Love Song - Rain

Check out Rain's music video for his Love Song. Never mind the song in Korean. Just look at his moves. It's kinda hot that you'll need rain to cool you down.

Can you believe that this guy couldn't even care to look at Megan Fox?

Astrology

When it comes to horoscope reading i would much prefer the chinese astrology rather than the western astrology. I'm not Chinese and don't get me wrong. I used to get my daily horoscope forecast based on the sun and moon astrology, but after i read my chinese astrology forecast, i can't seem to get back to my old way. I think the main reason why i switched, is that the chinese astrology seems to give better and interesting ideas. Let me show you what i mean by that. Here are my horoscope forecast for this month.

Aries (Western Astrology)

"Focus on building your reputation and furthering your career this month. You will have a lot of help with the Sun, Mercury, Mars, and Pluto traveling through Capricorn and your career sector. You will have to resist the urge to be impatient and skip important steps. Also, a New Moon Eclipse in Capricorn will help you develop patience, common sense, and practicality over the next few months. Venus will move to Sagittarius on January 7, making love and sex exciting and satisfying. Plan for the future during the first half of the month, and pursue educational and communication goals."

Rooster (Chinese Astrology)

"You are unfortunately plagued with ill health and low resistance this month. Falling sick will put you out of action at a time when you really want to be out and about. You are also at risk of injury from accidents. Take extra care of yourself. It is a good idea to go easy on the partying. Watch your health because when the illness star hits, something superficial can develop into something serious very quickly. Roosters who are expectant mothers should be especially careful this month, and avoid staying in the West sector. The Metal energy of a precious metal such as gold will help exhaust the malicious Earth energies of the month."

Do you see what i mean? For me i'm more interested in knowing the negatives than the positives. I need to know what bad is coming my way so i can plan ahead on how to deal with it or even dodge it.

Knowing the nature of misfortune, whether it is related to illness or accident, betrayal or plain bad luck, helps you cope when the misfortune does occur ~ Lilian Too

As an Aries i always know that i could be optimistic and independent, but i never realize that as a Rooster i can also be abrasive and aggressive. And this are rude behaviors. Well, you know how rooster can be. Shall i say cocky?

Just as the western astrology, chinese astrology also talk about sign compatibility. But unlike the western, chinese astrology will explain the result. It's pretty much straightforward actually. Because what ever year your are born, the animal that rule the year will have profound influence on your personality. For me, the best place to see how the animal sign affect our personality is at the office. So, instead of asking everybody what is their birthday, i just need to know how old are they. My boss is an Ox sign, and i also have 2 colleagues under the Ox sign, which i'm very grateful because Rooster and Ox are always great pals. There are also Dragon, Horse, Dog, Rat and Sheep in my office. Dragon bring me luck and also my secret friend. Horse is not compatible with me this year. It was advised that we are better apart than together, which is a shame because he's enjoyable to be with. Dog is supportive and caring, but this year there will be a divide that create distance thus lead the relationship to grow into awkward silences and uneasy interactions. Why? Mainly because Dog will be riding high and Rooster will be to distracted to compliment and rejoice. Rat and Rooster can find happiness only when Rooster is allowed to take the lead, so i don't have any problem with this colleague of mine. Sheep can only have superficial friendship with Rooster. Remember last time i told you about this friend of mine who conned my money? Well, the Sheep is her. The fengshui warned me, but i didn't listened, and look where it got me.

Another place where you can see how each of the animal sign personality works, is in the family. I have a brother under the Rabbit sign. Rabbit and Rooster are suppose to be natural enemy. But of course, i don't hate my brother and he to me. It's just that nothing would go well if we work together. I'm the anxious type while he is the laid back type. Just like the fengshui described our personality, Rabbit signifies the rising sun while the Rooster rules the setting sun. One is naturally optimistic while the other tends to be pessimistic. Rabbit symbolizes Spring when growth energy is vibrant. Rooster personifies the sober pragmatism of Fall, the season when one gets ready for Winter. Even our elements are also combative. So, the best i can do is to support him in what ever he need to do to success and don't interfere. Seems easy right? Well it's not if you're a Rooster.

