It's here! The festive season! Shopping for Christmas gifts, shopping for Chinese New Year clothes since the sales are on; great makan with family and friends; splendid walks in malls, dazzled by the bells and decorated trees; highly anticipated exchange of gifts and caroling; house visits!
I'm very pleased to inform you that this is the fourth installment of the 'Merry X'mas' series. Throughout the month of December, when the decorations are up and ready to impress, the camera follows me everywhere i go.
Inside Gurney Plaza, Penang.
Greeting guests at the entrance of Gurney Plaza. Purple white Christmas seems to be the thing now! Like the colour combination!
Pit stop of all the makan in Village Mall, Sg Petani.
Notice the skin colour contrast? After OBML, shopped at Tropicana City Mall, KL.
I'll save Narnia for other plans. Took this picture at Wangsa Walk Mall, KL before the movie.
White! Jusco Setiawangsa, AU is pretty nice.
A very much needed change from their huge tree, KLCC presents beautifully in purple white. Don't forget to take pictures with Santa on stage!
At least there is the Christmas feel in Plaza Angsana, Johor Baru- although it's small.
Well lit tree with ornaments at my aunt's home in Melaka.
Visited the Portuguese Settlement in Melaka the second time. Crowded too. It's rather similar to last year's decoration.
Still, enjoyed feasting the eyes on beautifully lit houses!
Like the full moon. Like the big snowman. Like the sleigh.
Bright light!
Interesting... can you find its eyes and mouth? They open and close.
Great Eastern Mall, GEM appears as simple but elegant in golden Christmas-y combo!
Nice purple-white deco at Aeon Bukit Tinggi, Klang.
In the globe, an adorable birdie and a tree. Sunway Pyramid deco never fails to uplift the spirit!
I like this collection, and my previous ones, and i hope you enjoy them too. wc10 wishes you Merry Christmas and have a good time!
The last time i was there, no one was there. Only remains of human activities and elephants, having their tea break, welcomed us. It was after three. Blame it on the lack of homework.
This time, everything was right. Timing. Weather.
If you're wondering whats with these elephants, or the timing, or the weather i mentioned, it's the one day escape to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary i'm talking about. I knew this place from our Geography lessons and read several articles relating to these huge mammals in this well kept habitat.
Route info: It's a 100 km drive from KL towards Kuantan (using the Karak highway). Taking the exit at Lanchang, turn right after the toll and follow the road signs leading to the Sanctuary. The road passes through kampung areas with several bends along the way.
Upon arrival, we had to register at the office to receive our stickers. No fees applied, but donations are utmost appreciated. The funds will be used either to aid in financial support of the transferring process of the wild elephants or the development of the sanctuary, and it is the donor that decides which option to select for the money donated.
I was much anticipating this trip because i enjoy being around animals. And whatmore knowing the activities lined up for visitors at the sanctuary excited me. From afar, the elephants look cute and adorable. When i got closer to them, i could see their fur and felt their rough, gritty texture of their skin. And they were big and strong.
With the elephant.
It wasn't my first time seeing elephants, just to clarify, but it is not everyday you get to see this huge creatures. And that makes this trip a rarity. The first activity was feeding the elephants. There were peanuts sold to us to be fed to the smaller, baby elephants. For the older ones, slices of papayas, bananas and cucumbers were basket-ed for us to feed the elephants. Some visitors took the bananas and stuck them in the elephants' trunk- two at a time!
The next activity gave us the chance to ride on the elephants. The elephant we rode was the oldest in the sanctuary- 36 years old. All elephants in the sanctuary were Asian elephants. Once we were up and it started to move, it was fast and the ride was bumpy. Nevertheless, i felt powerful being on the elephant- like an emperor.
On the elephant!
Belittled by them. Wouldn't it be great if an elephant could be my pet to bring me around?
The last activity was bathing with the elephants. Since i knew about this activity and that i will get wet in the river, i brought an extra pair of clothes. You have to when you go there because this is, undeniably, the best among the three. I didn't know what was going to happen to us- i thought all we were about to do was go into the river and splash around with the elephants. It wasn't. We got on an elephant and on the count of three, the elephant dropped us into the river.
