Season 6, Episode 1: A grandstand entrance...

Snapshot: In an elevator from ground floor to the third floor, we fitted ourselves into this photograph! Don't you think we look like fishes fighting for food at the lower part of the photo?

" Because i have a voice!
... yes, you do. " - The King's Speech

Finally, a time for me to blog about my first week- in the midst of all the CNY rush! I can't do it in uni, not that i didn't have time. I have plenty of time that i directed my energy to finalize some event materials, club responsibilities and flipped through some notes. Movies became my companion, finishing most award-inspired movies like 127 Hours, RED and The King's Speech- in which Colin F won for best actor in the Golden Globes. Black Swan is next.

It was because the Internet connection in my uni was terrible. Saying terrible is already an understatement. It was annoying, to the point that i felt like ripping the LAN cable out- though not related, and smash my laptop. The connection is strong but no Internet service. Proxy problem.

New semester, new settings. Staying in Village 5, the claimed nicest village among the rest, my room has definitely a grandstand view- in front of the futsal court! Sometimes, we could hear monkeys singing in the nearby forest. Lots of lush greenery. Fresh air. Far from main gate, closer to lecture halls.

My side of the room. Outside the window are the futsal courts.

The timetable this semester is quite nice- nice meaning no lectures set on Fridays. Lecturers- a little too soon to decide. Usually, it takes time to get to know the lecturers, their styles of teaching, that when the new semester comes, the cycle sets back to start, all over again. One thing for sure, this semester is going to be interesting- i can feel it coming already!

Expressive faces for the new start!

Since CNY falls on Thursday, we applied leave for the three days prior. The best part of CNY is the preparation. Although it is tiring, it's tiring once in a year. The joy and satisfaction entailing the tiresome set up is always rewarding.

The Pavilion KL has huge lion heads at the entrance! It is a sight to behold and if you are there, don't forget to beat all four of the drums- each for different meaning: health, wealth, prosperity and peace.

Posing for the New Year! Frankly, the entrance of the mall looks more stunning compared to the concourse. Nevertheless, the CNY breeze was felt!

'Grandstand' seats in the mall. Wonder what they are looking at?

The CNY crowd-pleaser, the lion dance! *claps claps*

On Tuesday night, eve of new year eve, a dinner was held for villagers in my kampung. Really good food with great performances especially the martial arts and the lion dance. It was a joy to watch the father and son dancing the lion- son in the head and father as the supportive tail. Though the dinner may verge on being political, being there surely amplified the festivity feeling.

After days of gloomy, cloudy weather, hopefully the days will turn better with the New Year approaching! Curtains up, lanterns fixed, 'lo kam' prepared, wc11 anticipates the hop into the new year!

Map of the Invisible World & 127 Hours

" Everything is, just comes together. It's me. I chose this. I chose all this. This rock... this rock has been waiting for me my entire life. It's entirely life, ever since it was a bit of meteorite a million, billion years ago. In space, it's been waiting to come here. Right, right here. I've been moving towards it my entire life. The minute i was born, every breath that i've taken, every action has been leading me to this crack on the out surface. " - Aron R, 127 Hours.

I want to like the book, but I can’t. Where do I start? Alright, first and foremost, reading the back of Map of the Invisible World, I thought the main stars of this book are Adam and Johan. After all, it’s a story about two brothers separated at an early age of childhood, struggling to face their fears to walk down their memory lanes in an attempt to find one another. Though they still remain the main- or should I say idea, characters, I felt Margaret stole their spotlight. I thought I could feel their fears, feel their separation, feel their anger, or feel their sympathy. I was taken by surprise. I thought I could have a connection to Adam, if not Johan, but I felt neither to the both of them. Instead, I was taken into memories of Margaret more than Adam, and Johan’s story was pretty much said in a passing. But on the bright side, Margaret pushes the story forward. Without her, there will be no Karl, no Bill, no Din, and no Z. And no story.

The book begins with Karl, Adam’s foster father, mistakenly captured by the army. Adam then goes to find for Margaret in hope that she can help regain his father. Margaret who teaches in an institution, with her own perspective to life and country, is forced to look back into her history- her history with Karl. She tries her best, contacting her friends and pulling some strings to get Karl back. Din was Margaret’s friend. However, as the story unfolds, he has hidden agendas and drags oblivious Adam with him. In desperation and despair, lost and insecurity, Adam agrees to Din because he convinces him that he can help get his father back. To Adam, reuniting with his father is the only thing he wants and needs.

On the other side of the land, Malaysia, we see the struggle Johan faces as an adopted child in a wealthy family. He has a younger sister and brother, and though he may be rebellious at times, he loves them. He knows he has another younger brother but that memory of him seems vague, likewise for Adam. He then shares his story of how he became part of this family and not with Adam.

In the orphanage, Adam and Johan dreamed of the sea. Though they stayed near the coast where sounds of waves breaking could be heard, they had never seen the sea, only allowing imagination of their minds to the colour, beauty and the sand and water. They went the extra mile to fulfill their dream, on the night before they were separated. I felt this part of the story extraordinarily meaningful.

