Preston Toh's Blog

Santa's 2009 present.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:33:00 +0000

11:33p.m, 27-Dec 2009, Home.

During midnight on Christmas Eve, Santa knocked on my balcony sliding door, he whispered, "For sure I'm increasing everyone's paycheck next year as a gift". He dropped a cheque as well as a few cane candies before jingling off. A generous Santa, he is. Hooray and yay :)!

Santa's cheque to me. Very inspiring, motivating and realistic indeed :). 100% achievable. Ho Ho Ho! Click on picture to enlarge.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Non-related statement
You can not raise a man up by calling him down - William JH Boetcker.

33rd Bon Odori (盆踊り) 2009 festival - Panasonic Sports Complex, Shah Alam, Malaysia.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:24:00 +0000

Go to: 32nd Bon Odori (盆踊り) festival 2008 blog.

12:26 a.m, 17-July 09, Home.

The time has come again for this long-awaited exciting Japanese festival, Bon Odori 盆踊り, a festival to worship and honour the departed, hence the first word interpretation "Bon 盆". Japanese Buddhism ditto to the Chinese believes the "door" that separates the horizon in between the human and the deceased, open once a year to give freedom to the spirit to revisit their family. Of so many years of practicing, it has been assimilated into the Japanese and Chinese custom where family members gathers (reunion) at their beloved-deceased's graveyards with then a small feast ensues. During this day, it's a taboo to question the genuineness of the spirit and the "door" existence, fearing bad omen will imminent to those who question, ya know stubborn and trying to be cute young kids nowadays love to query and make lots of disturbing and unnecessary statements especially from scientific perspective :). In return, the adults, in order to appease the kids, fear is instilled frequently into them, haha :p.

In respectful to the cultural beliefs, it has become a practical from generation to generation. This festival sometimes will associate with dancing, thus the final word connotation "Odori 踊り" to hype up the festival. Bon Odori 盆踊り, in short, a dance for the "watching" spirits as an entertainment not only for the departed but the living as well :).

View all pictures in a slide show manner. Click here.

33rd Bon Odori's flier

Huh? The name changed drastically to Kompleks Sukan Negara? See the difference of last year picture taken, below. Hmmm perhaps to nationalise the name from wholly English to national language?

Last year 2008, Panasonic Sports Complex entrance

As always, tones of people visited this auspicious event!

Audiences awaiting the opening ceremony to commence joyfully

The Japanese drums (Taiko, 太鼓) for performance

The drums for performance - upclose

Drummers, burning desire and couldn't afford to disappoint the audiences, to unleash their months of hardwork practice, bowed silently awaits the clock to strike 7:00 p.m sharp!

7:00 p.m struck, performers hit the drums in paramountcy, donned in their Yukata 浴衣 with a Japanese word (祭) printed, means festival

Continuous courage of drum hitting

Similar to last year, audience joins hand-in-hand, emulating the stage dancers

Everyone was emulating merrily!

Not forgetting - time to eat!

Cute Yakult's illustration banner, a yogurt-alike beverages

Not only myself but other visitors to salvage the foods and beverages booths!

Futomaki, sushi, mochi, unagi and etc, you name it, they have it!

Caterer, grilling the scrumptious unagi to serve pilling up thousand of customers

Enticing ice-cream!

Pleasant Yakitori (skewered chicken) as well!

Cute Yokomon ice-cream, I see them heavily promoting whenever there is a Japanese function

Hmmm! A new booth for this year, Sushi King!

Incredible! The whole concept of belt conveyance was installed! Yes, you got me right, the belt is moving the sushi's plates as though you are dining in their restaurant!

I'm still amazed with the belt conveyance idea brought to outdoor and installed there and then!

The only difference is that you have to stand while eating rather than sitting on cushiony sofa!

Well, reluctant to stand? You can purchase the nicely packed sushi for your later consumption :)

Japanese myriad of Omiyage (souvenir) for your selection

Poo poo indicator by Doraemon :p

Mobile toilets at your dispense by Toi Toi. Funny name, indeed!

A tank to collect and transport the feces? Yikes :)!

Visitors resting, chatting, leisuring, enjoying, cracked jokes and many more delightfully :)

Plenty more visitors at staired seats

A slight difference on 33rd Bon Odori. Additional performance besides drumming - Soran Bushi (ソーラン節) (fisherman's song and dance in Japan, click on the link to get the Lyrics @ Wikipedia :p)

Other additional dances, Malaysian mixed cultural dance. Malay, Chinese and Indian dance

Aesthetic pictures taken:

Children on right, pro-actively and fearlessly posing for picture taking

However, the left was clueless :). Their parent had to say "thank you, thank you very much, thank you for your kindness, we have to make a move", where everyone was storming to take pictures of their children :p

The end of 33rd Bon Odori :)

As usual, we hastenly rush out of our life before the whole ceremony ends officially lest traffic jam. Thanks again to divinefang for his DSLR camera, if not we wouldn't get such a nice quality pictures :p. I'm kinda disappointed this time of not having the opportunity to video shoot their performance especially the well done Soran Bushi! I will be well prepare on next Bon Odori. However, you can view examples of Soran Bushi's in YouTube (below):

Another video:

That's all folks, extremely tire right now (2:04 a.m), time for bed. Will retouch this blog on the following day.

Go to: 32nd Bon Odori (盆踊り) festival 2008 blog.

Non related statement.
Often the test of courage is not to die but to live - Vittorio Alfieri.

High expectation - just a far fetch.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 01:33:00 +0000

9:33 a.m, 31-Jan 09, home.

On the 4th day of Chinese New Year (CNY), my family except myself was planning to go to Singapore for a holiday trip. My mum prepared and loaded everything into her car, the moment just about to enter the car 4 snatchers, one of them pounded on her, there goes her purse and money. Since when the snatchers are terribly good at the concept of "Just In Time (JIT)"?

Went to the police station to make a report but to no avail with an excuse of server down, couldn't key in report. I offered to write the report manually but was rejected and was requested to return when the server is up, duh!

Well after few hours, a Samaritan call us said he found our documents, intended to return to us. All documents were found except credit cards. Things start to get funnier, I hastenly informed to the police the whole situation, hoping the police will be able to detect and nab the culprit asap once they swapped the cards. Here's the dialogue via phone:

I: "Puan, semua dokumen telah dijumpai kecuali kad kredit."

While speaking, somehow my brain was operating at 300 Giga "imagination" per seconds with mind maps pluses animation of Hong Kong action movies :p:

Inspector: ”目标人物出现，目标人物出现！全世界 STANDBY!, 全世界 STANDBY!”。

The instance where the card is swapped,

Inspector: “ACTION！SDU Go Go Go!".

Action packed with glass breaking, SDU rolling, smoke bomb, targeting, aiming ensue!

Pity, the adrenaline rush was short-life and this was the reply I got:

Puan: "Kad kredit adalah urusan bank, sila berurus the bank!".

I: "Huh! ar!".

Puan: "Sila berurus dengan bank".

Hah! "High expectation is just a far fetch" :). Well, lucky us no physical injury though the snatchers were wielded with a parang!

Non-related sentence:

Content makes poor men rich, discontent makes rich men poor - Benjamin Franklin.
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Genuine Detoxification.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:16:00 +0000

11:37p.m, 30-Jan 09, home.

Well after trashing my stomach with lots of junk foods especially the irresistible dried meat, eventually weight gained is inevitable during Chinese New Year (CNY). Visiting gym during this period is like visiting a ghost town, thus almost a week plus shying away from it, crippled me from shedding away the gained weight.

Today the gym is slightly back to normal. Myself cycling madly for an hour with another hour of Body Combat. The towel was all drench with my beloved sweat but the stench of ammonia was unpleasant indeed. Frankly speaking, per normal day as in I frequent myself to the gym, even a drench towel will be smell-less. This gives me an affirmative confirmation, a body full of ammonia (toxic) due to non-exercise and uncontrolled eating habit has finally found its exit - via the sweat pores.

That's what I call a genuine detoxification. Strong diet, shun Mc Donald, detox pills consumption - YAWNING （眠い） :)!

Exercise more :)! Gong Xi Fa Chai!

Non-related:

Skills and confidence are an unconquered army - George Herbert.
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Celebrating Christmas with Yoga!!??

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:33:00 +0000

12:35p.m, 24-Dec 2008, Home.

Ho Ho Ho, the advent of the 4th quarter 2008 year end has eventually arrived. Celebration, gathering, holidays and mega sales shopping are all in all inevitable while amid recession - indeed a good news for everyone! Before the arrival of Christmas Day, I spent a day practicing Yoga first time in an outdoor environment pluses a poolside view!

