Journey to realization: The Worthy Stop

It was just a jungle of coconut trees out there, with occasional wooden house smack right in the middle of them. That was what I saw on the road leading to the Tip Of Borneo. I am pretty sure that suspension on Howard's car was made out of Kryptonite (that stuff that even Superman fear of.) when he drive over the harsh half gravel half tarmac road at 110 Km/h, and yes he is still waving and greeting most the the driver on the opposite site of the road, a popular guy indeed. I might wan't to get his signature which may fetch a good price if I sell it in Kudat town later. hahahaha. It was quick to reach the place that I was suppose to stay, the last time I been here was when I need almost 1 hour and the half just to get to the main road, believe me, them roads are confusing!

I believe that most of us decided on a place to stay somehow by browsing through those edited and photoshop-ed pretty photos of that place, and end up being disappointed  or even worst- felt cheated upon arrival of that place. That one word called- expectation, sad to say, always ruined the fun without fail. But not now. Now in front of me lie the beauty of not expecting. A complex of pure naturalness dotted with tall coconut trees sitting beside a patch of banana plantation, a mellow paddy field and a humble jungle. After I got my backpack out from the Malaysian-Ferrari-with-Kryptonite-suspension, Howard took me for a tour inside the complex he humbly named Tampat Do Aman Eco Resort. The largest building in that complex was the longhouse where I suppose to be sleeping tonight, nested just behind a banana patch. It was traditionally wooden made with coconut planks as floorboard, walled up with bamboo, atap (dried palm leafs) roofing and animals name for all the room (I got the room named black tail squirrels drey if you want to know). All buildings in the complex are made out of wood harvested from the jungle, this includes the common room, the shower quarters, the toilets, a viewing hut and the camping shelters, all beautifully camouflage in the jungle surroundings beside a man-made canal and pond. As natural as it gets, not a five start hotel, just slightly better, at least for me.

After settling myself in my room and a quick change of attire, I am so ready for the beach, but I got Toby instead. hahaha. Toby was the second westerner I met on that day (I went on meeting a lot of westerner after that.), hailed from England, at that time volunteering at Howard's place for 3 months, barely 20 years old, 6 foot 3 high, holding a cigarette on his hand and proudly talks about how neatly the roofing job was done by him on the new Rungus cultural centre Howard was setting up. After the brief introduction, the beach! But my fun was cut short when I realised it was almost dark, how I wish to be in West Malaysia now, which happens to have an hour more before. sunsets. The worst part was, the typhoon ruined any sunset that would possibly be there at that time. But thankfully, there was still that menu I can choose from to filled my stomach after all those travelling in one of the best restaurant around Tip Of Borneo- Tip Top Restaurant, apparently owned and managed by Howard himself. Well this man, Howard Stanton, truly got a lot of stories to tell, which I am surely eager to hear.

There, ordered my dinner, a fish dish. Is my thought that the first dish when you come to somewhere near the sea, needs to be a fish dish. 'It must be fresh!' We thought, which often turns out wrong. Anyway, while waiting for my meal to be serve, Howard came over and sat opposite of me, offering me one of his famous english tea. We started our conversation by him asking what are my interest. He was surprised that none of my interest relates directly to what have I studied in University. Again like I usually does, I blame the Malaysian educational system, while hiding the fact that it was my own fault that I did not go fight for what I really wanted. I go on saying that, 'Those four years at University do me good, at least it let me know what I really wanted in life.' I assured myself that I was right. Then I explained to him the purpose of my journey and how I lead myself to be in Kudat. He is again surprised by how I faced so much challenges just to get in contact with him as well as the wrong phone number that my guide book provides. 'There must be some reason that allows you to finally got my phone number, and eventually end up here.' said Howard which makes me glad that I made the choice to come to Kudat at the first place. 'I hope you find what you are looking for here.' He said. Deep down in my heart, I do really hope I could find out what I want to do with my life, hopefully here, at this wonderful place. To my surprised, he explained to me that he was engaged with a local Rungus. I asked who. Just then my dinner was served to me by a girl, which I think she was in her mid-20s, energetic, pretty and always with a contagious smile on her face. I thanked her for my meal, and I got struck with another surprise. 'Here she is, my fiance.' Said Howard while holding the hand of the girl who just serve me dinner. 'Her name is Lorraina, ain't she beautiful.' Said Howard while looking at the Lorraina. A look of love, simple and deep. I am not surprised anymore. We go on talking mostly about him, how he had a dream, a dream to build and own his own resort establishment and how those stories in my guide book was real as well as how much more  of him was not written in it! More about the great man later.

We talk and we talk until I finished my satisfying meal. 'Do you want to be a volunteer here?' Howard asked me. I am stunned. Yes I do not know how I going to spend my long 2 months or how much money I need for that and even where I am suppose to go. Volunteering seems to be the right move to make now. Honestly, the thought of volunteering at his place do crossed my mind while riding on his car from Kudat town to the Tip, given that I had no plans at all. But I never expect it was to be him that ask me, I expected to do the other way round, I suppose to ask him for it. Perhaps It was really fate that brings me here, and it wanted me to stay here as well. I do not always believe in fate, perhaps this time I should. I am thrilled and I said yes, 'I would definitely love to.' I said to reaffirm my decision. The grateful smile in his face reassured me that I made the right choice. I feel glad, really glad.

That day, from end to end, was one of the best day of my life. Everything just go so right. From the early indecisive me, to me being grateful and glad sleeping in a wooden bed, inside a bamboo walled room, in a longhouse made entirely out of wood, being in the middle of the jungle, in a village, a village near to the Tip Of Borneo, and in Kudat. I truly realised that how choices could turns our right once you believe in it. How one bold move or one risky step would change everything, and how everything would be well with the help of some luck and of course some fate. How asking would always get you what you want, once you have the right attitude and you ask the right way. And how one small step, in this early of my journey, turn out to be the best step ever. I can tell you now, that this stop, truly truly was a worthy stop.

To Be Continue...