The book provides a glimpse into the life in Indonesia many years back through Adam and Malaysia was the setting around Johan’s life. Tash Aw writes quite fascinatingly, with effective uses of words, and has amiable skills in describing a scene. Alas, too detailed description can sometimes be dull and lengthy on my personal thought.

The one part I see action in this book was when Adam was convinced by Din, with evil intentions, to execute his plan. Other than that, this is pure literature, pure drama. The climax was rather predictable with characters lacking intensity in portraying it and the book doesn’t really mention the end to Adam and Johan’s attempt at reunion. Margaret, once again, closed the book.

Probably I was expecting more from Map of the Invisible World knowing that Tash Aw won for ‘The Harmony Silk Factory’. This book has its moments but it is not my favourite. It has something missing. I wouldn’t put this in par with ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ or ‘The Kite Runner’ but to give it some credits, Tash Aw has great writing skills. I just felt it lacked on character.

Moving on to 127 Hours, a movie made for awards by Danny B, i am, again, not extremely thrilled after watching the movie. Perhaps my expectations were raised so high that what i had in mind of the movie is not entirely what i watched. With that being said and speaking from another angle, James Franco is a force to be with. 127 Hours felt much like a one-man show, and James F did it so effortlessly- no pun intended. No wonder he has been nominated at the award season going on now. He plays a mountain climber-cum-canyoneer and after guiding two girls to their location, he goes off to his destination. Unfortunately, while going down the canyon, he gets trapped with a rock pressing down on his hand- and throughout the approximately next hour, he struggles to escape the trap using only his other hand!

Like 'The Hurt Locker' and 'Paranormal Activity', this movie requires patience as its drama unfolds slowly on his shoulder. He tries all-sorts to escape, and when in despair, he tries to get himself together and not go crazy. For 127 hours, day and night, with dreams and hallucination, he forces his way out in anyway he imagined possible.

'Slumdog Millionaire' was amazing and if i hadn't raised my expectations on 127 Hours, i would enjoy it much more.

wc11 read a book over the sem break and is currently watching award movies. Season 6 is about to begin here!

Can't wait to hop in the Year of the Rabbit, at Jusco!

Passage of time: My toy story...

" You can never get bored with the toys you have. "

When i was a kid, i used to own lots of toys. Lego. Cars. Planes. Hero figurines. Animals. Cards- among those that i can still remember fondly in my mind. Every time after we finished playing them, we placed them back inside plastic bags, put those filled bags into a box, and carry the box upstairs where we were disciplined to keep them. Sometimes, we skipped the plastic bag and straight put them in boxes. *being mischievous* . And when we want to play them, we would just pour them out from the boxes, like pouring water, scattering the pieces onto the floor where we would then pick up and play with them. Childhood fun, that is, when we allowed imagination to take the better of us.

Sadly, growing up, we tend to play less with the toys that accompanied us through childhood and lose the dreams and imaginations. We may occasionally see them, then go, 'Eh, that's what i used to play with', then you start playing with it- when nostalgia overwhelms. But when that joy wears out, not long after the play due to other more 'important' matters in adolescence or adulthood, we replace them where we found them and say, 'Next time, next time'.

Thankfully, i'm not that person- and if you may know, watching Toy Story 3 really touched my heart especially the part when Andy parts with his toys. For many years, my toys have been providing me with comfort, a sense of security and a feeling of togetherness. And deciding to give them away, or worst to throw them, may not come easy. They carry sentimental values, each toy bearing an everlasting memory. I don't own some toys to myself, we share them. And that makes it even more painful as looking back at the toys now, images of playing them together, laughing, sometimes quarreling, with brothers and sister sort of mould us into who we are today.

So, like i said, i had faced my 'toy story' moment too. Clearing the upstairs, the habitat for my toys to live as they slowly, silently slipped away from my life, spring cleaning revived them all! Searching through the boxes that collected dust and cockroaches over the years, i found some childhood treasures of mine. Of course, it was instant teleportation to being a kid again.

A huge fan of the construction toy, Lego, now and forever! Looking forward to the opening of Legoland in Malaysia. Honestly, which robot looks better - the left or the right?

Batman! Look at the cape- i don't think you can get to find such type in the market today. And some creature below that i can't remember its name, but remembered playing with.

Building roads, trees, placing animals. Interesting, don't they?

I decided- keep them! Discard nothing of these into the throw pile, or give away pile, these toys are too precious. It's just amazing! No matter how old you may be, when you look back at the toys you played with once, you forget about the world and become a child again. Whether it's your favourite toy, your favourite past time, you favourite company or just you being yourself, toys like pets make good companion. You return to the world of toys, you return to the world of imagination. And i always believe that the mind of an innocent child is the true playground of imagination.

I hope this post of mine makes you want to dig into your pile of old stuffs and hopefully, like me too, you can find treasures of toys you once loved- hugged day and night, and couldn't sleep without! wc11 shares his toy story...



*'Passage of time' is another new series that i'm initiating that indicates going back in time.

Makeover. Bolder. Braver.