Like a rollercoaster drop.
Into the water.
It was thrilling and when we were in the water, i did what i thought we will be doing- splashing around with the elephants!
Splashing, or bathing!
There's no need to worry in finding a place to change your clothes. The washrooms provided were pleasant. Seriously, it beats other public toilet! There are shower rooms in case you need to rinse off.
Leaving the place, saying goodbye to the elephants, i realized one thing- that we have lots here to discover. The sanctuary is a beautiful place. The garden is well kept, upgrading works are underway, facilities are organized, activities are punctual (activities start from 1.30pm and ends at 3pm so be sure to be there early to not miss out on the fun) and the elephants habitat, now home, surely looks promising. I recommend this place if you like elephants or just looking to have some fun for a day trip. Note, only 120 stickers are given per day to limit the crowd.
I don't mind going back there in the future. wc10 met the elephants!
Snapshot: Group shot before our transformations, inside out.
" To Serve, To Strive, And Not To Yield " - Outward Bound Malaysia, Lumut motto
* Note: More pictures will be added.
If there is one word to describe my entire experience in OBML, it would be 'Incredible!' - with the exclamation mark. When i first got to know that i was selected to be in the first batch, the first thing that came to my mind was excitement. I somehow got an idea of what we will be doing- kayak for more than six hours from the senior's experience. The thought may be frightening but i was eager and all pumped up for the kayak. I was ready for the challenge as somehow, i grew to like extreme sports.
I went to OBML with several objectives. One of them is to meet new people and have fun together. Without a doubt, this was achieved, far beyond expected. I made new friends and also strengthened old ones. Another was to break down the barriers we built of ourselves. Going to OBML, i was prepared to push myself to the limits, physically and mentally. Once again, ticked!
I don't plan to go into every detail of the activities or chronologically fill you in. Instead, i will give you an overview and my perspective of my experience in OBML.
The course that me and my other comrades undertook was the 7 days leadership course. We were divided into groups called 'watch'. I was in Kinabalu Watch. And for the rest of the six days, the members of this watch became my family. Before starting, we had to hand in our handphones, electronic devices and food or drinks to our instructor and they were locked up, sealed and buried in a chest kept by our instructor.
Our instructor was Mr Taufik, and he is one amazing instructor! Fun to be with and great guidance from him. Thank you Mr T for everything.
We were taught the various knots- fisherman and clawfish to name a few, and the parts of a whaler. What is a whaler, you may ask. It's the boat the Vikings used to hunt whales, powered by human rowing. Fortunately for us, the whalers here came with sails to assemble onto. With the wind, sailing moves the boat faster.
This is a great opportunity. How many of us have the chance to see and whatnot touch a whaler? It's not like we can find a whaler in the city or in any beach resorts. And to learn the parts like the bow, stern, port side, starport side, rowlocks, oars, rudder, main sail... Each name has its meaning. For your information, the parts are heavy!
On the whaler, working as one to reach our goal! *dip, pull, out*
Our goal was to reach the checkpoint at the bridge. It was a long, tiring journey of sailing and rowing that took us nearly 5 hours! Despite the aching muscles, when our instructor declared our victory, i was overwhelmed by a sense of accomplishment and i was beyond overjoyed. This meant something to me, that we as a team, had reached our goal together. And the point here is 'together'.
Camping in the wild was not my forte. In fact, it was not something i do regularly. The last time i camped in the wild was years back. We had to find our own firewood to make fire, cooked our own dinner from the canned foods, used 360 toilets, slept in mosquitoes infested grounds, bathed with well water... Talking about dinner, our rice was not fully cooked yet we ate them and we had our meals in the dark. Shined the food at one time and gobbled them down the next. There wasn't much to complain- we were there to practice putting ourselves outside our comfort zone. It wasn't much of us against nature but more of us being one with nature!