All the while, the practicality is done indoor at the California Fitness Center with only tons of mirrors surrounding the perimeter of the studio. Open air, cool breeze, children commotion of gayness, fine splashing of pool water were all audible and soothing for the soul at Boulevard Hotel, Mid Valley poolside. More than 70 Yogis under Edwin's umbrella, a Yoga instructor attended this auspicious event on 20th December 2008. The ceremony kicks off with Edwin giving off his speech, followed by basic Yoga practice, thereupon advanced Yoga poses done by 2 invited experts (Mr. Liew & Ms. Jenny) and lastly settled with a buffet.

Pictures taken ensues:

You call view all the pictures in a slide-show manner. Click here.

Edwin's Christmas Yoga Extravaganza board.

Venue of Yoga extravaganza - Boulevard Hotel, Mid Valley.

The poolside where the guests or residence gleefully spending Saturday time with their family.

The tower of Garden Residence can be viewed limitlessly from the poolside.

The Boulevard Hotel Suites. Picture taken during "Twisted Warrior" pose where your head is facing upwards :p!

Edwin - The Yoga's instructor and an organizer of this event.

"Mountain" (Tadasana) pose by Edwin.

Yogis zealously awaiting for the event to commence. Each of them sits on their beloved brought Yoga mat.

The event commences with other instructor, Ms. Mandy starting off with "Accomplished" (Siddhasana) pose.

Participators following the instructor's instruction - the "Salutation" pose. Benefit: Stretches your lower back.

"Low Warrior 1" (Ardha Virabhadrasana I ) pose. Benefits: This pose tones the whole body, strengthens the wrists, and opens the shoulders and hips.

"King Dancer" (Natarajasana) pose.

Powerful "Chair" (Utkatasana) pose. Benefits: This pose increases strength, balance and stability. The Hamstrings, quadriceps, gluteals, and the erector muscles of the back are exercised and strengthened. These include the tibialis anterior, extensor halluscis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneous tertius. This group of muscle primarily extends the toes and dorsiflexes the ankle and are used for balance and stability. Gosh! too technical :)!

"Downward Facing Dog" (Adho Mukha Svanasana) pose. Benefits: This pose increases the strength and flexibility of the shoulders. The hamstrings , calf muscles (gastrocnemius and the soleus), and Achilles tendons are all stretched.

"Warrior I" (Virabhadrasana) pose. Benefits: This yoga posture strengthens the quadriceps (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, Vastus medialis and the vastus intermedius) on the leading leg and stretches them on the leg that is behind the body.

"Boat" (Paripurna Navasana) pose. Benefits: Boat pose tones and strengthens the abdominal muscles, improves balance and confidence, and stretches the backs of the legs.

"Bow" (Dhanurasana) pose. Benefits: Increases the flexibility of the shoulders and lower back.

"Crane" (Bakasana) pose. Benefits: This is a yoga posture that stretches the knees, hamstrings and lower back.

"Headstand" (Sirsasana) pose. Click here for the benefits of this pose.

"Shoulderstand" (Salamba Sarvangasana) pose. Click here for the benefits of this pose.

"Seated Angle" (Upavistha Konasana) pose. Pose benefits click here.

"Corpse" (Savasana) pose, a restoration pose. Benefits click here.

Not much pictures taken during the posing, as myself joining the troop as well. Now, time for the master Yogi to perform the advance poses. I have no idea most of the names of the poses :p!

The invited guest, a Yogi's guru, Jenny.

Fuh! Sturdy arms indeed!

Woh! She flips both her legs forward with cinch!

Very flexible indeed :)!

A variation of "Side Staff" (Parsva Dandasana) pose. Elastic indeed!

For sure my arms will collapse if I do so :p!

Mighty thumb and solid balancing!

Everyone is amazed with Jenny's performance! They watched attentively :).

"Lotus Scorpion" pose. Vigorous!

Another stalwart flips!

Exuberant "Arm Balance Scorpion" (Bhuja Vrischikasana) pose. Benefits click here.

Lady in black, thrilled spectator with both hands clasped on her mouth :)!

Ductile "Lotus in Cobra" (Padma Bhujangasana) pose. Benefits click here.

Unimaginable "Eight Angle" (Astavakrasana) pose - named after an ancient sage cursed with crooked limbs. In details click here.

Another variation of "Scorpion" pose. Implausible :)!

Performance done, buffet ensued:

Prestigious look of the dining hall.

The splendid buffet dining hall. Creative circular lamps suspend from the ceilings.

Trays of delectable foods to be taken later.

Yogis savoring their selected scrumptious foods and drinks.

Plentiful of Christmas gifts to be exchanged later.

Exchange gifts session: Hmmm....which is mine?

Hooray! I got an "Essence of Chicken". Look at me, totally exhausted, the gifts fits me perfectly :)!

Big sponsored hamper given out to lucky drawees.

Another lucky drawee from right most.

Lucky draw gifts of Yoga mat given out by Jenny.

Yogis with their "Mountain" pose ecstatically!

Group photographing - more than 70 Yogis attended this well-organized event.

That's all folks. Thank you to our organizer, Edwin for holding this meaningful event for everyone to experience the outdoor, natural fresh air and non air-conditioner environment, simultaneously helping kind souls mingled with each other from different walks of life. "Celebrating Christmas with Yoga" - a creative event still a puzzle for me :). Rather than conventional celebration as in movie watching, clubbing or traveling, this is something very unique. Kudos for him!

Non-related but meaningful sentence.

Either I will find a way or I will make one - Sir Philip Sidney.

Macao Holiday (14 - 17th Nov '08) part 1 of 2.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:40:00 +0000

3:25a.m, 19-Nov 08, Home.

You can view all Part 1 pictures in a slide show.

Go to Part 2:
Macao Holiday (14 - 17th Nov '08) part 2 of 2.

It was such a great holiday in Macao, China. We were there for 4 days and 3 nights on our company incentive trips spanning from the 14th till 17th of November 2008. Personally, I do not have much knowledge about this tiny island but a gaming haven :). Research is done on Wikipedia that surprisingly gaming industries are the core business for the Macao government with 70% revenue generates from casinos and that reflects 40% of the Macao's total GDP!

We are all blessed with the opportunity to stay in one of the most luxuriest, humongous, single structure hotel building in Asia, The Venetian Macao Hotel, largest among the 28 hotels cum casino in Macao. A brief history, The Venetian Macao is owned by the distinguished Sheldon Adelson via his Las Vegas Sands corporation. Over 10.5 million square foot mega-resort features 3,400 slots, 800 tables, 3,000 suites and a convention center! He spent almost $2.1 billion on this mega project and further construction on other hotels are still on going while I'm writing this blog :)!

This hotel is built on the concept of the Renaissance-Venice architecture, also a sister hotel of The Venetian in Las Vegas. Moreover, the concept do take human's greed into consideration. After checking in, all of us had to drag our luggages from the counter, then must pass by the casino and eventually into our hotel suite :)! Smart design isn't it? It's very tempting indeed with all these sound effects of "chip, chip, chip" (chips stacking on each other), the rolling sound of the Roulette's ball and the vending jackpot machines :). No matter where you go, there will be always an entrance into the casino. The casino is built in the heart of the hotel.

Many more facts about this amazing construction of this hotel can be acquired at their official website. Quoted from the website "The volume of sand used in the reclamation of land for The Venetian Macao, is enough to build one of Egypt's largest pyramids"! Check them out :)!

Here's the fabulous video of the making of "The Venetian Macao" at Youtube:

Pictures taken ensue, click on it to enlarge.

All of us boarding the Venetian Hotel's periodical bus from Macao airport to its hotel. Frequency of 20 minutes each and it only takes 5 minutes to reach there.

Impressive main entrance to the hotel!

Another view.

Stunning bridge, a flyover for guests to enter into the hotel. Guests are not allowed to walk into the main lobby via the road but the bridge for safety reason. Behind the bridge is the building that holds 3,000 suites! We stayed in there :).

Wonderful side view of the guests' bridge. A replica of Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy. "The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is the oldest bridge across the canal and probably the most famous in the city", quoted from Wikipedia.

August view of the authentic Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy. Picture courtesy of Wikipedia.

A clone of The Campanile Tower at the entrance of the Venetian Macao. The actual Campanile Tower in Venice, Italy is a beeline of tourists and tallest structure in Venice. "Campanile" in Italian stands for a "Bell" in English, thus it's a.k.a The Bell Tower.

