photo by marilynjohn

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2010-04-12T21:20:00.006+08:00

OMG. In just a few weeks (or less than a month), I would have accomplished a year without blogging. Not that anyone is actually following my blog, but yeah...

But within this almost-one-year of hiatus, I've gone through a lot of changes. Perhaps the major one would be going from being someone's girlfriend into someone's fiancee, which, by the way, is not just a small, tiny baby step for me. It's a HUGE leap from the old MJ. I wasn't much of a believer in marriage. Just a year before I got engaged, I preached to a friend on how marriage is just a sham. And now, she can't stop rubbing it on me. I geddit, ok!

I frequent websites like Shape, Fitness Magazine and That's Fit now instead of Reuters, AFP and National Geographic. I had dreams of changing the world through images but I realised that the key to making a change is not by changing the mass but by changing the person in the mirror first - myself.
Okay, that's a whole lotta crap.
I'm just too much of a carefree person (a better term for 'procrastinator') to actually make it as a photojournalist. And I just can't bear to stay far away from my family for too long. So yeah, Aizuddin Saad, you rock. I salute your determination! Love the symbolic interpretation of your Lain Haluan pic, by the way.

I've learned to love Sabah even more :) Although I had never quite connect with KL, at the same time, I didn't think there was a future for me in Sabah. Pfft. It so reminds me of the time in school when mom tried to persuade me to take up ERT instead of KMT. My stance was "There's no future in ERT. What am I gonna do with ERT?" If only I could turn back time and slap my naive, teenage self! I realised now that I need sewing skill more than I need carpentry. Moving back to Sabah made me see how much more beautiful it is to search my soul within the loving circle of my family rather than the suffocating grasp of stony-hearted strangers.

So yeah, change is good. It has given me a wing to fly and see the world from a different altitude.

Photo taken during the Malaysian Paragliding Spot-Landing competition 2009/2010 at Kg. Dilek in Lohan, Ranau in the gorgeous state of Sabah in Malaysia

Boy looks at smokey ember in Kg. Dilek in Lohan in the district of Ranau in Sabah, Malaysia. Frequent open burning has been causing unsightly view in this touristic district.
... by the way, I did wait (under the scorching sun) for someone to walk into the frame while looking at the ember. Unfortunately, this sort of patience rarely comes by nowadays...

I love you Bugsy Bee. Home is here :)

Lok Kawi

2009-05-07T19:33:00.002+08:00

A group of family catching fish in the early evening at a beach in Lok Kawi, about 15 minutes from Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu. With the seashore just within a few minutes' reach, people in Kota Kinabalu and its neighbouring districts have the privilege to go to the beach at any time of the day.

Sabah Fest 2009

2009-05-05T18:10:00.009+08:00

Traditional containers from the Sabah ethnic group Bajau on exhibition and hands of a Bajau man in the background preparing more containers during the first day of Sabah Fest on 2 May. Sabah Fest is an annual event showcasing Sabah's diverse culture and is held in conjunction with the state's Harvest Festival month of May.

Man from the Sabah ethnic group, Bajau, crafting a miniature Lepa boat during the first day of Sabah Fest on 2 May. Sabah Fest is an annual event showcasing Sabah's diverse culture and is held in conjunction with the state's Harvest Festival month of May.

A row of traditional machetes known as parang, made by a man from the Sabah ethnic race called Bajau, for exhibition and sale during the first day of Sabah Fest on 2 May. Sabah Fest is an annual event showcasing Sabah's diverse culture and is held in conjunction with the state's Harvest Festival month of May.

A traditional Papar Kadazan hat called Seraung Papar being woven by a Kadazan lady from the district of Papar in Sabah during the first day of Sabah Fest on 2 May. Sabah Fest is an annual event showcasing Sabah's diverse culture and is held in conjunction with the state's Harvest Festival month of May.

Back of a lady in a traditional Rungus costume, one of the ethnic groups in Sabah, greeting visitors during the first day of Sabah Fest on 2 May. Sabah Fest is an annual event showcasing Sabah's diverse culture and is held in conjunction with the state's Harvest Festival month of May.