" I got the OB spirit, up in my head, deep in my heart, down in my knees. I got the OB spirit, all over me, all over me today eh... eh... " - OB Spirit song
No lie! Kayaked for seven hours! It was exhausting. Before we had our kayak expedition, we were trained to use the kayak and had capsize drills, one on shallow waters and another deeper into the sea. It was scary at first, purposely capsizing in the middle of the ocean but we had to do so that we can be well prepared with the emergency rescue steps for there is to be a real capsize incident during the expedition. My partner and i were the first to go, turned over and waited for help. I think i kicked a jelly fish. I'm not sure what it was but it was soft and bubbly. I felt it and i immediately swam away from it. No way was i to get stung by jelly fish during my much-looked-forward expedition!
By the way, don't underestimate the weight of the kayak!
Kayaked around Pangkor Island and rested for lunch at Teluk Man, welcomed by untamed monkeys. After lunch, i rested, listening to the hypnotic crashing of the waves. But time was not on our side and we had to leave as soon as possible. We had to brace the sea and its opposing current. It was a challenge to push ourselves out from the bay we had our lunch. Continued kayaking, avoiding larger ships in sea water and battling sea-sickness. It was kayaking and kayaking non-stop because even if we stop for a minute, the current will drift us off course. So, it's either we take turns with our partner to rest or say goodbye to the rest of the expedition-mates.
When we saw our target, we were motivated and fueled to reach it. Like the whaler, i was overwhelmed with the sense of accomplishment. A Eureka! moment. The feeling was inexpressible in words and no matter what adjective i use now, the only thing i can say is that it was a feeling i will never forget in my life! And there is no way for you to know how it felt unless you experience it yourself first hand.
The final night was the BBQ dinner, OBML style. I was the emcee of the night. Dinner was good and entertaining performances by all watches entailed. On the night, i was having mixed emotions. Happy as it was coming to an end. And sad as it was coming to the end. I sung the OB Spirit song with all my heart and Auld Lang Syne wholeheartedly. The night was truly memorable.
Azza and I hosting the BBQ night.
We met our instructor the final morning in OB base and had closing speeches from all members. It was teary and heartwarming, after we had grown closer and bonded as a team. We were awarded the pin of course completion and i could not utter how proud i was of myself. I came with my personal objectives and left the place feeling enriched and empowered for the future undertakings. I believe each and everyone of us that stepped into the OB base left with a new, reviewed self.
Posing proud with our certs; meet Denson. In Facebook, some comments were on how tanned we'd become.
Smiles of success on Karen and i.
Going into OB, i learnt aplenty of myself and gained knowledge and experience. Seven days may not seem like a sufficient time to change a person but trust me, it has instilled a strong foundation for change to start within the person. It may be written on the certificate a leadership course but what i learned most from this is teamwork and communication skills. Without these two essentials, there is no way we can reach Pantai Shawal/Kampung Kuala Sempit (whaler and kayak goals) and surely, there is no way we can survive in the wild. We work as a team and we succeed together as a team.
To my friends who are going there soon, i wish you all the best. And i hope you enjoy it the way i enjoyed it.
" We had joy, we had fun, we had suffered in the Sun, But the seas and the tides, had taught us more about life. "
To OBML, raise our glasses and cheers! wc10&OBML, and don't be shocked if you can't recognize him...
" There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. " - Pearl Harbour
Oh yeah, my exams are over for this sem!- and i'm blogging live from Kedah. About the papers, i don't plan to comment much on them. Some proved real challenge, some were unavoidable blankness in the brain. But the highlight here is my effort and i always believe in trying my best. So whatever the outcome may be, i won't regret.
Holidays? Yes! It started the moment i dropped my pen from writing the last full-stop on my exam answer booklet. And i waited obediently for instructions to leave the hall to breathe in the air of temporary freedom!
Do you have this feeling, that before the exams, you know what you want to do with your time after exams but when the time comes, you just can't start? I sort of have this, though it has only been a few days of holidays. On the bright side, i'm beginning to rewrite the list mentally and turn each of them into reality.
It starts with Outward Bound School activity this weekend, for a week. Then, it's the festive season and celebration.
I just watched Pearl Harbour and i realized on thing- Michael Bay and James Cameron has pretty much something in common. From my FB wall, 'James C has Titanic, Michael B has Pearl Harbour. James C has Alien, Michael B has Armageddon. James C has Avatar, Michael B has Transformers'. Do you see what i see? Perhaps, great minds think alike.
