Honeymoon month

Surviving the first month in Miri. Nothing out of the ordinary, pretty much as expected. Still staying at the hotel.... 3 weeks in hotel. Fortunately have "secured" a place to stay. Very lucky indeed because I was the second in line to get this house. The european guy, who is also shell staff, who offered the owner almost double the rent for the house, albeit demanding airconds, beds etc etc.... didnt want to commit. So the owner, whom I am pretty sure not fond of the idea of drilling holes into the walls of his brand new house, gave it to me......

Its 100 bucks more than the upper limit of my budget.... but its a nice new house and it is just what Im looking for. The options within my budget so far were crap.... so didnt hesitate to book it. Trying to look for single story house all for my own is not that easy. European who mark up the rentals dont help with anything for sure.

Staying in Marriot Miri.... I always make the effort to have the breakfast buffet. This hotel is old, but it is very well maintained. I stayed here when I was like in standard 3, and I can say that they did not do any renovations and it still look as good as when its new. Trying to familiarise myself with water and utilise the pool during the so many free time.... sort of preparing for the sea survival course. How Im gonna get through 2 of my greatest fears, water and height, I have no idea.

Will begoing to KL for a few days next week. Planned to stay for the weekend, but preoccupied by the move into the new house.....

Starbucks in Catcity....

I am currently at the first starbucks ever in Kuching and Sarawak (I am very sure there is no starbucks in Miri). The barristas, whom I am very sure are locals, spoke in this weird accent seemingly American. Dont know whats up with that, either they were unsuccessfully trained to have an american accent.... or theyre just a bunch of american wannabe.

Its in "The Spring"... what I consider the first ever mall in Kuching. Its weird to see all the shops and restaurants suddenly popping out of nowhere in "the Spring".... before this here was like stuck in stone age. All these sushi kaiten belt chains and roasted chicken and cafes.... will this be the start of the mall invasion like what is happening in KL? Will we see kuching folks adopt a full day trip to the mall as thier compulsory weekend itinerary? What do they do on the weekends now anyway?

There are a few firsts here at the spring. The other day my cousin pointed out... the first auto pay parking system lol. Of course starbucks and other shops/restaurants, the first mph.... by the way I like mph the best because they let shoppers read their magazines.... so I only get my books at mph. And probably the first gsc/tgv....... this is like in those american movies where old people go back to their hometowns, go visit the old diners or sundry shop and reminisce the old times.

I dont mind spending so much on a cup of coffee in my hometown. This is me contributing to the local business.... if there is any time to spend money on starbucks... this is it. Im just hopeful that all these places will not go bankrupt.