A priestess acting out traditional harvest ritual during the first day of Sabah Fest on 2 May. Sabah Fest is an annual event showcasing Sabah's diverse culture and is held in conjunction with the state's Harvest Festival month of May.

Dancer performing a traditional dance of one of the ethnic groups in Sabah during the first day of Sabah Fest on 2 May. Sabah Fest is an annual event showcasing Sabah's diverse culture and is held in conjunction with the state's Harvest Festival month of May.

Performer playing gambus, a traditional musical instrument during the first day of Sabah Fest on 2 May. Sabah Fest is an annual event showcasing Sabah's diverse culture and is held in conjunction with the state's Harvest Festival month of May.

Man in traditional Kadazan costume playing a saxophone creatively made from bamboo during the first day of Sabah Fest on 2 May. Sabah Fest is an annual event showcasing Sabah's diverse culture and is held in conjunction with the state's Harvest Festival month of May.

DJ Phinans

2009-03-04T00:41:00.002+08:00

DJ Phinans spins with DJ Chris at Aristo Club at Zouk KL every Thursday night. Together, they are known as Soundcheck and they've got some really cool stuff. Do check them out!

TED: Barry Schwarz on Loss of Wisdom

2009-03-02T02:21:00.001+08:00

Something worth sharing:

Thaipusam 2009

2009-02-10T14:35:00.005+08:00

Thaipusam 2009 - Batu Caves, February 8

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Thaipusam '09

2009-02-08T17:49:00.002+08:00

Batu Caves, 8 February 2009 - Click on image for bigger view

More pictures soon!

CMLeung

2009-02-07T21:43:00.001+08:00

CMLeung is my new inspiration! I drool looking at the colours and awesome lighting of his pictures.

Believe in yourself

2009-02-01T20:43:00.004+08:00

Master Navanesan doing Shoulderstand

"If you can bring your mind and thoughts under control, there is literally no limit to what you can do - since it is only our own illusions and preconceptions that hold us back and prevent us from fulfilling ourselves"

~ Lucy Lidell with Narayani and Giris Rabinovitch, The Sivananda Companion to Yoga

Strength

2009-02-01T02:46:00.000+08:00

A cuppa

2009-01-30T17:02:00.001+08:00

Coffee & Red Wall

Coffee & Book

Coffee & Millionaires

Coffee & Sports 1

Coffee & Sports 2

Zoo Negara - Malaysia

2009-01-29T23:37:00.004+08:00

A visit to the National Zoo or Zoo Negara today with my "in-demand" buddy, Kevinitus Fatticus.

Yea, birdie. I feel ya!

We need some alone time sometime.

I know you're doing just fine :)

Colour me love

2009-01-28T16:19:00.001+08:00

You bring colours to my life

Love & Spice

2009-01-27T16:46:00.001+08:00

Long relationships tend to get dull after a while. Keep on adding spices & flavours so both hearts get to feel the initial spark of the relationship over and over again.

At the Kam Yin Temple

2009-01-26T16:34:00.002+08:00

Went to the Kam Yin Temple in Ampang to shoot prayers on the first day of Chinese New Year which falls on 26 January this year.

#1 Temple worker arranging dragon joss sticks

#2 Dragon joss sticks

#3 Male devotee praying

#4 Devotee praying at the altar

#5 Female devotee praying

#6 Female devotee placing joss stick

Happy Chinese New Year 2009

2009-01-26T12:37:00.000+08:00

Game and gamble

2009-01-17T19:04:00.003+08:00

Love is a game and marriage is a gamble

Indian

2009-01-16T16:49:00.002+08:00

Cone incense sticks and decorative elephant dolls

Cone incense stick

I love all things Indian :)

Sunset

2009-01-16T16:30:00.002+08:00

Bagan Lalang, Malaysia

Babe, all I need is you :)

Happy Chinese New Year

2009-01-11T15:29:00.002+08:00

Red Packets (commonly known as Ang Pao in the Hokkien dialect) with spring flowers and gold ingots (commonly known as yuen bao in Chinese).

The Chinese New Year in 2009 falls on 26 January, Monday and 2009 is the Year of the Ox. This celebration is also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival.