There is a scene in the movie that inspires me. And it has to do with the quote at the start of this post. Based on the movie (as some facts are not consistent to reality), Pearl Harbour was attacked at dawn by the Japanese, unready and unprepared for what is to destroy the entire US Army at Pearl Harbour. Thousands of lives were killed. And as war was declared, the US sent their best fighter pilots on a top secret mission. Top secret mission, as said by Rafe, is a medal that is awarded to them but received by their family members. Therefore, it has to be courage from within themselves that they need to fulfill the mission. Probably i was disturbed by the images of bombs and gunfire in Pearl Harbour, such that it made me think that if i were in their shoes, i will do the same thing for my loved ones.
I watched Pearl Harbour back when i was a kid, now; i can understand the show better. Just like Edward Scissorshand. It has an intriguing story and Tim Burton and Johnny Depp duo really made this a winner.
Talking about volunteering, i have some in mind. I'll be completing my zoo time at Zoo Negara. It's a way i can get close to animals, sometimes exotic ones! Then, i read about this food-donation thing in Imbi that sparked my interest. Probably, i'll work on that too.
Movies list- i can't wait to watch Narnia! Music- time to wrap it up, 2010 and vote. X'mas post- i really enjoy this, going places and snapping photographs of their Christmas decor. Patiently wait for them to be ready. Writing and reading- a few keep on swirling in my mind. Action/adventure- to find.
There's more to discover this holiday. I can already hear Christmas bells... wc10 makes it 11 this season. And will be back for more in Season 6- time flies!
" You've only got one life, one life to live. I wanna give it everything i got, who knows, this might be it for us. " - Live it up, Lee Dewyze
Study week this time is about two weeks as my first paper isn't on the first day of the exams. In a way, it's good because we think that we've got more time to revise, practice exercises and look through past year papers. But the unforgiving fact is that it also makes us, somewhat, lazy. Holidays are what we look forward to. And too long a gap before it makes us restless, sometimes uninterested. Nevertheless, we have to stay focus as the battle is not over yet- it hasn't even begun!
Deepavali was good, as always. Pleasing my tummy can't get any better with the prawn sambal, tosai rumah (home tosai), idli, mutton curry and of course, the all-time favourite, muruku! She makes the best and talking about it now do make my mouth water. During the house visit, we wondered how many years we have been visiting the family. And as it blew me off, bewildered and bemused, we have known the family even before i was born. And that means, it's been more than 19 years! Of all the years of spices and flavours, we have created a bond of friendship that, to say the least, turn others envious.
Being home during the study weeks also means a war against the TV. It's not easy; a daunting task as the TV is really tempting. Pressing any button possible to switch off my study-mode. There are lots of good shows airing. Great Migrations, The Amazing Race(s), Top Chef(s), The Biggest Loser(s), Step Up & Dance, Got to Dance, MasterChef, Next Top Model(s), CSI(s), Ghost Whisperer, to name a few. And with Hallmark becoming Diva, weeknight movies await. Then there is the Star World uplift. Frankly, i don't really like the new logo. But surely, they have got good songs in every video that they made.
" I believe, that in time my heart will heal again, And i believe, that in time my heart will feel again. " - Feel Again, Taio Cruz
When i watch those reality shows, it made me want to learn them, and soon master them. Cooking, food actually, is one of my passion. Dancing is something i've yet to try. Travelling other countries, learning their culture continues to amaze me. Forensic sciences and paranormal events seem thrilling. And Ghost Whisperer, to be honest, never fails for me to feel touched at the end of each episode- a rarity in current TV series.
But it's alright, i'm quite happy doing Petroleum Engineering. I can also get back to my passion after this, one step at a time. But one thing guaranteed is that i have a list, a long list, of my must-do things before i leave this place. I'll like to keep that confidential and if you follow my blog, then you'll see it emerging one at a time.
Focusing on the mud inside and observing the readings through a small scale above the multi-rate viscometer.
I like this picture. Gives me the chills of Heroes-Inception-Top Models look.
