Thursday, June 26, 2008

Politics and the Internet

Well, the reason I'm suddenly talking about politics again is coz I and my group has decided on the topic of Political Blogs for our media research assignment. And trust me it ain't easy doing this. I need young adults who are interested in politics and are familiar with some of these online blogs. Gosh. It is an interesting topic I admit so i am gonna give it my all on this assignment.
Was just browsing thru Patrick Teo's blog, and he's one of those bloggers who blogs about politics alot and not necessarily positive pro-gov. So its a perfect blog example. Check it out if you like, its in my links. I have to say, the video in his blog about the recent fuel price hike is extremely hilarious yet true.

By the way, just found out that there is gonna be a new mobile operator(TelCo) in Malaysia. Its gonna be called TuneTalk.com

Now after looking at its logo here, do you have any idea which company its actually under?
Ideas...any?? Clue...Tony Fernandez.

Yes, its by Air Asia. Whua, I tell you arh, this Tony really good la, company grow so fast, now wanna go into telecommunications oso.

You want more surprises? Guess who's gonna be the CEO for Tune Talk?
Clue...."Operator, The Line is Dead"....

Got it? No?

Its gonna be J.Lo!.....no, not J.Lo as in Jeniffer Lopez!....J.Lo as in Jason Lo. Cool eh? And how ironic having a hit song with that title...

Well, we'll wait and see how well it does.

Monday, June 23, 2008

20-day summary

Oh gosh, I have to admit, I've been lazy now in updating my blog. But you gotta understand, assignments are all pouring in and its kinda hard to find time to sit and type.
I guess I'm just gonna summarize whatever that has taken place in my life. Well, only some significant stuff...

1. Chin Chen left for Melbourne, saw him off at KL Sentral. Won't be seeing him for 5 years.

2. Roshen left for Johor for a 3 year engineering degree. Pity him missing Euro 08.

3. Decided to continue my studies in TAR College after Diploma coz UCSI won't accept me into 2nd year.

4. Paid my fees to finalse my choice of study, applied for new ID and car sticker. Finally am allowed to park in the college again.

5. Attended DPR2 reunion pyjamas party. Was awesome even without a large crowd.

6. Ken, the last in the gang to start furthering his studies finally chooses Business in TARC.

7. I am chosen as class representative for APR1 B1. Better practice my leadership skills.

8. Being given(more like thrown) with tons of assignments and an event to plan and execute. Please support the TLC brand of household items. www.thetrulylovingcompany.com
9. Fixed a new Sony CD player for my car which is pretty cool.

10. Car got ransacked of coins and my 2 month-old, RM45 sunglasses coz I accidentally forgot to lock after running in to my home when it was raining heavily.

11. Experienced my first flat and had to change it single handedly. Thank God the rain dropped its 1st drop exactly I tighten the last nut on the wheel.

12. Lost some bets on a few Euro games.
13. Sad that Holland got beaten by Russia in the quarter finals.

14. More sad that Italy lost to Spain this morning, just when I bought my Italy jersey yesterday.

Lets make it a nice number:

And 15. Oh yeah forgot one of the best discoveries. Found a new adventure to have during my evenings. Jungle trekking up a hill right behind my house. Well, not exactly my house but Ken's house. Awesome view of KL skyline from the to of the hill. Its where the closed Sri Rampai LRT station is. This hill has been there all this while, but never ever thought of climbing it coz itz hidden behind the row of houses.

So yep, that's all for now. I'll be blogging more on the event my coursemates and I are planning. We're gonna be working with TLC (The Truly Loving Company). So please do check out their website and Facebook account. The link's up there....don't be lazy.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Weekend



Gonna write a short one on my past weekend.


Been driving all the way to PJ, SS2 and back for 3 days. I decided to attend the weekend retreat on chastity called W.A.I.T. Weekend organised by the Servants of Yahweh and the CANA Youths there. Really, the only reason I went was to fill in my time, coz I would've been sitting at home doing nothing and probably listening to my mother's complains and non-stop....(Yeah, I'll probably should stop now too). Well, there was another reason, putting it in bernard Yee's words,"To broaden my horizons", if you get what I mean.


Anyway, the talks and sessions were pretty deep and quite straightforward. I guess it has to be this way or else it'll never be taken seriously. Although, it was all about chastity, virginity and saving sex till marriage, I did found out that I could learn about how to make friends with gals and date. Not that I didn't know anything before, but somethings were just never realized, like the 12 stages of a relationship. Haha. Starts of with Eye to Body and finally ends with Genitals to Genitals.