Wise words

2009-01-09T23:37:00.002+08:00

a passionate man fights for what he believes in, for love, for what he wants. a man who gives in has no loyalty at all
~ saul alan

Christmas in Kota Kinabalu

2008-12-26T15:44:00.004+08:00

Priests leaving along with altar boys after Christmas Mass while Catholic parishioners sing the closing hymn at the Stella Maris Church in Tg. Aru, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia's predominantly- Christian state of Sabah yesterday, on Christmas Day.

Catholic parishioners singing a Christmas hymn, Silent Night, during Collection at the Stella Maris Church in Tg. Aru, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia's predominantly-Christian state of Sabah yesterday, on Christmas Day.

A Franciscan nun shaking hands with a parishioner during the Sign of Peace at the Stella Maris Church in Tg. Aru, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia's predominantly-Christian state of Sabah yesterday, on Christmas day.

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T23:04:00.002+08:00

Catholic followers praying at the grotto with statue of the virgin Mary yesterday during Christmas eve mass at the Sacred Heart church in the Sabah capital city of Kota Kinabalu.

Man praying at the grotto with a statue of Virgin Mary yesterday during Christmas eve mass at the Sacred Heart church in the Sabah capital city of Kota Kinabalu.

Man placing candle at the grotto with a statue of Virgin Mary yesterday during Christmas eve mass at the Sacred Heart church in the Sabah capital city of Kota Kinabalu.

A gem in Kuala Penyu

2008-12-21T19:20:00.024+08:00

With blue sky in the horizon, waves from the South China Sea hitting on the white and smooth sandy beach, insects buzzing in the natural surrounding, Tempurung Seaside Lodge is definitely a diamond in the rough. The laid-back and unpretentious beauty is worth the two-hour travel and the long wait at the jetty!

Located at Kg. Tempurung in the rustic district of Kuala Penyu, it is 106km away from Sabah capital city of Kota Kinabalu. If you're driving to Tempurung Seaside Lodge, it is advisable to get on a 4WD, at least a Perodua Kembara.

#1 Urm. This is the welcoming message. I'd like to buy an L, more U... Can I buy a clue?

There are two routes to get to the lodge - through Beaufort, which is by land, and also through its little township with a ferry car transfer at the jetty at Jalan Palu-Palu. We, of course, opted for the jetty transfer because we don't get it everyday! The queue can sometimes be long depending on which day or season it is in the year. We had to wait for one and a half hours because it was a Sunday, a school holiday and apparently there was a wedding kenduri as well. The jetty is equipped with a wooden sundry shop on stilts and toilets, so don't worry.

#2 Ferry schedule

#3 The queue

#4 View from the wooden sundry shop

#5 It was actually very hard to find a house without ASTRO

Ferry transfer is free and it can take about 8 tonnes of weight. You could, however, go on the smaller boats, which has shades, but it will cost 50 sen per person and about RM1.50 if you're bringing a motorbike with you.

#6 Man looking at smaller boats

#7 Motorbikes at the jetty. Some would just leave their bikes behind and go across on the smaller boat

#8 Vehicles getting off ferry

#9 Ferry leaving Jalan Palu-Palu jetty

#10 Ferry going towards Kuala Penyu town. This is our ride... I wish!

#11 Ferry operator - Man behind the wheel

#12 Getting off the ferry

The little town centre has a few shops which includes a few restaurants, telecommunication shop, Kuala Penyu Fishermen Association office, billiard centres and sundry shops. Most of it close early though, except for billiard centres, so you might want to bring in your own food and other personal needs and supplies.

#13 One of the fewer shops that was still open

From the town, head down to the gravel road of Jalan Nali Tang Kiambor. Please be a polite and courteous driver - you do have to go through houses and schools. The friendly residents there love their quiet and peace. In the late afternoon, LITTLE kids would go out to play so just be extra careful.

#14 Jalan Nali Tang Kiambor

We reached Tempurung Seaside Lodge at about two in the afternoon. The sun was still out and I couldn't help thinking that I could live here!

