Currently

Gosh, ever since my company blocked my internet connection I've been rather lazy in blogging, although I have internet connection at home.

And it's been a month since my last post. That's how fast time has past.

Anyway, lately have been to alot of trekkings. In April alone, there was Kanching Waterfall in Rawang, Jeram Tengkek in Kuala Pilah, Sg. Ampang just behind the National Zoo and Mt. Kutu in Kuala Kubu Bharu.

Some are very easy, some are tiring. Some are short treks, while some are long ones. But overall, none of these treks is impossible to complete.

Hehe... I had always loved trekking, but no 'kaki' to go with me... till now.. Now I have lots of trekking 'kaki' that I can even go every weekend for trips into the wilderness.

But I'm not as hardcore as they are, so I think I'll just stick to 2 weeks once for now.

Photos

Gosh!!! This is so overdue.

Anyway, just some photos to show.

1)Chendor Beach, the place where we camped in our first night.

2) Panorama Hill, Sg. Lembing. Can't believed we actually climb that many steps up to reach the top to see the sunrise.


3) Sg. Pandan Waterfall, Kuantan. Water's a little murky. But it's still a very nice place to visit. When I went, it was kinda crowded, with a few campers spending the night there.

4) Rainbow Waterfall, Sg. Lembing. The main purpose of this trip. It's around 20-stories high. The waterfall is so high and strong that by the time the water actually reaches the bottom, it forms quite a heavy rain that falls both diagonally and horizontally. The area would always be wet, so whenever the sun shines over the fall, rainbows are sure to form, hence living up to it's name, Rainbow Waterfall.

Back from my camping-cum-trekking-cum-waterfall trip

Was away during the long weekend to Sungai Lembing, Cherating to revisit nature.

It was fun fun fun... and I got very tired tired tired once I reached home.

Anyway, we went on a bus loaded of people and trek Panorama Hill in Sungai Lembing for the sunset, played in the Pandan and Rainbow Waterfall (one in Kuantan, the other in Cherating, if I'm not mistaken).... camped by the beach next to the turtle santuary on our first night, and had a home stay on our second.

Still waiting for some photos... will load them soon.

Lessons when buying a present

I've always knew that I'm never good at choosing presents. That is why, whenever possible, I would get my friends who has better taste to buy and I would share the presents.

But today, I had to go hunting for a present myself for my colleague's daugther's 1st birthday next weekend which I won't be attending, but still bought a present for her nevertheless.

These days, the presents do not come with any boxes. This means you'll have to buy the present separately.

Having chosen a present (a star-shaped baby pillow), I didn't buy it immediately but instead, walked around to find a matching box, because the same shop's boxes was kind of expensive. It was almost the same price as the present I had chosen.

Hence, I went box hunting first, keeping the looks and size of the present in my memory. BAD MOVE!!!!

So when I went around, I found one I thought fits. The box was packed in a packet but I thought it would fit the present, based on the sample I saw. Wonderful, now that I've already bought the box, I can go back to the earlier shop for the present.

When I looked at the present again, I still thought it fits. So I didn't test it out but to proceed with my purchase and head home.

When I reach home to pack the present... here's were the nightmare began. It almost fitted. I tried squeezing them but to no avail. The cover just won't close. So no choice. Have to just give the present without the box. Unless I go and buy another. Either way, I'm left with an extra box at home now.

The present I chose comes in 2 sizes, and I chose the bigger one. Had I had chosen the smaller one, it would no doubt fit in without even squeezing it a little. Sigh!!!

Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS

Attended my first ever orchestra concert held in the Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, KLCC.

Last night's concert was known was Chamber Concert but I wonder what that means.

There was 2 groups of performers. The first group consist of 3 violinist and 1 cellist, of which 2 of the violinist are Asian girls while the other 2 are white men.

The music choice of the night was the slow and a little gentle type, the type which can easily put you to sleep if you got yourself too comfortable and the pieces has lots of repetitive scores, which can be boring at times.

But the back rest is a little hard for comfort and to low that it you can't rest your neck. I guess they want to ensure that you won't fall asleep during the performances.

But I would thoroughly enjoyed even more had there's been a glass of drink, preferbly wine or liqour, and a sofa for me to lie on. And that would have been total enjoying of life. Hahaha...

Perhaps I might consider creating a sound-prove music room when I have my own house in the future.

Back on the performance, I can't help but to notice one of the girls playing the violin. I thought she has much more body movement compared to the rest which I thought was a little exaggerated. But nonetheless, this was quite a good group.

The 2nd group played a more hyper form of musics but I still can't help but to wonder who could a person could actually sleep through their performance, which some guy behind me did. He even started to snore a little.

I thought this group was a little unprofessional at the start of their show for fine-tuning their instruments just before they play, right on stage. This group has got a Chinese girl playing the grand piano and 4 other white men, 3 of which played the violin while the other white man played the cello.