With some of the Dean list recipients on the award day. *Stress, stress*
Got new songs! Remember Lee Dewyze from AI? Well, if you don't, it's ok as i thought Crystal should have won by a small margin. BUT Dewyze's single Live It Up proves his element and he has substance, defying my AI choice. I thought his best is Hallelujah when in AI, and i still think it is, but try listing to his new single. I thought this suits him better than his winning song, Beautiful Day.
Then there is Taio Cruz's Feel Again. I heard this song in Star World and the video clip was amazing. I liked how they used the shows (Grey's Anatomy, etc) combined with the song. The first two lines are the greatest part of the song.
Bon Jovi is back with What Do You Got?. It has a sad, emotional tune to it. One of my favourites from him, relatively to You Want To Make A Memory. Still going strong, making great music...
This is not really a new song but it has shown me that Secondhand Serenade can sing. I didn't like Fall For You much, but Something More surely has something more and i like the melody. It has that ghastly feeling, something One Republic has too! The new ones are not bad- Distance, Stay Away and You And I.
As Dewyze sang it, we've only got one life to live and give it our best. For now, it's time to return to books! Til then wc10 sings...
" What do you got, if you ain't got love? " - What Do You Got? Bon Jovi
Snapshot: Hiding behind the banner of The Chronicler: Love Is In The Air!
" The Chronicler ... "
Oh, yes! Final week of lecture is over and now comes the study week. It's study week but to some, me included, part of it is a pre-holiday! And when it's pre-holiday, i'm off back to KL and what more, it's Deepavali!
But that's not for this post yet; lets recap the final week...
As usual, everything piles up nearing the end of the semester. Piling up, i mean, tests, assignments and reports. Yes, i had two tests in the final week and both proved real challenge. Time was limited and i can only hope for the best based on what i had done. And reports and assignments to be completed so that i can leave back to KL without bringing them home.
And event management and club obligations to finalize. The final event this semester from our beloved ELC was The Chronicler: Love Is In The Air. It was a night to remember, and The Chronicler will always be in my blood. It is an effort we had initiated and i believe that people can recognize The Chronicler with ELC and has ELC signature all over it. Either way, i'm part of making history!
The night was fun-filled with performances by ELC singing team, Flamin' Lips and a debut solo performance of my own, Falling Slowly, on the piano. If not for The Chronicler, i will never develop courage to sing in public and this is something i will forever cherish. Though i may not be an extraordinary singer with powerful vocals, the night was an escape to have fun and through this small thing, big things are initialized. And when these big things are initialized, it's an achievement altogether.
Me performing Falling Slowly. Thanks to YH and PY for recording the video. For your viewing pleasure, enjoy! YH also performed a solo flute performance.
Since it was a creative writing competition, prizes were given to winners for each category on the night. The theme was love and as a fond writer of this genre, i submitted an entry for short story. First placings are known as the Papyrus Award winners. I won runner's up. Not that bad, given the limited time i had to craft the story. I posted it up here for, once again, your viewing pleasure!
Titanic
Standing next to her watching the waves on the screen peaked and collapsed in rhythm and in sync with her heartbeat, I could not fight a tear and withheld it from running down my cheeks. As I moved nearer to the bed, nearer to her, I reached for her hand and interlocked my fingers against hers. The sense of warmth and care that she had bestowed upon me was felt to the core, and in every visit, I had never felt any less than before.
Whenever I looked into the mirror, I don’t see myself. I see a part of her in me, and a part of myself that she had changed with her tenderly kind hands. Nobody could have predicted that I’d be with a woman as graceful and as perfect as she is.
The problem wasn’t her; it was me. I was never the most charming man, I was never an academic top-scorer, and neither was I an athlete. And I wasn’t just any ordinary, go-to-school-to-study boy. I was a bully, or a member of a bully team that everyone feared. To say the least, it was fun playing catch with nerdy boys’ lunchboxes. But those joys were temporary and never satisfying, until one day when I realized we were over the limit and it was time to stop. How ironic, bullies never know where the line is drawn and when it’s crossed. But I wasn’t any ordinary, go-to-school-to-bully boy either. I was a bully with, at least, a heart.