The rate is RM135 per person which includes accomodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you come alone, the charge may be higher. How sad is that? What if you come here ALONE to get away from the "cruel world" and they add the bitterness by charging you more? Haha. Kidding! You may call Borneo Authentic at +6 088 773 066, fax to +6 088 772 066 or e-mail to info@borneo-authentic.com to do your reservations.

#16 Top - Some of the chalets at Tempurung Seaside Lodge. Bottom - they are doing some extension for a bigger restaurant area

#15 More chalets at Tempurung Seaside Lodge

#16 The beach

#17 Pineapple tree (?) at the beach

#18 Car park

#19 View from half way up the hill

#20 Panoramic view from the top chalet. Click on image for bigger view!

My favourite corner of the the lodge has this nice little patio with creeping plants, overlooking the sea.

#21 The patio

We left at about 4pm... I know, I know! We couldn't stay long but will definitely come back!

#22 Happy feet

Likas mosque

2008-12-21T07:24:00.004+08:00

Likas mosque with Mount Kinabalu in the background. Islam is the second biggest religion in Sabah, after Christianity. Located in east Malaysia, Sabah is famed for its Mount Kinabalu and its wide scope of natural beauty ranging from the sea to ancient rainforest.

Water village

2008-12-20T00:38:00.004+08:00

Rubbish underneath stilt houses at a water village in Kota Kinabalu, nearby Petronas office. Many residents at the settlement still dispose their garbage into the water, creating an eyesore to passer bys.

Bird at water village in Kota Kinabalu

2008-12-20T00:31:00.001+08:00

Bird at water village in Kota Kinabalu

Sangeet & Wedding Ceremony - Ian & Shivanti

2008-12-14T02:09:00.012+08:00

I trully had fun shooting the Sangeet and Ceylonese-Hindu wedding ceremonies of Ian & Shivanti!

#1 Sangeet ceremony - Ian & Shivanti during their slow dance

#2 Sangeet Night - Serenaded by MK, who is also a professional host. This guy can really sing - he's got so much control over his voice. I don't think I would even let him hear me hum!!

#3 - Sangeet Night - Ian, Shivanti and Shivanti's mum

#4 Wedding ceremony preparation - Shivanti putting on ear rings

#5 Wedding ceremony preparation - Shivanti and her Tikka. I think Tikka is one of the sexiest jewelries ever!

#6 Wedding ceremony - Shivanti walking towards the dais or Manavarai escorted by her sisters and relatives

#7 Wedding ceremony - Shivanti at the dais with Ian

#8 Wedding ceremony - Ian & Shivanti walking around the Agni or sacred fire.

#9 Shivanti's beautiful make-up was done by the Hollywood trained make-up & special-effects make-up artist, Ms Vanita of Artist Space Professionals.

Hockey Tournament - TNB vs National Juniors (Quarter Finals)

2008-12-13T18:59:00.004+08:00

Aizuddin and I went to take photos of the Quarter Finals between TNB and the National Juniors last Friday, 5 December 2008, after the initial plan failed.

We had fun.

Aizuddin chimping his last shot!

Oh yeah. We were taking shots from behind the goal post. It was scary at first, like Aizuddin said, but after a while you'd feel a little more comfortable until a ball comes flying almost hitting you! One ball actually hit Aizuddin's ankle and it bounced to my thigh. It was like an adrenalin rush to avoid getting hit by the ball.

Yesterday

2008-12-06T04:12:00.002+08:00

Yesterday was an akwardly sad and gloomy day. Things didn't turn out as it was planned and people acting cold for no apparent reason.

Two things cheered up, though: A motorbike ride with my buddy Aizuddin and a shoot at the hockey tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium.

Will post up the pix soon!

Happy Night

2008-12-03T08:08:00.004+08:00

Mr Smiley smiled at us two nights ago!

Happy Deepavali

2008-10-27T00:49:00.003+08:00

Deepavali, also popularly known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the significant events in Hinduism. There are many stories and legends associated with the origin of this festival but Deepavali commonly marks the triumph of good over evil.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

2008-10-01T07:07:00.005+08:00

Dusk at Putra Mosque in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Today, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, or Aidilfitri as it is known in Malaysia, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and this joyous festivity is celebrated for three days.