Imperial view of the original Campanile Tower in Venice, Italy. Picture courtesy of Venice Origination.

The billboard of the hotel with a big LCD screen in the middle. Its summit is similar to a design of a mosque, meanwhile the bottom ditto to a Western's. Venice is a culturally mixed influence place of the Western's and Eastern's, hence the design.

A small lake surrounding the billboard. This lake is meant for a Gondola ride, obviously an outdoor ride. Indoor ride is also available, see later part of the pictures below.

The cars' exit point from the main lobby.

The suites building with the word "Venetian".

Hmmm, the suites, similar to a shape of a butterfly :)?

Strings of branded stuffs along the entrance road to the main lobby. Gucci, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Prada...you name it, they have it!

Sizable drop off point to the main lobby.

Oh! my God! Spacious taxi waiting compartment.

Drop off point - other dazzling view.

Uhhhh! Magnificent ceilings crazily built at the drop off point of the main lobby! An evidence of Renaissance-Venice theme!

Radiant ceilings - other view.

Excellent night view of the West lobby.

Night view of the West lobby - other view.

Now let's venture further into The Venetian Macao internally:

Wahhh! Ravishing grand lobby of The Venetian Macao!

Ohhhh! Copious reception counter!

Wohhh! 3 exquisitely capacious pictures hung on the wall!

Goshhh! Vast check-in counter! How do I express next :p?

Urhhhh! Admirable inner dome architecture!

Fuhh! Statuesque foyer!

Ahhh! A gigantic sculpture!

Me together with the fountain :)

Wooo! An elegant colonnade!

Portrait view of the colonnade. Observe carefully at the marble floor, it has a 3 dimensional effect! Another "Wah!" expression for this :p!

Splendid perspective view of the colonnade! I am drop dead :p!

Appealing high rise elevator to the 2nd floor, a shopping area name "The Grand Canal Shoppes"!

Prodigious hall walkway!

Soothing....! The Bella room (my room), more than 700sf in sized! And that's the mini TV room! Cosy :)!

2 gorgeous queen-sized beds. You can roll yourselves everywhere you like on the bed :)! Picture courtesy of Doreen.

A colossal 47 inches LCD TV just in front of the 2 queen-sized beds. View at your pleasure. There are 2 TVs all together in the room! Picture courtesy of Aida.

Cushiony sofa and can be transformed into a bed too!

Refined cupboard!

A tray of goblets, wine glasses arranged tidily and an instant noodles costing a boom to you haha :p!

A cute refrigerator just below the tray of glasses!

A 27 inches TV secretly hidden on the other side of the cupboard! Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon :)?

A neat study table with a scanner cum printer!

A cute LAN cable and a WiFi modem meant for internet accessibility. The LAN cable is retractable!

Lovely entrance of the Bella room!

Uhhh! Pleasingly enormous toilet!

Alluring bath tub!

The toilet bowl entrance!

Not a friendly toilet bowl, as you have to wait till the water tank fulled, then able to flush! Not the case when I was in Istana Hotel locally! You can flush anytime you want :)!

An innovative transparent weightier. Oh! crap I have had just gain an extra 2 kg after swept all the irresistible buffet foods :p!

The food court, named "Festivita Food Court" in the hotel (3rd level) with a superb artificial sky view. The sky view looks genuinely real! A closer look, you can see lots of circular bumps of water sprinkler haha :)!

One of the stalls - the Fatburgers!

The Fatburgers menus - the manager abruptly ceased me from taking more pictures of their menus, afraiding of spying, perhaps :p?

Yummy! The Fatburgers (HK$50, RM25), all in all recommended by Edwin Chua. The beefburger very juicy indeed, the patties' juice splat all around your mouth for every single crunch on it by your teeth :p!

Palatable beef curry with white rice (HK$53, RM26.50)! Weirdly the rice is more delicious than the beef. Ditto to a Japanese rice?

Appetizing sesame seeds on glutinous rice (HK$10, RM5 each). Chewy indeed!

Time out! Enough pictures snapping, now it's the time to taste it :p!

2nd floor - full of branded things for you to shop named as "The Grand Canal Shoppes". All in all are indoor but looks like a factual small city in The Venetian Hotel!

The extraordinary almond cakes store!

The Mc Donalds in The Grand Canal Shoppes!

Eye catchy columns with a vase on top individually!

Imitation of gorgeous St. Mark's square (Piazza San Marco) in The Venetian Macao Hotel.

St. Mark's square - hopefully it won't get flooded during winter and early spring as can be seen in Venice, Italy.

The mimes. Guests take turn to have had a picture with him.

Resplendent indoor Gondola!

Subliming waterway for the Gondola!

Night view of classy swimming pool!

Classy swimming pool - other view!

Opulent night view of The Venetian Macao. Picture courtesy of Wikipedia.

That's all for Day 1 trip at The Venetian Macao Hotel, largest of all hotels cum casinos in Macao! For Part 2, click on the following link:

Macao Holiday (14 - 17th Nov '08) part 2 of 2.

Non-related but a meaningful sentence.

Our true acquisitions lie only in our charities, we get only as we give - William Simms.

Macao Holiday (14 - 17th Nov '08) part 2 of 2.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:00:00 +0000

2.35 a.m, 21-Nov '08, Home.

Go to Part 1:
Macao Holiday (14 - 17th Nov '08) part 1 of 2.

You can also view all Part 2 pictures in a slide show.

Breakfast in The Venetian Macao Hotel:

Breakfast at "Cafe Deco Macao". Handsome main entrance. Picture courtesy of Wikipedia.

In the "Cafe Deco Macao". You have to walk quite a distance from our hotel to this cafe, approximately 500m!!??

Variety of dishes taken. Noodles, omelet, bacon, Hash Brown patties, dim sums, baked beans, glutinous rice and many more :)!

2nd round of feast! Porridge, mushrooms, banana cake, buns, hot dogs and delicious wafers :)!

Miniature adorable bottles of ketchup.

Cirque du Soleil - the modern circus exclusively in The Venetian Macao Hotel.

Quoted from wikipedia:

Cirque du Soleil French for "Circus of the Sun" in English is an entertainment company. Based in Montréal, Québec, Canada. It was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier.

Initially named Les Échassiers, they toured Quebec in 1980 as a performing troupe and encountered financial hardship that was relieved by a government grant in 1983 as part of the 450th anniversary celebrations of Jacques Cartier's discovery of Canada. Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil was a success in 1984, and after securing a second year of funding, Laliberté hired Guy Caron from the National Circus School to re-create it as a "proper circus". No ring and no animals helped make Cirque du Soleil the modern circus that it is today.

Each show is a synthesis of circus styles from around the world, with its own central theme and storyline. They draw the audience into the performance through continuous live music, with performers rather than stagehands changing the props, and by having no curtains.

And we have the opportunity to watch this circus live in The Venetian Macao Hotel. The show on play during our visit is named ZAIA, a young girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut, embarks on a celestial journey and discovers the secrets of love and the true beauty of Earth and its human inhabitants.

The front page program guide of ZAIA.

ZAIA's pamplet.

ZAIA's souvenir shop.

It took 3 years and US$150 million to build the stage, the sphere, musics composition, choreograph and etc.

The backdrop of the theater, the "Star Drop", uses 3,000 fiber optic stars to recreate the night sky of Macao!

Every performance takes 115 technicians and 75 performers from 17 nationalities to stage!

The 25' diameter Sphere moves on 3 axes and weighs 1,814kg. Its 6 projectors beam integrated images in a 360 degree radius!

Most songs are sung in an imaginary language inspired by Hindi phonemes! To produce the effect of a choir, the 2 live singers are digitally mixed during the performance to sound like a chorus of over 60 voices!

The troupe includes dancers from the USA, Argentina, Canada, China, Romania, France, Hungary and Germany! The artists do their own make-up - it takes them 1-2 hours to create per person, per show!

More of Circus Du Soleil's videos can be found at ConradAskLand.com. It encompasses promotional videos, casts behind the scene, trailers, press conference and myriads of other video clips for you to rejoice :)! Below is one of the promotional videos at Youtube:

Into Macao city center:

Firstly, we arrived at the Wynn's Hotel. What so impressive is the zodiac titanically build onto the ceilings and it's mobile on every single hour starting from 12:00 p.m. A "fortune" tree is hidden in the floor where everyone is waiting anxiously for it to raised from the bottom. Why? Continue read on.