Overall this group was better but one of the violinist had at times, played the violin out of tune.
But for the RM10 ticket, you kind of expect that this isn't the best group of musicians the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra has to offer.

Schedule

Yupz.. all packed and preparing for my trip now.
Here's my schedule and agenda in Hokkaido.


I hope you're able to see it..

We were briefed on our up-coming trip to Hokaiddo... part of the briefing includes this:



We've also unofficially added no. 10, specially for the guys... no comparing.
I think you'll know what I mean.

The moon smiled at us - 01/12/2008

To many photographers and perhaps astronomers, Dec. 1st 2008 is indeed a day to remember.
It is indeed an unusual phenomenon when Venus, Jupiter and the moon was positioned so perfectly that it formed a smiley.
The 2 planet formed the eyes while the partial-moon formed the lips.

Terry Fox Run KL 2008

Went for

What: Terry Fox Run KL 2008
Cause: Fund raiser

Where: Lake Gardens, KL

When: Yesterday (Sunday, November 2)

How: Took LRT

Why:
- primary: To join the run (was supposed to run, but I only walked)

- secondary: to make donations via purchasing of the t-shirt

Who: Went alone (but coincidently, met an old friend)

Coverage: around Lake Gardens

About Terry Fox

Waterfall

Location: Siong Waterfall, Ulu Langat
Date: 5th Sept. 2008

Yupz... went hiking and visited a waterfall. It's really been a while since I last done such an physical activity and yeah, it was fun. And I was one of the few fortunates not to be attacked by leeches... hahaha... thank god for that.

So we all gathered at McD near Giant Cheras at around 7.30pm with a bunch of unknowns. Eng Hong met these peeps via a Facebook group, who are really active in hikings and climbings in their quest in looking for the best waterfalls around Malaysia.

Who knows, they might one day expand to the other parts of the world...

Coming back to the trip, it was a convoy of I think 8 cars to reach the place. A rather huge crowd and maybe, too huge. The moment we arrived, we were greeted by a special 'guest'...


a wild boar.

Hhmm... I always thought wild boar has horns... or maybe it has, just not this one.

Reminds me so much of the wild boar character in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) that I used to watch when I was a child.... hahaha... was it Beebob or Robsteady (not even sure if the names are right).

Haha... the photographers were thrilled and I've personally not seen a wild boar before. It became an instant celebrity to the photographers.

The group:


It was quite a nice place to relax and enjoy the sceneries but definately not a place to play with water.

As we did not go to the foot of the waterfall, we didn't have any place to dip ourselves... unless you dare to try some heroic stunts like what Eng Hong did...
I wanted to climb up there as well but as my shoe was already slippery, and having slipped a couple of times already, I'd rather not take the risk falling of the cliffs. But Eng Hong sure enjoyed himself.

Weng Chye on the other hand was too busy with his photoshoots... and playing with his toys... the DSLR, tripods etc.

In my past hiking trip, I've seen or tried having nasi lemak, roti canai and even fresh cut watermelons at rest points. I've even tried eating maggi mee during my only camping trips way back in 1998.

But having maggi mee with 'siew yoke' is rather new. Without doubt, one of the highlights of the trips. The meals are a courtesy of the other hikers. They even made tea... haha... they sure know how to enjoy the scenery with excellent meals.

More photos coming once I receive them.

Hennessy Artistry

Attended this event last Saturday. Was a blast!!!

I couldn't find any poster or picture, so could only copy from the website.

End of the Beijing 2008

Yeah, so it's all over now. The summer olympics were closed in quite a colourful performance in the Bird's Nest Stadium. But with the olympics coming to an end, there's nothing to look forward to anymore, be it on the news, highlights, or even chit-chatting with colleagues about the events, results etc.

This is, of course, until the next sporting event comes along. EPL is by the way, back!!!

Watched the closing ceremony last night on TV2. My my, a mere disappointment. Late broadcast, TV commercials everynow and then, TV transmission interruptions etc.

How I wished I could have a better viewing of events such as this.

I guess I'll have to look it up on the internet for the closing clips.

Candidman, the opening you gave me is kinda incomplete. It ended just before the athletes march. Do you a more complete one? One that last until the end...???!!

And will you be looking for the closing as well??
Just pass it to my brother if you can find them.

Thanks.

BB is 50

Yupz.. my secondary school, Bukit Bintang Boys' Secondary School (BBBSS), is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year. And last Sat (Aug 16, 2008) was the anniversary dinner held at the Tropicana Golf and Country Resort to celebrate the occasion.

The Star article about the anniversary dinner.

Guest-of-honour was Dr. Alastair L. McGregor of Scotland, the school's first principal. The 2nd principal, Mr. David Boler (also from UK, can't remember if he's Engilsh or Scottish) unfortunately passed away just few months back.