Stay tuned to find out what I did, what I experience, what I saw, and who I met during my time volunteering on the next post. It would only get interesting given that I spent almost a month there in the humble Tampat Do Aman Eco Resort volunteering for Howard. Although initially I said that I would volunteer for only 2 weeks. hahahhahahahahah!

In between the coconut trees!

The captivating Kalampuan Beach!!! Preview of the good pictures here to come in the next post!

The only photo of me with Howard! This was taken in front of Tampat Do Aman Eco Resort, right before I end my volunteer stint there. I was hella dark after that (seeing the contrast between my neck and my chest). 

Live Well People
Have a Happy New Year
Shian

Journey to realization: The Decisive Step

Now I am standing on a crossroad, to Kudat or to Kundasang. For those who do not know where is Kudat or Kundasang is, allow me a brief introduction to both magnificent place. Kudat- A lay back town of the northern tip of Borneo, 3 and a half hours car ride north of Kota Kinabalu (KK), A place with very, I mean VERY beautiful beaches, breathtaking sunsets, the ever friendly Rungus people and the infamous Tip of Borneo. On the other hand, Kundasang- A town where you are constantly captured by the awe of Kinabalu Mountain, the highest peak of South East Asia. A place of cool, fresh air, giving out the freshest vegetable you can't find anywhere els. A place where Kinabalu park, Kundasang War Memorial, Desa Cow Farm and other favourite getaway destination for Kota Kinabalu dwellers. Now I am on the city bus bound to the intercity bus station, there lie a decision I need to make- to Kudat of Kundasang. Both equal in wonders, both equal with list of things I wanted to achieve; Kudat- to see the sunset siting on the rocks at Tip of Borneo; Kundasang- To leave my footsteps on all the trails in Kinabalu Park, all nine of it.

The bus I am riding on finally stopped, and there is it, the buses to Kudat and to Kundasang. 'Which would I take?' I asked myself. The last few days in KK did not do one bit in helping me answer this question. Flipping through guide books, browsing through internet and the almost always reliable 'deciding time' just right before you fall asleep did not work one bit! Kudat had always been the humble place I decided to start my journey, but that was before I heard of Typhoon Nalgae that basically wreck havoc on south Philippines and northern Sabah when I am in KK. Tyhoon would not do well in providing me good weather to travel, moreover sunsets. There I am still, undecided, an hour before both buses leave.

The to and fro between both bus stations made me realize something, thinking for decision is good, thinking too much was not. Decision needed to be made with no regrets, once you made it, do not look back at it. Do not say that 'what if I had make the other decision?', or blame yourself for getting yourself into this. We made the decision ourselves, we are responsible of our decision, we have the obligation to see through our decision with effort and commitment, to give that decision the respect it absolutely deserved. And thus I had decided, right there, right at that moment- to Kudat. I never looked back since then.

There was I, sitting in the front sit of the mini bus bound to Kudat town, a 3 and a half hour ride, scrambling accommodation arrangement in Kudat. It seems that I had been occupied in thinking where to go, but did not thought of where to stay! The comforting assurance of budget hotels suggested by my bus driver still got me worried for the amount of money I will spent in accommodation. I am going for a backpacking low-budget journey, not a luxury-style travel. There was only a name in my guide book regarding cheap accommodation within the vicinity of Tip Of Borneo- Howard Stanton. Here are the exert that introduced him in the guide book 'A British expat who speaks fluent Malay, may well be the most popular man in Kudat with locals and travelers alike...' (I am impressed!). There is more-'He's a man of many stories (international rugby player, diver, first white man to play and referee top-level cabbadi... he's builiding his own Eco-resorts, set up excellent home stays and can help arrange treks.' 'Does a person like this even exist?' I asked myself.

I am afraid I am proved right when I called the number written on the guide transfer me to a local government agency receptionist! There goes my investment on this so-called reliable guide book. 'I gotta get his contact fast, before I leaved the data coverage I got on my phone.' I said to myself. Truthfully, I am interested to find and get to know this man, if he even exist! I googled his name, look into a few websites, reading about his infamous green range rover, his children home, his seaside restaurant (more story about it later) and got a few contacts. I am getting nervous as the first few contacts either end up into mail box or of no-existence. At last I stumbled upon a beautifully constructed website about an Eco-resort near Tip Of Borneo- www.tampatdoaman.com- which I doubt it was made off with a limited budget! I am anxiously calling the number given by me by that website, and there was I, nervously asking 'Can I speak to Mr. Howard Stanton please?'. A deep British accent answered back on the other side '.......Yes, Howard speaking.' It was him! I am ecstatic! We talked for a few minutes and after that, I got my accommodation and food settled and yes it was near to Tip Of Borneo to my delight. Now I can rest soundly on the ride, with excitement and eagerness.

I arrived at Kudat town at around 4pm that lovely evening, eager to meet this famous Howard Stanton. I bought me some water, gave him a notice that I had arrived and waited. After a few short minutes, with delight I greeted his big big smile with the smile of my own. A man almost 6 foot tall, brown hair, light blue eyes with a build of a well trained military man, welcomed me to Kudat. We became instant friends talking about both of ourselves riding in his old, mildly dirty (an understatement), green car he so proudly named the 'Malaysian Ferrari'. He was greeting to almost everyone on the way to his lodge which is about 30 minute away from Kudat town, perhaps he was the most popular person in Kudat after all.

There I was, riding towards the most unplanned journey of my life, perhaps the best one, with my decisive step. Hey, I have only explained to him that I would stay for 2 nights...

To Be Continue...

Stay tuned for my next step exploring Kudat and places around Tip Of Borneo! Sun, sea, sand, sunsets and the wonderful people!

Viva la Malaysian Ferrari!

Live Well People
Shian

Journey to realization: The refreshed steps

It all started, started with Julia Roberts going around the world, on a journey to seek for what she think she will seek in the hit movie 'Eat, Pray, Love'. How she had the courage to just go, go on a journey to different parts of the world- to give herself a chance, a chance to love and be loved again, a chance to have hope again. I am sitting in front of the TV, taking it all in me. On that point onward, I have decided. I am set to travel, to my own journey, to a journey I called- my journey to realization.

