Monday, December 19, 2016

Brain can't function

In half hour, it will be Monday back again. I am supposed to submit the correction for my Proposal Defence in like 72 hours. Well, I set the dead line myself and my supervisor sort of expecting me to show her something soon. I am so dead! I haven't start anything. Mind you, my Proposal Defence was at the end of October. I have been slacking off way too much. WAY TOO MUCH!

Truth is, I have been away for Asia Zumba Conference at the end of November. A day upon touching down back to Malaysia, I have to fly back to my hometown to actually "urus" the opening of the drinks stall at the food court that I am managing back home.

Crazy days.

Like really crazy. Super crazy.

After almost two weeks of Asia Zumba Conference, travelling, setting up a new business. The fatigue was too much. The momentum is lost and I am basically back to square one with no mood to even start writing. I literally have to force myself to sit in front of my computer and also going to the library.

CRY

CRY

CRY

Now that Christmas is approaching. Lagi la teda mood. Tolong!

Wednesday, December 07, 2016

Been so busy!

OMG! I have been so busy and have to be at so many locations recently. And there's a little bit time to update this blog. Also, one thing after another, here I am organizing another event for the end of this month. Am I crazy or what? Hahaha.

Bukit Ruhiang View Food Court Open Mic

Friday, November 18, 2016

Christmas mood

Definitely in Christmas mood already. Although it is more than a month away for Christmas. Biar lah! I am planning to put up the Christmas decoration this coming weekend since for the next coming two weekends I will be away. It is indeed a busy busy busy year end.

So many things to juggle all at the same time.


  • Opening of the drinks stall at the Food Court back home
  • Asia Zumba Conference in Japan
  • On going research work for my dissertation


The fact that I am going back to teaching in early February and I am only halfway for my dissertation work. OMFG! Ok ok relax. Panic doesn't get you anywhere.

Hmmmm. I think I should try out a christmas color theme for my Christmas tree this year.

Navy and gold perhaps?

photo from http://www.zsazsabellagio.com/merry-christmas-eve/#.WC5g7Pp96Ul

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Santai

We bought a sofa bed recently. Got a good deal since it is a second hand furniture. It belongs in the living room definitely. I kinda hate it to be a sofa because I don't find it comfortable. Haha. So, put it in a bed position and here I am!


Siang malam lepak sini. Hahaha. Macam sarang sudah. It is like my nest. Hahaha. So comfy!

Monday, October 24, 2016

Proposal Defence!

Finally. Like since forever. Finally. I am being called in to defend my proposal next week. Thank God!

The thing is my plan for my research is very much like a kamikaze method already since I have been waiting for so long. All this queue-ing and what not. I already plan to just jump in the data acquisition phase without waiting for the approval from the faculty. This is because the school holiday is approaching soon and I don't really have much time. So much for all the planning and planning. Sometimes last minute just work better than anything. I think I just have to accept that!

Anyway, I already planned to go back to my school for conducting the research this 27th October since the students aka my samples will be having their exams until 27th. 28th October sounds like a good time to start. Lo and behold, guess what the?! The ministry decide to announce that 28th October is extra holiday for Deepavali. Luckily my samples said okay to having the program on the 28th as well. Okay, keeping my fingers crossed for their full cooperation. I will be depending my life so much on their goodwill.

SO, coming back to proposal defence. It is being scheduled on 31st October. WTH! Okay okay I know, beggars can't be choosers. Its better now than never. I have to buy another flight ticket to come back to KL for the presentation. All is good! All is good! I can do this. Come back to KL on 29th October and flying back to KK again on 31st itself as well as I need to continue on my data acquisition on the 1st of November.

Hello life! Hahaha. I am happy!

via GIPHY

This really calm me down now. Hehe.

For any consolation. I know Christmas is coming soon. It is just around the corner.

Friday, October 21, 2016

BIG BANG MADE VIP TOUR


Yes, we are BIG BANG VIPS. Too bad si Otet nda dapat ikut sebab dia praktikal di Sipitang. Anyways, it is also because TOP nda datang jadi nda la semangat dia mo pigi. 

I totally didn't know that Stadium Merdeka is under renovation. Everything was such a mess. There were only two entrance. Left and right. Luckily, we went down on the correct entrance if not we have to take monorail to reach the other entrance. WTH! Such inconvenience. It was a construction site like literally. The queue you can see in the photo above and along the queue line were people selling fake Big Bang merchandises.

Since there is nothing much to see or rather shop around, we just went to line up like everyone else. 

And hey look at the trash left by the irresponsible fans. Tsk tsk tsk. Big Bang won't be proud of you all. Hmmm. Seriously!!

And here I am dressed like an Ahjumma taking picture. Comfort over everything else. Some dress up as though GD will actually look at them. Oh c'mon!


We got free handfans sponsored by Yonder Music. Yeah, there were promoting while giving free things to people who like their facebook page. Miahaha.