Fashion Show - Great Eastern Mall's Raya Fashion Week

2008-09-16T23:30:00.010+08:00

Went for the Great Eastern Mall's Raya Fashion Week shoot with Touche184 recently. Stayed on a little longer than the designated hour for some fun capture.

Great Eastern Mall's (GE Mall) Raya Fashion Week 2008

Kapas, one of the participating GE Mall retailers

One of the pieces presented by Kapas

D'Rias, also one of the participating GE Mall retailers

A piece presented by D'Rias

Another participating GE Mall retailers, Kohimaran, with a model presenting one of the designs on the runway.

Engagement Ceremony - Ann-Marie & Ragunath

2008-09-14T01:31:00.021+08:00

It was a union of two cultures and religions - Kadazan-Catholic and Malayalee-Hindu. The couple met here in Kuala Lumpur and the engagement ceremony was held all the way in Ann-Marie's quaint little hometown in Papar which is just about 40km from Kota Kinabalu.

Ragunath's father giving a crash course Malayalee-Hindu engagement ceremony lesson to Ann-Marie family and relatives - the gifts need to face east and the boy's family will have to leave before a certain hour of the day.

The beautiful Ann-Marie in Kadazan Papar costume sitting with her relatives. Kadazan costume is made of black velvet and embroidered with colourful sequence and the Kadazan Papar version is usually worn with a white blouse inside. She's also using a pair of spiral silver bracelet called tiningkokos and a hip belt called tangkong.

Ragunath was also made to wear a Kadazan costume, assisted by Ann-Marie's sister.

Ann-Marie's sister putting a Kadazan headdress called siga for Ragunath while Ann-Marie, Ragunath's mother and grandmother were looking on.

Ann-Marie's father putting kunkuma on Ragunath's arm. Kunkuma is a red powder made of turmeric and lime and it contains cooling properties. It was the first time Ann-Marie's father putting kunkuma on someone - actually, it was his first time touching kunkuma ever - so he got so nervous that his hands were shivering.

Ragunath's father putting kunkuma on Ann-Marie's father's forehead.

In Hindu ceremony, saree is part of the engagement gifts from the groom to the bride. The bride will then change into the saree before the exchange of the engagement ring. Here, Ann-Marie is being accompanied by Ragunath's grandmother after putting on the newly presented saree.

Ann-Marie is about to slip on the engagement ring

Ragunath sprinkling holy water on his fiancé while Ragunath's father is teasing them.

Ann-Marie hand feeding a small portion of her engagement cake to her mother who thought it was too sweet.

Sweet, isn't it?

Business is slow

2008-09-09T19:41:00.002+08:00

Traditional Indian cakes being displayed and sold by a street vendor in one of Kuala Lumpur's Little India, Leboh Ampang. Business has been slow for this vendor this month as many of his regular Muslim customers are fasting during this Ramadan month.

Closure

2008-08-30T15:06:00.001+08:00

End it, if you wish.

Just say it. The soul needs closure.

Cameron Highlands

2008-08-28T00:09:00.002+08:00

Went to Cameron Highlands for the first time recently for a shoot. It was such a peaceful place and you just can't help but have tea and scones when you're there!

Rest in Peace

2008-08-13T23:32:00.005+08:00

12 November 1994 - 13 August 2008

Thanks for all the love, joy and hairball :) Rest in peace now, dear Putih. We'll always love you!

Portrait - Rozy

2008-06-26T12:25:00.002+08:00

Ms S Liew and family

2008-06-19T17:39:00.004+08:00

She has a wonderful mix of Kadazan, Chinese and Indonesian. She married a Chinese guy and they are both blessed with two lovely girls, Connie and Caylza.

Mama & Caylza

Papa & Connie

Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan

2008-05-30T21:12:00.001+08:00

Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan

Happy Harvest Festival

On Wesak Day

2008-05-23T19:20:00.015+08:00

On 19 May 2008, Buddhists celebrate Wesak which marks Buddha's birthday, enlightenment and death. The word Wesak comes from one of the Indian languages and it refers to the name of a month in old Indian calendar which usually comes in May. In some countries, Wesak Day, which is observed on the full moon in May, is also known as Buddha Day.

