Leaving

I'm leaving home
I'm leaving home
Tell the world that I'm leaving home
Let the past fade away
Only great memories are here to stay
I know my future awaits
It's a new start and I have faith
I'm leaving home
I'm leaving home
Goodbye to all, I'm leaving home.

I had just finished packing all my things. Another 9 hours from now and I am leaving my hometown to stay at another completely different place for the first time. I think I will miss this place that I had live in it for 17 and a half years. It makes me feel a bit sad. However, life has to go on. It is gonna be a new start for me and I will be ready for it. I shall overcome this challenge no matter what it takes. Goodbye my dear friends, relatives and mentors, let us keep in touch forever. Hopefully we shall meet again in the future. To my friends whom are coming with me, see you all there. Well, that's all! I'm going to sleep. Adios amigos & farewell SP!

 

 

Me & My guitar

        I had always wanted to learn and play music ever since I was in secondary school, but didn't have the time to do so as I constantly buried myself in my studies. How pathetic! Who knows why am I a nerd way back that time? However, as soon as the mighty examination came to an end, I quickly grasped the opportunity to learn guitar as I have a half year's time before my pre-university studies actually started. 

        Three months ago, I made my first attempt in learning how to play the guitar by enrolling myself in a weekly guitar class. Since then, I started to fell in love with my guitar. 

Here's my babe! ^^ She's a Suzuki SC-25 model acoustic guitar. I bought it for RM250 and replaced her first three metallic strings with nylon for easy playing, but the sound is a bit weirder than ordinary ones.  

        At first, I felt that it is a bit hard to learn how to play guitar. Firstly, I had not learn music before and I am a beginner whom had missed the "perfect period" to pick up music, which is usually during childhood. Secondly, I am a slow learner and I have a pair of very clumsy hands. All of this poses some problems for me. Luckily, these problems are only minor problems that can be easily rectified by substantial amounts of practice. 

     I am very glad that I managed to pick up this the basics of guitar playing in plucking and strumming within three months. Thanks to my guitar tutor, Mr Zhang for his valuable advice and teachings all along these months had been the most greatest drive for me to pursue on and excel in playing guitar. My own initiative efforts for making practicing guitar daily a habit while at the same time learning online had also been rewarding as I felt that I had improved drastically since the past few months. 

Me practicing playing guitar in my bedroom.

       

        Now, I spend at least an hour everyday practicing playing guitar. This helps me to enhance my present guitar skills while giving me the chance to learn new things about playing guitar such as the different chords and strumming patterns. But this was not everything. I still had many things to learn about playing guitar and I will not stop my pace and will continue to progress until I become a guitarist that can perform in front of the audience.  

       

Another Turning Point

         Today is 19th June 2012, meaning that 170 days of holiday had slipped away, and leaving only 10 days before I go to KL for my A-Level studies. I had already gathered all m belongings and packed them away into my luggage. So, there's nothing left to do now accept waiting for the day to come. My current feeling now is a blend of expectations and excitement for this new environment and at the same time, worries combined with fears for the unknown future that awaits me there. I really don't know whether to embrace this feeling or just ignore it. But still, I tried my best to spend my remaining time in SP preciously by allocating more of my time with my family and friends and doing what I like. I made sure that I spend every day in a meaningful way while waiting for my next step in education. As I stand by for the future and glanced towards the past, I cannot help feeling that my life has gone through a drastic transformation ever since I graduated from secondary school.

            During these past few months, I had completely released my brain from digesting academic stuff. The rust of laziness inhabited my brain, causing my writing and calculation skills to be weakened. For your information, I had not written any proper essays ever since the SPM examination. It's sad to admit that I now struggle to compose this blog post. :( However, I had replaced the habit of reading through academic text with many other habits and experiences.

             As I rewind back the tape to six months before, I suddenly realized that I had actually done many things during these past six months. I became a volunteer in the Adventist Hospital, notably one of my richest experiences and among the greatest things that I had ever done in these 18 years. Another greatest thing that I had ever done is learning how to play guitar. Although I am still a beginner and there is still more to learn, but I knew deep in my heart that I had improved a lot. I could now play songs that I like with ease. This major breakthrough came from my never ending practices and the self-motivation that I had developed. 