So, do you know what is your chinese animal sign? Better find out now.

Last words

I cried watching episode 14 - Last Words of How I Met Your Mother. There was nothing funny about this episode, or funeral, at all. Those who have been there, knows. I have been there myself. And i should know that funeral is the darkest time of all, and the sun should be forbidden to shine on that day.

It strikes me that i never have any last words from my father. And the worst thing is that i couldn't even remember when is the last time i spoke to him. Do i have regrets? Yes, i have loads of them. There were things that i wanted to buy for him, places i wanted to show to him, and promises that i wanted to make up to him. Now, even in my dream i couldn't do all that. So what was holding me back then? Time. O, i do have all the time in the world but i was taking it for granted. I was too busy working for a living. You think engineers earn a lot? In my first job, even the security guard earned better than me. That's why my professor once told me that engineer is the shittiest profession in the world. You work like a dog, took all the bullets, and in the end of the month earn the pay just as that. So, i was hopping from one company to another, so that i can demand a higher salary. And just when things were started getting better, God the mastermind of all things that happened (including the war and famine), chose to take back that one insignificant little life that he once gave. What's there to consider before plucking someone's petty life when He had the war and famine to manage? Nothing. Basically what God do is like this; He gave the man a land to grow his favorite fruits, the man worked his life to grow the fruits, and when the fruits ripe enough to be harvest, God end the man life.

I'm sorry if i had made any of you out there angry or hurt by saying all those things about God. I didn't mean to mock God or your faith. I'm just expressing the thoughts inside my head. And if what i have done considered a sin then i'll be gladly to expect my punishment.

I'm angry too. I'm angry about both, if you ask. And i will never stop being angry until He explain to me. Not literally speaking. Just make me understand why. And i might just forgive.

My New Year Loot

After spending new year in my kampung, i flown to Jakarta in the next few days. Yes, again. Soon, i think the Indonesia government will put my name under the suspicious tourists list because i fly to Indonesia more frequent than i do domestically. Even the lady at Dunkin' Donuts (my favorite breakfast spot in Jakarta) do remember me from my last visit. But it was purely and solely business trip. I was there to buy stock for my boutique business. I did not even buy a single piece of clothes for myself. Well, i didn't until my last 2 hours in Jakarta. Oh, i love shopping in the Airport. I can almost find anything i need there. So, here are the things that i got for myself;-

1. 18 years Chivas Regal

(What? i need it for my good night sleep)

2. 6 romance novels

( At this point, i think i had enough of romance. One more peek at the Balogh's, i'm gonna puke all over. Right now, i need something like Eric Weiner's or Matthew Riley's in order to keep things at balance and neutral. I'm also hooked on the Nat Geo, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet shows. Last night, i watched the Rivers Monster episode about Snakehead, and i just found out that it's actually a killer fish. Here, in Malaysia, snakehead is a food and they even served it in the hospitals because it suppose to accelerate the healing process.)

3. French stuff books.

( Told you i'm serious about learning French. Not because i dreamed of going to French anytime soon, it's just one of the thing that i think i need to do)

4. Hypnotic Poison perfume

(I have sought this for a very long time. 6 months to be exact. Couldn't find it in Sabah)

5. Pierre Cardin's wallet

(I don't just shop for leisure. I have a very good reason for needing a new wallet, or purse, or whatever you call it. You know, the Chinese believe that it is very auspicious to own a new wallet at every beginning of the year. And by putting some new money in it will attract more money to come in. Having a damaged purse is a bad sign. Because that mean money will be flowing out from your purse. Call it superstitious, but why fight it when it means you good?)

On my flight back to Malaysia from Jakarta, i saw this view at my window. This was captured with my cellphone's 3 megapixel camera (which i put in flight mode, 100% safe, and didn't disturb the flight operations) so it's pretty much didn't justified the actual view. What i'm trying to say is, the view was just amazing. I was starstruck-ed. It was bluish, serenading, glowing and soft at the same time. That moment, i think to myself, how can this view even possible? And it's not even heaven i'm looking at. I still can't forgive myself for not able to bring a decent camera with me that time.