A devotee prays on Wesak day.

Devotees chant together with monks.

A monk gives blessing to devotees.

Burning jossticks in the foreground and Buddha followers at a temple in Kuala Lumpur.

Devotees burning joss sticks which are to be offered to Buddha

A man bathing a statue of Buddha as a reminder to purify the heart and the mind

Happy Wesak Day

2008-05-19T08:41:00.006+08:00

International Women's Day

2008-03-18T07:27:00.008+08:00

A poetry recital by a participant of AWAM's Volunteers' Orientation Workshop during the AWAM's celebration of International Women's Day. AWAM, which stands for All Women's Action Society, is an independent feminist organisation committed to improving the lives of women in Malaysia.

A participant reading a description of a role play for Women Against Colonialism during the AWAM's Volunteers' Orientation Workshop in conjunction with AWAM's celebration of International Women's Day. AWAM, which stands for All Women's Action Society, is an independent feminist organisation committed to improving the lives of women in Malaysia.

A group discussion about a role play for Women's Candidacy Initiative during the AWAM's Volunteers' Orientation Workshop in conjunction with AWAM's celebration of International Women's Day. AWAM, which stands for All Women's Action Society, is an independent feminist organisation committed to improving the lives of women in Malaysia.

Wet market on a wet morning

2008-03-08T00:27:00.018+08:00

The last time I went to a wet market was, gosh, many years ago! Since the arrival of hypermarkets, my grocery shopping has always been a dry and 'civilised' one - air-conditioning, ~~dry~~ squeaky floor, categorised aisles, labelled vegetables & spices and sometimes, I even get shop helpers speeding on rollerblades to do price or stock check for me :)

But of course, nothing beats grocery shopping like how they used to do it. Although I may get lost and feel stupid for not knowing what an Ikan Tenggiri or a Galangal looks like and wonder whether Mustard powder is yellow, orange or brown in colour, I still love that 'raw' feeling of wet market.

#1 Fish vendor waiting to cross the road to get to the wet market

#2 Corn vendor

#3 Lady rushing off with vegetables that she has just purchased

#4 These vegies are for sale. They're just not bundled together and 'prettied' up yet.

#5 Grocery shopping isn't exclusive to females only, you know.

#6 Vegie vendor just enjoying the general splendour

#7 No hat, no umbrella - no worries. Vegie vendor using plastic bag to shield his head from the rain

#8 Some of the 'manufactured' goods that they have

Similar to hypermarkets where they have eateries like Kluang Station, Starbucks and Big Apple Donuts & Coffee sharing the same building, wet market too have their own version of coffee shop, though only take away is available.

#9 Nasi Lemak (Coconut Milk Rice)

#10 Bubor Gandom (Wheat Porridge)

#11 Apam Balik (a kind of Malaysian pancake).

Padma

2008-03-03T22:19:00.005+08:00

The Atman or the supreme Self dwells in the lotus of the heart

First Day

2008-02-09T09:49:00.001+08:00

A man prays as another devotee places a burning joss stick at the altar on the first day of Chinese New Year at a temple in Petaling Street.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

2008-01-27T20:00:00.000+08:00

The Chinese New Year is just around the corner and this year's celebration falls on 7 and 8 February.

Happy New Year, everyone and have a prosperous year!

Thaipusam

2008-01-25T00:47:00.000+08:00

Batu Caves in Selangor, Malaysia on 23 January 2008

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Additional Note: For those of you living in KK, many may not know this, Thaipusam is held at the Sri Maha Subramaniar Temple in Lok Kawi and the procession starts from Lok Kawi beach.

Do Re Mi

2007-12-13T23:43:00.001+08:00

Yamaha Music School recently organised a small show performed by its teachers, students and guest musicians at a club in KL called Paradiso, just opposite Hotel Istana.