               I also adopted many new habits, as well as hobbies. I now started to become more aware of news and current issues happening around the country and the world. I exercise regularly at least thrice a week whether swimming or training in the gym. I self-meditated every day. I hanged out with friends and relatives once a while. I continued to read motivational books and novels daily. I got my motorcycle and driving license. I even became my parent's maid, handling all the household chores, (which is what I refuse to do before) and became my brother's tuition teacher. 

             I had done so many things except going for a part time work, in which I think was the only thing that I regretted for not doing over the past few months. Nonetheless, I felt that I had really changed much over these few months. It's very rewarding to think about it and I am ultimately grateful of it. I really looked forward on a busy, but fun-packed and enjoyable college life that will be my next destiny and turning point in this amazing life! 

                

         

         

      

Gone back from Genting

~A Prelude~ 

This post is all about my trip with my family in Genting Highlands, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Malaysia that houses the first theme park that was ever built in Malaysia and notably one of the largest casinos in Southeast Asia.



Well, certainly I am not here to gamble as I am still underage for now, and I guessed you already figured it out from my looks. :-) The main purpose of this trip is to spend some fun time with my family in the theme park, due to the fact that it was a school holiday. We went there by car and it took us more than 5 hours all the way from Kedah to Pahang.  

 Here's a self-shot photo while getting bored in the car:

OW, I look like a freak! >.<

It has been more than six years since I last stepped my toes on this peak of excitement. Last time, I remembered that I was still in Primary school while my brother was still a preschooler. We stayed at the newly built First World Resort Hotel for 2 days. I recalled that we didn't have much fun that time because my brother fell sick and the bad weather condition in the theme park. It was misty and foggy at the morning and rainy at the afternoon.

This time, we stayed in the First World Resort Hotel again. We planned to stay for 3 days 2 nights. We booked the rooms through online booking and managed to secure two comfortable deluxe rooms. Booking through the internet also gives discounts for the theme park tickets that you purchase there. The following are pictures of the rooms that we stayed:  

 

Random scenes taken in First World Resort Hotel:

An actual and complete model of the whole Genting Highlands with its theme park and resorts exhibited in the First World Resort Hotel lobby.

The lobby was designed to make it look like a rainforest, one of Malaysia's proudest assets.

Clocks that show time in several countries around the world.

The theme of the First World Resort Hotel this time was "Chocoholic and Candylicious". 

Kinda interesting wasn't it? 

To fill our tummies, we have our dinner at a Hainan style delicacy restaurant. We ate the famous Hainanese Chicken Rice. 

TIP: Let me share you something regarding having your meals in Genting Highlands. The food tastes not bad, which means you need not have to worry about having to choose what's more delicious. However, the price is what that really matters you. For example, a plate of chicken rice costs about RM15, which is about 1.5 times of the price of a plate of the same dish in KL! Eating here is considered one of the most luxurious things to do despite gambling... XP

 

As we went outside, the mist grew thicker and thicker until it blurred our sight a bit. In addition to that, prickly, freezing winds blew towards us from the neighboring mountains. It made us shiver. Despite the coldness, we still hung on to take some photographs.  

The escalator towards one of the theme park entrances was shrouded in a veil of mist.

One of the entrances of the Theme Park from the First World Resort.

Part of the flying coaster track.

My brother posing for a snapshot in the flying coaster signboard.

Part of the indoor theme park in First World Resort Hotel.

DAY 2

What else can we do other than having a blast in the theme park? Just relax and have fun!

 

The main entrance of the theme park not far from the Genting Resort Hotel.

 

 

The quiet scene of the theme park at its first operation hour at 10am. Usually, crowds started to flood in the theme park during the afternoon at non-peak seasons.

We rode all the family rides and I also tried some thrill rides in the theme park .

The Flying Jumbo family ride.

Defending Earth in our spaceships. XD

TEA TIME! Today's menu: two people spinning inside a tea cup ready to be served.

This is not Cinderella's carriage, but an antique car with a siren =.=

Caterpillar shape monorails-a good way to have a great look of the whole theme park.

Be sure to bring your cameras if you want to take hold of beautiful pictures along the way.

 

 

Clearer and bigger images of the theme park buildings.

The caterpillar also goes inside the indoor theme park. 

The following are photos taken inside the indoor theme park:

 

Eiffel Tower de Genting

 

Flying rides and a crazy, rocking statue of liberty are among the sights in the indoor theme park.

