Happy 2010

Greeting from Taipei, Taiwan!

花田囍事

Congratulations to Choon Hui & Ann!
Sorry for disappearing on your big day!
Wishing you a Happy Married Life!

Ready to fly!

Packing... done! Now, I'm only waiting for the time to leave the house. Can't wait for the plane to take off and bring me to the destination - Taipei. It's time to begin an oversea trip after the last one to Bandung & Jakarta in November 20089. Everyone knows I've been craving for this trip for long time. I'm so glad that it's happening!

This trip will also mark the very 1st time I'm going to couchsurf. Ever since hosting CS'ers for the 1st time in June 2008, by simple counting, I've already done more than 10 times in Ipoh. I’m so eager to find out what the experience of being hosted is like.

Me, Xuan, SC, KW and Max are going to spend 8D7N in Taiwan. Taipei and the nearby areas would be our main base. However, we would too spend some time at the east coast – Hualien, the gateway to the breathtaking Taroko Gorge.

The Winter. I’ve not been in the Winter time for a few years. Would I be able to get used to the low temperature. I hope it wouldn’t be too harsh to handle. At least, I don’t think it gonna snow in Taiwan. Anyway, I know that traveling with all those bulky winter clothes, is not fun at all.



Taiwan, here we come!

I-You-He-She-It, again!

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance is going to have their 1st ever joint convention during the weekend.

Being a pro-PR civilian, at the moment, I hope that this convention can really bring out the reformation needed to make PR a strong rival to BN coalition and, more importantly, is able to clear up the inter-parties contradictions and of course, to educate the 'trouble-makers' within the alliance.

Just pray that this is not going to be another 'scripted drama'. We don't want anymore of that.

PR too has released a logo recently. I am not too sure whether it's the PR's logo, or logo of the convention.

Whatever is it, I have a small problem with the orange-coloured logo: why must the 5 petals Hibiscus represent Malay-Chinese-Indian-Iban-Kadazan? Why in Malaysia, everything has to be grouped in A-B-C... or Do-Re-Mi-Fa or 1-2-3-4-5?

When can we ever get out of such mindset? It's a disease and it's spreading fast. We need a cure for that!

心情随笔·二

心情随笔

最近比较烦⋯⋯但係又唔知烦乜

最近比较烦⋯⋯总觉得日子过得有一些极端⋯⋯总觉得钞票一天比一天难赚⋯⋯我看那前方怎么也看不到岸⋯⋯人生总有远的近的麻烦⋯⋯我只是心烦却还没有混乱⋯⋯你们的关心让我温暖⋯⋯家是我最甘心的负担⋯⋯我不烦 我真的不烦⋯⋯因为，我的人生很灿烂

OK，呻完。够钟睏觉

正碟新上架

After the wait of close to 2 years, these 2 of my favourite singers have finally released their studio album recently. I just couldn't wait any longer to own them. Thanks to my Auntie Kim, who brought them to me all the way from Canada. Finally, I have these 2 albums on my hands today.

Yes, I'm checking on Norah Jones's now... Great voice as she always has!

The Fall - Norah Jones

Will tune into Michael Bublé later... Have listened to his Crazy Love countless time; good stuff!

Crazy Love - Michael Bublé

It would be a great news to me if 2 of them can have some sort of collaboration in the future. I hope... & wish...

Another tryout

年轻嘅本钱

都话啦，有时候唔洗咁care要做啲乜嘢，最重要係同啲乜人一齐。

就好似上個礼拜咁，本来约咗一大班最近揾返嘅旧朋友，一齐去PD度来個2日1夜游。點知道大部分人临时有嘢做，最后剩返4条友。咁就唯有改plan，上云顶住1晚，好过冇啦。

拜六一早起身，搞点晒啲嘢，就驾车先去金宝接观俊。跟住就去冷甲载埋阿Khuan，随便食埋早餐。然之后，就出发去KL。（哗，好耐都冇见过啲小镇风情——睇到啲稻田，绝啊！）

到咗PJ，同阿Weng食埋lunch，就开始我哋嘅行程——上山去云顶。弊啦，唔知点解，云顶超多人，酒店啲房都full晒。

我哋又改plan。打算打返场bowling同食埋打边炉，正落山。横點上到来，冇理由乜都唔做就嘛！

故事仲未完啊。喺平地要做嘅第一件事，就係接晓筠，再5個人一齐去唱K。真係委屈晓筠，要一個女仔陪我哋添！

当晚嘅K歌之王，非观俊哥莫属。冇乜歌係难倒佢嘅。离开K场嗰阵，已经係晨早5点几。阿Weng就带我哋去Jalan Ipoh食点心‘早’餐。

送晓筠返屋企，再去阿Weng度已经係7点几。洗过面，就睏咗。真係多谢晒大家让张床给我。睏饱食饱，我哋3条友就驾车返Perak啦。

虽然今次係攰咗啲，（我一挞响张床就睏咗十几粒钟），但係諗到可以同大家聚会下，乜到值啦！唔讲你唔知，我同佢哋几个，都係最近遇返。计计下，都识咗有10年啦！

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

唔知点解，今次出trip，令我諗起好多年前，同一班大学朋友一齐去Bath嘅trip。嗰阵又係好似咁样，冇乜计划就冲住去。虽然都係几乎‘事事唔顺’，但係得到嘅回忆，真係用钱买唔返㗎！

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

俾观俊影响咗，搞到几乎日日都喺度哼唱陈奕迅嘅《於心有愧》！不过，真係好好听啊！

Mr Mata, where's your Professionalism?

你給別人的形象

啱啱收到email，就係以下嘅迷你测验。横掂都得闲，就随便咁睇下。测出来嘅成绩——我係屬於草香形象。读埋啲details，都觉得有些少咁准喎。不如，你都来玩玩啦！

