Most Abused word in the English Language

No, it's not "Fuck".

It's not "revert", though that is pretty irritating to read when applied wrongly.

I don't claim to be a word nazi, but I really absolutely go INSANE when I see this word. "Kindly"

Was zum Teufel do people think that word mean?

"Kindly do this."

It always triggers me. People, "kindly" means this:

kindly

ˈkʌɪndli/

adverb

adverb: kindly

1. 1.

   in a kind manner.

   "'Never mind,' she said kindly"

   synonyms:

   benevolently, good-naturedly, warmly, affectionately, tenderly,lovingly, compassionately; More

   antonyms:

   unkindly, harshly

   • please (used in a polite request or demand, often ironically).

     "would you kindly explain what you're talking about?"

     synonyms:

     please, if you please, if you would be so good, if you wouldn't mind, have the goodness to, pray; More

adjective

adjective: kindly; comparative adjective: kindlier; superlative adjective: kindliest

1. 1.

   kind, warm-hearted, or gentle.

   "he was a quiet, kindly man"

   synonyms:

   benevolent, kind, kind-hearted, warm-hearted, generous, good-natured, humane; More

   antonyms:

   unkind, cruel

To me, when a person X use "kindly", it means X is essentially demanding that person Y  to do what X wants. Why not just say "do this", because that is what X actually meant? If X intended a polite request, then X should use the word "please". 

There is nothing kindly about "kindly".

My lovely modus operandi when I see this in an email request is to make sure I slot that demand to the bottom of my to-do pile. Remember, you asked for it :D

Seen at the back of a car

吃饭不吃菜
省钱谈恋爱

We were parked behind a car which had that sticker. When Bobo read it, he said this instead:

吃饭不吃菜

大便硬硬来

 

Hokkien Booboos - Overheard in a canteen

This conversation was entirely in Hokkien, and overheard by Bobo who was standing behind this Indian dude who was conversing with the canteen operator in Hokkien (kudos to him, I can only understand the bad words). The auntie standing next to the canteen operator listened in on the conversation and wanting to praise the guy said this in Hokkien:

" 瘦瘦一枝骨, 功夫慢慢出" (correct statement: 瘦瘦一枝骨, 功夫看不出)

Note: Since I can't write in the dialect, I will write in Mandarin, please interpret yourself *lol*.

The canteen operator said 好黄 while Bobo sniggered behind the nonplussed guy.

Change

I abhor change. Change brings uncertainty which means I have to go manage it most of the time. Which also drives me to anticipate change until sometimes I feel like I am turning into a worry wart or paranoid person who always see the glass as half full... of poison.

So today I am mugging for an exam tomorrow (long story how that happened) and because I am the kind of person who is tempted by tv shows and other earthly desires, I can't study at home. I sometimes think that it's because as a child I was not taught self control. My parents always saw the need to ground me or impose "tv verboten" on me, warden-style that I cannot study well  unsupervised... 

Eg. A few months ago, Arbeit required me to study for exam, 22 topics passing grade 70%. I couldn't study on my own... and went home to my parents, tail between my legs to study under their watchful eye (age: 34).

So today, I went to the library to study because as usual i wasted the morning of my leave watching American tv. It has just undergone Reno (ie the change ) but for once I appreciate the change. Because I am now sitting on a tall wooden stool with no backing and no cushion. If i don't concentrate and fall asleep I am going to fall down and crack my head ala humpty dumpty. Making major inroads on studying, barring taking a break to type this entry.

Ho Chi Minh - Tips and Bits

CHANGING $

My friends were right. Changing VND at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport gets you a better rate than you would at home, especially Singapore.


COMMUNICATION
How best to remain in contact with family/friends or rub it in their faces that you are enjoying yourself while they slave away in their cubicles (just kidding),  get a SIM card while you are still at the airport. Go to the extreme left near airport exit where there are some phone companies and the pretty ladies speak English. I bought my deal (100,000 VND for 5GB data) at Vinaphone. It is an awesome deal. Doesn't allow phone calls, but you don't need it if you can use Whatsapp calls, Skype or Facetime anyway.

We stayed 4 days, I tethered my phone everyday, and between 3 of us, we still couldn't use up more than 1 GB *annoyed* lol, though the likely reason is because my shitty phone has a shitty battery, and dies very fast everytime I tether.

TRANSPORT

(1) When you exit the airport, go to the extreme left end of the airport to catch the cabs (taxis). There are a group of cab company employees in uniform to help you coordinate a cab. Don't cross the road where another group of cab company employees are standing, they serve only members.

(2) We took Vinasun or Mai Linh. Vina sun cabbies were always professional, but the Mai Linh cab driver we took was professional and really funny as well. Both companies use meters and quote in VND. The drivers are in uniform and their ID and names are displayed on the dashboard.

(3) Note the spellings of the two reputable cab companies, there are some counterfeit ones calling themselves Vinasum, ML or use similar coloring. Don't get in if:
- the meter is not pointed to the backseat.
- cab has tinted windows.
- driver quotes you in USD

(2) Bus 35 goes to most major tourist spots until 8 pm. Costs 4K VND.

FAMOUS EATS and PLACES

Here's the map I created for this trip. You can try staying at Alagon City Hotel like we did, it is made up of a mish mash of interconnected hotels that are connected via the first floor dining room. It's accessible to alot of places.

Most of the tourist action was at District 1 as you can see on the maps. If you are in the need of culture, check out the performances at Saigon Opera House (Ao show is very popular) or the water puppet show (which you can also watch at Hanoi).
All the eateries we ate at charged about 50K VND per dish. The roadside stalls charged 20 VND for bánh tráng nướng (YUMMMMMMMY)

SIDE TRIPS
There are many options for side trips out of Ho Chi Minh. You can try the Mekong Delta (2 routes), Cuchi tunnels, Can Gio (for you sun worshippers) etc.

What is important is to shop around for your side trips at the various tour agencies around District 1.  They will quote different prices but some of these agencies are consolidated to one tour agency in the end. Anyway once you booked, don't answer you fellow tour companions how much they paid. May or may not upset you. LOL.