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Saya anak Malaysia

2007-12-10T22:36:00.001+08:00

#1 In a village in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur

#2 In a village in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur

#3 In a village in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur

#4 In a village in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur

#5 In a village in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur

#6 In a village in Hulu Langat, Selangor

#7 At a hawker stall near Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur

#8 At a hawker stall near Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur

Hulu Langat folks

2007-12-01T21:55:00.000+08:00

Though just a few minutes drive from Malaysia's metropolitan capital, Kuala Lumpur, the rural settlement in Hulu Langat has a totally opposite, laid-back lifestyle.

Just a side note, there are a few things in life that I would probably do differently if I could turn back time.

Morning Ray

2007-11-29T10:36:00.000+08:00

Ray of the morning sun.

I can just gaze at the light and shadow play orchestrated by the sun.

Give life

2007-10-22T02:53:00.001+08:00

Play the vocabulary game at FreeRice, a sister company of Poverty.com (a website created for people who want to end poverty), and for each word that you get right, 10 grains of rice will be donated to a hungry person.

Appreciate life

2007-10-17T05:01:00.000+08:00

Watch a Flash video entitled The Miniature Earth

"Appreciate what you have and do your best for a better world"

Looking back, I realised that my entry Lifestyle: Something old sounds vain and selfish! ** Knocking my head now **

Her life

2007-10-15T22:25:00.000+08:00

Here's Kitty - two months after the surgery

Kitty and my sis

Curious

Kitty and my sis - Kitty wouldn't stay put!

About to attack

Kitty and my sis

Lifestyle: Something old

2007-10-15T02:57:00.000+08:00

Ampang New Village

I'm a very nostalgic person. I love anything old (inanimate things, that is) - Ancient civilisations, old Blues, old Jazz, old telephone, gramophone, upright bass, vintage Black & White TV (the one with sliding doors), Jonker Street, typewriter, smell of old books, old kopitiams, worn-out brass pots, clogs, old print ads, 1960s stop-motion animation, fungus infested sepia/ B&W photos, P. Ramlee movies, walking (I guess this is considered a thing of the past since everyone drives these days)...

I would LOVE to collect all of the above items but living in an already-crowded apartment, sigh, I have to be selective.

If only I was staying in a grounded house!

Celebrations in life: Nine Emperor Gods Festival

2007-10-14T03:02:00.000+08:00

Image heavy

Went to the Nine Emperor Gods Festival at the Nine Emperor Gods temple in Ampang New Village on Saturday (13 October 2007). It's a Chinese festival celebrating the return of the Nine Emperor spirits from heaven to earth which is held on the ninth day, in the ninth moon in the Chinese lunar calendar (yes, I wiki-ed it). There's an interesting read written by Cheu Hock Thong entitled the Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods in Malaysia: Myth, Ritual and Symbol both in Adobe Acrobat version and HTML version. By the way, Cheu Hock Thong states that Ampang was originally Anbang (pronounced in a way that makes it sound 'dark society or secret society' in Chinese) and later on changed to a differently pronounced Anbang (which refers to 'peaceful society' in Chinese). Note: The Chinese language is a tonal language and thus a word can have different meanings when pronounced in different tones.

A whole lotta smoke

Joss sticks sticking out

Prayers

Stick 'em

Smoke sticks

Walking into the temple

Smokey experience in the temple

A fortune-telling session, if I'm not mistaken, or something like it

Lantern

The blue team having a rest

Spiral joss sticks

Part of prayer offerings?

Big Dragon joss sticks (Right) and a man hanging spiral joss sticks

Big Dragon joss sticks (foreground) and an industrial size furnace (background) to burn prayer papers

Opera performer having a rest reflected in the mirror

Life when I was a kid

2007-10-13T23:28:00.000+08:00

In response to @mie's query about the Japanese volleyball TV show that I mentioned in Tag: THE AW3SOM3 3'SOM3, here's a video of the opening montage. Now I remember, it's called Maero Attack. Thanks for reminding me, @mie!

