Tradition

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Bak Kut Teh

How many years has it been?

Passed on from grandpa to auntie...

How many years more?

Who will take over and keep the flame alive?

How many traditions lost?

Home

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Kuih Kah Pek (Kapit)

Home is:

where you were introduced to everyone in this little town/village,
as the grandchild who has returned from Australia.

where grandma specially ordered Kiuh Kah Pek,

knowing that you won't be hanging around for Chinese New Year.

Joy

Camera fun

It doesn't matter how old the model is,
it doesn't matter how heavy and bulky it is,
it doesn't matter how long it takes to focus,
it doesn't matter how small the screen is,
it doesn't matter how slow it is to replay photos,

all it matters is the joy it has, and still is, giving me
every time I'm with it.

And that's more than enough.

♥

Thank you

Volleyball

Dearest volleyball buddies,

    Listening to all your volleyball stories, training sessions that I missed, competitions where I was absent, I used to feel slightly left out. I had doubts and have even questioned about my decision of leaving my home country, and the life I've built alongside you guys.

    True, I could have shared all those events and excitement. You have no idea how much I miss you guys, particularly when I saw a team of rather short-built players, whose amazing team spirit brought them so much joy and success. Haha!

  

   But now, if you ask me again, I really don't regret a single bit. 

  

   First and foremost, I have gained so much from the new life I'm establishing. And thankfully, still am.

   Secondly, no one could take away all those memories that I had with you guys. They have already become a part of me, ingrained within me.

 

   And what's more? Our friendship and mateship have also persisted and even evolved throughout these years. 

 

   So really, I couldn't ask for more. Thank you, truly. 

   

   And I shall look forward to the days when we become old aunties, enjoying a game of volleyball, together. =P

Shihui

Love

Equal Love

Love is love is love.

Unforgotten

Little corner

You can change and polish its outer appearance,

but you can never take away its true essence.

This is Chinatown.

Merry

Friday, December 24, 2010

Not worn

I don't need big crowds,
I don't need fancy gifts,
Santa has already given me the best:
The company of my dearest friends.

So, on this quiet Christmas Eve,
I'm happy with just the soundtrack of my life.

Epiphany

Contemporary

Two years ago,

I got introduced to contemporary art 

while travelling around Europe.

It shifted my world.

Today,

I went to the National Art Gallery of Malaysia

for the first time.

It shifted my world,

again.

Mangosteen

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Mangosteen

You guys have no idea how much I miss this,

how surprised I was when I found a random stall in the middle of nowhere was selling them,

and how much joy these little bunch of sweetness brought to me.

=)

Now, where do I get more of them?

The other side

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Edge

Sometimes,

it's nice to stop at the edge of the world,

rest your legs,

close your eyes,

and listen 

to what the other end of the world 

has to say.

Who knows?

You might learn something new.

Development

View from the balcony

Once upon a time, the view of the Petronas Twin Towers was unobstructed.

Then came the high rising condominium,
the high voltage towers and cables,
the express highway,
and then,
suddenly you realised how tall the tree has grown.

Company

Sunday, December 19, 2010

15 balls

What can you do in the middle of the night?

watch a movie in the cinema,
cheer for your football team at a Mamak restaurant,
catch up with friends over teh o ais limau,
sing until your voice break at karaoke,
make fun of the losers of drinking games,
play pool and lament about your poor skills,

all while enjoying each others company.

Connection

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Sip & Surf

I spent my morning sipping and surfing in the coffee shop, waiting for my friend to finish the talk she had to attend. 

And no, I didn't think they are wasting my time at all.

I don't know. 

I'm enjoying following my friends around, being introduced to their routines, while being taxi-ed.

Somehow, even the most mundane activities appear interesting to me, 

because at least I'm having a taste of them, at least these make it easier for me to imagine how their lives are usually like.

At least, I felt connected.

Caught in the Middle

Friday, December 17, 2010

Not just tea.

Signs of getting older:

Catch-ups and gatherings

that often involve

work politics,

traffic jams,

money.

And tea.

Yet,

we're still

trying desperately 

to hold onto

our ideals.