用直覺來回答下列問題，轉瞬間便知道自己在別人心中是怎樣的一個人了。

(1) 你會把自己比喻成哪種花香？

• 濃郁的花香 --> 去第2題
• 清淡的花香 --> 去第3題

(2) 你會選擇哪種香味的潤唇膏？

• 水果味 --> 去第4題
• 薄荷味 --> 去第5題

(3) 你會把自己比喻為哪種花束？

• 紅色系的花束(如紅色/粉紅色/橙色) --> 去第2題
• 非紅色系的花束(如白色/藍色/紫色) --> 去第5題

(4) 你跟意中人首次約會用什麼香水？

• 帶有甜味的花香 --> 去第6題
• 清爽的水果香味 --> 去第7題

(5) 你較喜歡哪種味道？

• 盛夏乾燥的草味 --> 去第4題
• 雨後濕淋淋的草味 --> 去第7題

(6) 玫瑰和百合，你較喜歡哪種香味？

• 玫瑰 --> 去第8題
• 百合 --> 去第9題

(7) 你剛發現一瓶新款洗頭水，你十分喜歡它的味道，那瓶子的形狀是怎樣的？

• 圓形 -->去第6題
• 長身形 --> 去第10題

(8) 當你情緒低落時，哪種味道最能撫慰你的心靈？

• 花香 --> 去第11題
• 森林的味道 --> 去第12題

(9) 你在收視超高的劇集中看見一個香包，收O什麼顏色？

• 紫色 --> 去第8題
• 紅色 --> 去第12題

(10) 市面剛推出了一種全新的香草味雪糕，你的看法是什麼？

• 相當引人注意 --> 去第9題
• 不太引人注意 --> 去第13題

(11) 下列哪種味道會勾起你懷念的感覺？

• 麵包香味 --> 去第14題
• 大自然的味道 --> 去第15題

(12) 如果月亮的光輝會發出味道，你嗅到後會聯想起下列哪組形容詞？

• 刺激/燦爛奪目/香味四溢 --> 去第11題
• 沉鬱/弧獨/踏實/安靜 -->去第15題

(13) 你較喜歡哪種香味？

• 香料 --> 去第12題
• 茶香 --> 去第16題

(14) 你對體味的看法是？

• 非常討厭 --> 去第17題
• 如果是自己喜歡的味道就沒有關係 --> 去第18題

(15) 你覺得什麼香味較有助提神？

• 柑橘香 --> 去第14題
• 薄荷香 -->去第18題

(16) 你喜歡異性身上有哪種香味？

• 香水味 --> 去第15題
• 自然肥皂 --> 去第19題

(17) 想起遊樂場，你會想起哪種味道？

• 牛奶及葡萄 --> 去第20題
• 甜甜的糖果 --> 去第21題

(18) 如果要在房間燃點香薰，你喜歡哪一種形狀的香薰？

• 三角錐形 --> 去第17題
• 棒狀 --> 去第21題

(19) 你對於香水的看法是？

• 非常喜歡 --> 去第18題
• 不算十分喜歡 --> 去第22題

(20) 對於嬰兒使用的肥皂系列香味有什麼看法？

• 喜歡 --> A 型
• 不是特別喜歡 --> B 型

(21) 你知道自己的味道嗎？

• 不知道 --> 去第20題
• 知道 --> C 型

(22) 喜歡皮革的味道嗎？

• 喜歡 --> 去第21題
• 討厭 --> D 型

◆ A. 你是屬於水果香形象
你充滿自由愉悅的氣息，總是沉溺左遊樂場當中，像個天真無邪的孩子。有你在的地方，整個氣氛都會興奮起來，所以你是聚會中不可或缺的人物。

雖說你個性開朗，受到大部份人的喜愛，但別人一般認為難以跟你成為親密好友，即是說，你給人的印象只是個搞笑能手。有些人覺得你愛玩弄別人，依賴性又強，所以不太願意親近你。不過，真正的你其實十分成熟穩重，正因透徹了解你的人不多，所以知己朋友也相當少。


◆ B. 你是屬於東方花香形象
你擁有強烈的自我意識及自己的世界，不會被他人玩弄於股掌之間，會利用自己的力量積極地達成願望，給人有熱情的印象。你不會跟朋友糾纏不清，再加上給人單獨行動的印象，圍繞在你週遭的人都會覺得你是一個「帶有神秘色彩的人物」。

「神秘感」有時是相當有魅力的意思，但是人們對於你嚴密的防備以及自命清高的態度，感覺無法輕鬆地與你對談而覺得你難以應付。甚而變成非必要不跟你接觸,對你敬而遠之的傾向。真正的你其實是相當溫柔的，但是除非是與你相當親近的，否則是無法注意到你的優點。


◆ C. 你是屬於草香形象 （我就係其中之一！）
你擁有非常堅強的意志，不依賴他人，給人獨來獨往的印象。你擁有旺盛的好奇心與豐富的感受性，是個過著知性生活的現代人。驟看下你是個自命清高，不好相處的人，但是一旦跟你交談後，就知道你很好相處，等到交情加深之後，就更知道你其實擁有很爽快的個性。

你所擁有的中性化魅力，讓你不論在男性團體或女性團體都大受歡迎，不過你不喜歡讓人看到你脆弱的一面。你外表上看來也許很冷靜，但實際上卻是熱情如火。能夠知道你真正本性的人，才能夠跟你天長地久地交往下去。


◆ D. 你是屬於花香形象
你總是給人樂觀、積極和勇於面對困難的感覺，而且溫柔優雅，很懂得為他人設想，給人非常擅長維繫人際關係的印象。這樣的你讓人感到既堅強又脆弱，尤其是你那關懷體貼的包容力，更讓人覺得你相當有魅力，很值得信賴。

你長期給人認為你是個「拜託做事絕不會拒絕」的人，所以特別容易讓依賴心強、只顧自己利益的人利用。這些人因為看中你細心隨和的一面，所以會故意親近你，然後借故佔你便宜。

早安老师

I accidentally found this clip on youtube. It was such an old song. I remember learning it when I was in Std 3, which was 17 years ago.

Oh ya, forgot to say, this song was actually the theme song of a Singaporean 80s drama. I'm sure every S'porean has fond memory on this drama or the theme song. That's such a classic!

There's so much to talk about the younger age. How I wish I could be a school kid again! Do you think I would find clips of Mask Man?

早安老师 Good Morning, Sir!

An emotional letter

I received this letter from a kid whom I've been sponsoring through World Vision. This wasn't the first time I got a letter from him. But somehow, I was a bit emotional after reading that letter. Reason? I've no idea.

Singkawang, 28 Agustus 2009

Yang terkasih bapak Adwin,

Bagaimana kabarnya Pak? Semoga sehat-sehat saja ya. Kabar Parno sekeluarga sehat-sehat saja. Terima kasih Pak atas kiriman 5 buah perangkonya dan suratnya saya senang sekali menerimanya.

Saat ini saya sedang menjalankan ibadah puasa hingga menjelang Lebaran nanti. Doakan saya ya Pak agar puasa saya lancar.

Pak maafkan saya ya karena saya tinggal kelas akibat karena saya banyak bermain dan malas belajar tapi saya berjanji tahun depan saya pasti naik kelas.

Salam dan hormat dari kami sekeluarga. Terima kasih.

(name undisclosed)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(the translation by the volunteer)

Dear Mr Adwin,

How are you? I hope you are healthy. My family and I are healthy. Thank you for sending me some postage stamps and letter. I was happy to receive it.

Now I am in my fasting seasons and it will be finished until we are celebrating the Idul Fitri. Please pray for me to make my fasting finish.

I'm sorry to let you down because I have to stay in the same grade; it is all because I played a lot and lazy to study. I will promise you that I will study hard so I can go to the next grade in the year 2010.

Regard from my family and I. Thank you.

Yeah, this was just a simple letter from a primary school kid. I've read it for a few times and had the same 'emo' feeling every time. Do you have an explanation for me?

恋爱方程式

刚刚从某部新加坡连续剧里听到一句话：

感情问题就像数学题一样，要用对方程式才能解决。

我到底也算大学里修数学的。怎么没有听说过这码事呢？都怪自己没安分守己，搞到学艺不精，直像个‘半桶水’。有书不好好读，成天只顾吃喝玩乐。

咦？不对啊！我都没听说过有这门科。应该不是数学系的科目。数学是理科，一路来的训练，都是在动左脑。感情这回事，应该是感性的，要用右脑才对。是文科来的！

是这样的吗？

把感情事给理性化，看似简单，但要说得清楚是很难的。如果不小心，还可能引起很多后遗症。恋爱中的情侣、感情生活空白的单身族、或是爱情幸福美满人士等等有情人，都会同意这点吧！

解数学题，只要明白当中的定理、引理、推论、逻辑等，选用适当的方程式或方案，便能迎刃而解。当然，程度较高的难题要由有相当程度的学者来处理。像我这样的‘二打六’，骗骗中小学生就可以。

感情这种事，并不是肤浅地说一句：“男人来自火星，女人来自木星。”就能理出个所以然。十根手指各有长短；一种米养百种人。要不然，两性作家们也不用每次像写毕业论文般写书。因为，要创出合乎情理的‘恋爱方程式’，谈何容易啊！

爱情里的是非对错，一直都是‘公说公有理，婆说婆有理’；一个说先有鸡，一个说先有蛋。往往都把中间人给搞得头昏脑胀。每个人的爱情观点都不同、因人而异。

我只能说：“从‘心’出发吧！”要用哪种方程式应对，只有你自己知道。用对了，恭喜你。错了，唯有从中累计经验，改善只有你才拥有的（独家）‘百分百方程式’！

Kuching - RWMF 音乐故事

Chapter 3 - Daytime Workshops

On the 1st day, both me and Xuan decided not to check in to the Cultural Village until the evening and instead, opted to walk around the city. It was a wrong decision. We only got there after all the workshops was over. As such, we missed the 1st day workshops!