Chinese Zodiac on the ceilings with 3 dimensional effect! Each zodiac takes a segment. 12 segments all together.

When the clock struck at 12 p.m sharp, the segments start to open circularly. A big LCD screen is encapsulated! Grand musics are played simultaneously!

The ceilings opens wider, astounding luminance observed!

In sync, the bottom Western's signs in spherical shape starts to open as well! A "fortune" tree raised from the encapsulated sphere ensued!

Meanwhile, a mammoth and splendid chandelier released from the ceilings slowly and gracefully. Eventually, both the "fortune" tree and the chandelier meets!

What do you do with this "fortune" tree? People commence to throw, hurl and toss some coins to it, hoping that this tree will grant them some luck.

"Believing that now you had been entrusted with torrent of luck, now you can kindly proceed to my casino just a few meters away!", whispered wickedly by Wynn :)! Double income for me, the coins hurled and I will instruct a cleaner to collect for me every night now and then hehehe!

The Grand Prix Museum entrance.

Nothing much in this museum but a collection of F1 antique cars where I do not really have any experience nor interest on them. Heyiah! Just take a few snap shots.

The national museum of Macao where it talks about the history of Macao with cultural influence both the Portuguese and the Chinese.

The entrance into the national museum.

Fireworks manufacturing in the past of Macao.

Chinese architectural design of houses and shops.

Common living room of the Chinese community, 2 lanterns and an altar. Similarly can be seen on some of the Hong Kong movies.

Traditional Chinese wedding ceremony.

A bed for both the bride and the groom.

Ok! Done with the museum. It's time to take a real adventure into the city center.

The Ruins of St. Paul.

The Ruins of St. Paul's refer to the façade of what was originally the Cathedral of St. Paul', a 17th century Portuguese cathedral in Macau dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle. Today, the ruins are one of Macau's most famous landmarks. In 2005, the Ruins of St. Paul were officially enlisted as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Centre of Macau. Quoted from wikipedia.

Antiquity of St. Paul Ruins - other view.

St. Paul Ruins - other view.

On the way into the Snando Square, again a shopping haven with a reasonable price.

The walkway. The mosaic floor ditto to Lisbon.

Hustle bustle.

Busy and occupied!

Street signs.

Koi Kei's pastelaria. They claimed they are the largest pastry in Macao with 72% monopoly together with incredible supporting document of graphs and charts pasted on their door entrance! It says, this branch is the 8th on the company's board. The further I went down the street more and more franchise of Koi Kei can been seen. Perhaps they are telling the truth :).

The noteworthy Portuguese tart. The tart of eggs, flour and sugar are splendidly blended together with its fluffy cakes. Best consume while still warm!

Countless selection of dried meat!

Mc Donald in Snando Square.

Teeny counters but incalculable customers!

The heart of Snando Square.

Other view of heart of the Snando Square.

Macao Business Tourism Center where you can get an advice on what places worth to explore in Macao.

The acclaimed delicious pork chop burger!

Subliming night view of Snando Square!

Vivid neon lights of Casino Lisboa, a Chinese gaming style casino. Picture courtesy of Aida.

Another great effulgent casino night view. Picture courtesy of Aida.

Incandescent view of street full of signs. Picture courtesy of Aida.

Souvenirs:

Not forgetting souvenirs to be brought back. Macao also renowned with its almond cakes.

A box and 2 bottles of almond cakes. A plastic box of egg rolls with mango flavour :).

A carton of cigarettes. Most importantly made in Macao!

Back view of the carton.

Hong Kong dollar notes with HK$500, HK$100, HK$50, HK$20 and HK$10 respectively. In Macao, HK$ is widely excepted than their own currency named Patacas. Patacas is pegged with the HK dollar. Actual difference between these 2 currencies is 3% with of course the HK$ worth 3% more than the Patacas. For effortless trading sake, HK$ is treated at a ratio of 1:1 with the Patacas.

Chips won from The Venetian Macao casinos :)!

We are all aware that werewolves transformed into their actual being during the full moon. Meanwhile, for vampires, they will experience the same when the clock struck at 12 a.m sharp. Jocularly, guess what, while we were in the Venetian Hotel, by the time the clock struck at 9 p.m or 10 p.m sharp, the reborn of the God/Queen of Gamblers are obvious :)! Everyone just couldn't wait to toss and sell their sure win ideas to each other haha :):

1) "Wow wow...the black, the black colour has a higher probability."
2) "Wow wow.... the next is bull run (black all the way up), yes! yes! the next bear run (red all the way down), quick, quick, short sell :p!"
3) "Volatile, let's swap to next table."

4) "This number hasn't reveal for quite some time, bet at least 8 times of the same number."
5) "Birthday dates should work..."

When it's time to disperse, there goes the God of Gambler's advice:

"Why quit hastily, you still can win back what you lose!, don't quit, don't quit, you are here to enjoy", persuaded by Edwin. I wondered, he has vested interest in the casino, hasn't he haha :)?

That's all folks, time to move forward :)!

Go back to Part 1:
Macao Holiday (14 - 17th Nov '08) part 1 of 2.

Non-related but worthy sentence.

The world achievement has always belonged to the optimist - J Harold Wilkens.

36th Japan Charity Fiesta and Bazaar 2008, Nikko Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:35:00 +0000

10:36pm, 9-Nov '08, Home.

On the 9th November 2008, 3 of us (myself, ultrabeast and divinefang) went to the 36th Japan Charity Fiesta and Bazaar held at Nikko Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. This event not just to bring the already strong culture presence of Japan to Malaysia but also the nostalgic atmosphere to the Japanese people residing or working here.

This event is self-explanatory, mainly a blend of fiesta with myriads of Japanese foods, the well known common foods such as sushi, yakitori, soft drink "Pocari Sweat" and various homemade candies and cookies by the lovely expatriates' wives and the member of the Japanese clubs. Filled with fun of kids games to keep their kids well entertain.

You also can expect some purchase of your favourite Japanese various mangas, characters, animes, figurines and masks at a bargain! hence the word "Bazaar". Meanwhile, in cultural wise, you have the opportunity to don on their traditional cloth such as Kimonos and Yukatas. Trays of astounding beautiful Yukatas and Kimonos awaiting to be selected. Young and old busied themselves to select the best and the finest cloths that suits them well. If you want to experience the genuine and authentic Japanese traditional tea preparation at an economy price, here you will get it :). Those who didn't go, perhaps you can try on next year :)!.

Some of the proceeds from this event will be channeled to the local charity organisation where they used to do it last year. Imagine to your fullest, you can spend, enjoy, experience and yet still can indirectly contribute to the charity, that's the perfect cycle of being a human beings with delightfulness :).

More details of this event can be acquired here.

The photos taken ensue (click to enlarge) :):

The poster.

The Fiesta and Bazaar 2008.

Entrance to the Grand Ballroom.

Woh! The grand entrance to the Ballroom.

Thousands of people shopping in the ballroom!

Ah! Getting more people as the time passes!

Myriads of kids' games - small balls scooping.

Floating balls with fancy colours awaiting to be scooped!

The balls' scooper, a ring-alike with a fragile paper forms the hole use to scoop the balls. I tried with just a ball scooped, then the paper was easily torn apart. Oh crap! the kids averagely can scooped at least 3 balls but not me :(! However, at the end, 2 additional balls were given as a consolation prize :).

Everyone busy scooping :)!

Another game - fancy patterned balloons hooking.

Each balloon is clipped with a string with a knob at the end. Use the given hook to hook for just 3 attempts.

3rd game - Throw a ring, soft drink got ringed, the price adjacent to the soft drink is all yours.

Children anticipatedly awaiting for their turns to try their luck!

Oh! please I want that big, juicy n fat chocolate bar :)!

Myself and the assistant of the Ring Game.

Take your chance to don in your favourite Yukatas and Kimonos.

Sweet lady, helping others to don a Kimono :). 着物を着てあげます。

Ah! A killing smile :)! 親切のスマイル：）！

Donned in their favourite Kimonos.

Small plantation for sale - various cactus.

Handicrafts made by the Japanese expatriates and the Japanese Club members for sale :).

Magnet for sale with Japanese miniature ornaments.

World's Best Cream Puff by Beard Papa. Is it nice? Maybe I should try at Mid Valley or One Utama when the time comes ;).

Beard Papa's manager: "Psst! You will be in the newspaper, quickly give your best smile", whispered the manager to his colleague :p.

Stacks of sushi for you to select! Yummy :).

Many more varieties of foods.

