That 101 Things-To-Do Before Exams

You know how they say that as a student and when your exam is around the corner - and like really around the corner: in a week's time - that you suddenly find 101 thing-to-do that you otherwise could not have think of.

Couldn't find any better time eh?

Yes. A year ago, when my exam was just a week or two away, I finally succumb into the world of Running Man after finally picking up the effort to load the English translated episode on KShowNow as recommended by a friend of mine.

Episode 91: Escape the Prison was the first Running Man episode that I have watched. And those after that was a history. I work my way backwards 91, 90, 89, 88, 87,...and after a while, it didn't seem enough because I wanted to see what happened in the first episode of RM. So, I went back to episode 1 and work my way forward.

Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner with Running Man? Totally.

By the time my exams ended, I have finished about 15 episodes in total (lol wtf) and there was a month semester break. You could easily guess how I filled my semester break then - a whole lot of Running Man worth of semester break that is!

Finished all 50 to 60 over episodes within a month with 2 to 3 episodes daily. haha! Damn lifeless can? All in the name of addiction!

Up to today, I am so up to date with the episodes that sometimes if I have some spare time, I'll watch it over Astro ONE HD 393 (my sister set the record series thing on PVR). Same old episode and yet whenever I watch it again, it never fail to put a smile on my face.

Things I do when I have nothing to do.

I don't usually listen to K-Pop much a year ago. That was until I saw this episode of RM starring Big Bang as a guest. And so, that's the story how BigBang gained an additional one fan last year. :D

Since then, I've listen to numerous random Korean songs, just a small range of them. Two of the most followed ones are BigBang and Kim Jong Kook's. What makes it better this month is upon knowing that my dad was in Gangnam, South Korea that we (my sister and I) immediately set up a albums-to-buy list so my dad could get them.

Good news that he found the albums I've asked for - BigBang Alive and KJK's Journey Home. Better news is that he had gotten me three albums for the price of two!

The other album is KJK's remake album songs which my dad paid for when he was told that Journey Home has sold out. Later though, the store guy came back to him with that particular album in hand saying that they're giving it to my dad free of charged. :)  :) :) Kamsahamnida! *bows*

I feel so elated now that I hope that my dad could come home sooner. \ ( ^ . ^ ) /

This is just a random post about my subtle addictions since I have nothing much to post about lol.

Langkawi | Laman Padi Museum

After that tiring morning at Oriental Village for the Cable Car ride, some of us who skipped breakfast were dead hungry. So we've decided to make a stop for a taste of Langkawi's Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

Since we had some extra time to spend before heading to the airport to catch our flight, we made our way to Laman Padi Museum. As seen on the internet, we were required to pay for an entrace fee to enter the place.

However when we reached there, the place was as deserted as Air Hangat Village and we do not need to pay whatsoever entrance fees.

Greenery at its best.

Again, as I was the only one interested to see these things because I was the one with the camera in hand, I was alone since everyone decided to just sit at the steps in the shade to chill and wait until I'm done.

Deserted as it is, there were still growing paddy all around which are harvested later - we saw a person or two taking care of it under the hot sun later in the afternoon.

I never had the experience to visit a paddy field before, so as small as it is in Laman Padi, it was quite satisfactory.

The place was deserted except for my group of friends and another group of ang mohs who was also walking around looking at what is offered there - which was nothing much.

As I was walking around the deserted place, these were the things I saw:

The Paddy field experience

Flowers under the the blue sky. Very pretty!

A very claming walk and sight seeing around the area. Opened up to so many perspective with a camera in hand.

Quite scary to be seen at night. *shrugs*

A fallen one, and yet still beautiful. It's all about inner beauty and perception. What do you choose to see?

A lone ranger.

And while I was so busy trying to snap a picture of the field with the camera on my tripod,...

...the next thing I know after I stood up with the tripod and camera in my hand and though, "ah, screw it. The pictures taken should be okay for some editing later" was this:

Hahahahaha! I slip and fell into the paddy field! Thank God it was only my left leg and not any other part of the body. Most importantly the gadgets find themselves in safety! Also thank God that I was alone in the vast field that no one saw (or video-ed) that simply funny yet humiliating action. It was so funny that right after I got myself back up, I had this funny grin to myself in the middle of the field. lol!

When I walked back to the steps where my friends were sitting, they took one look at my leg and started laughing non-stop after knowing what happened. lol.

Anyhow, my friend helped me wash it off at the nearby washroom (later changed to a slipper), and before long, we were off to the airport - we made a short stop for a coconut drink on our way there :D.

And that's the end of the Langkawi Trip posts. It is time to find something new to write about to keep this blog alive! My life looks so boring now - wake up, shower, eat, work, work work, shower, sleep x 5 days. It's time!

Langkawi Posts:

Pantai Cenang

Pulau Dayang Bunting

Pulau Beras Basah

Air Hangat Village
Cable Car
Laman Padi Museum

A Dark Side

It has been a while since I last picked up my camera and shot something but here's what I got tonight.

The moon.

