My Aunt Agony role on FB

Have been an "Aunt Agony" on FB for awhile.  So I thought I should share a few stories here (maybe just 2 to start the ball rolling), starting from this recent one.  Names have been changed to protect the victim (yah, you don't have to guess...her name doesn't start with 'J').  Well actually, she's not the victim...she is asking questions on behalf of a friend.

Janice: Heh, do you believe that someone will like each other by merely conversing over messages and he will fly over?
Me: Nope.  I do not believe.  Where is he from?
Janice: Korea.  My friend's friend!!!  He is coming on 16
Me: Is he Asian or Caucasian or Nigerian?
Janice: Korean
Me: Ok...but if he ask your friend to pay anything, go straight to the police.  Like if he call and say he got stuck at airport and bought her something but airport wants him to pay tax but he doesn't have enough $$, just go straight to the police.  No need to think!
Janice: He ask my friend to find a hotel for him for 3 days and also to find a place for him to play piano.  He wants to play for my friend.
Me: That's not hard.  Go to Agoda and help him search for a hotel.  After that, give him the link and he can book lor.  There is place in Demsey hill with a standing piano.  But I can't remember the name of the place.
Janice: He ask my friend to book for him
Me: Why can't he book?
Janice: He said that he likes my friend.  This world is crazy
Me: Whether he likes your friend or not, he can still book the hotel
Janice: Yup, I think so.  But he ask my friend to book.  My friend ask us to meet that guy.
Me: Ask your friend to tell him she don't have a credit card so can't book
Janice: And said it seems like they know each other for quite long.  Do you believe that this will happen?  Just chat on kakaotalk for a week and he is flying over.
Me: I don't beleive
Janice: He is really flying over to meet my friend on 16.  He even ask my friend to go on leave...oh gosh
Me: Ask your friend to be careful.  He might or might not be genuine, I don't know.  But it's best to be careful now than to regret later.
Janice: I don't know.  I've already reminded her!!  But I guess, she is big enough to know
Me: Hope everything goes well
Janice:  Yah, now I've got 2 friends like that

I can't stress enough that one has to be careful when meeting online friends.  There are too many con artists around.  Some will send gifts via some courier services that you've never heard of and then it will somehow get stuck somewhere and require you to pay a few thousand dollars worth of taxes for custom to release the item.  Payment will usually be via Western Union.  Then there are some who said they will fly over but got stuck at airport due to tax issues for some gifts they brought over and they surprisingly didn't have enough $$ on them and requested you send them money...ALL these are fake!  Please don't get so desperate and fall into their trap coz whether you like to hear or not, they did not come so they are not stuck in airport and nope....they did not send you anything.  The "courier service" is probably from their own syndicate!

And to those con artists...how on earth are you able to sleep at night? Tsk tsk tsk *shakes head*

Updates on my friend's condition

Ok. Not that you are really interested but I thought a short update will be good....as a reminder to myself.

Some of you who followed my blog post would have remembered that some time back, I posted about a friend who was diagnosed with lung cancer. There are new updates....not very good ones though. In the 2 months (since his diagnosis), he had been fighting very very hard and had also been encouraging himself and all those around him about his battle. Sadly, in this short span of time, his cancer has spreaded to his brain, liver and stomach and he was given less than 12 months to live. Even with alternative treatments, his chances are only 50%.

Being a marathon runner, he hopes to complete his full marathon this Dec in less than 5 hours. I really admire his courage. Though we are not that close, I am praying for him and wishing him all the best from afar. His fighting spirit and positive outlook deserves my commendation.

Sometime, it takes situations around you to knock some sense into your head that if God can give, He can also take it away! So friends, treasure life and all those around you. You never know when you will be called home. Don't wait till its too late to show you care!

What is GOD? What is BUDDHA? (CHINESE SUBTITLES)

I'm not a Buddhist but what he says seems so true and insightful.  It's all about transformation and qualities.  Do check out Tsem Rinpoche's website!

Legoland, Malaysia

Hello all, my Legoland post is finally up!!!  Please head over to Legoland 20 - 21 October 2012....enjoy!!

Someone that I used to love - Natalie Cole

Happy Halloween

Just got back from my Halloween event 2 hours back and still waiting for my hair to dry.  It's probably time to cut my hair coz for some reasons, it's taking years to dry (incase you are wondering, yes...I exaggerated).

A new facebook has been created for trip photos because I have exceeded the limit for flikr and photobucket.  I thought it would be a good idea to set up a new FB account just for my trip photos since there is unlimited uploads.  Which means...stay tune!  The Legoland album would be up soon and posted in my "not-so-updated" travel blog.  I know I have not been too diligent in both the travel blog as well as travelpod but that's coz I was busy running around.  I haven't even done those hotel reviews yet -_-"  Some of you are asking why I have so many facebook account since I can post the link of my personal account here.  Well, for one, I filter photos to be posted on the travel FB account while those I post in my personal account are meant for friends, not the public.  Next year will be filled with more trips but I'm not sure if I will have time to take pics coz those are basically business travels.  But I'll try, yah?  No guarantee though.

Alright, enough of rattling for tonight.  Need to sleep coz I have to wake up in a couple of hour's time for a race.  But before I go....

HAPPY HELLO-WIN

Lost of a loved one

One of our loved ones had gone to a better place.  She is deeply missed by all of us at home.  Our home will never be the same again.  I kindda start to miss her soft growling and barks.  Wish we could have spent a little more time together.  Thank you for waiting for me to come back from my trip and let me stroke you one last time.

Her obirtuary is set up here.
http://rachel-ng.pets.gonetoosoon.org/