Yokomon - Japanese favourite ice cream. Ditto to Pokemon?

Here's the process. Step 1: a small cup of ice cream with clients' selected flavour taken out from the fridge.

Step 2: The ice cream was then place into a stamper.

Step 3: The stamper was tightly locked, then compressed by winding the level. The ice cream was then squeezed out round and round into a cup.

Done! You can have your Yokomon ice cream (camera-shy lady). The selling point of this Yokomon is the method of preparation of the ice cream. "It's the grinding movement (woods) that makes it (the chicken) so special (tasty)". Try to replace the green words with the bracketed, a similar slogan of Kenny Rogers Roaster :).

My Yokomon's ice cream with a strawberry flavour. A bit taste of rum. Yummy!

I, the Malaysian ambassador of Yokomon ice cream haha :p!

Eatery tables.

The items used for genuine Japanese traditional tea preparation. From left to right: transparent pot contains fresh water, a green bowl meant for tea, a ladle for scooping water, an iron pot contains hot boiling water.

The transparent pot contains fresh water. Very nice indeed!

Small desert served before tea-preparation performance commenced. Non-camera shy lady (left)!

The lady with red Kimono does the preparation and the other lady is to serve the finished tea to the customers :).

Step 1: Fresh water was politely scooped and poured into the iron pot and then awaits to boil.
Step 2: Tea leaves was then poured into the green bowl followed by the hot water. The mixture was blended with a blender.
Step 3: The bowl was then gently placed on the hand palm and was rotated slowly. The artistry of the bowl was observed on the same time.
Step 4: The tea was now ready to serve.

Oh! I had no luck, the much effort, once in a million, time and passion tea-made was served to other! The customer should do the same by observing the artistry of the bowl before drinking, explained by divinefang.

In sync, a group of servers walk gracefully from behind of the partition, served every single customers with the readily made green tea. "Wow! So fast! must be hastily done, perhaps by using an instant teabags :p?", exclaimed jokingly by ultrabeast.

The green tea upclose! Hmmm...the surface was filled with bubbles. How did they did the blending, I wonder? Both tea leaves and water were blended via gargling in mouth :p? and here's the "Green Tea birds' nest", I would call. Try to speak in Cantonese but by replacing the word "birds" into "human", 人窝 haha :)!

The ushers of the tea preparation perfomance.

That's all folks. Each of us brought back lots of memories besides our favourite mangas, animes and figurines. By the way, I didn't purchase anything but the foods and the enjoyment of taking pictures with divinefang's DSLR camera. The quality of the pictures are amazing, planning to get one for myself :).

Non-related but useful wordings.

It is the surmounting of difficulties that makes heroes - Louis Kossuth.

Full synopsis: L Change the WorLd, a Death Note movie spin off. Contains spoilers :)!

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:56:00 +0000

1:01a.m, 6-Aug 08, Home.

This synopsis is best read while playing this edited music, The Last Name. The initial play of original music was excellent but the last few minutes wasn't really that pleasant due to sudden shift of tempo from sentimental and suspension to hard rock, uhhhhh :(! That's why I had omitted the last few minutes and replaced it with the first few minutes, in other words, it loops twice of the desired tempo, heheh therefore the edition! I love the violin part the most :). It may takes few seconds to load the play list or you can play it from again on the right panel of my blog. Enjoy!

DVD's cover for Asian version.

Again, L has to save the world from its damnation by another bunch of psychopathic, overwhelming eco-terrorist and brain short-circuited organisation named "Blueship" to clear overly populated humans that causes irreparable damages to the earth faster than the earth can rejuvenate in the name of betterment equilibrium of ecosystem by wiping them off via the use of deadly virus or biological weapon.

L, from manga look.

The storyline starts in a village of Thailand named, Bangnum where every single villagers was infected with this bio-chemical weapon with a contagiousness of 100 times faster than an Ebola virus has (as shown on the left picture). The village was annihilated well just after their blood sample had been taken to create a vaccine and to prevent an epidermic prone. This plot is set by Kimiko Kujo (久條希実子) - a leader of Blueship and also an assistant to professor Kimihiko Nikaido (二階堂公彦) in order to exploit Nikaido into making the vaccine where she was incapable of. Blueship will need this antidote to ensure their survivals should there be any of them accidentally infected during the operation of cleaning up the incumbent humans. It would be meaningless for them, if all of them died because of this virus, failing the continuance of their "sacred" tasks.

Professor Nikaido by Shingo Tsurumi. Maki's father.

Kimiko Kujo casts by Youki Kudoh. Professor Nikaido's assistant and also Blueship's leader.

F, a secret agent sent to investigate this outbreak who was also infected during his responsibilities. He found the partial truth and sent the available evidence to Watari via Near, a mathematical genius and the only person not infected, wishfully and hoping that Watari able to continue his investigation and put a stop to these culprits. Well after some struggles, Near was able to reach Watari's mansion safely, however Watari is already dead, assassinated by Shinigami Rem mentioned in Death Note 2. Therefore, Near has to be in custody of L.

Watari casts by Shunji Fujimura.

Professor Nikaido was shocked with the outbreak, immediately conduct a research of finding the vaccine via blood sample taken from the scene. Nikaido, afraid of his daughter Maki's safety, once in 10 days will inject a sucrose compressor into her body. Sucrose, a vital ingredients for the virus to stay active, without it, it stays dormant, a preventive measure should Maki get infected while awaiting for his procurement.

Maki Nikaido (二階堂真希) by Mayuko Fukuda (福田麻由子).

As the research went deeper, Nikaido have had an instinct that a bad omen will happen to him due to his suspicion of the origins of the virus that might be leaked by internal people from his lab as the characteristics of the virus is ditto to his design. Nikaido left a sample of the virus to her daughter hoping to pass it to Watari for protection together with a key solution of getting the vaccine on Maki's final homework. Bad incident really occurs, Kujo showed her true color and called her allies to steal the vaccine from professor by force. Professor refuses to hand in the succeeded completion of the vaccine and destroyed it.

Sample of virus and address of Watari's mansion given to Maki by her father as bad omen will imminent.

The vaccine was destroyed in a dispose chamber eventually, but commander of Blueship, Asao Konishi (小西朝夫), threatens to kill her daughter, in exchange of fabricating another vaccine.

Asao Konishi (小西朝夫) casts by Bokuzō Masana. Also Blueship's commander.

Asao Konishi's left eye, contaminated by bacteria?

Nikaido refuses to bow to his demand, committed suicide by coursing the virus into his veins, died painfully and every single seconds of his death was witnessed quietly by her daughter pitifully :(. Maki sadly rushed out from the lab and headed to address by address stored in the chip given by her father seeking for asylum by the person with a name of Watari. Eventually, she arrived at Watari's mansion safely, thanks to a Samaritan taxi driver.

Professor Nikaido commits suicide by coursing the virus into his body to cease extortion from Asao :(.

Blueship members had to crack their mind to get the formula of the vaccine, ravaged up and down the laboratory but to no avail. Kujo's intelligence finally led them to a clue something to do with Watari from Maki's homework and this clue was linked to L.

Maki's first homework given by her father, a clue that will lead her to her safety should anything bad incident happens to him. Unfortunately, it also gives hints to Kujo as well. A matrix of numbers where the name "Watari" is hidden.

Kujo's intelligence leads her and the team into a new clue. Cancel the 4 letters "HOPE", Watari's name prevails.

After much persuasion by Kujo, L's mansion address was acquired and Blueship stormed into his mansion persuading Maki to hand over the sample virus. Maki engulfed with hatred of his father's murderer, injected the virus into her body via her necks with an intention of kamikaze (die together) with Kujo, failed due to the virus didn't morbid as a result of her sucrose level compressed. However, Maki's dare devil action caused Blueship members stunt and astonished, L grabbed this opportunity to flee to the back door together with her and Near. Blueship's chase follows after they regained from their pang of astonishment :)!

Maki coursing the virus into her neck.

To ensure effectiveness of capturing them, Kujo smartly announced the escaped of Maki who carries the deadly virus to be avoided by all means to the publics and at the same time able to piggy back onto the police forces to speed up the capture of Maki. 3 of them were now fugitive, and finally L decides to take shelter at professor Nikaido's good friend, Koichi Matsudo (松戸浩一) simultaneously able to get his expertise of fabricating the vaccine but hopeless initially.

Koichi Matsudo (松戸浩一) by Sei Hiraizumi (平泉成).