Well, the three days driving up and down caused my left knee to sore a little. FYI, manual car ok?? Anyway, on Saturday night actually went to Hartamas to attend Chin Chen's farewell dinner. How nice of him to treat so many of us to a dinner at Souled Out. Total bill: RM2200??? Plus a bottle of Maccallen(Hope I spelled it right) Whisky, another RM300++. Whua!! The food there was a little dissapointing though coz very small serving. But when its not your money, its a whole different story.
Well, Chin Chen's gonan fly off to Melbourne soon to study and won't be back for at least five years. So all the best, man.
Chin Chen and me.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Leave nothing but footprints, Take nothing but memories

Yes, that's what's written on the posters in Taman Negara.


You could take photographs too


Well, its been almost a week ago since my trip to Taman Negara. Its just that I needed some time to compile photos from other people's cameras and choose, plus I've been rather busy the past weekend.


So here's a lil bit of my not so wild experience is Taman Negara. Btw, if you're wondering where is Taman Negara, its really in three states together. Most of it is in Pahang while parts of it span over Kelantan and Terengganu.


Spent 3days 2nights in the Kuala Tahan village with My classmates from DPR2 B2 TAR College.

Lock & loaded! Let's Go Go Go. Oh yeah, lotsa peace too...

Woke up early on the first day to meet up and get the chartered bus to Jerantut. Took us about three hours to get there and had lunch. Oh, the money we payed for the trip includes everything including lodging, meals, transportation and activities, so I would say it was a pretty fair deal. After lunch we took a sampan/motorboat to Kuala Tahan and it lasted a pee-holding three hours. Freaking Joanne really couldn't stand it no more... I wouldn't blame her coz with the sound of water splashing and damp trousers, it would be hard for anyone to hold their pee. At first, everyone was excited about the boat ride. It was kinda scary coz we were actually sitting slightly lower than the water level and we could touch the water by just reaching out fingers out.



At the beginning and after more than 2 hours



We finally managed to get there before anyone peed in the boat.

Kuala Tahan is a little kampung by the river with floating restaurants for tourists and I'll warn those of you who suffer from sea sickness, you would probably find it hard to be able to eat on it. Our rooms were up a slight hill from the river and we had to climb a little. By the time we got there and started unpacking our stuff it was already eavening. More like 5 or 6pm.

The slope to our hostels

I guess I had too high an expectation for the place we were staying at. I was thinking of a chalet with carpet, aircond and beautiful bedside lamps with a clean dry toilet equipped with toiletries.

What we got was...(drum rolls) a freaking small room with three sets of double decker beds with wooden flooring which you could see chickens running underneath through the cracks and a not-so-clean toilet with the tendency to run out of water all of a sudden without a warning whatsoever.

The only toiletries we got was a toilet roll given at the reception. At least it was air-conditioned but still it was an useless old junk during the day. So anyway, after we five boys showered and all, we were relaxing outside on the verandah coz it was coooler outside than in the aircond room. That was when a 'Mat Salleh' group of backpackers checked in to the room next door and I am still wondering whether they were honest or sarcastic when they opened the door and went...Oh Wow!!!

Our room could sleep six

After dinner that night, went for the jungle night walk which I think was my favourite. Our jungle tour guide for our whole trip, Abang Zam was an awesome man. He could spot small little insects and creatures in the dark jungle equipped with only a torchlight. Until pointing and describing hard only could we see what he already spotted. But it was a fantastic experience being in the dark jungle. Standing at the back of the line was even scarier coz all was pitch black behind me and I wouldn't have known what could've crept up on me. Spotting insects was exhilarating.

B2 with Abang Zam

A stick insect

We spotted two species of spiders, some scorpions, a viper and another snake, two stick insects which were mating, giant timber ants which were actually bloody enormous, a gecko, a sambar deer, and even a scratch mark on a tree left by a Sun Bear.

I can't remember what's the name of this snake, but its harmless

A huge spider

There were other creatures which I've never seen before. It was really awesome.

The next morning, we went to walk on the famed canopy walk before heading off for some jungle trekking/hill climbing. Supposedly the longest suspended walkway in "somewhere", I didn't really find it thrilling. But it was fun to look from the top of trees down 40 meters to the jungle floor.

Canopy Walk. Good thing I overcame my childhood height phobia

40 Meters below

Me and a large tree...check out the sweat...