I first called up my girlfriend telling her how exciting I am having decided to go travel- on my own- to a journey for me to realized all that had and will happen in my life. Having all those excitement raging from my heart, she asked me a question- where? 'Where will you go on alone to this travel you called journey to realization?' she asked. I am stunned for a while, I had been only think and decided to just go travel alone, I never thought of where. I asked myself 'What is the first place I wanted to go?'. After a long pause on my behalf, I answered my girlfriend- 'Sabah, I want to go to Sabah, I want to travel the whole east coast of Sabah!'. This point on, she started to think that I am mad, mad because I had been in Sabah for the past four years studying and yet I want to go back to that place again to travel. I explained to her that that is the first place that pop out of my mind, not Vietnam, not Thailand, Not New Zealand but Sabah. My reason was- I loved that place too much to not go back and I had a few things and places I haven't do and discover. Sun, sea, sand, mountain and the wonderful people! What not to go back to Sabah!

And off I go, Just go!

Slowly I opened my eyes and looked at my watch, there was another hour till my plane will land on Sabah's soil. It was all too familiar, the uncomfortable-ever-tight seat of low cost air flight, the ever intention to sleep but always only halfway accomplished and the constant hope that the co-pilot announce that we are soon to land. The horrible and interesting experience of getting and packing my first backpack was still fresh in my mind. I read many articles online regarding about buying backpack and how to go backpacking, and I was surprised to find that how the backpacking culture was so well established online. There are tons of articles just to guide you in 'How to select the best backpack for you' and 'What to pack in your backpack'. Why do I say horrible in the first place? Imagine when you know nothing about certain thing and suddenly you got so many different views, and all of them think that they are the right one. ahahhhhh! Even selecting how much volume I need for my backpack need days of researching! (I end up buying a middle range J-World sport 45L backpack which I am glad to own). Then the worst indecisive moment came when I was to pack what to put in my backpack! Some guide suggested me to bring one jeans, and some do not. Some said just take 4 pieces of T-shirt and two pairs of shorts will do, while some other said more! I am a heavy packer- those that always had a 'backup T-shirt' if you know what I mean, you can't blame me to rate this a horrible experience right! I think by this I am official the laughing stock of the backpacking community.

In the end, the best way to pack your backpack was, keep it light while not compromising your on-the-road wardrobe comfort. And always keep in mind that you will have no problems getting what you need on-the-road as well as do not look back to what you have not pack. Not to be boastful, I am pretty sure I can be certified a professional in weight balancing to keep the backpack firmly hugging your back and how you can pack all your stuff in 5 minutes. I tell you, IS AN ART! It will be a whole article itself to explain to you how I do it, I'll leave it for next time...

I had a fear,
a fear of travelling alone, with no one to take care of you, no one you can rely on.
I had another fear,
a fear that everyone had bad intention on you, wanted to do you harm and rob you of your possession.
after this journey,
I want to have no fear,
no fear of any fear stated above,
for I can travel alone,
for everyone had a heart to be good in them.

The speaker on the airplane came on, the long awaited landing announcement was read out much to my delight. Sabah, I am here! Upon stepping off the ladder and touching Sabah's soil, a sense of happiness engulfed me, a happiness I all so familiar of, but somehow different from previous ones whenever I came to Sabah. For this time I come for a journey, a journey I chose to do alone, a journey that would give me courage, a journey that I must take, a journey that would change my life, for I have so much I want to realize. My journey to realization, started with this refreshed step...

(note: this photo is not actually taken from my journey, I just thought this was COOL to put in this. by the way, my backpack is bigger than this one. The guy is the photo was still me though. XDXD)

To be Continue...

Live well people,
Stay tuned

Shian

A 28K Ticket from my school!

It was an expensive, hard fought ticket to get, nevertheless one that everybody yearns for. Relishing back to the moment where our parents took their work leave to stay late at school for that extra comfort to help us get through our first day at school, our first step towards a blessing, education. For most Malaysian ticket holder, it was a rock solid 20 years blessed journey!  We are always joyful, always a heart available to make new friends, always getting into challenges,and barely out, always keen to learn and teach, love and laugh. It always was, always is, and always will be the best 20 years of one's life!

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding seems to be a letter pronouncing my death sentence towards a least joyful life... XDXD

Remember still how we hated our homework so much?
Remember still how we sang birthday songs for one embarrassed classmate?
Remember still how we have a crush on the pretty/handsome classmate sitting next/opposite of us?
Remember still how we always complaint bout having no money, then angels (parents) came?
Remember still how my hands are on your shoulder bracing through challenges?
Remember still how those cold nights, hot drinks and a pile of homework/assignments?
Remember still those grudges, not lasting very long, those lectures, lasting a bit longer than they need to be?
Remember still those 'doing everything else other then listening' moment during class?
Remember still how we tear our throat out in our own private concert in karaoke?
Remember still those crazy stuff we did that only make sense to us?
Remember still those proud-ness showing your student ID for discount? (I loved this!)
Remember still cooking those cheapo self cooked meal, and thought that we are the best cook in the world?
Remember still those hardship getting through assignment, and the long sleep after?
Remember still those short but sweet trips make sweeter because we all are together?
Remember still those people, those merry mate that we shared all this memories with?
Remember the 28K that we need to pay back to........ I'll forget that for now!

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding seems to be a memories compilation, sweet as apple pie!

Our 20 years journey ended in just a day, in a mere 2 minute to be precise, the convocation. We are somehow so busy that we forget to sit down to savor upon the fruit of our own blood, sweat and sleepless night. Booked flights early, ended up staring upon a blank wall at the hotel. Placing robe collecting errands on course mate, praying hard that he/she did not mess the whole thing up. Indecisive on which studio to go for, for that all important photo that our parents proudly showing off in the living room. Being the victim of every possible licensed 'blood sucker' in town for accommodation and transportation. Being the guide cum driver cum planner cum son/daughter for our parents first visit to the place. Wanting to see every friends possible, but sometimes beyond our own capabilities.

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding seems to be a prove of how good we are in multitasking, a plus point in our resume!

