Season 5, Episode 7: Fast, up in the air!

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.

Season 5, Episode 6: It's Sitiawan...

Snapshot: Teluk Batik and us.

* warning: this is a long post of a Sitiawan getaway weekend with lots of photographs included.

" On the road to finding adventure! "

I wanted to make a visit to Sitiawan before the mid-sem break but due to some circumstances, i didn't make it. But this time, i made sure i will be able to go, explore and discover what Sitiawan has to offer. I believe my one day trip had been fruitful and surely, i had a taste of Sitiawan's life- and it's food!

We gathered at my car at 8.30 in the morning, left with our stomach ringing for food. We reached Sitiawan about an hour later and were introduced to our tour guide, Miss ZY- she's actually my coursemate friend too.

In the car, i said that this trip is for us to get away from all the stress in uni. Away from studies, assignments, quizzes, tests; away from club obligations; away from all things holding us back and spend this trip to the fullest and enjoy. This was exactly what we did!

I insisted that we try new things and see new things. Our food and travel visit begins!

For breakfast, we visited a shop selling 'Ko Lou Mee', a local, Fuchow dried noodles. It was tasty but i have to admit that the black sauce was a little too much.

I was pleasantly surprise. This plate of noodle costs less than RM 3.

After filling our stomach with what-is-to-be the start of our trip, we rested awhile at the guide's home. Then, it's off to Teluk Batik. There is something funny about the name of this place. Surely, there is not much batik around the place. I don't know where does the name originate from but with that aside, it has a beautiful beach line. We only needed to pay RM 1 for car entry and car park.

The place is splendid. Scenic panorama of the horizon and nearby islands. Apart from the long stretches of sand, there are water sports offered too like banana boat and viper. It is reasonably priced- RM 5 per person.

Me and tour guide. See the banana boat behind us?

Clear water. Our shadows against the water. This effect is pretty interesting that i took lots of shots in this manner.

Imprinted on the sands- Teluk Batik and WC.

Strolling along the beach, enjoying the breeze and scenery.

I like this shot of me taking pictures. Nice angle and lighting. Thanks to my friend for this shot. This intensified my desire to buy a dslr in the near future!

At one end of the beach, we noticed statues perched on the rocks. Me against the statues.

Me and YH. Somehow, this place looks like Langkawi.

YW and I against the mini lighthouse. The sea clearly spread behind the picture.

Posing and taking a rest here after the beach-walking here with CC.

Not enough with the beach, we went to our next destination, Marina Island, a private jetty. It is newly open and there weren't many people in the jetty. From the jetty we could see Pangkor Island. I liked the waiting area though, with the open area where we can again, stand off the cliff and enjoy the breeze.

Me, staring into the distance.

Embracing nature! Behind me is the Pangkor Island. It's so close yet so far.

Amazed by the trees, we decided to join their fun.

Time to stay away from the sea, our next visit is the Mangrove Swamp. Be careful of your belongings once you step out of the car. One of my friend had his bottle of water snatched by the wild monkeys! And we were bewildered by their intelligence to drink from it- open cap, use its hands and legs.

At the entrance of the swamp. It is built on a platform so we walked on it while exploring the swampy ecosystem.

A rarity at sight!

On the canopy walk. It's not really high and the gap to walk through is large, so it's not very scary. Enjoyed the view from above.

Back to food, it's lunch time!

The guide claimed this to be the best chicken rice in Sitiawan. It's succulent and tasty.

And to quench our thirst, it's fried ice time! The name of this drink is interesting. How can you fry ice? Fry ice with oil in a pan? Absolutely not. But that's what comes to mind when one says fried ice.

Fried ice! It's actually flavoured drinks fried on a cold pan, tossing and turning as soon as it freezes, and scoops onto the cup.

Waiting in line for the 'Gong Pang', a local biscuit made of flour, onions and your choice of chicken. The aroma of the onions made it so tempting and irresistible. It also made my car smell so... good.

The most anticipated part of this trip finally arrives! A visit to the turtle sanctuary. I just love these little, harmless, marine creatures.

Falling in love almost instantly.

Lying peacefully at the bottom of the pond.

I have never seen this many turtles in my life before! What an experience. Cute and innocent.

With the turtle statue.

Thumbs up for their noble efforts to save these creatures. You have my support- and i'm willing to come stand by you!

Outside the turtle sanctuary is yet another beach line! Oh, i just like the unlimited beach sites!

Somehow, the sea at this part is rougher. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the waves breaking at our feet.

Notice the height of the waves. Now, i can imagine the strength of a tsunami.

Horizon at my tips.

Last picture with me and the sea. I'm a sea lover!

After the beach, we went to a nearby ground under the bridge. Somehow, this photograph does not feel like we were in Malaysia.

Tranquility under the bridge.

Stopped again to buy some Fuchow bread. It's delicious. It comes in two flavours- peanut and bean paste. I prefer the peanut!