We learned from the mistakes. As such, we nicely planned to get there early for lunch and attended workshops of the other 2 days. Without much problem, we managed to do as planned. Good stuff!

2nd day workshop attended:-
Free the Reed - Mouth Organs to Accordions
(less energetic compared to the others; probably due to the language barrier existed)
One-Sided Percussion - Pyrotechnics on Frame Drums and Tambourines
(overwhelming atmosphere; overwhelming crowds!)
Soul of the Maori by Moana & the Tribe
(good cultural exposure; amazing experience!)

3rd day workshop attended:-
Voice of My People - Voices from around the world
(not quite exciting but the all the nice voices did light up the day.)
Bamboozled - Amazing Instruments Made from Bamboo
(4 stars! good combination that worked so well. love it!)
I've Got Rhythm - World Rhythm Masters
(5 stars! standing ovation plus non-stop applauses)

Kuching - RWMF High翻天

Chapter 2 - Night Concerts

No one would ever attend the RWMF and give the night concerts a miss. That would be so wasted if someone ever missed the shows. Why? Because it's just awesome. That's the highlight of the whole event!

We were a bit unlucky during the first night. Everything was going right and people had well seated ready for the start of the concert. Then, the rain poured. Everyone ran to the closest shelter. Although the rain stopped when the show started, it kept drizzling on and off. We had to wear the poncho, trying to stay dry.

The 2nd night, which was a Saturday, attracted the most crowd. As it's the weekend night, everyone decided to have the party there. I am sure you can have the picture of how wild and crazy the crowd could get. I think the supply of Heineken too contributed to such a energetic scenario.

The overall crowd presented at the final night was reduced to almost half of the previous night. Nevertheless, the finale was still fantastic and amazing. At the same time, I did feel a bit down as everything was going to end soon. I hope I would come back again for the future RWMF!

Pop Music had no room for itself in this music festival. The traditional and tribal music took the place. But, don't ever think that these 'non-popular' genres were nothing. They were everything! Music is an universal language and it unites the world!

RIP Kit!

Kit Yang Charlene Pun, 1983 - 2009

Dear Kit,

I'm shocked and saddened. I couldn't believe what I've just found out. You left us so sudden without leaving a word or a warm farewell hug behind. I can't express in words of how much I miss you. All I want you to know is that I've just lost a true friend of mine, that is you - Kit.

You are such a wonderful and energetic girl! Believe me, you inspired me to have the positive attitude towards LIFE. I have a plan wanted to share it with you. I thought you could guide me through and witness how I would get it done. I have no chance to do that anymore.

I have always been waiting for your return to Malaysia and I believe you would. I remember clearly what we chatted when you were in Ipoh, the first time together with Francesco and for the second time before you left Malaysia for Japan. I want to learn your magic trick!

Francesco-Kian-Kit, Aug 2008, Ipoh, Malaysia

I know you are watching us somewhere out there and you will always be there with us. May you rest in peace! You will be greatly and deeply missed.

Love,
Kian, Ipoh @ Malaysia

especially dedicated to Kit Pun

有情人终成眷属

有人话，通常过咗农历七月，都有一大堆恋爱中的情侣排住队等拉埋天窗，係结婚嘅好日子。咁嘅事终于喺我⋯⋯身边啲朋友度印证咗。（唔洗驚，我重未娶！）加上好多‘专业人士’都唔建议明年结婚，话唔係咁好日子喎。重有啲绰头呢——乜嘢999啊，20092009啊。搞到大家到赶住喺呢段时间行婚礼、办婚宴、搞注册。

来紧嘅十月到十二月之间，一共有五场婚宴等紧我去饮。其中两单重係咁啱得咁巧，喺同一晚接到通知嘅添！好彩五场都冇撞日子，唔洗搞到要做取舍，避过礼到人不到嘅尴尬场面。年尾個阵有堂大佬嗰婚礼；有一单係好朋友嘅哥哥；另外一场就係自小学一年级就识得嘅旧同学；其余两位，係今年正揾返嘅旧朋友，大家都係中学嗰阵参加同一届学生记者队时候认识嘅。

话事话，如果我唔係今年行桃花（唔係讲紧姻缘嗰啲，係人缘嗰种），有机会同埋啲旧同学、旧朋友重聚，都唔会有咁样嘅荣幸参加佢哋嗰婚礼。大家冇误会，我唔係呻紧有几唔好彩收到啲红炸弹！祇係有少少感触。原来当年大家响纪念册度写啲乜嘢‘有缘千里来相会’诸如此类嘅留言，唔係斋写来睇咁简单，真係有‘友谊万岁’咁嘅事嗰喎！

真係要多谢啲有心人，时不时搞吓啲大大小小嘅聚会啊、饭局啊、又或者係啲旅行团啊，俾大家有机会倾吓计、话吓家常，促进大家嘅友情。好彩呢個年代嘅科技咁发达，唔洗净喺靠飞鸽传书或者写信保持联络。短讯、email、facebook等，都好方便。事在人为，冇再揾籍口啦！喺呢個世界嘅某個角落，可能有呢啲朋友捻紧你嗰喎！

送俾大家呢两首靓歌。虽然旧咗啲，但係好听同有意义就得啦！本来捻住要upload谢安琪嘅《囍帖街》，但係捻捻吓，好似唔係几应景喎，重有少少攞景添。好啦，喺度祝大家：天下有情人终成眷属！

Amazing Art

1^n = 1

It seems that the current IN thing in the blogosphere is to blog about whatever related to Merdeka. I remember this time last year, the debate was on whether the Birthday of Malaysia fell on 31/8 or 16/9, and we got no answer for that.

This year, the most talk-about issue is around the slogan '1 Malaysia' promoted by our 'beloved' PM. To me, it's nothing new, it's nothing fantastic and it's nothing else. The same thing has been being talked about more a few decades. Someone got bored and decided to label it with a new title, so we have the '1 Malaysia' campaign now. That's just an example of 换汤不换药.

To execute something is always harder than explaining the ideas. There's no point keep on focusing on the branding and not applying it. It does no good to the nation!

I bet you never know such a song exists right?

我们的主题曲

继《Ipoh Mali》之后，又有一首新的歌曲，在歌颂着我的故乡——怡保。它的山明水秀和美味食物，的确使许多过客流连忘返。要不然，易桀齊也不会有创作灵感，而写出着首好歌。不知道连锁店遍布全星马的Oldtown Kopitiam会不会征用这首歌，作为其金漆招牌的主题曲。

可是哦，连易桀齊这东马人都能为怡保写歌，为什么出生怡保的各位音乐人至今也没创作出脍炙人口的‘怡保歌’呢？（《Ipoh Mali》，差在不够大众化）不知道，要等到什么时候才有像《Sayang Kinabalu》那样被沙巴人传唱到街知行闻的‘非官方州歌’在霹雳州出现。




怡保

詞 易桀齊
曲 伍冠諺 易桀齊

往北開 兩個人 路過了怡保
三小時 才到檳城 路上雨好大

回程的時候 繞到這個鄉鎮玩玩
好山好水好風光

怡保的舊街場 吃的數不完
芽菜 河粉 咖啡香

走在怡保街上 這里舊得很好看
灑下古老月光
有多少人嚮往

被山嶺環抱 在霹靂洞前面合照
有古早樣的浪漫

我走在舊街場 撲鼻咖啡香
像愛般揮不散

走在怡保街上 這里 舊得很好看
灑下古老月光
有多少人嚮往

我走在舊街場 吃的數不完
芽菜 河粉 咖啡香

走在新舊街場 由近打河分两半
穿梭两个時光
你都在我身旁

Every song tells a story - Pt 3

If you are a modern folk, I'm sure you are more or less hooked to listening to music, be it classical or pop music. And I truly believe that there must be a few particular songs that you like them so much, probably because of the catchy melody or the lyrics.