Convocation had truly drained the life out off us, for that all important few seconds on stage. I still recalled mine, even faster than any FedEx can deliver or any McDonald's order of McChicken! Before going up, I am worried bout how I looked. Did my mortar fix up firmly? Are the furry end in the right place? Are my robe adjusted properly? What I actually need to say when I see the big man?  Stepping up the stage, I've became the hardest log you can find in any forest. My walking become stiff, my head stare just right to the front, holding my breathe and that all important 'smartcard' and passing it to the person-in-charge. Here I go, My name is announced, I bowed, and walk to the big man. He congratulated me, shake my hand, telling me to look into the camera, I gave him my thanks, proceed to the other end of the stage with a savoring proud smile, shake hands with my dean, and that's it! My 20 years of educating life for that moment, the proudest I had ever been.

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding seems to be just a certificate of attendance, because I am there at that moment...

Yes the highlight of the whole thing may be the moment that you are on stage. But I bet the happiest was when every friend gave you that warm smile when everybody met, the moment when we are chit chatting on waiting for our turn on stage, the fooling around during the most serious moment, the big applause meant bigger because we do it together, the moment when we faced our parents, our loved one, our teachers and gave them the biggest gratitude we can offer. At least, it is the happiest for me.

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding seems to be like another paper, for I need no document to prove of my happiness, I have my heart...

Well, everybody have go on with life after convocation. Some found what they wanted to do, some still giving time for themselves to decide and some might just doing nothing.
Whatever you may do and wherever you may be, my friends, I wish you the best of luck and the best of hearts. Wish you have the will and the strength to stay on the path you decided to walk on, and may you emerge being the greatest. Remember our ticket does not decide where we are heading, WE DO!
So please tell me your story when we meet some other time. Have will, fate and faith, blessed we will meet.

At this moment, the ticket I'm holding is my tissue paper to wipe my tears off for I love you people, I crumble the ticket in my hand saying 'I had my friends and my story that I will cherished for life.'

And when the PTPTN (Study loan agency) letter comes...

At this moment, the ticket had become a summons which remind me to pay off the 28K for the next 10 years...plus interest!!!!!! (ironing back the crumbled up ticket). XDXD

HAPPY GRADUATION!!! 

Live Well People

Stay tuned
Shian

Im Back From My Sweet Exile!

Oh My Merry,
I'm back, I'm back, I'm back.
From those sweet alone,
From those sweet embrace.

The path had been good,
The freedom had been sweet.
The world still vast,
The men still merry,
For I'm back, I'm back, I'm back.

The sweet side of life,
just a sweet step away,
a sweet yes away,
a sweet smile away.
May you decide with merry,
I'm back, I'm back, I'm back.

My great sweet sail did me good,
to catch the sweet wind of fate,
sailing through,
goodbyes of merry men and women,
touching sweets to the eye,
sounds oh sounds of merriment.
With my merry filled backpack,
I'm back, I'm back, I'm back.

Give sweet respect to fear,
as fear is just a merry away,
let those sweet sweet scar,
A prove that merry merry is always merry,
With my merry mind, body and soul,
I'm back, I'm back, I'm back.
From my sweet exile.

Shian

P.S: For I had been travelling for the past 2 months, thus no update on my beloved blog. May I be blessed with strength and will, to let you know what had been down, and what had been up with me for the last 2 months. Keep updated with this blog to find out how my sweet exile had been.

Live well people.
Shian.

Share my mess: Of Tips for planting!

Here is what I accidentally read in some old motivational cards which I think greatly described what we do now affect what we get later.

Reaping What You Sow

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory

If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony

If you plant hard work, you will reap success

If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy

If you plant patience, you will reap improvements

If you plant faith, you will reap miracles

But...

If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust

If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness

If you plant pride, you will reap destruction

If you plant envy, you will reap trouble

If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation

If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation

If you plant greed, you will reap loss

If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies

If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles

If you plant sin, you will reap guilt

So be careful what you plant now,

It will determine what you will reap tomorrow.

Source: Unknown

So people, now you know how to plant that sunflower you always wanted to plant right?? hahahhahahaha!! 

Therefore, go have a look into how you live and what you do now. Caused you be sure to really reap what you sow later on! Thus please plant the good, get the good ya!! 

Live well people

Stay tuned

Shian

note: My 'Share my mess' series here on would not be numbered. Thank you and keep reading ya.

Conversation.

Hello September! Here I am, trying to converse to you about conversation.

I am surely sure that conversation is always a part of your life. To convey what you had in mind, to console, to give courage, to received consolation, to change people, to change yourself, to give chances, accepting chances or even to just crap it all out! And here I am too, conversing with you, to speak out what I had in my mind. 

As our generation advances, means of conversation also changes in a big way. From face to face to letters, to through telephone and now through a computerized screen and a set of keyboard. Especially with the creation of Short Messaging System (SMS) and various social networking chatting platform (eg. ICQ, MSN, Skype, Facebook chat and many more). Conversation are done by typing into your computer, send it out to your intended recipient, and wait for his/her reply, provided both of you are online. Here on, the word 'Messaging' includes activity of messaging and chatting online through computer or phone.


With The advancement of technology, the quality of conversation had gone down. It lacks depth of expression. Don't you tell me your emoticons with help you all the way. Your face is your best emotion expression! What is emoticons when compared with your own bloody face. Emoticons always had us fooled. You send out :) when you in fact are sad. You send out :D when you are in fact crying until you have no more tears to cry. You are saying 'I am alright' when in fact you are not. Well the worst thing is not you fooling each other, the worst thing is that you expect the other to find out that in fact you are sad, miserable and not alright through your expression of emoticons. Come on, you and I know best that emoticon is the short form for Emotional-Con. Or are you? There is only a small extent that messaging can help you. Especially when you are conversing in heart and soul. Person-to-person work best. Then only you all be able to smile together, laugh together, cry together, be sorrowful together, be merriment together and be joyful together. Without everybody being fooled.