I noticed the shadow surrounding the moon today when I got just got home from work and thought it looked nice.Without further ado, I immediately begun preparing the gears to snap a photo of it, with hope of success since it's quite hard to shoot the night sky in the city with air pollution and such.

This photo is a fusion between three photos. Two of which focused on the seeing the stars in the sky (though not much) while the other is focused on the moon and its semi-hidden shadow. Quite satisfied for the first try, but I do hope to be able to take a better one. Need a out-of-city getaway!

The quote is something I've found over the Internet and the moment I read it, I though it was really fitting.

"Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side that he never shows to anybody"

- Mark Twain

A Citizen's Right

It was the season of election since the start of April (if not mistaken). Right after the announcement of the election date, we have seen banners, flags and various political parties advertisements being put up on digital and traditional media.

Most of us who are actively connected on Facebook would have seen spams of political related pictures, article and videos shared among our friends and acquaintances (it is still on going!).

As the election date got closer, there were numerous political speeches held around neighbourhoods. I have attended one of the political speech held in my neighbourhood on a Sunday and despite being there for a mere 10 to 15 minutes, I have seen the 'semangat-ness' of the people going to such speeches even though it was drizzling. It was really an atmosphere to experience. I might consider going for another during the next election and that time, I would be there right before they start to get a good view of the speakers and stage.



I was standing behind the stage and couldn't see anything but I can hear and feel the hype created by the speaker and crowd.



Time passes real fast because before we know it, April went and May came. May 5th. The date in which every Malaysian (especially young first time voters) waited for. It was the day where it would decide whether or not the change we so eagerly want would happen or otherwise.

And being a first time voter, it really added the excitement into it (registered with SPR two years ago when they had booths open at 1 Utama). People were seen queuing at my voting center even before they open the gates into the school. I was told by my mother that there wasn't that many people in line 5 years ago. She didn't even have to queue for long!

So it was definitely a great turnout by the people this year and this was reflected in the total percentage count by SPR - 80 over percent attendance of voters this time around. The highest yet in the history of Malaysia's election.



My secondary school! Those were the times.



There were six saluran all together at my voting center and I think voters were categorised by age. At saluran 6, based on my deduction, it was mostly people in their 20s. Seen quite a number of my secondary school friends in line that it was like a mini gathering for us. :D 

The line on my saluran was really long that it took me about 1.5 hours till it was my turn into the voting classroom. Met some of my teachers who were helping out with SPR - did not know that some of the SPR were volunteered teachers, students and citizens alike since I've seen quite a number of Facebook friends posting that they have been there to help during the election.

The process was smooth and it was quite the experience and satisfaction to have carried out my responsibility as a Malaysian. Despite the 1.5 hour queue, everyone stayed on - people usually would stay on queue for free stuff (haha)!

The process was as simple as it is, and it only took me less than 5 minutes being in the classroom before I was done. The indelible ink that we are supposed to have painted on our index finger by one of the SPR person though, was a little bit too tedious since I have to keep reminding myself not to touch the ballot paper with that finger or else my voting ballot might be void.

 

The indelible ink which has cause so many controvercial concerns because of its delibility (is that even a word?). It seems true as I've gotten words from my friends who managed to wash it all off with a simple handwash soap. Most of us think that the ink would last even longer if you stain your finger with a permanent marker pen (lol).

All in all it was a great voting experience although the result causes dissatisfaction and raised a number of questions not only to (most of) us  Malaysian, but to those around the world (since we're are internationally recognised now).

To those who have yet to register and is of age, get yourself registered for the next general election in 5 years time! It's really time to walk the talk because every vote counts!

April's Reflection

April has been a life changing month.

April was the first month of stepping into the working world where you have a sudden added responsibilities. One of the biggest is the responsibility towards your job role and your expenses since I now (should) no longer am financially dependent to my parents.

One year ago, during internship everything was just fine because we know that there was an end to it and we can still look forward to the days when we are all back our comfort zone as a student. But now when there is no longer a student comfort zone to look forward, it kinda scared me a little in the beginning.

That cute little thing on the iPhone Facebook app.

No doubt it is and was a big change in life that I am still getting used to and that I am accepting gradually. All those months of free time, holiday and hibernation period is taking a big hit on life now. Haha!

Life's is uninteresting as it is. A friend told me that it'll stay that way and it'll turn into a routine if I don't spark it up a little by participating in stuff after working hours. True... but I am finding it difficult at the moment because even after one month, I do not think that my biological clock have fixed itself. Still barely surviving on coffee everyday T_T

Everyday is a new day and experience right?

Just a short one before I go to bed. It's work day tomorrow after a very gloom Monday for most Malaysians. Will write on my first voting experience at the recent general election on the next post, soon I hope :)

Meanwhile, read up on this blog topic that I have written roughly a year ago on the differences being a student and a working adult. I think is pretty much true and that's the reason why I sorely miss my life a month or two ago. Though, life has to go on. :')

Langkawi | Cable Car

My friends insisted on a trip to the Langkawi Cable Car located at Oriental Village as it is a must-go thing if you're in Langkawi.