" Nothing in life is certain. You just have to surrender to chance and let life take you where it wants to. If you do that, you'll probably end up exactly where you dreamed you would. "
- Map of the Invisible World, Tash Aw

Before i start, how do you like the new look? Seriously, i'm wanting to hear some feedback from you whether you like it or despise it, or if you're in between. Honestly, and not being biased to myself, i like the new look- it's got edge, making it bolder and braver!

As the new year came, i thought, changes to the blog must be made. If you don't get tired of looking at the same layout, i know i would. And before i feel that distaste which may eventually lead to the desire to ditch this blog entirely, why not i renovate this blog and bring it back to life. Because frankly, i haven't been posting much in my blog and even if there are, they are huge events that i felt passionate to share with you and of course, the world. Blame it on my poor time management and the evil whispers of procrastination. But not to worry, with the rejuvenation of this blog, i vow to continue to serve you sizzling updates of my life ranging from food to books to movies to travel to life in campus- i'm proud to have 5 seasons aired and more to come, and to anything else that adds spice to life!

Buckle up for a ride of adventure!

Having been a member of the blogosphere for almost three years, with more than 100 posts to date, you may wonder why i chose 'Pitch Dark' as the blog title. And why not maintain the same ole 'Writing Life'. Simple. Change. 'Writing Life: Life is a story, and I'm writing mine' has a simple, direct, clear-cut meaning. Now, it reads 'Pitch Dark: Finding fireworks. Finding the spark within.' It is not crystal clear to understand what this title means (it has a mysterious tune to it) and thus takes you deeper to fully grasp the meaning of the words i'm trying to convey. No doubt, different people may have different interpretations of this title. In a nutshell, mine says hope, and search ourselves to bring out the best in us. We may not know the talents we possess and sometimes, we need to find that spark to propel us forward. The spark lights the firework. Fireworks bring power, strength and valour. And with these, we can break darkness, eventually shedding light and colouring our lives.

The '7 Wonders' in the sidebar have also been updated and i promise to update them as often as possible.

wc11 hereby officiates the new look of this blog on the auspicious date, a date to remember- 11/1/11!




*PS: Season 5 rating is out, 3.9x/4.0. Relieved and somehow elated. I'm not perfect, but really, who is?

Countdown in the clouds... 2011!

" Faith makes all things possible,
Love makes all things beautiful... "
- part of a New Year message

To usher in the new year this time, i thought of making it a special, dear one. After all, it's the end of the decade- ten years after the millennium, and the coming of the end to my teenage years. I remembered during the millennium countdown, we were at Bintang Walk area and it was jam-packed! It was people-touch-people and more of a people-see-people than people-see-celebration! With not much room to walk, we waited at a nearby escalator until the clock hit 12 midnight and the fireworks were released, illuminating the night sky followed by thundering cheers of 'New Year'! Although with all the sweaty people around and the tiring wait, it was this type of countdown that is most memorable and truly, i enjoyed it tremendously along with such anticipating and loud crowd.

As i said, a special and dear one is what i wanted to experience again. And yes, what more can it be different than a new year's countdown at the highlands! It wasn't much planned ahead. Decision made in the morning and we were off to Berjaya Hills (previously known as Bukit Tinggi) later in the afternoon. We were aware of the gala dinner up at Colmar Tropicale but unfortunately, the price per person blew our budget. Nevertheless, it didn't stop us from going there to cheer together for the new year.

This looks a bit out-of-place. I should have done this in Universal Studios instead. But well, it's the new year celebration! While waiting for the countdown, we had dinner and lingered around the place.

Colmar Tropicale's architecture is much under the French influence and this is me under the bridge.

Me against the swan!

I might be able to fit in this armour, don't you think?

Three more hours to countdown!

We waited....


And waited...


And waited...


Finally, it's here...


2011 !!!



That's when the new year messages started to flood the inbox of my phone. Some really flowery ones are nice to read and re-read, and some are just funny like how we are approaching closer to the end of the world in 2012, and advanced wishes to the Chinese's rabbit year.

Leaving 2010, it surely felt nostalgic. Lots of things happened in one year. Lessons to learn, knowledge to gain, and experiences to experience. Have you written your new year's resolutions? I haven't. But soon, i will, after i have found my 2010's resolutions dug deep inside the piles of papers in my cupboard to see which one to knock of the list and which one to re-list and update in the latest one.

What will the new year promises? I can't read the future but i'm sure it'll be just as amazing as we had. But above all the action and adventure are good health and continued happiness that i pray for. wc10, for the last time, wishes a Happy New Year 2011 to the world!

" May the journey of your life be fragrant,
And your heart be happy with love... "
- part of a New Year message.

A new chapter begins...

Merry X'mas !!!!

Snapshot: Lights this X'Mas...

" Merry Christmas "

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!

Elephant Escape!

" Fat is Beautiful " - Print on souvenir- shirt

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!

Incredible OBML PET 8

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...

Season 5, Episode 11: What is to come?

" 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!

Season 5, Episode 10: Live it up!

Snapshot: Emcee-ing UDCN!

" 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