Messaging is a waste of time. Why I say so? Have you every stuck in a predicament that you find it hard to explain a certain situation to people in person? It will be 10 times harder in messaging. Get this. The amount of time you use to type in one conversation will enable you to do 3 in person conversation (according to Shian's self-think fact, no citation). In the event that you say you be able to converse with 3 person at the same time, are you really conversing or just throwing out words to show u cared? Please save the other person who really cared the effort to wait for your reply ya. Wanna converse for real, know your limits and how much you can handle at once.  



Messaging leaves no trace (most of the time). We wasted our energy in typing and typing but it would not leave a permanent trace (unless you save it). Unlike a book or an article, messaging has the least impact factor. Because they are always deleted, or saved still in a threat form (which I think is laughable when you scroll back to all the conversation in messaging you had). At least you might be able to read this article over and over again. You will be able to read a book over and over again. Caused they are permanently there for you and they are free for you to extract out anything you wanted to, at any time. Real in-person conversation would certainly leave you no trace of what you converse. But they leave you with an experience. The scent, the sight, the sound, the ambiance ans the people. An experience you could not have every time staring at the same old boring computer screen while you messaging. In-person conversation is an experience craved in your mind well after the time of the conversation. An experience that I would go for anytime over messaging. 


Messaging get you stuck in some weird situation. Situation which you could solved or amend if you are there in person. Imagine that you succeeded in conjuring up courage to confess to the person that you like. You will be typing. 'I got something to tell you', 'That I am In love with you ever since the day I lay my eyes on you'. You click send. And then you either close your eyes and/or pray hard that a good reply will come. Constantly close and open your eyes, the sense of eagerness knowing is killing. How I know you may ask? I done it before! hahahhahahah! So after some time, NO REPLY. You will be thinking ans worrying, 'what if she had an accident?' or 'her computer suddenly went offline' or worst, 'That she do not like you at all'. At least you will know the answer straight if you talk to her in person. Whether she like you or not. Or at least you wouldn't be worry if she is hurt or not. It will definitely save you the effort to keep worrying. You definitely stack in even weirder situation which further strengthens the fact that in-person conversation is definitely better. So guys, please confess in person ya! It works wonders! A strong note also to guys who break up in messaging. Sorry to say that I despised you. It is already hurtful to break up, but in the stone cold expression lacking messaging? NO WAY MAN!


With so many bad points I given to messaging. That does not mean that I do not do messaging. I gonna give plus point that messaging are very convenient, they are fast and money saving. And the most I like about messaging is that it has no distance boundary! Hell Yeah to that!! 


I am conversing to you not to strictly get messaging out of your life, but to tell you to opt for in-person conversation once a while. Take the effort, take the time, spent the money to go for that in-person conversation. Let me tell you that, it work wonders. By the way people, saying 'I love you' in person work a million times better in-person conversation to messaging! some smooching action might followed too!!!! HELL YEAHHH TO THAT!!!!


And people, don't you forget that conversation through mouth of words only make up 20% (some figure I heard before, correct me if I am wrong. hahahahha) of your conversation! So people, why are you still typing?

Live well people


Stay tuned
Shian

Share my mess no. 4: Of Changing the world!

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty."

"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problem."

"If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide."

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), instrumental in India independence.

Tips from Mahatma Gandhi on the fundamentals for changing the world.

1. Change yourself.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world."

"As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world- that is the myth of the atomic age- as in being able to remake ourselves."

2. You are in control.

"Nobody can hurt me without my permission."

3. Forgive and let it go.

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."
"An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind."


4. Without action you aren't going anywhere.
"An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching."


5. Take care of this moment.
"I do not want to foresee the future, I am concerned with taking care of the present. God has given me no control over the moment following."


6. Everyone is human.
"I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps."
" It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err."


7. Persist.
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."


8. See the good in people and help them.
"I look only to the good qualities of men. Not being faultless myself, I won't presume to probe into the faults of others."
"Man becomes great exactly in the degree in which he works for the welfare of his fellow-men."


9. Be congruent, be authentic, be your true self.
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
"Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well."


10. Continue to grow and evolve.
"Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position."


People, If you can't change the world, you can always change your own world. Change for the good ya! We all can do it!

These tips is first read at http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2011/08/31/gandhi/
Full article of the Top 10 fundamentals for changing the world at http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2008/05/09/gandhis-top-10-fundamentals-for-changing-the-world/

Live well people

Stay tuned
Shian

Happy Independence Raya Day Malaysia

Is been a busy two weeks for me! hahahhahah! but I am BACK!!
How is this as a kick start again! At the independence day of my beloved country, Malaysia and Hari Raya for all Muslim. Shouting...

MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA! and
Selamat Hari Raya!


Or perhaps lets just combined them both and become...

SELAMAT MERDEKARAYA! 


How cool is that!

Ok people, how well do you know independence day?

A day when Tunku came out and shout MERDEKA for seven times and liberate us from the colonial clutches of British? The day where we remove the Union Jack From the flag pole? The day That we proudly call our self a countrymen of our own country? The day true freedom are gained?

What is Independence meant for you?

Dictionary.com defines Independence as:
1. The state or quality of being independent.
2. Freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like of others.

In My humble opinion, Independence means being together.
You might think that how can two contradicting terms can be the same? We human use to think earth is flat! So shut up! hahahhahahahah!

Independence, brings us together, as Malaysian. Independence Day, to celebrate the togetherness that brought us freedom. Independence, to be together at par with fellow independent state. Don't tell me independence is not being together! Togetherness is the essence of independence.

Independence leave the door open for us to walk the path of infinite wonders. How far and how well we walk that path depends on every action of each countrymen do. Is not that you can only contribute to the country but joining the army or the police force or even join politics. We as every countrymen contribute to the country in our own way. A mother feed a child, a child who may in the future become the engineer that build the fastest moving train in Malaysia. A teen paying government tax when he eat KFC as lunch which would go to the foster home that help homeless children (provided that the money is well handled). A person who refuse to throw rubbish on the beach to help keep Malaysia clean. The family man who choose to walk and use public transport to keep Malaysia air cleaner of green house gases. The old wood sculptor who keep perfecting his work to preserve the traditional Malaysian culture. The poet who write to enhance the mind of fellow Malaysian. A fresh graduated executive working in a food company to both feed their fellow Malaysian and improve the industry in Malaysia. Everyday is independence day when everyday, we are in the mind to improve the nation. One person at a time.