My cousins and I watched this show religiously when we were very young. Can't remember much of it now except for its famous "Somersault berpusing!!" line.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

2007-10-13T01:04:00.001+08:00

Tag: THE AW3SOM3 3'SOM3

2007-10-12T23:15:00.000+08:00

Got tagged by the sexy @mie

THE AW3SOM3 3'SOM3
(in case you cant read, it's awesome threesome..not aw-three-some-three three-som-three)

Three things that scare me

Death of loved ones (Human as well as Pets)
Plane crashing on my home
My sometimes-scary imagination

Three people who make me laugh

Pets (Bobby and Kitty)
Family
Friends

Three things I love

Anything visually creative
Music
Coffee

Three things I hate

Rudeness
Selfishness
Arrogance

Yea, sounds generic but I really, really do hate 'em. People have too much ego and pride nowadays! Read Fridaycat's You're Rude and Lingy's Lingypedia: CC-ing

Three things I don’t understand

Misuse of religion
Rebellious I-hate-the-world-and-the-world-hates-me teenagers
Expensive weddings

Three things on my desk

Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse

Hehe. Well, there are actually WAY too many things on my desk (dining table, to be precise). I've got torchlight, flower fragrance, a brown bag (which came with a port wine bought in Perth about two years ago. Production for the wine is limited to about 600 bottles a year so I've yet to enjoy it. Still waiting for the right moment), a HUGE 28cm pen, cables, playing cards and various other things.

By the way, we have dinner at the coffee table.

Three things I am doing right now

Typing
Sipping on my coke (would be nice to have the port wine now...)
Scrolling

Three things I want to do before I die

To become a National Geographic Traveler photographer (which will allow me to travel internationally so I don't have to list down 'travel the world')
To become an internationally renowned fashion photographer (which will also allow me to travel internationally so there's no need to list down 'travel the world')
Or if any of the above doesn't happen, I'll just travel the world lah!

Three things I can do

Dream
Being too ambitious
Loving what I do

Three things I can’t do

May I borrow one of yours, @mie?

Witnessing animal cruelty (and yea, don't start with that but-you-eat-chicken talk)
Pretending to like lame jokes (and I'll feel guilty for not enjoying the joke)
Sitting too long

Three things you must listen to

I agree with @mie on this one also.

Inner voice or instincts
Mama
Good quality music

Three things you should never listen to

Preach of an arrogant person
Negative, non-constructive comments
Overplayed songs

Three shows I watched as a kid

Wonder Years
Can't seem to recall the title but it was a tv show about fictional high school volleyball tournament in Japan. Just like any superheroes, the players have superpower ability that allows them to execute impossible stunts (and yell out name for the particular stunt while doing it). For example, when doing somersault, they'll jump and flip really high up and yell out "Somersault berpusing!!" which means, "Spinning somersault!!"
Faerie Tale Theatre hosted by Shelley Duvall

Now... I shall tag anyone who feels like doing this :)

Jungle life in Kuala Lumpur

2007-10-11T11:20:00.000+08:00

Well, it's actually in Ampang.

The Taman Rimba Ampang or Ampang Forest Reserve is located approximately 13km from the Kuala Lumpur city centre.

It's a popular spot for bird watching. Unfortunately, I didn't get to snap any.

Managed to snap another wildlife, though.

Dawg for life

2007-10-10T09:15:00.001+08:00

Bobby, 11 months old (as of October '07). Kitty's big bro and her sole role model.

Hierarchically, he thinks he's superior than me!

My bully!

See him when he was only 7 months

Cat has nine lives

2007-10-09T13:19:00.000+08:00

Originally posted on my photoblog on 16 Aug 07 under the title "Kitty, our three legged kitten"

I found a stray kitten outside my place. Her front right leg was badly wounded. Brought it to the vet and the doc asked to wait for a few days, before getting the front leg amputated, to see if the other legs are strong enough to support her body. She is such a strong little thing - she put on her best effort that day to prove that she can do it.

After a few days, brought Kitty back to the vet. She had to get x-rayed before proceeding with the amputation. Her front leg was, of course, broken in all places. Her hind leg was also broken but doc said it can still be saved by putting it on cast for about six weeks.

So I present to you, our new pride and joy and Bobby's little sister - Kitty.

Note: She actually pulled herself out of the box before taking these pix.

It's a bug's life

2007-10-09T08:11:00.000+08:00