The key solution of fabricating the vaccine was found on Maki's final homework given by her father, solved by Near where a protein MidKine (MK) was an essential to eliminate the virus spread. Unfortunately, this protein can only be synthesized in 5 years time! The mystery of Near survivals from the outbreak at Thailand hinted L that Near's body consists of natural MK protein! Blood sample was taken from Near and indeed MK protein present, followed by mass vaccine production!

A key to virus' vaccine on Maki's final homework given by her father.

L trying to understand the solution solved by Near on Maki's final homework, a clue to the vaccine formula left by her father to her.

While Maki can't wait for the vaccine to be completed and emotionally seek her vengeance from Kujo with an attempt of kamikaze but again fail miserably, resulting herself being captured! Now, the target has been captured and can't wait to carry out the annihilation of incumbent humans, Kujo lied to every single members of Blueship that an antidote had been procured, hence enables them to carry out their "sacred" task unknowingly.

Maki was boarded into a plane by Blueship with an intention of spreading her virus via air-borne globally. Before departure of the airplane, L demanded the air pilot to cease to fly while heading to it. Hastily, Kujo still persistently wanted to continue her demented dreams by injuring Maki and pushed her to the passengers and slowly, the passengers were infected one by one including herself. This shows that from initial onwards, Kujo intended to kamikaze with all the people knowing the vaccine is still not available.

Kujo hastenly carried out her "sacred" task by injuring Maki to allow the virus to spread air-borne.

L was able to hop onto the airplane and after much persuasion from L, Kujo finally gave up her ambition. Action packed of plane ceasing by L ensued. Everything is solved and L has a remainder of 1 day, he sent Near to Watari's foundation, a place to develop special kids to fully utilized their mentality and there goes L, he passed away peacefully while sleeping as written on the Shinigami Ryuk's Death Note.

Near smiling while watching L reposition his posture :).

L wrote his own name on Ryuk's Death note, to precedes Light from writing his once "acquired" real name.

Phew! That's all folks :)! Any discrepancies, feel free to correct me.

My own thoughts about this movie. Click here.

Non-related words yet worthy:

Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. - Henry Bergson.

My perspective: L change the worLd, a Death Note movie spin off.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:14:00 +0000

12:17a.m, 3-Aug 08, Home.

Hah :)! Just finished watching the spin off of Death Note (デスノト) movies, L change the world directed by Hideo Nakata (秀夫中田), a well-known Japanese director. Well, the story line is during the 23 days lifespan remainder of L performed by Kenichi Matsuyama (松山研一). 23 days are the time frame needed for L to collect evidence, to set a plot and to slam Kira (キラ) into justice filmed on Death Note 2. L's cessation determination to the tyrant, Kira from his tyranny, sacrificed his own life by writing his own name onto the lethal book with a countdown lifespan of 23 days, a preemptive measure should Kira was to write L's "once acquired" genuine name before his plot succeeded. Anyway, I have to leave this for you to check out in Death Note 2 by yourselves :). Creativity of Hideo Nakata arises by coming up with a new story line in these 23 days, hence the spin off.

Brief synopsis of this spin off:
For a full synopsis click here.

Again, L has to save the world from its damnation by another bunch of psychopathic, overwhelming eco-terrorist and brain short-circuited people to clear overly populated humans that causes irreparable damages to the earth faster than the earth can rejuvenate in the name of betterment equilibrium of ecosystem by wiping off human race via the use of deadly virus or biological weapon. Rings any bell? Speaking of biohazard, for sure reminds every single Resident Evil's loyalists and fans. Resident Evil, a video game by Capcom where humans infected with a deadly virus, turned into a cannibalistic zombie due to humans' failure to contain the virus (biohazard) meant for biological weapon during their research. I'm not a real hardcore gamers for this game but a decent gamer who plays every single sequel of the game just for fun :).

Resident Evil episode 4 by Capcom - Leon Kennedy from Raccoon police department to save the world.

That's the main reason why I would rate this movie an average, as the patterns, the trends, the suspension and the thrills, all in all 90% similar to those games if you were to play. No harm taking look into the similarity.

Zombie alike characteristics, crawling, mourning and tottering in this spin off! "Urhhhh!" is the trademark sound effects of Resident Evil :)!

Remember the ending of Resident Evil 2 where the Raccoon city was blown up to wipe off all the virus-infected residents from causing the virus goes epidermic? Similar annihilation scene in spin off :)!

Typical facial expression of infected zombie. See the comparison. Left picture - infected professor of the movie. Right picture - Resident Evil's zombie. Oh please :)!

Wait, wait! This movie still encompasses uniqueness worth to watch. With L's unique behavior, exhuming it from mediocrity. Fundamentals of L's behaviour:

Hunch! A hunch back of Notre Dame?
Don with his trademark mask lest identity unveils. A mask with a face of man drooling. In Japanese manga, a man drools represent sexually active when seeing a beautiful or sexy lady.
Pick up with a must of thumb and index finger.
Keyboard typing with a must of index finger.
No sitting but squat.
Confectioneries obsessed consumption.

His weird behavior has induces many of Death Note fans especially picking up item with an index and thumb fingers purposely.

Hunching while walking away from Watari's foundation!

His trademark mask! Drools, drools :).

Shinigami, Ryuk instigating L not to dispose the lethal book because of his obsession pleasure of observing human killing other human with this book.

Thumb and index finger pick up :).

Keyboard typing by index finger.

Fingering the mouse touchpad with of course his index finger!

He loves to squat.

Diabetic prone? L needs intense sugar to allow him to think vigorously and attentively.

Furthermore, a photogenic lady-like actress Maki Nikaido (二階堂真希) performed by Mayuko Fukuda (福田麻由子), an added value to this movie :p!

Oh! I love her stunning eyes and killing smile. If she winks, definitely I will drop dead :p. ずっと綺麗ですね！　

Not forgetting another talented and beautiful Misa Amane (弥海砂) performed by Erika Toda (戸田恵梨香). Sadly speaking, she was only given a few seconds of appearance in this spin off. "I wish.....wish.... and wish to have been more in this movie", mentioned by her softly and humbly in the making of "L change the worLd" :(. Hope to see her more in the next sequel :).

Preston: Wah Erika! Without make ups, your beauty still prevails.
Imaginary people: Preston, how do you know make ups wasn't applied? Stupid you, you are being hypnotized!
Preston: Anyway and whatever, she is still a lot prettier than Erika Sawajiri :)!

No, no...... don't wink at me! Ahhhh! I will die mesmerically, hahaha :p. 綺麗すぎて,本当に欲しい！

L encouraged by Near and Maki to have a good posture, forcing himself to reposition with an exaggerated sound effects while doing so in the movie, klak....klak....klak...klakkkkkk...hahaha ;)!

1 day left - Correcting his posture at Watari's foundation after leaving Near.

As of overall, this movie is worth while to watch if you ain't Resident Evil fans or you have been following the Death Note movies or perhaps reading the manga. Personally, I prefer the Death Note movies and looking forward for the next sequel.

For a full synopsis of this movie click here.

Non-related yet worth to ponder words:

If you think you're tops, you won't do much climbing - Arnold Glasow.

FM transmitter, a car CD player substitution.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:15:00 +0000

2:24a.m, 1-Aug 08, Home.

I have been using this device for quite some time, 1 or perhaps 2 years. Presumably, it's a multipurpose device, if not I wouldn't be utilizing it thus far. Revealing the unspeakable, 1 GB thumb drive, voice recorder, mp3 player + FM transmitter, a 4 in 1 ultra super electronic device. I wouldn't say this is a breakthrough in a technology but an innovation of an existing technology namely, the radio frequency where have been used for decades.

USB thumb drive, voice recorder, MP3 player + FM transmitter, manufactured in Taiwan. Brand, Celltech.

The most impressive function, of course the FM transmitter. It converts the mp3 digital music stored in the thumb drive into radio frequency and emits it, hence the name "transmitter". Whatever is transmitted, they must be a receiver to trap it, therefore your car radio antenna, radio antenna, mobile phone or whatever devices has the capability of receiving radio frequency, no doubt is the receiver. These receivers convert the radio frequency back into audible musics that blast out through your speaker or earphone as if you are listening directly to a live radio! Brilliant isn't it? What is it in with me?:

Celltech with an antenna plugged in, to emit (transmit) the converted radio frequency out.

You don't need a stack of CDs to store your favourite musics and needn't to swap in between CDs while you were driving - space saving and ergonomics.
You can anytime delete and copy new musics into your thumb drive via any PC, recycle is the key unlike CDs, you have to discard it when get bored with the musics. Moreover, burning the selected favourite musics into a CD is time consuming.
Small in sizes as in size of a thumb drive.
Low maintenance due to no mechanical movement as in CDs player does.
Portable.