Of course, I'm just like anyone else, no different from you. Now, let me share with you of a few songs that could represent a certain period of my life.

2005 Michael Bublé - Home

2005, was the year I graduated with a bachelor degree. Finally, the hard works on rushing for the assignments dateline and the never ending tests and exams, were over. What a relief! I was actually feeling lucky enough to have graduated, since I was quite an an idiot throughout the whole final year.

So, just like anyone else, I was on the crossroad to choose an option from a few alternatives. Further studies was totally out of my choice as I had no confidence in doing more studies at that time. At the same time, the graduation too marked the end of my 3 years stay in Coventry, England. Here came another question: where should I start my career?

Back home to help out the family business, was my decision. It'a choice which I am still in doubt whether it's the better option, sometimes. But, the optimistic part of me always gets to brush it off with positive attitude. This nice song too reminds me how wonderful is it to be at home!

2006 James Blunt - You're Beautiful

I was so into this song; even until now. James Blunt is such a wonderful singer with a nice voice. Great melody, meaningful lyric. No doubt, this song's one of the greatest hits of all time! Do you think so? I bet you do!

'My life is brilliant; my life is pure' I like this particular 2 lines the most. Whenever feeling unhappy, down or upset about something, I would just shout out this 2 lines aloud. This is to remind myself that my life isn't that bad after all. Why should I be so negative?

Year 2006 was not my year. Everything just seemed going to the wrong direction and nothing much to be cheered for. I always believe that in reality, all these things were just part of the challenges that we need to deal with and to learn something from. More importantly, it does make us stronger and tougher than before. C'est la vie

Masyarakat Majmuk

I always think that Malaysians can do more to show the world how people from different backgrounds can live together without much conflict. That's what the government and other organisations in Malaysia have been promoting to the rest of the world, right?

Malaysia, Truly Asia. Such a catchy phrase has been deeply locked in many foreigners' mind; at least that's what my experience with other couchsurfers tells me.

Most of the time, I explained to the couchsurfers that much conflicts were actually avoided as many Malaysians didn’t have much interaction with others of different backgrounds, be it race, religion, education, sexuality or whatever.

The institutions and policies implemented in this country, somewhat create an imaginative borders that group people in different community and prevent any interactions. Many do believe that such boundaries separating different communities must be eliminated eventually.

Nevertheless, one couchsurfer from Tunisia I hosted recently told me a different opinion: People from different backgrounds shouldn’t mix around and should just stay within the group they belong to. That’s the reason why Malaysians live in harmony and different cultures are well protected.

I was so shocked with such a remark. So, does it mean that we are heading to the wrong direction? Do we have to stop all the works in encouraging more integration among people? No, I don’t think so. We should just continue with our hard work to achieve that mission!

Well, he’s a foreigner and doesn’t really understanding the concept of multicultural which has had a long history with this nation. Hopefully, after his tour around Malaysia and Indonesia, he would have a new perception on the multicultural Malaysian society.

Meme

Here are the instructions:

1. Put your iPod on shuffle.(or any mp3 player in shuffle mode)
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question.


Q: What does next year have in store for you?
黑色柳丁 – 陶喆 (Black Tangerine – David Tao)
don't think we could find it and I don't want it!

Q: What does your love life look like next year?
The Way You Look Tonight – Michael Buble
make sure u do look good! dun ruin my love life

Q: What do you say when life deals you a bad hand?
Home – Michael Buble
get back home and sleep! then, a fresh new start

Q: Song that reminds you of good times?
今天没回家 - 陶喆 (Not going back home - David Tao)
who wants to be back at home if there's so much fun out there?

Q: What do you think when you get up in the morning?
Creeping In - Norah Jones
yeah... creeping into the blanket. I want more sleep!

Q: What song will you dance to at your wedding?
A Foggy Day (In London Town) - Michael Buble
nice song, but I need an instructor for this to happen!

Q: Your favourite saying?
My Girls - The Temptations
Well, I guess you'll say, 'What can make me feel this way?'

Q: Favourite place?
Nightingale - Norah Jones
somewhere where I can find Nightingale(夜鶯)? Of course, NO!

Q: What song describes your best friend?
Feelings - Il Divo
best friends know me the best! thanks for being my friends...

Q: What song describes your ex?
That's Life - Michael Buble
that's life! 命中注定的! what can we do?

Q: What song describes yourself?
Above Ground - Norah Jones
yup... I don't like to hide. I am who I am

Q: Where will you be in 10 years?
Painter Song - Norah Jones
undertneath the swirling skies for all to see... anywhere la

Q: Your love life right now?
Sunny Side Up - Freddie Ravel
I'm happy being single... enjoying the bachelor life!

Q: How will you die?
So Good So Right - Brenda Russell
how good and right can it be? just no much pain will do

P/S: You are TAGGED!

踏足Kuching

天妒英才

人猿·人缘

"Thanks to Xuan for the photos of Orang Utan!"

Kuching - 猫城猫事

Chapter 1 - 寻找Orang Utan的故事

在这个非常时期搭飞机，不格外小心一点儿也不可。唯一的防范措施——戴口罩，做了！应该不会那么不幸运感染到吧！还好，吉隆坡与古晋间的航程只有两个小时。不然，可能会先闷死。不管了！几天后还有另一趟，下次再担心啰！可不能让它破坏我放假的好心情！

Check In旅舍后，便跟同行的玮轩，到古晋市区走走，再计划这几天还可以到哪里去。这是我第二次踏足猫城，主要的地标位置都还记得。来到旅游咨询中心，参考了一些资料，决定到Semenggoh野生动物保护中心探望与人类DNA近乎相似的Orang Utan。可是，我们面临了第一个难题。

交通。要搭公共巴士还是的士呢？又或者租辆车子，自己当司机。也可以跟团，对吗？不过，问了好几家旅行社，似乎都不要收我们俩。几番讨论，还是搭公共巴士吧！可是啊，大马的公共交通系统是怎样的，大家都很清楚吧！几轮折腾，我们总算搭上对的那辆巴士出发去了！

一到达目的地，就下起雨来。买了票后，唯有冒着雨走进森林。没办法；没有雨伞、没有雨衣。真不像个frequent traveller！走着走着，雨势看似不会转微。但是，我们还是很乐观，深信很快就会雨过天晴！大约15分钟后，我们便到达人猿喂食区。时间还早，我们只好到处走走，了解这个保护区的历史。好事——雨停了！

也快到3点钟了。游客们都很自发地集合在一起，等着向导带领我们去跟人猿见面。就在这个时候，天公又不作美了！雨下得比之前更为大！走为上计——赶紧到停车棚避雨。难道跟orang utan的第一次接触就会如此告吹吗？我真的不想扫兴而归！

天公似乎被大伙儿的耐心给打动了。没多久后，雨也停了。也许这就是在大马才有的‘奇景’——雨总是下得大而不持久。我们收拾了之前的坏心情。同时间，向导告诉我们好消息。他说，人猿在雨后出来讨食物的机率是很高的！加上前几次的喂食时段，也没有很多只露脸，所以，这次我们肯定有‘眼福’！

走了近200公尺的湿泥路，我们来到一个人工搭出来的木制观台和平台。平台上摆放了许多水果，有木瓜、香蕉和椰子等。游客也陆续地在观台上找好位子。不远处，已有一只人猿和一对母子等着出来享用可口的水果餐。他们很熟练地爬树、爬绳子，登上‘水果台’，拿了水果后一旁慢慢吃。

