting the fare. I've to stumble across any guide to the fare for the non-express lines. Also, the amenities each train car provides. Toilet is very important!

And so, the search train rails on!