 

The great clock tower that chimes brightly every hour.

 

The Dinosaur Land. One of the "must go" family ride attractions.

 

Enter the prehistoric realm of dinosaurs by riding on one of its special engine boats.

The educational dinosaur show taking place inside the cave.

The brachiosaurus and stegosaurus models on top of the dinosaur land mountain.

 

A tyrannosaurus model. 

Scenes taken from above the Dinosaur Mountain:

 

The observatory behind the cave of the summit.

 

Native totems that adds a layer of mystic in the fabled land.

 

The "Matahari", a Ferris wheel situated next to the Dinosaur Land.

* REAL "CHEAP" STUFF *

We have our lunch at this "canteen" situated opposite of the theme park. It is actually a traditional coffee shop that sells a variety of food located not far from the . The food inside is quite delicious and its prices are far more reasonable when compared to dining inside the resort hotels.  

Testing my guts in the Spinner, a rotating swing that throws you into the air for the first time.

I regretted for eating too much because I felt quite dizzy after the ride. My fault!

 

The Beryl's Chocolate Wonderland. A new attraction that is situated not far from the Spinner.

The vivid and colorful fantasy settings of the wonderland makes it a perfect place for taking photos.

A simple flow chart that shows how chocolates are being processed.

  

The chocolate clock and chocolate tree inside.

The confectionery shop inside the Chocolate Wonderland.

 

Welcome to Japan?! 

  

The sakuras looked as if they are real but they are actually lamp posts designed to look like it.

This spot is certainly a great place to take photographs.

The musical fountain that doesn't plays during its show time. 

We waited for half and hour but apparently nothing happens.

 

The locomotive train ride that leads you into the world of Paddle Pop. =.=

 

These candy girls look tasty...

The Flying Dragon coaster ride. It's platform is located indoors exactly above the Burger King fast food restaurant but is still considered as an outdoor attraction. The Flying Dragon is a fast and gripping ride that will make you longing for more. 

The archway directly opposite the Flying Dragon coaster ride platform.

 

The Pirate Ship. 

A very interesting and thrilling ride that rocks you back and forth in an arc in high speed!

Again, I felt dizzy. At least, this time not as bad as the Spinner.

 

The family boating attraction.

Me in life jackets paddling in the center of the lake.

Scenes taken on the lake during boating.

 

Performances in the First World Resort Hotel indoor theater stage.

Dinner in the Only Mee restaurant. A variety of vermicelli and noodle dishes can be enjoyed here.

DAY 3

We packed all of our things and checked out of the hotel at 10:30am. We then drove towards the Mushroom Farm not far from our hotel.

We directly had our lunch here.

Yum yum! A delicious gigantic mushroom!

What is inside? Let's take a peek.

Mushrooms growing inside the breeding bottles filled with organic substance.

The surroundings are definitely suitable for taking photos.

 Certain vegetables are also grown in the miniature organic farm next to the Mushroom Farm.

 

The entrance of the Chin Swee Temple.

A mountain of wonder! The whole rocky mountain is filled with beautiful life-size figurines and statues that showcases a rich tapestry of Taoist and Buddhist deities and cultural beliefs alike. 

Linked to the small mountain is the main building that hosts the vegetarian restaurant, accommodation and several shops as well as the administration office of the Chin Swee Temple.

The giant statue of Gautama Buddha in the resting stance.

The 18 "Lohans" or immortal monk.

The Journey to Enlightenment. A pathway that enables the visitor to take a glimpse regarding what's installed for them in the afterlife.  

 

Hideous and scary figures of demons and hell guards punishing the death whom had done bad deeds during their lives are a constant reminder that we shouldn't do inhuman and unmoral acts that leads to our own downfall and the accumulation of bad karma in afterlife.  

Figures depicting traditional Chinese myths and legends.

The statues of the Bodhisattva, Guan Yin and the 3 deities of luck and bliss.

The statues depicting the "Journey to the West".

The pagoda and its surrounding taken from distant.

We went back home at half past one in the afternoon. It was a tiring and exhausting trip but it was also worthy. We got the chance to relax and loosen ourselves in this trip before returning back with a happy heart. 

This trip will also be a memorable one as it would be the last trip I go with my family members before my A-level studies start at July. I looked forward in having another trip to an unexplored place in life. Long live, backpackers and adventurers! May the spirit of adventuring be upon us!