在场的大部分游客，包括我在内，都是第一次那么近距离‘观猿’。兴奋之际，当然也不忘猛按快门，拍照留影。毕竟，在婆罗州境外看到活生生人猿的机会，真的少之又少。

不久，又有另外一群人猿出现。总共有4只，包括一对母子。我在想：难道人猿世界里也有不成文的‘用餐时间’，不能不遵守？或许，他们也懂得何谓‘尊卑之分’，所以才轮流出来觅食，不至于出现‘抢食’的场面。

原以为是时候离开了，没想到管理员却不让我们私自离开大队。因为，人猿王正on the way来着，怕他会攻击我们。这只人猿王果然鹤立鸡群、与众不同。身上的毛发长得特别茂盛、特别长。一看下去就知道他是当中的王者。不用说，这肯定是雄激素——睾丸素水平过高的结果。怪不得，其他的人猿都怕他三分、敬而远之。

约一个小时下来，我们有幸遇见大约十只人猿。跟平常的两三只，或甚至没有一只出现比较，我们算是幸运的，很值回票价。所以说，怕什么下雨嘛，塞翁失马，焉知非福。可是，我们得付出另一个代价！坏消息——我们错过了最后一趟回古晋的巴士。怎么办？我只能说，这是平常不过的事情。

当我们还在大门口犹豫着该怎样之时，已有位出租车司机开口问我们要不要租他的车子。没有其他选择之下，我们也答应了。原来他是从事旅游业的。平常没生意，也会在那里等着像我们这样的‘漏网之鱼’。他也派了卡片，向我们招生意，说可以当我们的导游兼司机。回到旅舍的途中，他也带我们去Civic Centre，好让我们可以从高处一览古晋市景。

我已累得要命了。回到房间，即刻倒头会周公去了。睡醒的时候已经是八点钟了。这个时候，当然是晚餐时间!我跟玮轩决定到Top Spot熟食中心吃晚餐。幸好之前的出租车司机已告诉我们Top Spot的位置，所以我们也不用花很久的时间便找到了。

我们点了：Belacan炒Midin菜（在砂拉越才找得到的山菜，味道和口感都像Paku菜）、泰式红曹和蚵仔煎，还有透彻心凉的现榨甘蔗水加柠檬。除了蚵仔煎，其他的都很美味。

吃饱后，在市区绕了几圈，便回到房间就寝。我们两个都很期待隔天掀开序幕的雨林世界音乐节。出席这个音乐节，是我们这趟来古晋的主要目的。

Rainforest World Music Festival 2009

I was in Kuching a few days last week to attend the famous Rainforest World Music Festival. It was awesome. It's not common to have such a kind of events in Malaysia. After knowing the existence of it for a few years, I am glad that I've finally get to chance to be present at this event.

I have so much thing to share with you guys about this music festival and this trip to Kuching, although this wasn't my 1st time in the Cat City. More posts will be out soon. But, at the moment, I just uploaded a few video clips so you guys can have a sneak preview of what was the event about.

(I should have recorded more video clips rather than photographing! )

Day 2 Workshop: Soul of the Maori by Moana & the Tribe

Day 3 Show: by Zawose Family

Day 3 Show: by Zawose Family

雨伞

雨伞，只可以在下雨天被派上用场。


阳光普照，没下雨，撑伞，错。
阳光普照，没下雨，一个大男人，撑伞，错错。
阳光普照，没下雨，一个有着健康肤色的大男人，撑伞，错错错。
阳光普照，没下雨，一个有着健康肤色的大男人，撑伞，粉红色的，错错错错。


出门前，只要涂上防晒液/防晒乳/防晒霜，再戴上墨镜，不就可以啰！

别来无恙吗？

不知不觉，公元2009年又过完一半。回想一下，过去的半年里，我到底做了些什么呢？好的坏的，都有。唔……日常生活还是一个样，至少没对现况感到厌倦；与去年比较，到现在为止已有超过六个月没出国旅游，这就有点不甘愿。

不过，最令我感到开心的，就是能够跟小学同学重聚。小六毕业那年是1995。那已大概是15年前的事了！再用手指算算，一年级入学时认识的同班同学，如果还一直保持联络的话，这段友谊迄今已快要迈入第20个年头了！

套《巾帼枭雄》里柴九的一句话：人生有幾多個十年？我也依样画葫芦地说：人生有幾多個20年啊？

真的很庆幸，可以跟那么多位小学同学‘重逢’。坐在一起，原来是不用怕没话题的，也不怕多年没见面后的陌生感。反而，大家都迫不及待地想知道那十多年的‘空窗期’，彼此都做了些什么。当然，重温在校园内的点点滴滴，也是我们每次聚会不可或缺的‘前菜+甜点’。

能有这样的‘大团圆’，不能不多谢其中一位同学，那么积极地通过不同的管道，把我们每一位联系起来。email、facebook、friendster、msn、到最传统的电联，他都几乎一一地试过了。真的不能不写个‘服’字给他。可惜的，还有几位MIA(missing in action)。

希望大家都能继续保持联络、keep in touch！不时的聚会，总比十年一次的大团圆好得多吧！

好好听

这个年头，有谁不认识“超级星光大道”和“超级偶像”？

这两个在台湾最火红的素人选秀大赛，为许多有梦想的青少年提供了让他们有机会展现才华舞台。同时，培育出一批又一批的乐坛新生代，为整个中文乐坛带来了新景象，也从而迎来良性竞争。最后得益的，就是各爱好音乐者。大家可以从更多元化的音乐世界里，选择自身最喜爱的音乐类型。

星光帮 —— 徐佳莹 （星光3冠军）

超偶帮 —— 符琼音 （超偶2亚军）

Future Travel Plan

Since the trip to Jakarta & Bandung in last November, I've not been flying to anywhere. How could that happen??? Where're the quarterly trips??

I think it's time to start all the travel planning now!






9 - 13 July 2009 @ Kuching
Flight tickets bought + guest house booked

Travel mate: Xuan

It gonna be my 2nd trip to Kuching. The 1st one was, 31 Dec 05 - 2 Jan 06, with my 2 sisters. This time, I'm planning to visit the outskirts of Kuching rather than spending all the time in the city. But, the highlight of this trip is to attend the World Rainforest Music Festival. Heard that it's a good event. So, hopefully, it gonna bring me back all the memorable clips.






25 Dec 2009 - 1 Jan 2010 @ Taiwan
Return flight tickets bought

Travel mate: Xuan, so far

I've been longing to visit Taiwan for ages, probably, since 8 years ago. Luckily, airasia launched the new route KL-Taipei few month back. Without wasting much time, I got the ticket just few minutes after the launch. So kiasu right? Haha... The price doubled, almost, after that. How should I plan the itinerary? Anyone can offer me some tips? Thanks in advance.






27 - 30 Mar 2010 @ Saigon
Return flight tickets bought

Travel mate: Xuan, so far (again)

3rd trip in a row planned with Xuan. We didn't want to miss the airasia promotion - no admin fee & fuel charge. After a few lines of words exchanged, we settled with the date and the purchase. Hopefully, more people will join in. Oh yes, we bought the tickets with just RM 175 per person, all in. Good deal, right? Last March, Hanoi; next March, Saigon.

University of Warwick Alumni Weekend

How I wish I could go back to have a walk around the campus again! But, it's just too far away; unless someone can sponsor me the flight ticket!

过去的一个月，不时收到大学校友会的电邮，邀请世界各地的校友回到大学校园出席首次举办的“校友周”。这不禁撩起了我缅怀大学生涯的思绪！我好想赴会、好想回去哦！

有没有人能送我来回机票？

05年7月毕业后，只在06年2月回过去看看老朋友和出席“大马晚会”。那时也是趁着带大妹到伯明翰入学，才顺道走马看花。不用屈指一算，都知道已3年多没踏足Warwick了!