We were seated in the field. (Well, the grandstand tickets were ALL SOLD OUT). I guess because it offers a better view. Definitely definitely a better view.  Hence, we can't really have a good view of the stage. Tsk tsk tsk. 

Overall, it was OKAY la. Since this is not a concert, just a fan meeting concert. More games and just a simple performances from them. I personally don't really like this concert because they do not use live music to accompany the live performance. It really made a huge difference when they use live music. If only I know, I wouldn't be so eager to attend this concert.


Friday, September 30, 2016

#TamparuliFreeMarket a success

I was back in Tamparuli last weekend for this event. It is being organized by me and a few friends. Yeay to humanity works. I have attended a "free market" before in PJ in 2014 and I was totally confused back then. So, when I introduced the idea to the community in Tamparuli. They are equally confused too. I am guessing this is normal lah.

I am thankful to have supportive family to be doing this event. I started setting up the place as early as 1pm. The event will only start at 3pm but I guess it is better to be there early at Bukit Ruhiang View Food Court and get things prepared.

bukit ruhiang view food court

Blocked off a few parking lots in front of the shop. Well, since the shop where the market will be is at a block where it is the only one there (for now), I practically can just do anything with the space there. Miahaha! 

Contributors came as early as 2pm to set up their place and the crowd starts to build up around 2.30pm. They were so eager! I guess because it is FREE. Everything is FREE.

tamparuli free market

tamparuli free market

tamparuli free market

tamparuli free market

tamparuli free market

tamparuli free market

tamparuli free market

I emceed the free market. It really brought back the memories when I used to emcee a lot for events. Hahaha. Talked so much! Really satisfied my craving to talk so much in front of the crowd. By 3pm, everyone can start their "trade". The crowd was fast as well by 3.20pm, everything has cleared. When I attended the PJ Free Market. It took like an hour for the things to finish. I guess the people in Tamparuli love free stuff or rather they really need a lot of stuff.

tamparuli free market

tamparuli free market

tamparuli free market

tamparuli free market

The event attracted around 10 contributors and a throng of crowd. I guess next time, if Tamparuli Free Market will be organized again, there should be more contributors joining in. One interesting story that moved me to tears that happened during the market was a family looking through the dresses that me and my sisters put out for free. It was the dresses that we used to wear during one of performances last time back in 2009 or 2010 like that. "Nah, ada sudah satu set baju krismas kita" - I cried! Knowing that the dresses had been collecting dust all this while in the closet and now it become something useful for someone else. Ah, it is such a happy feeling. 

Perhaps join us next time ya as a contributor. 

jadesisters tamparuli free market
here are my sisters! and the mister on the right with his back at the camera

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Mandala Bed Cover

Nice or not?


Bought this online and am so in love with the soft grey colored Mandala pattern. The size is big enough to cover a King size bed.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

I sleep way too much

I have been sleeping way too much and the dissertation deadline is not actually helping. the progress is slow. again, i feel like giving up. lonely journey indeed.

sigh

Friday, September 09, 2016

I am a FUJI

FUJI - Future U-Jam Instructor! 

I signed up for another instructor training. This time it is for U-Jam, a dance fitness with world beats incorporating loads of urban flavors. Really something new from the previous certification I had which was Zumba and Hot Hula. It's very hip hop and urban. Not much of a butt shaking kinda moves but more to the I-got-swag kinda vibe. Very interesting. I really hope this new knowledge could give me a better edge as a dance fitness instructor.


A totally fun filled weekend with new connections from networking during the training. Amazing trainer from the States, Chansada Sonesing. Very inspirational. I love the fact that he made everyone remember everybody's name. I have never experienced that in any training before. The beauty of connection and the emphasis of Unity in the program.
With Chansada aka Chin Solo

Yeah, we made it! And now we need to practice so that the video assessment can be done and sent to the assessment team pronto. Really need to get over and done with ASAP. 

Camaraderie!

Monday, August 29, 2016

A beginner's guide to attending Hari Kebangsaan celebration

Hey, I am Joan. I am Malaysian. And here I am writing a beginners' guide to attending Hari Kebangsaan celebration at Dataran Merdeka.

This is such a long overdue post. I wanted to write about it right after Merdeka Day celebration day but I sort of forgot about it. Besides, I had a hard time finding a blog post regarding how to attend the Hari Merdeka celebration. All the tips are catered more for tourists. So here it is.

Well, I guess as a local attending it is not on a priority list. But, I said to myself - I must attend it once since all this while, I only watch it on TV every 31st of August. (Yeah, given the fact that I grew up in East Malaysia, it would not be a good idea to actually fly to the capital of Malaysia just to attend this celebration. LOL!)

Anyway, enough with the rant.

------

What you need?
1) Cap/Hat
2) Good walking shoes
3) Bag (preferably with a zipper, safer to keep your stuff)
4) Water
5) Face mask (seriously, you will need it, its always gonna be hazy this time of the year and there will be a lot of people, close proximity, sweaty under the sun - so go figure!)
6) Sunscreen (not a must, but just maybe)

Where to start?