So, learn from me. Always keep a camera nearby. Cause you don't know when you might just catch that shooting star.

How i spent my 1st day of 2011

So, i'm back from my long vacation. And it feel so good to start this year feeling fresh and energized. I think it is best to go through the end and beginning of the year with people that you cared because this is the time when you're going to feel your best and your worst. In other words, sharing is good for your self. Anyway, i spent my first week of 2011 with my family. We sort of have a family vacation on the 1.1.2011. Actually it's a family picnic. More or less. So, let me tell you my journey from the start.

On the New Year Eve, i plan to drive soon after the countdown to Ranau but there have been a change of plan. Thanks to the Malaya Tiger who won the Suzuki Cup for the first time ever, our so loved Prime Minister Najib announce that 31.12.2010 is a public holiday. So, i decided to revise our journey plan (me and my brother) to leave Sandakan in the afternoon. The journey from Sandakan to Ranau took approximately 5 hours, with my average driving speed 80 - 90 km/hrs. We arrived Ranau at 6.30pm and check in to an inn called Orchid Hotel, which cost me RM70 per night. The cheapest room available at RM30 but i wanted a room with Tv, aircond and hot shower, and in the end i still took bath in cold water because the water heater is broken. So, anyone planning to stay in Orchid Hotel, don't waste your money with the RM70 room. I spent the New Year countdown reading Eric Weiner's book The Geography of Bliss in a small tiny hotel room, while my brother went out having fun and drink with his new friends outside the hotel. I tried to sleep but always awaken by the fireworks explosion sound. I finally dozed off at 4.00 am the same time my brother finally come back to the room.

This is Orchid Hotel and that's my brother. Waiting to be checked-in.

The next morning, New Year day it self, 1.1.2011, we met with the rest of the family at the hotel lobby, took our breakfast and finally depart to the village that lies in the deep heart of Ranau, called Kampung Perancangan. We went to visit our old house which already been demolished.

My brother posing on the granite rock in front of our old house

The rear view of our old house. Can you see the river? It's actually used to be a bigger river with strong flows, but now just look at what 15 years have done to it. The river seems to be dying and full of vegetation. I used to drink, wash and took my bath in this river. It was the only source of water then, aside from the rain.

This is the front view of our house. It's not Mount Kinabalu you're looking at. It's just plain hills covered with clouds.

Another river in front of our house. But you have to cross the road to get there. Max 5 minutes walking distance. This river called Langanan, the water used to be warm because it's polluted by the Mamut Copper Mine. We basically have warm river in front of our house and cold river at the back. So, it's your call. But we usually used the cold one.

The soursop in front of our house. Soursop aka Durian Belanda aka Lampun. I can't believe it's still there and still bearing fruits after all this time! Not my (and apparently everyone) favorite fruit though.

Ads break. My brother hanging onto the soursop tree.

My other brother with his son Arthur.

Our journey not end in Kampung Perancangan only. We still continued from Kampung Perancangan - Kampung Takutan - Kampung Nalumad - Dantayon. My uncle lives in Dantayon. Dantayon, by the way is pain in the ass to reach to. It's basically a hill and my uncle's house built on the peak of the hill. The road up hill is not paved nor gravel. It's made of big block stones and erosion from the rains make the road even worse. And did i told you that it's a hill? But once we reached the top i can understand why my uncle choose to built his house up there. The weather is pleasant, it's breezy, and the view is just soothing. It's actually a surprise visit. We did not pre-inform them that we're coming to visit. So, we caught them in the middle of sobering up from last night drinking. Errm, if i may correct that, they're not actually sobering up because they're still drinking when we arrived at 11.00am morning. So what? They're are tough drinkers. Besides, it's New Year. Everyone is allowed to be out of their head once a year. In our tradition, barging in to one's home while they having a get-together thing is considered fortunate, stepping in with your right foot mean join in!

My old school. Nothing change much. Fun fact, did you know that my father was the first headmaster/ principal/ or what ever you called it, to teach here? Yes, he is.

Village road.