要谈谈在大学度过的那三个春夏秋冬，是的的确确谈不完的。总觉得自己的文笔还欠缺点什么似的，不能很潇洒地舞文弄笔，把许多的生活点滴赤裸裸的让大家欣赏。

唯有“看图说故事”。图文比茂；互补不足。


有山（森林）、有水（湖）、还有鸳鸯在戏水！我没有欺骗你，这摄影地点确实在大学校园范围内，时间是我抵达大学的第一天。1st impression: Breathetaking! 之前，完全想象不到能在这样美不胜收的环境里求学。跟钢骨水泥的城市哪里有的比？


Compton Hall. 我第一年住校的宿舍。前前后后，在那里住了（10+10+10)30个星期。遗憾的是，没有跟其他室友很熟落。都怪自己常常不在宿舍咯！没办法，上课的地点跟宿舍相隔十万八千里。因此，常常‘驻扎’校园中心，尤其是其他同学的宿舍。


我的‘狗窝’。也不是啦！认识我的人都知道我有洁癖，典型的处女座男生。这宿舍的房间是全校园内空间最大的。美中不足的是离Central Campus太远了。而我上课地点——统计学系所又坐落在另一个校园，要经过一座小森林才到达。年头，从宿舍步行到系所要40分钟；年杪时只需20分钟。真的是‘日子有功’！


我来自热带地区，一年无四季之分。第一次渡过冬季、第一次看雪，你说我能不有一点儿的兴奋吗？还记得2003年1月初的某个清晨，天微亮就起床了。往窗外一望，就是以上这样一幅美景。赶紧地拿出数码相机，再按下快门，把眼前的那幅画摄入记忆卡里。


第一年住校时，我宿舍区是大学里唯一附有餐厅的。我们所付的宿舍费也包括了一学期80英镑的预付膳食费。每次光顾那里，就得‘刷卡’，从那80英镑里倒扣。每个晚上，我几乎都在六点半后、七点关门前到那里吃晚餐。这是为了避开人群，因为六点钟电视正播映最热门的《The Simpsons》啊！


这是大学另一个校园——Gibbet Hill Campus。统计学系和数学系的系所都坐落这里，冰山一角。从Central Campus过来，还得经过小‘山芭’——Tocil Wodd。不过，第二年时，统计学系跟数学系的都搬去Central Campus。很久之后，才在毕业前上过去拍照留念。


第一次在国外过年，几个朋友聚聚、煮几道小菜，来个不一样的年夜饭。这样才不至于‘每逢佳节倍思亲’嘛！虽然，比不上餐馆的山珍海味，或有着浓浓家乡味道的‘煮家饭’，可是，自己亲自下厨的，味道再差还是吃的下口的！总不能吃Fish & Chips过除夕吧！


踏正十二点，迎接正月初一春节来临之际，纷纷雪花忽然从天而降。这似乎在为我们首次不在家庆祝的农历新年掀开序幕。不用说，也知道接着下来的就是一轮‘雪球大战’！我看着照片在想：穿着黑色寒衣过新年，好像有点大煞风景啊！没关系啦，都说这是个‘另类’春节噢！


你看，大家笑得多灿烂！照片里的人，都是来自马来西亚的同届同学——当年的新生。这一晚，我们都出席了一年一度的Malaysia Night。为了这一场晚会，我们已经筹备、排练近一个月。最后，总算圆满落幕。过去一个月，有着许多欢乐。最重要的是能跟许多人从陌生到相识，这是缘分呗？


从我其中一位同学宿舍往外看，眼前就是这样一幕风景。是不是很棒呢？有什么烦恼，或者是读书读到发疯，只要看到如此般的美景，肯定会放松许多。我想，做父母的如果知道孩子们的求学环境是这个样子，肯定会放心很多。咦，我怎么好像在为大学打广告呢？


看了这些照片，可别以为这个地方很‘郊外’，什么都没有。告诉你，学生们可以几乎不用离开大学校园都能搞定生活里的一切。

大学里有艺术中心，中心里有戏院、有剧场；有体育中心，几乎要玩什么球类运动都可以（除了保龄球，悲！），还有设备齐全的攀岩设施呢。还有理发院、银行、超级市场、邮政局、酒吧、快餐吧，每个晚上student union还变装成舞池。

虽然，我很怀念在英国那段日子、三年的大学生涯、下雪的冬季等等，但是，我却不想念那刺骨的寒冷天气。还记得第一年住校时，寒假后搬回宿舍，发现central heating坏了，盖了两张被再穿上两双袜子，还是不能御寒。那几个晚上，对我来说，过得非常辛苦！

这次就先为大家带来这么多。有机会的话，再跟大家分享多一点。

Every song tells a story - Pt 2

If you are a modern folk, I'm sure you are more or less hooked to listening to music, be it classical or pop music. And I truly believe that there must be a few particular songs that you like them so much, probably because of the catchy melody or the lyrics.

Of course, I'm just like anyone else, no different from you. Now, let me share with you of a few songs that could represent a certain period of my life.

2003 Sheila on 7 - Seberapa Pantas (How appropriate)

This song was once so popular among me and a few Warwickians. Out of no where, suddenly everyone fell in love with it. Even those who didn't normally listen to Malay / Indon songs tried to learn to sing the song too. What's the X-factor to this scenario? I guess it's because: music is the universal language!

It was during my 1st Easter break in UK. The bunch of us that didn't go home stayed together at the hostel on campus. We saw everyone everyday, day to night. We joked, we ate, we played, we chilled out, ... we basically did everything together. I really miss those term breaks!

This song could well be the milestone of me settling down in England and making new friends. We were just strangers about half a year ago. Slowly, I grew closer to everyone. I was glad that I did make friends in Warwick and I am grateful that we have been keeping in touch since I graduated.


2004 陶喆 - 寂寞的季节
David Tao - Ji Mo De Ji Jie (The Season of Loneliness)

In the beginning of 2nd year, I bought back with me to UK a CD of David Tao. I was so into David Tao's music at that time. I had the CD played almost all the time in my room. Among all the other tracks, I like this song the most.

Season of Loneliness. It sounds so down, doesn't it? Being away so far from home, family and best friends, more or less made me feel lonely sometime. Especially when I got back to my room and all by myself.

Actually, I did enjoy such a moment; just a little bit though. It gave me the chance to think of the past and then reflect to the present. It brought to surprises unexpectedly - I could feel how much I had grown up and what were the new experiences I had come across. Nevertheless, spending fun time with friends is still always the best thing to do!

Practical vs Dreamer

Have u guys watched Sell Out! ?

Personally, I would classify it as another great M'sian production. It's worth to pay for the movie tickets and you won't regret, really.

Come to think about it, that was my first time watching a local musical film. (Maybe not; I'm not sure)

I'm not a movie critic. So, I'm not going to discuss how good or how bad of the film. Well, I would just like to express what I felt and thought about after watching it.



There was one scene in the movie that really caught me up in deep thinking. It was a live show and audiences were asked to send in sms to vote: to kill the 'Practicalist' or the 'Dreamer'.

(The telco companies are always the winner!)

After all the drama, the result was -- to kill the 'Dreamer'. The message was clear -- be practical and don't dream.

******************************

Back in reality, shall we be practical and force ourselves to stay in the controlled boundary or have big dream and work to make it comes true?

Ok. I know this is just another 'Chicken-or-eggs question'! But, there's no harm give it a thought right?

First, let's answer this -- what is your dream or what are your dreams?

Done? I think you've probably come out with a list -- what you want to achieve in the near future, aka 'dreams'.

Good grades, prestigious colleges, well paid jobs, good wives / husbands, luxurious cars, big houses, etc...