There is so many ways you can do to contribute to the well being of your country. Is not about how you sacrificed for your country, but how well you live for your nation. Together collectively, we are strong, and we can make changes for good! Do not say I am wrong, we got it right on the day of 31st August 1957.

What I think about Hari Raya then? I think the video (by DiGi, which I think did a fantastic job) below explained it well. A festive to celebrate forgiveness.

That is all from me people.

Selamat MerdekaRaya!

Enjoy to the max of your holidays and enjoy being together.

Live well people

Stay tuned
Shian

Share my mess no. 3: Of Courtesy

Do you sometimes stick yourself in someone bubbled bubble gum under the seat?
Do you sometimes find people parked their car in front of your house?
Do you sometimes find yourself stepping on some stranger spit? (ewwwwwwww)
Do you sometimes see rubbish being thrown at a beautiful beach?

You are frustrated, angry and sometimes even mad of these things! where this could be solved with just one word! Money!.......waittttttt, just kidding! hahahahha! the WORD is

Courtesy


although sometimes money do work too, when you give some money too them and tell them not to do it again....naaaahhhhhh, that won't work! hahahahah!

Courtesy! is somehow out of the window in society nowadays! or perhaps 'in the window' cause we people nowadays are always outside! hahahahh! I am not implying that people always stayed in house are courteous. You people should go out more! breathe in the fresh air, play and have fun! You know outside.....(i tend to get so easily carries away.).

Ok, C-O-U-R-T-E-S-Y!

I think it would be more effective if I told you they benefits of being courteous right. Lets divide them in gender:


For Guys:
1. You get GIRLS!
2. You get more GIRLS!
3. GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS!


For Girls:
1. You get GUYS!
2. Good GUYS! Hunky GUYS!
3. GUYS GUYS GUYS!


note: Benefits of being courteous may differ from person to person. please do not blame the author if result comes out differently from what you have expected. Please do not sue the author. XDXD




The real benefits of being courtesy, is you be a better human! Those who still wondering how to be a better person, here is your answer smack straight to your face! hahahah! Start being COURTEOUS!! A girl always like a guy who opens door for her, take her chair out when you go for dinner, hand her your jacket when she is cold and etc. That was being gentleman! courtesy might involved a little bit of being gentleman, but it applies not only to your partner, but to everybody in this whole wide world! No matter if he/she is blood related to you, your ok-not ok friends or someone you will never know! It involving you being courteous to... EVERYONE!! And yessss include the nagging lady boss you cursed every now and then. XDXD

Courtesy involve not doing things which you like the other person not to do to you! got the drift?? no?? ok ok. You do not like rubbish being thrown to your house right? Do not damn throw rubbish on the street like it was your own backyard or something! got the drift?? no?? ok ok. You do not like people double park your car right? Don't do it to others! Unless you got a emergency or you have the COURTESY to left a contact for people to call you if they want to move their car... you might need to consider the risk that their phone are out of credit...hahahahhah.

Courtesy involve being polite. Being polite to everyone! Manners is for dealing to people older than you. Courtesy is for EVERYONE!! From baby of 3 months to a person who are 80 years old (age not mention all included, the rite scale should be 0-130 perhaps). Courtesy applies to all! Being polite take you to places you never imagined (good places of cause).

Courtesy is the basic thing being a human. Society is about living together. Unless you bought up the whole city just for yourself. Have fun being alone then! Faced it! We lived together, and courtesy is the most gluey adhesive that will make us live happily together. You would really live happier when everybody is courteous.

Courtesy is not charity. Charity is something you give and higher chances that you would not get back (definition from shiandictionary, 2011). Courtesy is something you definitely get something back, in all types of shape and feelings possibles. Trust me on this.

Courtesy is not respect. Respect is of choice. you choose to respect or not respect a particular or a group of human being/s. Respect can be earned or lost. You can do action to gain respect or lose respect. Courtesy is different. Courtesy is of need. You just need to do it! As a person, as a member of the society.

Courtesy is about, think-of-others-when-you-do-something-when-the-effects-of-your-action-do-not-only-affecting-you. And believe me, a single thing we do nowadays affects peoples in way you could not even imagining! hahahahahahah!

So people, Just be courteous to have courtesy please.

Some of you people might think, 'who the hell are you to tell me to be courteous!! You may not even be courteous your own self!'

At least I have the courtesy to tell you this! Hahahahahhahah!

Live well people

Stay tuned
Shian

Share my mess no. 2: Of ridiculous words you don't know!

Here is some few words you do not even know they existed! hahahahh!

Flibbertigibbet- a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

Ninnyhammer- a fool or simpleton; ninny.

Interrobang- a printed punctuation mark, available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question.

Zedonk- the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. XDXDXD

Ort- a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.


Now as all good teacher will ask you to do.

Good teacher: 'Now you have learned these words. Do a sentence with them.'
Shian: 'OKKKKKKKKK teacher!'

'Is that fibbertigibbet ninnyhammer zedonk not cleaning up his orts on the table (interrobanginterrobanginterrobanginterrobanginterrobanginterrobanginterrobanginterrobang)'

Good teacher: 'Good one Shian!'
Shian: 'hahahahha, thanks teacher.....Now teacher, can you please clean your table? Pn Haliza (fictional headmistress) call us to keep clean.'

XDXDXD

Now people, as a good student, do your own funny sentence at the comment section below. Your cooperation to make everybody laugh is immensely appreciated!! Help Help ya!! XDXD


interrobanginterrobanginterrobanginterrobanginterrobanginterrobanginterrobanginterrobang

For 7 more words like this and cool pronounce sound, check out  http://flashcards.dictionary.com/deckprofile/view/68867/twelve-absolutely-ridiculous-words-flashcards?__utma=1.1786388798.1313515195.1313594578.1313670170.3&__utmb=1.3.9.1313670183496&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1313670170.3.3.utmcsr=thesaurus.com|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/&__utmv=-&__utmk=265484431

Live well people!

