Kuantan, is in Pahang!!

XD a highly retarded title but a title nonetheless. So, Kuantan, what is so special about it that it warrants a post by itself? Basically, it is actually the first time that I have an opportunity to go outstation. For work purpose, but I still managed to enjoy myself.  :P

But nah, I am not going to talk about what I did and what I didn't, instead this is more of a post about the speciality and things I find interesting during this trip of mine. And it starts now!

Kuantan is actually at the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the areas of Kuantan I been to, are either quite far from town centre or meant to remove your thoughts from city life. Near the beach too. XD Unfortunately, the beach is quite a shade of grey... so, I doubt that it really enables people to enjoy, or maybe the particular stretch we are at is just... dirty.

One of the really great meals I had at Kuantan was a seafood meal in a restaurant named Pak Su. The signboard is bright yellow with some Chinese characters on it. Apparently, it is famous for its stuffed crabs (yong hai in cantonese). At RM7.00 apiece, I guess it is do worth a try. Taste-wise, it taste much better when the chili sauce provided is applied on it, just don't put too much. Note : They used real crab meat, so no worries there. XD

The next item I was super impressed with is not in Kuantan, instead it is in Bentong, which is another town in Pahang. I am talking about the hand-made ice-cream that has such smoothness, creaminess and balance sense of sweetness from Kow Po Ice-cream. The logo looks like Mickey Mouse holding cones of ice-cream and it is perfectly apt. The flavour that I tried was Pandan flavour and it was really full of the Pandan fragrance. A shop that it pretty easy to spot if you just keep straight but keep a look out on your right if you are coming from the exit of the highway.

Yup, not really much, and maybe lacking, yet I enjoyed myself tremendously. Maybe it is also because throughout the trip, I saw quite a lot of trees and nature, which I am quite fond of. Just not very adapted to it. >.< cause I haven't morphed into a mountain goat yet? XD

A safety reminder though. To those who drove down to Kuantan or intend to drive within there, please be very wary of speeding cars. Kuantan drivers tend to drive very fast but they are still quite decent drivers. In terms of ethics and mannerism and all those.  

Kuantan, most probably I will go again. If need be.

L-I-F-E

*wakes up in the morning, checks phone, goes to twitter, reads disheartening tweets

The tweets concern about Malaysia's music scene, a lot. It is actually the demise of Alda Evan Tan, a person I never met, never knew nor spoke to, but for sure, he inspired massive of people to stay true to their dreams, especially when it comes to music.
I personally never had the chance to had an interaction with him but from people who knew him, I realised I actually learnt so much already.

The biggest thing I know of him is how he inspired a lot of newbies in the music scene to forge ahead! In the Prayer for Alda Evan Tan fund-raising event on 13.5.2012, I watched the performances in The Bee, Publika and there were countless times, just too many to keep tab, of moments where the performers will share what they learnt and advices from him, especially about persevering and believing what you are doing. I would be really ignorant if I didn't learn this despite the repeats.

The next huge piece is actually about the life. Hence, the title. His presence and encouragement was so impactful that people loved him dearly. Family and friends wanted to keep him alive. Reasons could be endless or, just plain simple. I will never know. Just that, I realised how much more life is actually magical, wondrous and hopeful. Yet, I can't help but feel cynical about the fragility of life. Is fragility(read:death) the price to pay for the miracle moments in life? Where one blow on the candle, completely  closes the insightful book of a person? I also couldn't help but ponder, over and over again, why does people lost sight of what is actually important in life? Are we so blinded by information, immuned by death stories or even, hardened by civilisation?

Just two thoughts. Nothing more. And to think that the unfortunate demise had to happen on my exam day. Life is really....something, ain't she?

Antiques in the house!

The binoculars and the harmonica. Odd combination but these are a few of the antiques I recently discovered in my house! Believe it or not, these two items were passed down(ok, more like my parents claimed ownership) from my maternal great-grandfather, after he passed away in...1960-s.

Binoculars!!

The binoculars, have some serious discolouration going on and the lenses had gone dusty. All the same, it is still usable.  XD One story I really have to share though *cues horror music:
Once upon a time, many, many years ago, in the middle of the night, shrieks were heard in the neighbourhood. It subsequently became louder and more frantic, with more voices coming in. With vigour, families woke up and stood by their windows, watching an argument unfold. I was at a tender age of 8 and couldn't see well, but I am quick-witted. Thus, what I did was I grabbed the binoculars from the cupboard and started watching, zooming in and out at my fancy. Alas, in the midst of my intense observation, my elder brother snatched the binoculars from my kiddy hands and used it for himself. I then gave up watching and proceeded to bed.

Yup, that was the most vivid memory I had of the binoculars. I was quite sure that moment also sparked my interest in observing humans, although I might not have known it yet then.

The harmonica

And about the harmonica, I don't really recall much but it was such a gem! Even after so many years, there is still a gleam on the body. Besides that, it still has a perfect sound to it. But that's my opinion. Harmonica professionals might know better. Blew a little on it and immediately feel in love with the sound. Again. 