My nephew King Arthur. So easy to make him smile. Strange, i like his not-smiling photos more.

My sister in-law with her brother in-law.

Again. In-law with it's in-law.

After spending some good fortunate quality time at my uncle house we decided to go down the hill because that's where the best river is. But then again, is it me who grown up or the river getting smaller? Because last time i remember the river is much bigger, deeper and greenish.

River downstream.

River upstream.

My orange flip flops. Cost me RM 2. Skid resistance is very good.

A hut beside the river for eating, cooking and barbeque's-ing, prepared by the village people. Very convenient.

Mother and child posing.

My brother is the first one to jump into the water. That my friend, is what happen to drunk people who jump into the icy cold river. He passed out, lucky there's a big granite stone there.

More friends and family come to join.

They made it to the other side of the river. I however, did not manage to. The river's depth is more than 6 feet! I'm too scared. For a moment there, i'm convince that i already forgot how to swim. How can people forgot how to swim? I thought once you know how to swim, you swim for life?

My cousin. Young and taken.

My cousin who have zero body fat. Single and available. Phone no. anyone? And that's my skinny brother in the back.

My skinny brother loves the camera.

Friend's children.

Stray dog whom i believe watcher of the river. Nice and tame actually.

Another shoot of him/her. Almost all dogs reminds me of Hachiko.

One last shoot of Kampung Perancangan before we leave to Kundasang.

I have booked the bungalow at Strawberry Garden Hotel in Kundasang for the night. It cost RM 520 for a night and able to accommodate for 15 people. When we arrived it was 6pm and raining.

The bungalow from outside.

The balcony.

The kitchen. If you're renting this bungalow be sure to bring enough supply of food because there will be no breakfast provided by the hotel.

One of the bedrooms.

Ads break. Strange looking and probably the most hideous skirt you'll ever laid eyes on. Somehow, it's quirkiness manage to compel me thus led me into buying it and shockingly to wear it right away. In my defense, i have no other choice but to wear it after i jump into the river in my khaki pant earlier on. But believe me, this skirt is a hit on my facebook.

Found this butterfly on our balcony in the morning.

View from our balcony.

Morning glory outside the bungalow.

The next morning we woke up is already 2.1.2011. We check out at 10.00am, went for breakfast in Kundasang town. Then we decided to pay a visit to the War Memorial Park. There is a heart breaking story which the park is trying to tell. But i don't want to elaborate it any further. You can read it your self here. I've done detail research about the park and it's story when i was 15 years old as my history project. I don't know what is my point of telling you that. Anyway, there are 5 part of the park, 1st is where you can find all information about the march. 2nd is the Australia Garden. 3rd is the English Garden. 4th is the Borneo Garden. And last but not least is the Contemplation Garden where you can see the prisoners' name, age, state, force, POW no. and date of died.

The information booth.

Poem written on the rock.

"The kiss of the sun for pardon

The song of the birds for mirths

One is nearer Gods heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on Earth"

Mum in Australian Garden. I find the no-stepping on the grass sign is funny if translated to english, which goes something like this, "Please don't step on me or I'll die". Haha! It's very comical that the grass begging for it's life. Get it?

Among other things you can see in the Australian Garden.

White flower.

Semi-bloomed rose. Pardon my photography skill.

Another full bloomed rose.

The typical flower you can find almost anywhere yet i don't know it's name. Is it Daisy?

Moving on to English Garden.

Walls are covered with flowers.

Pink flowers. I guess it's a rose, right?

Another maybe-rose in white. And a bee.

I'm pretty sure that is a rose. An orange rose!

Strange looking blue flower.

A mini sunflower?

My camera-obsess brother.

White orchid.

Small orchid.

Purple-ish orchid.

Strange flower look like red chili. It does not bloom upward following the sun but downward.

This is the King of Paphs.

Contemplation Garden.

Poem which i believe written by one of the survivors.

Last photo of the post will be Mt. Kinabalu, which i hoped and dreamed of climbing.

So that pretty much conclude my 2 days journey which i hope to be the reflection of the days to come. Chinese beliefs that whatever state you're when you starting a new year will be the state you're in through out the year.