I did not see the 3rd principal, Mr. Oh Kung Lam and the 4th, Pn. Ishah Sulaiman attending the ceremony but saw the 5th and current principal, Madam Quah Mooi Eng for the first time.

Saw many of my ex-teachers. All recognises me, some could even recall my name (though mostly partially) after some thoughts, but most were not around. Wonder if they're still teaching in BB.

The teachers could not believed that I left school 8 years ago. They thought I was still studying. They said I still looked the same... which means I'm still the young boy in their eyes. How depressing :(

All in all, I thought the occasion wasn't that grand despite being a golden jubilee celebration. After 50 years, with tens of thousands of students graduated, only around 500 people attended the dinner.

From the class of 2000, only 4 turned up. And that includes my brother and I. Was really looking forward to meet up more, especially those I've kind of lost contact with. Rather disappointed with the turn out actually.

Otherwise, it would have been more fun attending the event.

Wikipedia on BB.

"Nisi Dominus Frustra"
"Without God All Is Vanity"

14th day of the 7th month

Didn't actually realised it until I heard a colleague talking about it. Today is, in Chines Lunar calendar, the 14th day of the 7th month.

And what day is it?

It's the Hungry Ghost Festival, where according to the Chinese believes, it's the day where the souls and spirits are allowed to come out from the lower realm to roam earth.

Found some interesting facts when reading wikipedia. According to it, it's also a day where our deceased ancestors would pay us a visit.

hhmmm.... I never knew that.

Anyway, the older generations always advised us to stay indoor in these days fearing that we might 'bump' into one of 'them'. True or not, don't bother. Just listen to them... just stay at home tonight.

080808

The day is here! The time is tonight! The opening to Beijing 2008 Olympics will be here in a matter of hours.

I'm anxious! I'm excited! and I'm getting impatient...!!! I don't wanna miss the opening, for sure.

But will I be home by 7pm tonight? Will it be shown on public TV or would I need Astro? Will I actually miss the chance to see China showing off???!!! After all, it is their pride.

So I'm very sure they'll make the opening ceremony truly unforgettable, in everyway. Full of colours, full of people, full of displays and full of crops..!!!

and I... need to get back to work :(

My new tool

Wuuhuu.... finally gotten myself a pair of new sunglasses. Now, no more the annoying sun glares. I don't have to fear you anymore sun glares!!!!! hahaha!!!

My sister helped me with the selection. Personally, I don't like the grey patch in the middle, but I chose this pair because of the glasses are more blackish. It's not for fashion anyway.

I actually preferred another design which has a better overall match in colours and shape but the glass is more greyish... don't really liked the greyish feel.

Best of all, this doesn't hook onto my hear. It wraps comfortably around the side of my head so it doesn't hurt my ear the way wearing a headset would after wearing for too long.

And for someone without better things to do at home, I decided take some pathethic photos of myself in it.

So I took this...

and this...

So how do I look?

Rebates

There's an offer for CIMB and direct access credit card holders.

MPH and Tesco rebates seems most tempting. Lets see how I can make use of it.

Here's the advert:


And oh, also gotten my petrol cash rebates today. Collected it as I was renewing my road tax. Yippee, got an additional RM 500 to spend (that's RM 552 to be exact, after deducting my road tax of RM 70 and the bloody RM 2 commission Pos Malaysia charges).

My current addiction

Life's been really free and boring of late. There wasn't much to be done at work this week and I had to practically crack my head thinking how should I prepare my daily work report.

Doing that was like... damn, what should I be reporting? Beats me...!!!

Then, I found a new application in Facebook known as Text Twirl where you have to figure out as many 3 letter to 6 letter words possible from 6 scrambled letters.

My new found addiction and I've been hooked up ever since.

Click here to add the application into your facebook.

The Three Little Pigs

I once mentioned that there are 3 people in my team sharing the same birthday, all 3 whos birthday is on 5th of April.

Fate really brought us together. All 3 of us even sits beside one another.

The 3 of us... Me, Phoebe and Henry.

But now, the 3 piglets are no more. Only left 2 as Henry has left the company after only 9 months to move into auditing. The photo was taken during Henry's farewell dinner at King Crab Restaurant, Kelana Jaya.

And you might ask, why us 3 pigs.

Well, Henry and I are born in the year of the pig as both of us also share the same birth year. Besides my brother, he's the only one I knew, who shares the same birth year, birth month and birth date as I do.

As for Phoebe, her surname is Choo. Pronounce that in mandarin, it rhymes with the word 'pig' in Chinese.

Hence, us, the three little pigs.

And since 5th of April is always associated with the underworld because of Ching Ming, so we posed:

March 8th, 2008

Voted for the first time. Was surprised how smooth the whole process went. My polling station was at SMK (P) Sri Aman. Was there for the first time, for barely 10 minutes. So I basically, went in, voted and then came out.