Our first attempt to Oriental Village on the second day noon was unsuccessful as they were already closed at around 4PM or so due to the weather condition of the day. We were advise to call beforehand the next day just to check if their service available during that hour.

We went the next day earlier, and without calling them beforehand because we thought it wouldn't make a difference between calling or not since we had the time and it was our last day in Langkawi - so it would all be down to luck whether or not we get to sit the cable car.

Fortunately, we were able to go up to the peak with the cable car service. The tickets cost us RM15 for Malaysian adult with a MyKad.

Besides the initial chaos created by some foreigner who had a whole family cutting our queue (they did it progressively throughout the lining up process to a point that some of us in the group got angry and told them that if they like it they can go ahead and stand in front of us. No apologies given or a thank you, and they just took the offer. Pfft.) it all went pretty well towards the end.

It was pretty windy and chillin' up there which was definitely a good weather after experiencing the ever-hot weather in Kuala Lumpur.

Though the Sky Bridge was closed for maintenance and upgrading works when we were there, the view was breathtaking!

There's two viewing platforms once you reach the top most station where you can see a 360 degree panoramic view of Langkawi Island and Southern Thailand. The sea view and hill tops. A green-and-blue nature view which is definitely a good getaway from the city life.

#1 One of the two viewing platform

#2 The other viewing platform.

#2 viewing platform

It's an endless world of possibilities out there.

Hills and greenery

It's just a perspective.

Before we know it, our stomach were growling for lunch. We made our way down after spending around 2-hours at Oriental Village's Cable Car. Lunch was Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) since we have heard from someone (who denied ever telling us any of that sort) said that the KFC in Langkawi is different (bigger lol). Haha! Anyway, that was the last proper meal we had in Langkawi before we head over to Laman Padi and then the airport to head home.

Will update again whenever I can with that last installment of the 3 days 2 nights trip to Langkawi. Finding it hard to update nowadays especially since I have just started work recently - whenever I reach home, I'll just K.O. on the bed. My biological clock have not gotten use to the work timing yet after having a 6 month (or more) worth of classes (only 2 days, in total 4 hours class), holiday and endless sleep. Heh. How I miss those times.

Langkawi Posts:

Pantai Cenang

Pulau Dayang Bunting

Pulau Beras Basah

Air Hangat Village
Cable Car

#TSDAYOUT to FRIM

It was an early Saturday morning start last week for #TSDAYOUT at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). We were promised to have a messy and dirty activity for the day, so all of us brought along a change in clothes and such.

It was my first outing with #TSDAYOUT. After getting the registration and paperwork done, we changed into the blue TSDAYOUT shirt, had a short stretching session and were split into groups of three or four.

Hidayat and Farah were my teammates for the 3-hour event. We named ourselves Char Kuey Teow for some unknown reason. haha!

There are 9 checkpoints which we have to complete in total. The activities at these checkpoints involved water, muddy, hiking and nature.

#1 Finding marbles in the water where each team have to find 3 marbles which were placed in the water beforehand. It was quite tough since the marbles might have been buried in the sand while were were doing our wild goose chase in the water.

Fortunately though, my team had a MVP in marble search, Hidayat because he alone found 2/3 of the number of marbles that we were supposed to find. And when they lowered down the requirement of 3 to 2 marbles to pass that section, we made it!

#2 Out of the cold water and into the forest, our next station was to dress up in orang asli jungle wear with a raffia string, fallen leaves around the area and paint for face painting.

The outcome of face painting and dress up.

After that dress up thing and a group cheer after our group's name, we had to do some long hiking up which tire me out. Though slow and we took our time mainly because I was out of breath and were looking around, taking in the beautiful nature around us with a camera in hand. It was definitely a relief when we finally reached the next pit stop.

A good morning

#3 Walking on coconut was the next section. It looked easy but it definitely wasn't especially since the ball of my right feet is still hurting after futsal.

Then it was another walk again, this time not far away, for a #4 puzzle game of Crown Shyness which we completed in no time at all. *proud*

It was then another short walk in the jungle, this time downhill... which was so much better!

Downhill plus some nice view of crown shyness along the forest trail. You have to look up to spot them.

What was tough though is that we had to go all muddy in the next station #5 Commando Crawl.

 #6 Balance nails on a single nail head. I've never done this before so this is definitely something new.

A spoiler picture.

#7 Blindfold search which requires 2 members to be blindfolded while the team leader gives instruction to the both of us to find 5 folded colour paper on the ground. There are distractions around (by the facilitators) which we have to learn to ignore to avoid confusion.

#8 Blindfold and search for 2 coins in the bucket. This was the worst of all in my opinion because there were all sort of stuff in the bucket - worm, leaves and such. I do not know exactly what was in it because I made a decision not to look in it after I have found the two coins. Almost give up in the search because I touched something with spongy body - but thanks to the support from Farah and the other facilitators there I made it through! :D

#9 Submission of the things we were given earlier and taken throughout the journey (3 things) and we're done.

Though the Char Kuey Teow did not make it to be the top 3, but I had a good and tiring day out at FRIM with Farah and Hidayat.

 Thanks to Tourism Selangor again for the invitation.