Next, ask yourself again. Are all that really your dreams? Or, just something you want to achieve on behalf of somebody or for somebody? Are you influenced to have all these dreams? Do you have reasons for all these?

Take your time to think about this question. Be it a few seconds more; a few minutes more; a few hours; a few days; or any longer...... until you get the answer that convince to yourself ONLY.

(I know it's a hard question. We are living in complicated world, aren't we? Human beings like to do thing in the hard way.)

Congratulation! If you have the answers. If NO, don't worry! Just forget about it and get back to the reality and continue with your lives. Relax!

For me, neither do I want to be the 'Practicalist' nor the 'Dreamer'. I just want to follow my spontaneous sense -- doing things as I like and as I wish, without much planning and resentment. Follow the heart.

Of course, there's limit. Not to hurt anybody else nor bringing trouble to others.

Dreaming BIG, dreaming too much makes me feel like a loser. It seems that it would take me forever to achieve them. Worse, I might not even have the chance to realise them.

Stop dreaming! (Just like what the parents and teachers always tell the young ones!)

Whereas, being practical stops me from enjoying my life. Aren't all these boring: doing thing within pre-set boundaries, taking no risks, dealing no uncertainties or blindly following others' path?

We can do better than that! It's human instinct to face challenges and find a way out with it.

So, just follow our heart. Go ahead to do whatever first appears in our mind. Reminder: be responsible and don't bring any trouble to others.

(Ok, I'm going to do water rafting again. I'm going to learn to play the guitar. I'm going to start reading a new book.)

I believe: living simply and ordinarily can be extra ordinary. I want to be another 陶渊明！采菊东篱下，悠然见南山。

十年之后

跟这一班学记队的朋友，没见面已差不多十年了！
说长不长，说短不短。
有些人已经结了婚、有了孩子；有的，快要结婚了。
每个人生活都过得很不错！
最重要的，大家还是一样漂亮、一样英俊！

1月的某个周末：Jaya 1

不知道大家还记不记得在培训营里第一次见面？
（看着那一群受不了‘经痛’的‘老学记’发疯。恶心死了！）
我相信大家还怀念那每两星期一次的会议；
还有每两三个月才一次的大活动；
当然，少不了数不清的大小聚会。

年初三：在我家

希望今后不时都可以跟大家聚聚。
聊聊天、开开玩笑、吹吹水。
更盼望能尽快把那些还没露面的同伴‘一网打尽’!
可以来张大合照，就是十全十美！

4月：Adeline's Rest House

Pembohong

Who can be the ambassador of a pepper spray brand?

Tak lain tak bukan. Kakak ni lah!

It's a PEPPER SPRAY...
No, it's a KEY CHAIN...
No, it's a PENDRIVE



Yes, it's a PEPPER SPRAY... after all



I picked it up from the floor.
I didn't know what is it.
And I didn't know how to use it!

7th May 2009 - another date to remember

This was the consequence of not dissolving the State Assembly; and what every Perakians did not want to happen.

Unfortunately, it did happen. And I would say that the biggest loser was none other than the Perakians. The power grabbing is, sadly, always comes before servicing the People.

DEMOCRACY FIRST! ELECTIONS NOW!

Perakians reject Racial Politics

We like Nizar! We love Nizar! We want Nizar!

This is so sad...

Talentime

It's been such a long time since I last went to the cinema. Blaming myself for taking up the part time job as Maths tutor.

It left with me just a little bit of time for me to rest - to sleep. Fortunately, I've made some arrangement and I will have more time for myself now.

I just went to watched 'Talentime' with Xuan few Sundays ago. My rating for this movie - 5 stars. Yasmin Ahmad did a good job again!

Her movies have been so real all the while. It's so 'Malaysian'. Yet, she always got criticised by the extremist, claiming that she had 'polluted' the cultures and bla bla bla... Kak Min, you are doing the right thing, don't give up!

This time, the focus wasn't on the inter-relationship between Malay and Chinese families, but Malay and Indian. Therefore, one would be exposed to different languages during the movies. Just wondering, what the stories of her next movie would be?

I still remember watching 'Sepet' for the 1st time (uncountable, after that) with my house mates back in Coventry. It made we missed home that time, especially seeing all those familiar places of my hometown. Why? The movie was shot in Ipoh!

Next, 'Gubra'; then, 'Mukhsin'. I have been waiting for the release of 'Muallaf'. But, it would only be shown on Astro and not the silver screen. Kak Min stands firmly this time for not wanting her movie to be 'edited' by the censorship board. Bravo!

I would mark 'Talentime' as my all time favourite among her movies. I enjoyed the storyline more; the touching scenes and nicer OST... I am going to buy the vcd or dvd once it's released and going to watch it again and again.

 

Thanks Kak Min for loving Ipoh so much. Don't stop coming back here for movies or tele-commercials shooting.

The winner takes it all

It's 2-1.

No. It's 4-1.
Don't forget the previous 2 parliamentary seats by-election.

But, I would say it's 5-1.
We all know well enough which side was the winner in the 308.

我在做Part-time

农历新年后，无端端地当上了‘冒牌’的数学导师。

一星期里，其中三晚在一间新开的补习中心教学；另外两晚，就在我家附近的救世军男童之家，义务地为那里的孩子上数学课，指导他们做功课。

你说，我空闲的时间，是不是一下子就少了许多呢？

说真的，是有点累的。

有时候，下班后回到家，真想好好地睡一大觉、今晚不去救世军那里。可是，臭屁的意志力还是有能力对我的脑子催眠。时间一到就出门去了。

两小时不停地为孩子们解答数学课题，真的可以把疲劳这码事给抛诸脑后。跟孩子们道别后，就会很开心地、很有满足感地离开。

反正在家里闲着也是闲着，做点对社会有贡献的事也无妨，对吗？

当初也想到，赚点额外的零用钱也好啊！就当着是筹一筹盘川、投资在‘旅游基金’啰！

补习中心开价，一个学生六四分帐。我六、他四。学生付一科，四十五令吉。算一算，我也有二十七。很好的价钱，对不对？

错了。一科四十五。但是，报名四科有折扣，共一百零五。这样子，平均一科才二十六左右。六四分帐，我才拿十多令吉，鸡碎咁多。

还有，这间中心开门至今，才有小猫两三只。加加减减，第一个月才有，大约百七。

一个礼拜十个小时，才有一百七十。我之前上门教一对一，可是收费二十五令吉一小时。蚀晒啰！

本来，还接到通电话，问我要不要上门教。可是，我真的没有多余时间，唯有推掉、看着两百多块飞走。

我那里可以忍受这样的underpaid。所以，就跟负责人谈谈，提议把一两班combine起来。那么，我就可以省点时间，不至于每小时才拿几块。还好，她答应了。

在救世军教，和在补习中心教，有什么分别呢？当然有啦!

在男童之家的话，没什么压力。谈一谈、笑一笑，很快地，时间到就回家。

相反的，在补习中心，会感到有压力的。遇到比较差的学生，自己很懊恼，为什么就是教不会他们。‘受人钱财，替人消灾’。这是我的责任。

我还打算今年去进修，教育系硕士班，好让把自己从‘业余’提升到‘专业’。可惜的，不知道什么原因，我的申请被驳回了。只好去找‘西家’，或其他课程呗。

想一想，这样子做part-time，也算是自我增值的一项吧！累计经验也可以，不一定要去上课考张‘沙纸’。你认为呢？

令我作呕的照片

前几天，各大报章几乎都很心有灵犀地，于头条版面刊登三伟‘英雄’的合照。他们三位，我以‘过去、现在、未来’来称呼他们，应该不会有什么不妥吧！

过度被神化的他们，不知道为什么要如此出风头、抢上镜。难道他们sense到快‘大势已去’，不把握机会，可能就会‘永在怀念中’？搞噱头之举动，没有人会比他们更有经验吧！

善哉、善哉。愿主保佑他们。

Get to know 'myself' better

Just did another personality quiz.
I would say it's quite a positive one.
How true do you think it's?


Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:

Your have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive, so you will find yourself with plenty of dates.

Your views on education:

Education is less important than the real world out there, away from the classroom. Deep inside you want to start working, earning money and living on your own.

The right job for you:

You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.

How do you view success:

You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don't succeed. Don't give up when you haven't yet even started! Be courageous.

What are you most afraid of:

You are concerned about your image and the way others see you. This means that you try very hard to be accepted by other people. It's time for you to believe in who you are, not what you wear.

Who is your true self:

You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

What's your memory with me?

Leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot.

Don't send a message, leave a comment here. Next, re-post this in your notes and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.

Every song tells a story - Pt 1

If you are a modern folk, I'm sure you are more or less hooked to listening to music, be it classical or pop music. And I truly believe that there must be a few particular songs that you like them so much, probably because of the catchy melody or the lyrics.

Of course, I'm just like anyone else, no different from you. Now, let me share with you of a few songs that could represent a certain period of my life.

2001
张学友、陈慧娴 - 接近 - 《茶是故乡浓》主题曲
Jacky Cheung, Priscilla Chan
- Jie Jin (Getting Close) - Theme Song of TVB 'Plain Love II'

The year of 2001 marked a new chapter of my life, as I moved to Subang Jaya from Ipoh, to do my A-Level studies. Well, it was my 1st time staying away from home and had to deal with new thing almost everyday. Fortunately I didn't take too long to adapt to this new environment.

During the 1st month when I was there, the cable was showing the TVB drama - Plain Love II, at night. Watching the drama every night, was one of the few entertainment I could enjoy at that time. The catchy melody of the theme song had no doubt found a place in my memory.

Every time when I listen to this song, all the pictures captured during this period would just flash through my mind.

2002
周传雄（小刚） - 黄昏
Zhou Chuan Xiong (aka Xiao Gang) - Huang Hun (The Dusk)

There were so many that I could talk about the year of 2002. I sat for the A-level exam, then left for UK for my undergraduate. Having stayed in UK for 3 years was definitely one of the highlight of my life and there's always so much thing to talk about.

In that year, it was also my 1st time following the whole FIFA World Cup tourney. Before that, I was never interested in watching soccer matches at all. I think it's because I was so free and so bored after the A-level exam and at that time, almost all the TV program was World Cup related.

During that time, this song was very popular among the Chinese community in Malaysia. It was made popular by one of the contestants from the 2002 Astro Talent Quest - none other than Nicolas Teo, one of the current pop icons. He sang this song during the final which he won the Champion.

'Be-End' has no balls

Kelam-kabut-Chaotic-乱. These are the best words to discribe what's happening in my state - the silver state - Perak. All the drama has been going on for almost a month. I'm so tired of watching this drama and so sick of all the politicking. Could we just have a fresh state election and end all the turmoil? I'm not begging for it but, I am demanding it. 

Why is one side of the policticians so afraid of having a fresh election? Kiasuism. Yup, they have so much to lose. The power, the privilege, the fame, the freebies, ... etc. They have no guts to witness another humiliating and landslide failure. They have forgotten that they are supposed to represent the Perakians.

Be a man and do the right thing! There's no point for the 2 boxers to argue verbally about who is the better one. Just get into the ring and start a fight professionally. At the end of the fight, the winner takes the applaud and the loser walk off with head high. Sportsmanship. Who doesn't understand that?

Just for laugh - Dikir Frog

Tiada Gambar Bogel Di Sini!!!!!

OK. I'm sure all my blog follower has quite a good eye sight. Yeah... the visits to my blog raised significantly from 10 to 183 on Monday, 18/2. For the next 2 days, the figure was still quite high.

After a quick check from the sitemeter, it seemed that almost 99% of the visitor were brought to my blog through google'in 'Elizabeth Wong Nude Pic' or similar keywords. WTH! I think it had disappointed them as no NAKED PIC could be seen here.

I truly believe that these google'ers were not browsing for this particular news. But instead, they were looking for the 'PIC' of Eli.

Come on, please give little support to this unlucky yet dedicated politician, by not searching for the 'PIC'. She has done nothing wrong to deserve all these.

Being a politician in Malaysia is challenging. It's worse for a non-Bumiputra / non-Muslim / female politician. Nevertheless, these politician are needed in Malaysian, to voice out the opinion of the minority groups.

The ordinary citizens might have the bread and butter to worry about, especially during this tough time. But, when it's time to work against the BAD GUYS, I believe that people would just join in to show support!

革命未成功，同志尚需努力！加油！

晴天霹雳后，何时才会雨过天晴？

我，与许多人一样，从没想过单凭一个女人，就能牵动一场政治风暴。
我，只不过是平民老百姓一名，没有什么政治智慧。
我，感到愤怒的是，为何要在我的家乡让我目睹这一场闹剧？
我，对在308大选后组成的民联州政府，抱有很大的希望。
我，一直相信，新的州政府能让大家为身为霹雳州子民而骄傲！
我，只想知道，何时才能恢复过去的风平浪静？

新春佳节期间，传来晴天‘霹雳’的消息。
显然的，有点煞风景。
但是，我相信——阳光总在风雨后。
雨过天晴，还会遥远吗？

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原来人民的声音是那么的微不足道！

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在你看到这篇文章时，你也该知道事情的结果是什么。
我为被牺牲掉的“民主精神”默哀一分钟。你呢？

Long Lost Friends

One of my primary classmates created a site, in order to have all the classmates be united again. This is such a wonderful idea and I really hope that I can get back in touch with all of them.

We have parted since Std 6 and it's already been 14 years. Just simple calculation by fingers, I met my Std 1 classmates close to 20 years ago. Wow! That's what TIME can do to us.

The class of 6A, 1995

Do you think you can locate me in the pic?? If you do, please don't laugh k? Everyone has their past that's not needed to be in the limelight!

那些片断……

My 1st experience in creating such a clip. Thanks to iMovie for such easy and user friendly step-by-step. It's really fun doing this. This is the result. What do you think?

Ancol & Indonesia Indah

During the last day in Jakarta, we went to visit a few (just 2) tourist attractions. Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, aka Ancol Dreamland, was the 1st stop of the day after the Nasi Padang lunch. It's located along the Jakarta's Waterfront.

It has a theme park (Dunia Fantasi aka Fantasy World) well known for its rides, water parks, beaches, sports complex and resorts. Unfortunately, it's a bit run-down. I think the management need a good plan to maintain the area.

by the water

pics with us in it

No doubt, it's a great place for family weekend outing. But for us, there wasn't much fun. Could it be the age factor that made us so out of place there? Anyway, we just walked along the seaside, took some photos and left the place.

our main transport throughout the trip

Next destination - Taman Mini 'Indonesia Indah'. It'a culture-based recreational park. The main attractions would be the miniature villages that exhibit the culture, especially the architecture, of different ethnic groups from every province of Indonesia.

Besides, one could visit to the musuems (about 10) in this huge area. I'm sure it's the best place for the schoolkids to have different lessons here. It's an alternative to the boring chalk-and-talk.

the islands in the lake = map of Indonesia

Museum Komodo & Taman Reptilia house

The highlight of the day would definitely be the visit to the Komodo Dragon Museum. None of us would ever think that we could get such a close distance to the 'monster'! If it wasn't the worker, we would never have such a chance; and luckily, the pet had just had lunch. 

Varanus komodoensis

HC and the Komodo dragon

The age factor kicked in for another time. We didn't visit all the villages in this park. We were too lazy to walk. Of all the miniature villages, we visited only one - the Bali. In total, there're about 20 of them.

mini Bali

discussion on the next activity