After a long day, it's dinner and seafood was our choice as Sitiawan is famous for it.

Coconut to cool down the body after a hot day.

Scrumptious meal! Lala, oyster egg and 'ha kou' with rice and seen here is the local, red wine mee suah. Seriously, we got high eating this! It's a unique dish and i simply enjoy exploring the taste of something different- but it has to be safe before it goes into my mouth.

A proof that we can go high!

Dinner marked the final moment here in Sitiawan, but who says it's the end of our trip. It's a food trip too, and we don't go home until we have tried it all!

Don't be fooled by this picture. The fried chicken is really crispy. But that's not all, it has some extra ingredient that makes it extraordinary. It's a road side stall on the way back to uni.

No doubt, the trip had been fun-filled. It was tiring, but tiring in a good way such that i have explored and experienced something new. These experiences are priceless and i will, as always, cherish them.

One day trip is amazing, and i believe there is more to explore here throughout my stay in uni. There's always a next time and wc10 can't wait for the next day trip!

Season 5, Episode 5: Take flight, Owl!

" On his way to finding a legend... he will become one. " - Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole tagline.

This post is divided into two parts: a movie review and on my uni.

I have been wanting to watch a movie in 3D. I thought Avatar would be a wise choice but because of the cost of the ticket and that my family joined me, i didn't want to burn a hole in their pocket. This time, it was my brother's birthday and he too had never been to a 3D movie. So i thought, this would be a good time to try.

I knew there was a movie on owls. So i YouTube-d it and watched the trailer. Instantly, this movie became the victim of my long-ago desire. I shared this with my brother and like me too, he was excited. He didn't know what the movie was about, at all.

Watching movie in 3D comes a whole new experience. Yes, sometimes my eyes get a little tired with the popping actions and dizzying spins, but if you put those behind, 3D offers something amazing! - such amazing thrill that i will pick 3D movies to watch from now on.

The movie began and i was already stunned by its beautiful graphic. There was one scene in particular where the main owl, Soren flies into the storm with the water droplets slowly and heavenly striking his face- I'm not sure 'his' would be the right pronoun. Then there were slow motion, claw fighting scenes. The timing was well made, not too slow but enough to make you go 'wow'. And since this is a movie with owls as the main characters, you'd expect lots of flying in the air! In short, the movie is beautifully crafted. Perhaps, the 3D emphasized the effects.

In terms of storyline, it was rather predictable. Sibling-rivalry, plots. In the beginning, i was a little confused of what were their names. They are all owls and it took me some time before i could distinguish the characters. I felt some characters lack characterization as well. Nevertheless, on the whole, it offers valuable lessons like friendship, faith, love, courage and unity to name a few. It was not all dark and gloomy, and i liked it when it was day time- shows optimism.

For the price i paid for the ticket, i had no second thought that it was well worth it and definitely a great first experience. This will drive me to fork out, and reach out, deeper into my pocket to watch 3D movies from now on.

Onto my uni. Weekend! It had been a rather tiring week with the rushing of completing assignments and quizzes. And apart from that, club and organization obligations. The weekend is my getaway. In fact, all weekends are my getaway!

Next week will be another hectic week. I will have lab reports to complete, assignments, and tentatively a test. Is this what a uni student should face?

I believe that i need to explore the world and learn from the experience. Because of that, i'll be leaving to Sitiawan with my friends and, you know what, stay tuned for that blog post!

wc10 takes flight!

Season 5, Episode 4: The Moon is round!

" You know I know how,
To make em stop and stare as I zone out,
The club can't even handle me right now... " - Club Can't Handle Me, Flo Rida feat David Guetta

It is my third time away from home for the Mooncake Festival. What i like most about this celebration is the beauty of the tradition itself, and as much as i love to mention, lighting up the candles, parading with the lanterns and eating mooncakes- without the yolk inside or better still, the 'Ping Pei'.

I remember when i was younger (I still am young), i used to stick candles around my house and bring the lanterns to light. It was first, cartoon characters or dinosaur frameworks, but now, it's the plain coloured lanterns. Either way, this lantern-parading has seen to be less fascinated by the young people of today. Don't they understand this and grasp the pure joy of such an activity. Of course, playing virtual games are something, but when it comes to these matters, those games are nowhere near comparison. And then there was the dare- to walk around my house in the dark with only a candle stick or a lantern. You don't get first hand feelings when playing those games.

So enough about my childhood, Mooncake Festival was on a Wednesday this year and my group of friends decided to celebrate this occasion together. We went to a nearby eat-all-you-can steamboat and as it suggests, we were bloated by the end of our dining session!


An event in my uni was held for this celebration on Monday. It was interesting, especially with the Haunted route. To be honest, it was scary at some point, knowing some sort of history with the location of the route.

Successfully completed the route, we were given a lantern to parade back to our starting point. The night was fun-filled!

In fact, Mooncake Festival is always fun. Need i mention more? wc10 likes!