Stay tuned
Shian

My Student Card Expires!

No more Cheap tickets on movies,
No more Student price on eating,
No more filling forms saying you are a student,
No more living on loans.

Officially, My Student card expires. After 20 years of study.

My varsity 4 years had been one of the most beautiful times of my life!!

1. I have the longest hair in my life (it may be short for some people).

When I looked back! Im shock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XDXD

I feel like slapping myself!!!!! XDXD

2. I have performed and choreograph my dance in many stages! small or big!

Dance, is my passion. Performing, is my rejuvenation!  I still remember my spot to practice my dance, at a platform at stadium overlooking Mt. Kinabalu, tiled up floor, always looking at the clear blue sky, and some occasional checking chicks out session on the jogging tracks below and of cause free water! Dancing had brings so many colours to my varsity life. They have bring in so many peoples which became friends! together performing, together laugh and most of all, have fun together! I would never stop dancing!

Love you people!!

We guysss rulezzzz!!!

3. I have joined a lot of dance competition! and won some!

Who said you are too busy with study and could not enter some cool competition! I did! although I lost most of it (got win a few la, give face ok!), I HAVE FUN!!!!!

We got out just after the first round! but we had FUNNNNN!!!

4. I have been the CRAZIEST guy in the whole class! (correct me if I am wrong... I think I am right! XDXD)

My class routine: Go find the most spacious seats (have a lot of space around the seats, not that I have a big ass! XDXD), sit down, take out my MP3, blast the songs, put on the table a piece of paper and pen (just for show), occasionally listen to lectures or eating when i am hungry, fall asleep, class ends and go back! Can you imagine i am the class rep for a few times??? I do not know what going through my coursemate mind selecting me! XDXD

5. I have lead many teams! In studies and non-studies activities!

You might say. 'He? Leads???? bullshit!'. leading was cooooooool ok!!! hahahahhahaha! And I did enjoy the occasional feeling of having power, but you gonna work harder you know! hahahahahha! most importantly! I had funnnnnnnn doing it!! XDXD

6. I have joined many programs!!!! (is essentials!)

Pesta here and there!! This program and that program!! It is all for self improvement!......... nahhhhhh! My aim is just to go and know more people! I enjoy doing it! and this is the best place to really do it ya!!! and again! I HAD FUNNNN!!!

Program Unit for PAP year 2008!!! we rulezz people!!

7. I served my school well!!!

Did my thing for the student body! Played hard throughout it's terms! been to several countries (just two) with it! Know even more friends with it! Make the school proud with it! I done my thing here in my beloved school of food science and nutrition!! although I suck in sciences!! hahahhahahahah!!

SSMP student body 2009/2010!! sorry for the ugly post guys!! hahahah!

Jen, Deb and Me!! student body dragon head!

The Indon friend and us!! miss you people!!

Double capture for this competition!!!

A free trip indeed!!! but need to read book one lehhhh! XDXD they read, I sleep all the time!!! sorry guys!!

8. I did Sports too!!!

Yeahhhhhhh! I did active in sports!!! both basketball and football (???? football???). hahhahahahah! football hell yeah! matter of fact! I am the top scorer for my school that year!! I scored 2 own GOAL that time for my school!! pretty damn good ehhhhh!!!! XDXD

SSMP basketball team 2011!! we rocks!!

9. I live on my own!!! (with PTPTN and FAMA foundation la) and met wonderful housemate!

House with people, only then is a home.

Crazyyyyy housemates!!!!!!

Is when you eat and pose crazily! U LIVEEEEE!!! hahahhaha!

Buddy we rulezzzz!!

10. I have traveled!!!!!!!!!

Many many many many wonderful place at Sabah!! and will travel more in this beloved state in time to come! :)

Life saver suit SUCK!!!

11. I finally know what I wanted to do with my life! (although is was a bit late, but start now or never!!)

12. Most important of all. I know alot alot alot of great FRIENDS!!!

Friends is like your oxygen! you can't live without them! I can't live without mine! They are my true convocation scroll, which I would carry through life. :)

You know who you are!!! If I need to really post them photos out....... this post might be too long!!

WAIT!
.....You don't see anything bout study rite?? (Is not appropriate to post my sleeping pictures out! XDXD)
Well people, everybody studies at university! That is what you need to do! Your obligation! your responsibility! To infinity and beyond! Great powers come great responsibility! and....... I go too far.....
hahhahahahahah! The end game is, as a student, you study! nuff said! nothing interesting to said more!

But what you do besides that, defined your varsity life. I did enjoyed mine without REGRETS! and with A HELLLLLL LOADSSSS OF FUNNNNNNN!!!

For those still at varsity, GO OUT!! HAVE FUN!! join something you never join before! do something crazy! bake muffin for crying out loud (you think is funny! I did that!)! Do what you wanna do! life are meant to be enjoy! and varsity life, is the best time to do that!! GOOOOOOOOOO!!!

For those student card expired the same time like me!!! your life is ahead of you! start living the way you want to live! is you life anyway!! enjoyyyy every step of the way!!! yayyyyy!!

Officially, again, my student card expires!!
Student life, what you gave me, is all in me!

Live well people!

Stay tuned
Shian
Happy and contemplated.

I ROCK cuz I WALKED! (part two)

Part two! for part one check out http://messyshian.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-rock-cuz-i-walked-part-one.html

Ok ok ok! down from the short cut! That disastrous shortcut (cause landslide rip it's handle of the ground, making every step so 'Kan Cheong' (Nervous in Hokkien)! hahahhahaha! Well, we safely reached down to Australian place. Next stop! Padang Merdeka! Well, it was just a piece of green field with one side with stands, and they even need permission from DBKK to even step into the grass of that field. Guess Padang Merdeka (Independence field) does not comes with freedom. hahahahahaha! I guess they only save it for some so called 'BIG' event! What is bigger than we as a citizen of our nation to be able to walk freely in public places, including the field. hahahahha! I think our people mentality still are not good enough to use the field with maturity (not throwing rubbish and no vandalism). hahahhaha!