Volleyball

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Instinct

One, two, three;

dig, set, spike;

serve, defend, attack.

They have become

some sort of

ingrained instinct

within me.

New Beginning

Sunrise

I've always felt like I need to get to know Kuala Lumpur again every time I come back,
more so after not being back for the past 2 years.

There is the new highway right next to my apartment,
the new building in my high school,
the fancy looking streets of Brickfields,
and most importantly and interestingly,
the new working routines of my friends.

It's refreshing,
but it also kept reminding me
how time had passed.

Joy

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Headhunter???

This may look like a scary photo,
but you have no idea
how much
joy
it'd brought to the people,
both young and old.

Inspired

Monday, December 13, 2010

Privilege

Five weeks in Sarawak have:

amazed me,

amused me,

intrigued me,

touched me,

and

inspired me. 

Someday, I will be back. =)

United

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Sing

FACT:

Music brings people together.

Final Gatherings

I miss travelling around Europe

with my brother,

tasting beers

from different countries.

It's not just the taste,

it's more about

the stories we exchange,

the joy we share,

and 

the bond we form. 

Similar

Friday, December 10, 2010

Nasalis Lavaratus

Look at your hands,
look at your feet,
look at your knees,
look at your tummy,
look at your face,
look at your nose,

you could have been one of us.


Or perhaps,
you are one of us.

Sunset

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Orange

The sentiment is similar these days:

final few daylight hours of the day,

final few days in Sarawak.

And then, everything starts afresh again.

To end, is to start.

New

Choo Choo!

I learn new things everyday.

Today,
I got to know,

Thomas,
Percy,
Gordon,
James.

xD

Pause

Cleanse

Stop,

revive,

survive.

Bond

Pu'er

This is what "yum cha" literally means:

Drink

Tea.

Not eating

"Dim Sum"

But it's OK,

at least

they both

bring people

together.

Kampung

Kampung Kiding

What if,

you are a little boy,

living in the middle of the mountain,

surrounded by clouds and mist,

flying hand-made kites,

scoring goals between goalposts made of bamboo

trekking 4 hours per day for school,

and being amused by the occasional visitors?

Life would be nice,

eh?

缘

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Visitors

67 billion people on Earth,

I'm still constantly amazed by,

how you and me,

coming from different 

corners of the world,

all converge

on the same place,

at the same time,

for the same reason.

Uncle

Bas Sekolah

I remember every time I went back to Butterworth, I would see the school bus that I used to take every day in primary school, randomly on the road.

Taking the bus trip today reminded me of Ah Chek (Uncle), the driver of my school bus.
I wonder how he's doing now.
Hope he is well. =)

Fame

Distinct

Very often, we can't judge a book by its cover.

Just like how a small humble town like Kapit,
accessible only by boat,
was mentioned in Lancet multiple times,
and featured in an Australian ABC documentary.

And the reason?

Two words:
Malaria Knowlesi.

Date

1924

Perhaps it's a
coincidence,
that we visited
Fort Sylvia
86 years
after
history.

I don't know much,
but somehow,
I was able to
relate
a bit more
to this
unique
little town.

Visiting

Temperature

Sometimes,

I'm sick of

waking up to 

unfamiliar

scene,

smell,

and

surrounding.

Sometimes,

I feel like

going

home.

Sometimes.

Transfer

Please get better.

As tiny as it is,

it is probably

the most reliable link

to the safest place to be,

at this moment,

for


you.

Transport

Long Ferry

A whole day of travelling today.

Not the usual driving, 

not the usual flying, 

not the usual walking.

Took a very bumpy bus trip the whole morning,

and then a very noisy ferry ride the whole afternoon.

3.5 hours = 165km on road,

another 3.5 hours = 130km on water.

And I wondered,

how was it like,

covering the same distance

50 years ago,

100 years ago,

500 years ago?

Reconnect

Box

Relax.

Recharge.

Reconnect.

And then,

re-start 

the

travelling

again

tomorrow.

Cute

Special Care Nursery

Me

wants

some

Malaysian

babies.

xD

Status

VIP?