Now, I am actually looking for people who wouldn't mind restoring the binoculars(more like cleaning the lenses) and the harmonica(this needs a full-blown check-up). Still lurking at Lowyat forum to search for restorers. Do recommend if you know one!

Now, go dig out antiques in your house and share it to the world!

First half-yearly review of 2012!!!!

Just a general wrap-up because I might be too lazy when December comes. Most probably.
If you are expecting a month-by-month post, sorry to disappoint but this is a roller-coaster post(ok, merry-go-round might be the milder version)

So, to start off, I guess the biggest occasion that happened to me was the fact that I started work in an audit firm, which I used to evangelise and advocate. A lot. Unfortunately, turns out I was lured in by an imaginary big fat carrot which was never meant for me, but others. That's when I started bitching about the firm like hell. To be honest, people there are great and very sharing in knowledge, but the systems, operations and top-bottom culture is one of the worst I have seen.

But, after I took a one-month break to focus on one of my papers, I realised, hey, I might have sold my soul to the devil, but eventually, I will still break free. I depended on the devil to gain my qualification and an ounce of gratitude still needs to be there. With that thought, I recharged myself and my thoughts. I started opening my base in other areas.

Among others, I started frequenting KLPAC more often and began to write reviews of shows and plays that I attended, since I really want to spread the word about Performing Arts in Malaysia. No doubt it is growing but there is just so much more that can be done, so much more void to be filled and so much more support out there, untapped.

Ah, these are the major things that really affected me during the first-half of 2012. Just have a feeling that second-half of 2012 is definitely better!!

3Cs for 1B

Creativity, Conceptualizing and Consistency for a Blog.

Yup, that's what the Cs and the B stand for. Just in case you are looking for the guys/girls criteria thingy, maybe next time :P (Honestly, there is and its damn true too, but really, next time. More Cs and Bs involved though).

Blog is obviously this one that you are reading. And I am looking at a major overhaul in terms of contents and layout. Still, figuring out but at least, I am still on the way!! I want this overhaul to be a final one, and even if in the future, I have the heart to change, I wouldn't want to. Sounds confusing, aite? Basically, I am only going to do this overhaul now and its a once and for all thing.

First C : Creativity.
Hm.. Since this place is my own personal space, I guess I can turn it into anything or anywhere I want? I have been blogwalking quite a lot these few days and seriously, there is just so much that can be done! Mostly are quite consistent with their blogging content though. Like a travel blogger will make it sounds all place like, a fashion blogger will make their blog sounds like a closet. You get my drift so far? So, since I basically deal with anything from thoughts to events coverage to reviews of stuff that caught my fancy, and also a deep fascination on my part, I think a bar-like idea suits me perfectly well.

Second C : Conceptualizing.
So, since I decided on what I wanted, time to turn the creativity into a concept. Since I definitely want to remain my thoughts here, so a bar, where I am THE BARTENDER, makes sense? So, how else do I make it more bar-like? A CLOSET/CUPBOARD of liqueurs, aperitifs and COCKTAILS for the daring and MOCKTAILS for the mild? What about the 'accidental' CUSTOMERS who stumbled here? I just hope it didn't turn out to bar-like until I seem to be promoting alcohol and liquors only. Though, I am quite deeply interested in drinks and stuffs.

Third C : Consistency
Yup, yup. You read right, consistency is key for me. So, no matter what happens, I will stick to my Bar concept! animangacraze's bar. How cool. Only if true bar culture exist in Malaysia. Wait, got sidetracked. Basically, yeah, everything will be a bar-related name, idea or theme. The only bit of inconsistency, maybe my posts which will definitely still be my thoughts, opinions and all else that interest me at that moment.

And that concludes my whole idea. Now, time for execution of the plan *groans and makes myself a drink*.
Will start when I am sober.

Project. Should I?

Project here actually means commitment. Not like a super huge activity that needs to be done, if I misled you. :P Thing is, I have a trouble of sticking to one thing. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, I will be very enthusiastic about one issue, then when I cooled down, I will slack. In serious cases, I might even totally leave it aside.

So, was just thinking, should I start a project and stick with it? Well, the one I had been coming across often is Project 365, which to me, is a good move. But I can barely stick to 10, let's not talk about 365. Yet. XD

Maybe I should start with a monthly thing first? Hm.. like recording each of Tchaikovsky short pieces during the corresponding month? Compose one poem every month, incorporating each Western zodiac? Ponder on a significant issue at the end of each month? Do a book review and alternate between fiction and non-fiction?

XD suddenly there are so many ideas. I really have to lol at myself. Though, seems like first thing first is to come out with a list of Projects that I was to start on. XD would be great to see how things turn out at the end.


Note to self : Get the list done by end of June!

I was only joking...

[Before each line, add 'I was only joking...']


To lighten any heavy atmosphere,
Caused by sullen news.


To turn your frowns into smiles,
Which will go for miles!


To brighten up a day,
Removing all possible ail.


To hear infectious laughter,
By playing court jester!


Maybe to hide my fear.
Being the fool I am?



So, did anyone get where the reference came from? Honestly though, hope this one made your day into a good one!

Ps. Answer located in one of the tags.