Cons of this device:

Design failure of the display protection glass, easily breaks as seen on the pictures above. Feed up with twice change :(!
Press button feelings NG after multiple clicks. Still clickable but no confirmation sounds and feels :(!
Able to emit musics from its store only! There is another standalone device available in the market that allows whatever thumb drive inserted into it, emits the musics stored in that thumb drive, powered by insertion into the cigarette jack of a car.
Slight disruption on signal when approaching or within close proximity of telco towers, approximately 100 meters.

Setting up this device:

Kindly tune the transmitter frequency into the desired and less interference channel. From here, I had selected FM104.4MHz.
On which channel you should select, is a channel which isn't in conflict with the existing channels utilised in Malaysia. Check out this website, to select the best and less interruption available channel. This website is not restricted to Malaysia but other countries as well.

Range of frequency channels available on Celltech. Ranging from 87.5MHz to 108.0MHz printed on the back.

Now, kindly tune the receiver frequency (radio receiver, mobile phone and etc) into the ditto channel, FM104.4MHz, thus they are in sync with each other and save this channel for future use.

Mobile phone tuned to FM104.4Mhz.

Viola you are done! Example of this configuration, a mobile phone is used as a receiver, tuned into FM104.4MHz and place it within a reasonable distance away each other. Musics can be heard from the earphone of the mobile phone! Easy! Now you can try on your car radio, instead of listening from earphone but speakers :)!

Mobile phone with a capability of receiving radio frequency and Celltech (radio frequency transmitter) side by side.

I bought this Celltech 2 years ago with a price of RM280 (USD$87.50). Currently, with a new release specifications of 4 GB storage and at a price of RM160 (USD$50), it's worth your money. However, due to its low durability of the display protection glass really puts me off from acquiring a new :(! Searching for a better brand.

Non-related yet useful sentence:

Who works achieves and who sows reaps - Arabian Proverb.

Wrong channel :)!

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:23:00 +0000

12:25a.m, 26-July 08, Home.

FEEDJIT is a widget that display real-time webpage traffics, as oppose to Google Analytic where you have to wait for 24 hours before the data can be seen, a delay in other words. On the other side, the downfall of this widget, it's not as detail as in Google Analytic with graphs, pie charts and etc. to reflect a better traffics' characteristics. Pros and cons on both tools, therefore I added both. You can observed the instant traffics from this widget placed at the bottom of the right panel of my blog.

Anyhow, I discovered a funny data feeds from FEEDJIT. Let's venture:

The circled says, a visitor from Japan visited my blog with a title "The Beauty of the past" via search engine Google Japan with a searched keyword "beauty anus" :p! On clicking this link, it leads me to:

turned out to be on 2nd top of the searched results!! My blog was closely matched with such keywords, attracts surfer looking for XXX??? Will this blog being labeled as:

Haha :)! Anyway, all my blog contents are absolutely meant for public view, "U" as in "Umum" :).

Non-related but worthy sentence:

Ability has nothing to do with opportunity - Napoleon Bonaparte.

32nd Bon Odori (盆踊り) 2008 festival - Panasonic Sports Complex, Shah Alam, Malaysia.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:18:00 +0000

1:20a.m, 13-July 08, Home.

On 12-July 08 (Saturday), one of the auspicious Japanese festivals was held in Panasonic Sports Complex, the Bon Odori. Our Japanese class organised an unofficial trip to this event. This is my first time to attend such event and it was a magnificent and an exciting trip overall :).

In the past, where I worked in JVC Shah Alam as an engineer, once a while, heard of this event, however unable to participate, due to tremendous workload. Tremendous as in, where everyone delightfully countdown for New Year, undoubtedly, had to work :(! By the way, for your information, Panasonic Sports Complex is just opposite to JVC plants. So near yet so far :)! Anyhow, it was still a fabulous experience working in this multinational company :).

Definition of Bon Odori (盆踊り) quoted from Wikipedia:

"Obon (お盆) or just Bon (盆) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed (deceased) spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars. Also called the Feast of Lanterns, it has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance (Odori - 踊り), known as Bon-Odori."

Bon Odori programme breakdowns printed on the fan, given to visitors upon entrance.

Me, in front of the Panasonic Sports Complex entrance.

Battalions of visitors walking into the sports complex!

Wow! Lots of people!

Different people from different walks of life!

Foods, beverages and merchandise booths.

Everyone is excited and can't wait for the festival to kick off.

10,000 visitors?

Or more than 10,000!!??

The stage of performance with drums and etc to perform the Odori.

Festival kicks-off with an opening speech by don't know who ... :p.

Performers donned in their Yukutas, getting ready.

Off stage dance performance, emulation (in-sync) of the stage dance.

Me and Ten Ten (Japanese classmate).

Me and Ultrabeast :)!

Elite troops of this 2008 Bon Odori trip :).

Me and my A1 Japanese class' sensei, Kawa Oka sensei (川岡　先生) :).

Dance emulation by the spectators below the stage.

The Crane - silly me :p!

Crouching Tiger?

The Dragon - crazily out of mind :p?

Behold earthlings, Crouching Tiger & Hidden Dragon's troop, defy us, DIE :)!!

That's all folks. We left the complex 30 minutes earlier to avoid massive jams upon dispersion.

Non related yet worthy sentence:

Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising up every time we fail - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

プレストンさん、体　が　いい　ほしい？

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:35:00 +0000

午前１２：３６、７月１１日２００８年、家に。

私の　体重は　重く　なりました。　体重　を　下げる　ために、　ジムへ　行かな　ければ　なりません。

２月２６日２００８年　から、　カリフォニア　フィツネツーに　申し込みました。　健康　が　いいか　どうか、　ジムで　初めて　運動　する　時、　体の　調子　を　はかって　おきます。

体の　資料　を　まとめた　あとで、　インストラクターと　相談しました。

Bla….bla….bla…

結果は　私の　体重　８０．２４キロで、　太りすぎ　でした！　気分　が　悪かった　です！　すぐ　毎週　三回以上　運動する　予定　を　決めました。

二週間　あとで、　インストラクターと　もう　一度　会う前に、　私の　体重　を　はかったら、　８０キロ　でした。

私：“この　運動の　予定の　とおりに、　すれば、　一ヶ月に　どれくらい　体重　が　下がるか、　説明　して　下さい。”

インストラクター：“フン。。。。、　この　予定は　３キロ以上　ぐらい　が　下げられます。”

私：“本当　ですか？　今　二週間　あとで、　０．２４キロだけ　下げて、　１．５キロ　が　下がりません　でした？　どうして？”　びっくり　して　言いました。

インストラクター：“オウ！。。オウ！。。多分。。。食べる　習慣　が　適当　では　有りません。　毎朝　何が　食べるか、　言って　下さいませんか。　例えば、　ロチ　チャナイ　か　ナシ　レマクを　食べました？”

「ロチ　チャナイ　と　ナシ　レマクの　カロリ　が　高いです」

私：“いええ、　食べません。　パン　か　面　だけ　を　食べます。”

インストラクター：“夕食は　どうだった？　よく　食べました？”

私：“食べません。　いつも、　二杯　晩御飯　を　食べて　いました。　しかし、　今　一杯　しか　食べて　いません。”

インストラクター：“おかしい　結果　ですね、　ちょっと　すみません、　分かりません。”

私も　当惑　しました！

三週間　あとで、　体重　を　もう　一度　はかったら、　７９．２キロ　でした。

私　が　私に　話しました：“１キロだけ　下げました。　一ヶ月に、　１キロ　しか　下げられません。　３キロは　正しくない！”と　思いました。

四週間　あとで、　土曜日に　私の　部屋　を　自分で　掃除　したり、　片ずけたり　しました。　私の　体の　資料　を　見ました。　もう　一度　読んで、　びっくり　しました！

私の　体重　が　違う　のが　分かりました！　８０．２４キロ　では　有りません　でした、　でも　８２．４キロ　でした！　意味は　一ヶ月に　本当に　３キロ以上　が　下げられる　ので　嬉しかった　です！

自分で　見ま違いました！ Cehhhh! :p

語彙:

０１）ジム－ gym (n).
０２）体重（たいじゅう）－　weight (n).
０３）下げる（さげる）－ to reduce (v).
０４）はかる　－　to measure (v).
０５）適当「な」（てきとう）　－　suitable (な-adj).
０６）健康（けんこう）－ health (n).
０７）太りすぎ（ふとりすぎ）－ overweight.
０８）以上（いじょう）－ or more.
０９）カリフォニア　フィツネツー　― California Fitness (n).
１０）インストラクター　―　instructor (n).
１１）習慣（しゅうかん）－ habit (n).
１２）ロチ　チャナイ　―　roti canai (n).
１３）ナシ　レマク　― nasi lemak (n).
１４）当惑（どうわく）－ confuse (adj).
１５）カロリ　－ calorie (n).
１６）見ま違う（みまちがう）－ to see wrongly (v).
１７）運動（うんどう）　－　exercise (ｎ).
１８）調子（ちょうし）－　condition (n).
１９）相談（そうだん）　－　discuss (ｎ).
２０）決める（きめる）－　to decide (v).
２１）予定（よてい）－　schedule (n).
２２）説明（せつめい）－ explain (v).
２３）申し込む（もしこむ）－　enrol (v).