It's funny

how many stories

have been told,

tales about 

how you flash your

hospital ID,

or at least
pretend to be 

students doctors,

and all of the sudden,

things started to

proceed smoothly.

Hmm...

Is that a good thing?

Or a bad thing?

Think again

Paracetamol

I'm sick.
And I'm in the hospital grounds.
...
..
.
..
...
Haha~~
Don't worry!
I'm not admitted as a patient.

Just staying in the hospital quarters
for this visit as part of my electives.

I'm still sick though.

Dare

Sago Worms

Sago worms for dinner.
Yum!


Enough said.

Sicky

Sustenance

Non-stop travelling

-->

Exhausted

-->

Sick

-->

Need water and rest.


Good night.

Propel

Sunday, 21 November, 2010

Propel

Time flies.

Too fast,

some times.

Too slow,

other times.

It 

all depends on

how you

look

at it.

Such is Life

Saturday, 20 November, 2010

Pinnacles, Mulu National Park

"Are you OK?"

"One step at a time!"

"Rest."

"Keep on going!"

"Don't slip!"

" Yay! We are here!"

"Take it easy, we've got time!"

"Woah! Epic!"

"Be careful!"

"Slowly."

"Secure your footing."

"Well done!" 

Nature

Friday, 19 November, 2010

When I was Young

Imagine,
taking a boat to school everyday.

Imagine,
swimming and washing in the river everyday.

Imagine,
enjoying the sound of nature everyday.

And imagine,
returning and becoming one with Mother Earth again.

Homestay

Thursday, 18 November, 2010

Selamat Datang

Somehow, living in this house for the past few days, reminded me of how my babysitter hails from Sarawak.

I remember how she recalled fondly of her childhood that consisted of frequent trips to the river, swimming and catching fish.

I would love to catch up with her sometime this trip back home, to exchange stories and to tell her all the adventures I had so far in her home state.

Auntie Oon,

It's been a while.

I do miss you.

Long House

Wednesday, 17 November, 2010

Rumah Panjang

When was the last time you sleep on the hard wooden floor, on a sweltering hot day?

When was the last time you go to sleep at 9pm because there's no more electricity and nothing else to do?

Hmm...

When was the last time you go back to the past?

Rush

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

I'm late! I'm late!

What's the rush, Mr Hairy Caterpillar?

Late for a meeting with

Mr Red-black Millipede?

Mr Green-stick Grasshopper?

Mr Fast-as-lightning Lizard?

Mr Bright Firefly?

Mr Giant Red Ant?

Mr Roller-bug?

or

Mr Slow-poke Snail?

Moving on

Uncle

Uncle, 

Who will continue on with your business?

Who will take up your trade?

Who will pass on your knowledge?

...when you retire.

Not just...

bing! coffee

RM 8.50.

Relatively expensive

coffee.

But it's more than just the price.

It's what I felt

during

the time I spent there.

Home.

Friends.

Catch-ups.

Equivalent to

mamak

of Sydney!

Partial Tourist

Red

I've never been amazed by the colours in a temple before. Well, not consciously anyway.
They were always just another place that I go with my family.

But visiting Kuching, where it's part home, yet, part foreign, have provided me with some strangely different experiences, thoughts and feelings.

I guess, sometimes, you just have to shift your mindset slightly, and then suddenly the other perspectives would become clear to you.

Colours + Adventures

Dragonfly

As some of you might have noticed, this trip here has also been a trip down the memory lane.
Which is unusual, considering it's only my first time here.

But somehow, many little things made me miss the good old times.

Dragonfly reminded me of my childhood memories of bicycle trips on the muddy pathways beside the padi fields nearby, where I was first amazed by how many different colours of dragonflies there were.


Maybe it's not the place, maybe it's just the evidence of me getting older.
___________________________________________

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Walked, ran, cycled.

Danced, sang, chatted.

Laughed, cried, puzzled.

Reflected.

Reflected. 

Reflected.

Planned and spontaneity.

Unexpected surprises.

Only been here less than 1 week,

but loving this place more and more.

=)