The shortcut from Signal Hill to Australian place! good find ehh!

Guess what we stumble upon! Car seat made out of cardboards!!

No only in New York Times Square, KK got it also!

After padang merdeka is just straight walking! We spontaneously plan to walk towards the KK big roundabout (near Cathay cinema and GSC) and then walk around area span from Kampung Air to Jesselton point. Beside us are all inter-town taxis parked along the road. For people who loves attention! this is the best place to be in KK! With every taxi driver attention on you! Calling you 'ah chai' (how sabah people call chinese boy like me) or 'ah moi' (for the girls), 'mau taxi??'. hahahhaha! You'll feel like a star! That is just before you step into their car, listen to that broken engine starting off, and the air-conditioner not working, you will curse yourself to dust! hahahahah! Anyway, our legs are our transportation that day, hell with you taxis! along that road, we stumble upon something cool (not 'nice' cool, but 'dirty' cool!). You remember those Hong Kong TVB drama, where they always have the alley between tall housing flats which are flithy, dirty and dark? Here we have it, KK style! Stench of rubbish brace through the alley, with cloths hanged out from their semi sturdy old balcony, and of cause, them Astro disc, make up the KK TVB scene! After admiring how this scene can be used by Astro in anyway for their Malaysia-ala- Hong Kong drama to work in budget, we move on. Do you people from KK knows there is a Old Mosque (Masjid Lama KK) near this area? Most of you do not know right. It is not the big one near the museum, this is one small one, almost house-like, sit majestically up a small hill in yellow. Another reason for you to walk! hahahaha!

Hong Kong in KK!!!! XDXD

Another hidden significant of KK, Masjid Lama.

After that, is just explore and explore around the area of Shangri-la hotel KK. Sometimes, it just need some looking into to find something special which would surprise you ya! Here is what we are doing. Just Strolling from there to Centre Point (CP), cutting across Kampung Air. We should come at night to Kampung Air, there should be some really night time INTERESTING activities which the place are famous for. hehehehhehehe! Cause the KK ramadan bazaar is here!! YAYYY!! What is more interesting than food? ahahhahahaha! we then stop by CP for some isotonics and rest we desperately need! After the good rest, we head to Waterfront for some afternoon photo shoot, cause I everytime come at night, thank god I always do, cause afternoon Waterfront is EMPTY and HOT!! hahaahaaa! To cool us down, we head to the Pasar buah-buahan near Filipino market for some cooling fresh young coconut drink! I highly recommend the stall of a guy wearing a hat, do not worry, there is only one guy with a hat. He chose one of the best coconut I ever drank! Sweet, less sour, and downright refreshing!! hahahha! After a short stroll around Pusat Kraftangan (Handicraft centre), we head to Sinsuran, the textile center of KK! Here they sell all kinds of textile, cloths and shoe with the cheapest price! You know the best thing to look at when you stroll in a city? Is the PEOPLE. The people are the best to look at (not the looking chick 'look' kay!), their expression, their life and their culture, at it's most true.

BUDAK!!! turun!!!!!!!!

We then walk across the main street to some area we failed to find it's name. It houses some really antique shops and a really really really big bundle sale bazaar! where some shirts only cost you RM6!!!! Come here if you need some cheap clothing, if you do not mind that they have been worn before. hahahhahaha! The place is near the KK court complex and DBKK. After passing through the KK city park and reminiscing about my freshman year bus taking days. Walking through the street between Bank Negara and KK post office, we head back to waterfront. I always wanna take picture of them stone fishy! hahahhahahahah! Then we head for lunch at English Tea Garden restaurant. The food was so-so, but the tea was like drinking non alcoholic alcohol....errrrrr.... I don't think that is a good description ehh! hahahhah! Nevertheless, It was really niceee, try the strawberry one ya! hahahahahha

Bundle galore!!

Stone fishy that I mean. XDXD

Strawberry TEAAAAAAAA!!!

Well, The plan is, to head back to Kingfisher using bus services. We thus head to the nearest bus stop, which is in front of the Sabah port building. Guess we got it wrong, cause we been waiting for 30mins and no bus! when there is a bus, it say it would only U-turn back to town to the main bus stop!! Guess we really got it all wrong waiting bus here! We are exhausted, thus we got into the bus, with the plan to go back town to take the right bus back. The bus then slowly move along the coast line, and reach the roundabout about 1.5 km away from the floating mosque. HELL with it, I ain't going back to main bus stop and waste my bloody time again! I stop here, and walk towards the mosque and catch the right bus back (cause the bus route was changed, lazy to explain this)! We thank the bus driver for his short but useful story regarding a man got rob of RM700 just after getting his salary and pay him, we got off the bus! Crossed the road and off we walking again! Under the damn hot sun! Guess if you ain't spontaneous enough, do not follow me for a trip! You gotta be as crazy as me ya (and yes I am praising you Panda Chan!)! hahahahhah! Upon reaching the mosque.....HELL we are already half way through! Lets walk the whole way back! 'We would be Legends!', that's what I told Chan.... guess he will be damn mad at me when his skin start peeling off painfully after his skin burns. hahahahahhhahahah! It was all fun! looking at the different view, while taking the same path! Things are meant to be appreciated at all angles ehh! hahhahahaha!! We got to KF at about 4pm, zombie like, we head to Giant store for some isotonic again! 100 plus never tasted this GOOOOOOD!!!

Guess that is all for my this walking trip! Am looking forward for some more ya! I heard New Zealand have one 'Longest walk' trip which take you across 3000 miles of path and roads!! Perhaps after some well training and stamina then, I will hit that for sure!! Walking, has been so much FUNNNNN!! Guess I can only tell you my experience, you gonna go feel it, try it and experience it yourself ehh! Like what Johnny Walker tells you, 'Keep Walking'. XDXD

Mr Panda Chan! you the MAN!!

and like what Will Smith said ' I AM LEGEND!' XDXD

Legend, is of choices! And I choose to WALK!

again.. I ROCK cuz I WALKED! XDXD

Live well people!

Stay tuned!
Shian