Emilio of the Jungle? I accidentally kicked Abang Zam's head when reaching for the vine, see, he's rubbing his head.


After that we climbed Bukit Teresek which was bloody exhausting. Half of the way was steps built specially and half of the way was what we can call the "Nature Walk". I was actually expecting a harder, more challenging jungle trekking but seemed simpler than Gombak last time. Anyway, we took about an hour to reach the top where we could see Gunung Tahan in the distance blanketed by fog and slightly shorter time hiking down.

View of Gunung Tahan I think

A monitor lizard which I spotted myself.

The afternoon was a little bit more fun hitting the rapids in the same kind of boat we took earlier.
Oh btw, our main transportation was boat, up, down and across the river. In fact, it was our only transportation there other than our legs.
Rapids was so fun. Splahed water at each other as well, and got a nice shower in the boat. Passed the rapids was the orang asli village which we visited. Met them and learned a fraction of their lifestyle. This was where my camera batteries went dead and I didn't have any spare.

The Orang Asli settlement. They're nomads, so they shift around avery few months.

That's how they start a fire

Although they are classified as Negrito Malays, they actually look like Africans. Dark with curly hair. The only difference was that they were probably smaller sized, had malay-sort of face features and spoke a variation of the Malay language. They showed us how they start a fire from a piece of wood and a vine. Unlike Aboroginies in Australia who twist a stick onto a block of wood, I think theirs is more effective but need some practice. They even showed us how they make their blowpipes and let us try. Thanks to JiaWei's question, now I know that only some of them have ICs and they don't go to school. They live only off the jungle.

Us with the head of the orang asli family

On the way back to our lodging, we stopped by a little stream where its water flowed from a waterfall somewhere deep in the jungle. I found out that we could actually paint using coloured pebbles. Face painting that is. Brilliant.


Got back for dinner and I decided to sleep early coz 1) I didn't feel to well, and 2) I wanted to wake up at 2.30am to watch the Champion's League Final between Chelsea and Man U.
Yes, they have Astro on the floating restaurants and we hanged out with the guys running them to watch. Awesome experience watching football middle of the night in the dark and quiet(that is before a goal) jungle. The game lasted till almost 6am which by then was really time to wake up.

The next morning(or the continuation of the morning) we left after having our Nasi Lemak. taking the same boat ride we got in, this time, everyone was bored since the beginning. Luckily this time it lasted only two hours coz we were heading down the river and the currents were with us.

Last group photo before leaving

So that's really it for my trip. Oh yeah, all of us got a certificate each stating that we have participated in a 3days 2 nights adventure package in Taman Negara.

My certificate and free T-shirt with a map of the area. I guess, it could come in handy when you're loss in the jungle eh?

So back to the title, did I leave only my footprints in the jungle? I sure did, many. Did I take anything else other than memories? Only memories.

Memories that will remind me that if I ever visit Taman Negara again I should check in to the 5-star Mutiara Taman Negara chalets across the river from Kuala Tahan.

Phew, the photographs took a damn long time to upload.

Friday, May 23, 2008

And the American Idol 2008 is...DAVID......

COOK!!!

I missed the Finale show on wdnesday coz I was in Taman Negara. But I did manage to watch the results and I was surprised a little, especially after knowing that David Archuleta got bettter comments. But then again, I didn't watch it, so I didn't have the chance to judge them myself.
But Yes!!! My Idol Won!!!
The guy which I have been rooting for all this while. He won.



It is definitely the time of his life. I would say the winning theme song sounds a little simple eh? Time of My Life. But it is rather meaningful and touching. I still think the best Idol winning theme song was I Believe, the year that Fantasia won.
On another competition, I did manage to watch the finals of the champions league, in TAMAN NEGARA... slept early, got up at 2.30am. Climbed down the hill in the darkness equipped with a torchlight to the riverbank and watched it at one of the floating restaurants on the river.
OMG, watch till heart attack,
balls dangling.
I did guessed right that Ronaldo would not score his penalty. But I was SO SO shocked that Terry missed his. I think luck wasn't on Chelsea's side. Two shots to the posts, a slip on the winning penalty shot, a red card for Drogba. He was pretty dumb to slap Vidic right in front of the refree's eyes. So, i'm guessing its bye bye Avram Grant and hello new and better players at ManU. Damn, ManU fans, but that's all i can say coz honestly, you have the bragging rights this year.
Watching football in the jungles middle of the night was a new experience. Like the jungle is all dark and quiet...and suddenly...
GOOOAAALLL!!!! WOOHOO!!! YAAAAHH
WWAAAUUUAAAIIIIAAAAOOOo
WALAUWEH!!! GHOOAAALLL!!!!
(HORNS AND WHISTLES)
and more...
GGOOOAAAALLL!!!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Malacca trip again