She was the victim; it had to be her for it to knock onto my senses; but not of lunchboxes, of course. It was her physical appearance that grabbed the attention of my buddies. They called her names, they gave her labels, and every time she meets them or they meet her, it was those dirty, foul languages coupled with the unpleasant names that greeted her before anything else. I thought that she couldn’t care because she never responded to us. But when I was walking home after school one day, Tuesday, I heard deep, sorrowful weeps. Somehow, I was not the same person as when I was in my group. I was attracted by the sound and followed to the source. She was there, sitting by the drain with a damped tissue in her right hand. She used the back of her left palm to wipe the remaining tears off her cheek.
“Are you alright?” I asked and she jumped from the ground, retracted. She was silent and trembling. “It’s alright. I won’t hurt you.” I thought how silly I was to say that. In her eyes, I’m a bully. “Are you ok?” I attempted again, hopeful. She shook, then nodded as if I was going to attack her if she says she’s not fine. I lifted my hand and tried to touch her but she took it the other way and pushed my arm away.
“You’re just like any other bully!” she barked, turned her back towards me and ran.
“I’m not like them,” I responded, chasing her.
“Just get away from me. And stop disturbing me!” She turned the other way when ran in front of her.
“Look. Tell me. What did they do to you?”
“As if you care! You’re just going to do what they did.”
“What did they do?” I felt agitated not knowing what terrible thing they had done. I had imagined the worst. And I wasn’t sure why I felt the fear for her.
She was a classmate of mine. I didn’t realize she was until I saw her sitting somewhere in the front two rows of the class the next day. She was smiling, as if whatever happened the day before vanished and disappeared. Our English teacher, Miss Azizah came in and she told us we were doing a drama. And it was Phantom of the Opera. I was the Phantom, she was Christine.
Even though we were given roles to act, she never wanted to look at me. She looked, but not really looking. It was the same fear I saw in her eyes the day I first saw her. And even though she was my drama teammate, I thought they would have respected her more but I was proven, miserably, wrong.
I stood up for her in front of them; I thought that was the right move to show her and the rest that I was not pure bully. From that one time, my head was on the chopping board between her and them. I thought the choice was simple; again, I was wrong. I suffered several bruises in a brawl, I became the victim, and I understood how it felt like to be physically threatened. She was not, but it was no less painful if it’s hurting from the inside. And I could not fathom the agony those I had inflicted upon.
It was a sacrifice that came with a reward. I earned her trust and she began to
reciprocate. It was a first step; a long-shot, worth-it first step. We played real-life version of Phantom of the Opera; I was both the Phantom and Raoul.
We grew closer and closer each day for years. And from friends, we became close friends. Then one day, she told me something perplexing.
“Jack, there is something you need to know. We can be friends and I like your company, but we can, and must, never fall in love.” It sounded like a warning. A foretell she had seen, perhaps a premonition.
“What do you mean?” I asked in hope of finding the answer but it was never answered. She always left me puzzled by her request.
“Because falling out of love is more painful than falling into love. Just, promise me that we will not be together.” I promised, but how can you keep a promise you never want to fulfill? And that you never fully understand?
I could feel a warm sensation against my face and when I opened my eyes, I was resting my head on her bed, sitting on the chair with my hands still locked between the fingers. It was like our memories were bound between us and never wanting to let them go. It was four years. Four years of loneliness, four years of frightened days to wait for calls from the hospital and four years of putting my hopes high up as the moon and miracles to shine. Four years of uncertainties. Four years, a long time had passed but one thing for certain that didn’t change is the love I have towards her. It was a promise I was all ready to bend and break.
I released her hand and slowly retracted. I wanted to close the curtain to shadow
the bright light on her face. I remembered how she used umbrella even when it was not blazing hot. But in the midst of pulling out, I felt a tinge on my hand. I thought it was me. Then, I felt it once more. And another time.
I pressed the remote excitedly for the doctor. She began to open her eyes. Little by little, I saw her dark hazel brown eyes shooting rays onto mine. She looked at me, stared at me, baffled.
“It’s me, Rose. It’s me,” I said, with a happiness that soon subsided by another fear. She said nothing and continued to stare at me. The doctor rushed behind me and I took a step back.