Start early!

1) wake up early! Seriously. I remembered we started our journey like before 7am and parked our car at Sunway Putra Mall. Took LRT to Masjid Jamek station.

waiting for LRT train

And I thought I was early. Nope! People are more prepared. I would advise be there at Dataran Merdeka by 6am. Yeah, no shit.


traffic light
This was the crowd at 7am. To get a seat there at the grandstand, I think they were there before sunrise.
merdeka day crowd
So many people! And at the moment we reached there, I was already thinking why would I bother to be here. Somehow, it is a nice atmosphere to see people are so eager to see the Merdeka Day parade that was about to take place.
merdeka day crowd
merdeka 2015 parade
Also can be seen people dressing up with fancy clothes. Not to mention the enterprising street vendors that are selling Merdeka Day memorabilia and that super noisy vuvuzela. They really charge you kaw2 also for those kind of stuff. But they will reduce the price kaw2 also towards the end of the celebration. My advise to you - don't bother buying it.

plants trampled

Stand tall!

2) For a vertically challenged person like me, trying to look above the crowd is such a feat. People are just practically standing everywhere. Even on the flowers and plants, pots and ledges, cars that are parked at the road side. You name it. They will try to be higher above to see the parade.

merdeka 2015 parade

For this photo I have to extend my arms fully to take a photo of the Malaysian flag during the parade.

merdeka 2015 parade

Do not get your hopes up!

3) The whole road where the parade happens is practically congested. Super crowded. If you think by attending the Merdeka Day celebration there and then is fun.Think about it again. You will end up just tiring yourself. But if you are up for a challenge or some adventure. Go for it! Hahaha
I got excited the most when I see the army with tank cars parading. Also the army with the camo suit looking like rumput!
merdeka 2015 parade

Expect a lot of walking

4) After the "official" ceremony ended do walk to the main celebration area and go and pluck all the flowers for decoration. Hahahaha. Seriously, there were a lot of the makciks were competing to go and pluck all the fresh flowers at the main stage.

The initial plan to be at Dataran Merdeka was to take photo there and go back. But hey, we got interviewed and were live on TV that day. Hahaha. Talk about being lucky!

ally iskandar
 This was a screenshot by my friend. It was funny how the TV crew decided to interview us. They thought we were foreigners. Tsk tsk tsk. But yeah, we were in TV. First time attending the Merdeka celebration and not watching it on TV and now we are on TV. LOL!
joan on tv

Take your time!

5) If time allow you and you can bear the heat, spend some time there to soak in the moment. It is actually a new experience to see people from different walks of life to be there for the celebration. Although, everyone's intention might be different to be there - it is still fun to see everything live.

sehati sejiwa

merdeka day celebration 2015

Go in a group!

6) My last tip for you being a beginner is go in a group, it will be more fun. But not in a super big group 3 to 4 people will do. It will be nicer besides there will be people helping you take pictures. Hahaha. I went my husband and also my sister.

kids in malaysia flag clothing


So, it was a blast. A very different experience. I think every Malaysian should actually try to attend the Merdeka celebration at least once in their life just to have a feel of it. Anyway, do not be surprised with the amount of trash and also decorative plants being destroyed after the whole thing. People just don't care. Sad right?

merdeka day 2015 flower trampled
This is not a grave but a mess of trampled flowers

By noon time, we made our way back to Masjid Jamek station which was by the way will be super crowded too. So, be careful with your belongings and that face mask I told you to have will come in handy. (Sun, sweat and crowded places is just so smelly)

Will I go and attend again this year? Nope. Hahaha. But I hope this guide will help you on anticipating things if you ever decide to attending one. Good luck!

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Life in blur


Been trying to write more these days, be it for my thesis or perhaps writing lyrics. Yet, I always stumbled to a very high wall every time my phone beeps or a whatsapp comes in regarding work, business or any other things. Apparently, I have too many things on my plate now.

Seriously, managing the food court business remotely is not an easy feat especially when the idea is very very new to a place. Hawker style food court concept is very much accepted in West Malaysia but in Sabah itself, let alone Tamparuli. Hmmmm it's truly a challenge. Now, I do understand why change is uncomfortable especially to Tamparuli people. Complacency and resistance. These are the two things that made change is almost impossible.

Truth is I think people need to travel more and see what is there beyond their own comfort zone and self proclaimed horizon. The possibilities has no limit. Your mindset set the limit. The younger minds are still easy to influence but the older ones. Hmmm. Unless they are willing to break down the resistance wall, they will most likely rot with their backwards brain while living their life. Not to mention with their sour attitude while handling technology like social media. Trust me, those who talk cock and share shitty stuff on social medias are all these kind of people.

Back to my source of annoyance. Change affects someone's comfort zone. The hawker style food court concept is new. The most simple example of their ignorance is the basic thing about collecting payment upon serving the food. And trust me the learning curve is so steep that they have not figured it out until now. I hope the revelation will come to them soon. Or else I have to step in (again).