Hi, just got back from Malacca last night. Was so exhausted but managed to finished watching the last episode of Prison Break Season 3 before bed. Jeez.
Anyway, I went to Malacca with my family this time and was actually treasure hunting on the way. We joined My dad's company's annual treasure hunt. This year, they split the treasure hunt into two stages. Instead of the usual in-the-car hunt during the journey, this time they had a 2nd stage walk hunt. We had to walk around Malacca town to hunt under the hot afternoon sun. Dammit! I tell you that was bloody tiring. Somehow me and my mum found the energy to run...to go search for answers further down the roads. Exhausting but bloody enjoyed it.
Me and my bro figured out most of the cryptic questions. You want an example how hard it can be? Let's see...:
1) Change how to pen...fast!

2) Direction which Japanese Encephalitis infected flyer is suspended.

3) Way which Pretty Woman actor teams up with half of Jack.


Answers: 1) New photo Express Sdn Bhd.

2) Lorong Hang Jebat

3) Jalan Gereja


Why you ask? Hmm, let me explain.

1) Change howtopen = NewPhoto, fast = express

2) Direction = Lorong, JE+Bat = Jebat, suspended = Hang

3) Way = Jalan, Pretty Wonam Actor = (Richard) Gere, half of Jack = Ja, therefore: GereJa

Ain't all that easy eh? And these were some of the mid difficult ones. There were harder ones which we couldn't figure out. But all in all, it was quite a satisfying score because we got 5th place out of 23 teams. We won RM700 haha. How cool is that. Had some great laughs at the dinner cum result show at night. Some of the answers people gave were extremely hilarious.
Well, I swore I would eat Satay Celup again if I ever visit Malacca in the future, but too bad, the shop was still closed when we wanted to have lunch the next day. I think its only open for tea, dinner and supper. Crap. Had to settle for Chicken Rice ball, which really isn't all that fantastic to me. I prefer normal chicken rice.
Well, I'm off to Taman Negara tomorrow morning. And bloody hell did I just realised, not only am I gonna miss the Champions League final between ManU and Chelsea, I'm also gonna miss the American Idol Finale. Hope I can get back in time for the results show. So, take care y'all. C'ya.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Busy week ahead...

Well, busy not in a 'work & chores' way. I'll be busy visiting places. I'm off to Malacca early tomorrow morning. Like, damn I gotta wake up at 5am, and its the same time I slept last night...early morning. Gonna join a treasure hunt organised by my dad's company. Had a fun and stressful experience last year to Cameron Highlands so I'm hoping to do the some this year and maybe get higher scores and actually win. Since I've been to Malacca recently so I should have a better idea of the surrounding.
Just a one day trip to Malacca and on tuesday i'm leaving for Taman Negara with my classmates for a 3days 2nights trip. So its gonna be real tiring for me la...

David Cook Rocked!!!

So, my predictions were right, it will be the two Davids in the finale of American Idol season 7. It was probably the most predictable results on the show.
Well, I thought David Cook did an awesome job with all three songs. Although i'm not too familiar with the first song, The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face, I think its by Leona Lewis. Dare you to move was just his typical awesome performance and I loved the violins in Don't Wanna Miss a Thing. He should win this competition.
David Archuleta lost his touch a lil this week. What was he thinking doing With You by Chris Brown?!?!! OMG, it's totally not right. And he doesn't dance well too. Sorry my faithful Idol review reader(Celine). His last song, Longer Than, was better suited for him even if Simon daid it was more for a 90-year-old.
Syesha was better than David (Archuleta that is) this week. Her choice of Fever, I actually can see where she's coming from on that song. She thought it would be good to do something similar to what she did during the Andrew Lloyd Webber week since it got good reviews. Somehow, the judges didn't think it was good this time round. Her take on Alicia Keys' If I Ain't Got You is brilliant. Very good job.

Well, after the votes, it is down to the two Davids. So who do you think will be the next American Idol? Go ahead and vote your favourite at the top right corner of this page.

By the way, speaking of Simon, here's a video from an episode of Britains Got Talent in which Simon is also a judge. Freaking brilliant.(Bloody Brilliant in UK English) Its probably the best MJ impersonation with a twist of something you'll find funny and awesome.