It was clear like crystal to me now what she meant. She feared a moment like this. She feared if she will lose me or I will lose her, and how we will both cope and live life. She believed that the first love is the hardest to forget, the hardest to let go. But when I’m now at this cross-road, there clearly is no cross-road at all. It was a one-way path, no returning back, and I knew that for the actions that I will soon make, I will never regret.
The doctor left and before he went, he told me Rose was suffering memory losses. No matter how scientifically right he may be, I choose to defy science and believe otherwise- that there’s a chance for love. I walked into the room with a confidence she had taught me.
“Rose, I don’t know if you can remember me but for one thing you need to know is that I was by your side the moment you woke up. I was beside you, sitting on that chair for the many days. And if you don’t remember me, you must know that I’m always by your side; past, present and future.”
In every sight, I see you.
In every touch, I feel you.
And in every life,
I find you.
I reached out for her hand and gently kissed behind her palm. She looked at me with
a radiant smile pictured across her face.
“Jack.”
(1493 words)
The organizing team with me and the banner.
With Miss G, officiating the ceremony.
Steward and i with The Chronicler souvenirs. With me is the previous semester souvenir, The Chronicler: Pen-a-LOL. Nostalgia overruled us at the after-party...
The Chronicler holds dear to me, and i would never trade anything for this experience. I have learned aplenty, met new and various people whom i have bonded and fostered friendship, and these small things, as i have mentioned, slowly makes me who i am today.
Snapshot: At the site of Gua Tambun to witness something spectacular.
" Uncharted waters. "
Last Saturday was probably the most happening Saturday since i entered uni. It wasn't that i was off to another day-trip nearby. Or that i participated in a makan spree. Or that i was going for a concert. It wasn't any one of the mentioned; it was all together, summed up into one, long, tiring but superb Saturday!
It started with a field trip for Reservoir Geoscience. I always like field trip because at the same time, we are actually having fun outside campus, looking at things we don't usually see. And when we go for field trips, we see what we need to see, not just on the appearance and learn something outside the book.
Our first visit was in Seri Iskandar. It was alright, sand and shale. Oxidation at surface. Then, it was Gua Tambun. This place is special. If not for this field trip, i would never have thought that it exists so close to us. Ancient drawings on the cave walls. Yes, ancient drawings and from where we stood, we could see tortoise, rat, dugong like sketches. Amazing, right? And from this cave, it tells us the past environment- that Ipoh could be nearly submerged in water.
Field trip also means lots of posing for shots!
Following our lecturer, taking down notes as he explains. Shading from the sun by the outcrop.
Ancient drawings on the wall. Perhaps, i can become an archaeologist since i had interpreted some of these drawings based on my own imagination!
We had lunch in Ipoh, so that covers the makan part. It's a new place to explore and surely, we were hungry. My friend recommended the Fish Noodle and i can tell you, it's delicious! It's costly but definitely worth the price. Talking about it make my mouth water. And don't miss the soy bean, tau foo far and tong yuan combo. It's one-of-a-kind and to say the least, interesting. This place is in Stadium and apart from the mentioned, you can find curry noodles, wan tan mee, among others that are not bad too!
This is good! It's RM 2.
My lunch. It was good lunch! Recommended if you're visiting the place.
Third stop was Kek Lok Toong cave temple. Due to a night event, i needed to skip this stop and head back to uni for rehearsal. There; ends the suspense. I was the emcee, informal, for the UTP Deepavali and Cultural Night. It was my first experience hosting an event in uni. It was tiring and heart-pounding. Even if i had been on stage many many times, during the last five minutes to time, i get cold feet and butterflies.
With the other emcees backstage waiting for cue to come front.
My co-host, M, at the dinner.
Nevertheless, my partners and i managed to put off an amazing show.
All dressed up beautifully for the night!
With A, the Head of Department, after the event.
It was a night to remember.
Hosting is really something new to me. I need to prepare for last minute changes and be spontaneous when these changes are made. During the event, there were many changes to the event flow and thus, our pre-planned script. So much so, we had to come up with our own words and facial expression, to the least, so that the show can continue on smoothly. But when the show ended, it was a feeling of pure satisfaction- that all the nerves have turned into energy for the remaining of the night. The after-party.
Kolam greeting at the entrance.
Deepavali's coming... wc10 can't wait for the delicious food, though on stage, M says, "Deepavali is not all about food."
Snapshot: With the event banner at the site of 'Up in the air'.
"In every life, I find you."
Every year, when it comes to the July semester (until the Trisem takes over), there will be a big event. Yes, the convocation. But, on top of the convocation and since it's not our turn to celebrate graduation, there's the Convofair. Since i started in uni, there had been three; this is my second. I missed the first as i was back home. Convofair are during the weekends.
Convofair is like a fun fair with lots of food, games, performances. This time was no exception. And to make matters worse, we partied and visited the ground for three days in a row! It should have been on all four days if i had not been, unfortunately, smacked with sore throat that over the next few hours, turned into mild fever and until today, cough and running nose are still my in my combat.
So, what's so special about this time apart from the many days of visit to the booths? Grilled potatoes! We noticed people holding this long stick with potato sliced in between, seasoned with flavours. It was mouth watering and when we had found the shop, we all ordered. Chaos overtook the stall. A beeline was made. But it was worth the wait, worth the price. Oh, so yummy!
Too much to handle, my friend here seen in action to speed up the process. Also, this means more 'liew' (spices).
The final product. Smiling, and lip-smacking!
Since it was spicy, and we were thirsty, we tried this beer-bottle-like drink called Barbican. The bottle is very attractive, catchy but it's just alright. Gassy, but alright.
Perhaps, it was the combination of this two that made my throat the victim.
The next morning, hot air balloon! This was my first experience riding a hot air balloon. I didn't know what to expect but i set my expectations high up in the sky as i have seen them in books or movies.
Up in the air. Due to the hot weather, our balloon didn't fly high enough to make me scared. And it was bound to the ground. So, this fell slightly below average of my expectations. It was fun, but not entirely satisfying.
Nevertheless, there were friends to make the best out of it!
Gathered at the bottom of each other's turn to snap photos. Aerial view of us.
In the Petronas booth. Seen here is not a model, not a prototype. It's the real deal!
On the fast track!
Me against the stimulator. This booth felt like a bazaar-under-one-roof. It was crowded, the things were discounted, people coming in and going out at all times with bags of purchased product. I bought a sporty bag at RM 20. Not bad. To play this stimulator though, a minimum purchase of RM 200 must be made.
But, i didn't need to spend that much. My friends and i teamed up, and gave me the chance to play it!
Then came the discomfort.
It's not a nice experience, and no use to dwell on that. I have recovered, or better now than then. It was utmost priority for me to get well as soon as possible. Stressful days ahead, piling of work and tests, and, for the next episode, the UDCN!
So, Convofair, was it you? But even if it were you, there's nothing to change. Just that, i'll bring and drink more water instead. wc10 moves on the fast lane and is up in the air... if those are considered.
Snapshot: Lights this X'Mas...
Inside Gurney Plaza, Penang.
Greeting guests at the entrance of Gurney Plaza. Purple white Christmas seems to be the thing now! Like the colour combination!
Pit stop of all the makan in Village Mall, Sg Petani.
Notice the skin colour contrast? After OBML, shopped at Tropicana City Mall, KL.
I'll save Narnia for other plans. Took this picture at Wangsa Walk Mall, KL before the movie.
White! Jusco Setiawangsa, AU is pretty nice.
A very much needed change from their huge tree, KLCC presents beautifully in purple white. Don't forget to take pictures with Santa on stage!
At least there is the Christmas feel in Plaza Angsana, Johor Baru- although it's small.
Well lit tree with ornaments at my aunt's home in Melaka.
Visited the Portuguese Settlement in Melaka the second time. Crowded too. It's rather similar to last year's decoration.
Like the full moon. Like the big snowman. Like the sleigh.
Bright light!
Interesting... can you find its eyes and mouth? They open and close.
Great Eastern Mall, GEM appears as simple but elegant in golden Christmas-y combo!
Nice purple-white deco at Aeon Bukit Tinggi, Klang.
In the globe, an adorable birdie and a tree. Sunway Pyramid deco never fails to uplift the spirit!