関係ない　文:

A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle - Khalil Gibran.

Once a while, you deserve to take a break!

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:31:00 +0000

10:43p.m, 27-June 2008, home.

My company soon to organise a "Family Day" on next Saturday (5th July 2008). Various activities have been planned accordingly, bowling, paint ball, horse riding and myriads of exciting activities. The funny incident starts when every single team of bowlers were required to create a striking and killing-effect theme for themselves.

My manager, the team leader call for a short discussion in a small room on creation of this "Killing-effect" theme. Here goes our brainstorms session. Only three of us were in this discussion:

Everyone just toss out their ideas impatiently, "Why not:

1) Sure Win!
2) No one beats us!
3) Like no others!
4) The best among the best!

Errrrr! Phoeeey! we shot down at each other blaming mediocrity. "Sure Win! A lottery bonanza?". "Like no others, are we selling Sony products?", lamented to each other. hahaha!

I stood up, "We want something sounds HILARIOUS yet POWERFUL, not as in powderful or powerpuffs girls but POWERFUL" suggested.

Myself: "Beijing 2008 Olymm.......pics Champion, in conjunction with soon to be commenced worlds' prestigious sports game, the Olympics in China. We want to steal the lime lights from this auspicious event, with us claiming ourselves to be the champion well ahead before the game starts hahaha :p!"

B: "Aiyeah, sounds so like China..-> discard!"

C: "Ehh! Why not Bowlympics Champion!" followed by laughters, however the "Bowlympics" was selected due to its uniqueness, not "Champion" due to generalness.

"OK! guys, we need additional one more word to finalize our super duper motto!"

The conversation continued sarcastically! "How about:

1) Bowlympics Bluehyppo?
2) Bowlympics Hippopotamus?

3) Bowlympics Gladiator?

4) Bowlympics Tiger hidden Dragon?
5) Bowlympics, better than Shalin?

6) Bowlympics Spider Pig?

7) Bowlympics Harry Plopper?

Ahahahahaha!

"Bowlympics All Star" was selected unanimously eventual.

All these suggestions, albeit might be childish reflective to you, once a while or perhaps once in a blue moon, we should give ourselves a break by doing things moronically, act childishly to release ourselves from the world full of rules and regulations as in "You can't do this and that, you should know this and that, the melody continues.... yada yada :)!".

Further suggestive crazy acts with an intention of stress reduction:

1) Dance like a monkey in front of a big mirror.
2) Crass stupidity pluses sarcasm verbally.

3) Sings out of sync and monotonously in karaoke.

If you dislike karaoke, go and immediately pick up the microphone and sings freely like nobody business, disregard how disgraceful, distasteful and lousy you might sound. I promised you, you will feel very contented eventually!

Please take note, try to confine this to yourselves or your close friends. Of course, applying these amid your managers or clients, undoubtedly "Non-confidence vote" will be slapped unbeknownst to you :)!

Cheers,

YOU! The only person generates YOUR own happiness :)!

面白かった！

日本語　を　勉強　する　のは　難しい　ですか？

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:30:00 +0000

午前１０：３５、６月４日２００８年、家で。

Starting from this Jap blog, tooltips are added on the "might be difficult" words for the sake of ergonomics, need not to scroll to and fro from the glossary :)! However, glossary still, will be added at the end of this blog due to simple tooltips html code is used, you will experience a delay in tooltips pop up upon mouse over :p! Trying to use Java, but it will take hell lots of time to start from scratch :(!

実は　日本語は　沢山言葉　を　覚える　こと　と　色色　文法　を　勉強　する　のが　もう　難し　すぎる　でしょう！

でも、今　も一杯　チャレンジ　が　有ったら、精神的な忍耐　が　もっと　強く　なら　ければ　なりません。　どうして？　Mさんの　時時　変な　行動　を　見て、　私たち　びっくり　した　ので、　精神的な　忍耐　が　もっと　強く　なら　ければ　ならない　かどうか、　考えさせて　下さい！

誰　Mさん？どんな　行動？　この　リンク　を　読んで　下さい：
Awaken from slumber not SCHLUMBERGER!

それから：
The day The hippopotamus starts to fly...

言葉：

実は　（じつは）－ to tell the truth.
文法　（ぶんぽう）-　grammar (n).
精神的　（せいしんてき）　-　mental (adj).
忍耐　（にんたい）　-　endurance (adj).
強い　（つよい）　－　strong (adj).
変な　（へんな）－　weird (adj).
行動　（こうどう）　‐　behaviour (n).

The day The hippopotamus starts to fly....

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Sun, 25 May 2008 05:51:00 +0000

1:04a.m, 26-May 08, Kuala Lumpur, Home.

One fine day, delightfully ended my Monday's day job, off me goes to my usual night class. Early I was, reaching the class at KL Plaza, half hour earlier than the commencement time. Hmmmm… I wasn’t the earliest but other 2 class-mates were there already. One was about to have her lovely and motherly prepared lunch box, the other pseudo M, reading his favourite anime books.

Clak, clak! The lunch box was unlocked, an aromatic smell oozed. I still had have not taken my dinner, the stomach started to make noise. To cease further excretion of gastric juice, I walked all the way towards the door and open it, to permit ventilation.

Clock struck at 5 minutes before class commencement, more students arrived and sat at their respective seats. However, our fellow Korean class just opposite of ours, started earlier with a Korean music being played. Due to corridor was designed narrowly, the music can be heard slightly clearer on which caused a bit of annoyance.

Deng, deng, deng....teng.....

M, raised from his chair, went to knock the door requesting for toning down the volume:

M: "Can you please lower down the volume, it’s VERY NOISY!" with his usual grumpy voice.

Korean teacher: “You….close the door….then will silence!” spoke in strong Korean accent furiously not amounting to engage into a conflict. Most probably dislike the way of request being done.

Out of blue, I don’t know why and don’t ask me why,

M interrupted: “日本語で　話して　下さい！ [Please speak in Japanese!]” was thrown to the Korean teacher.

We were all astonished and stunt with inquisitively look at him! "Ahhhhh" was the only word escaped softly from our mouth with hands grasping our hairs.

What had happened, you may asked curiously? M requested to tone down the volume in English language and the Korean teacher replied in English, out of sudden M quaintly demanded the teacher to speak in Japanese??!! Insultation, wasn't it? Hahhhh!.....another "superlative" things done by M! The teacher turn a blind eye to him and continued her teachings. Now, with our classroom door shut, indeed, the volume reduced significantly!

I wonder what will happen, if the fury was to continue with the teacher countered in Korean language? WW III eruption, dooms' day, armageddon? Ok! Preston, desist your imagination, a bad guy you are, see what had you done again! Why busied yourselves opening that damn door :)?

What kind of person M is, you can read back on my very first blog written with a title “Awaken from slumber not SCHLUMBERGER!”.

On second taught, it was funny :) and despondent :( combined if you were familiar with him, thus, I laughed….hahahahah and sad *sob**sob*.

（第二）　ほかの　冗談　を　書いた。

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Sat, 24 May 2008 09:49:00 +0000

午後１１．４８、　５月１７日２００８年、家に

You can translate my jap-language written blog into English. Copy and paste the link from the URL into the "Babelfish" on the right panel. Select "Jap to Eng" drop-down menu and click "Translate". WA LA! However, the translated version is very weird! Aiyeah use it temporarily first lar...no further complaints will be entertained :), working out on the Eng translation :p!

この　ブログは　冗談だけです　から,　皆さん　まじめに　ならないで、お願いします：）。

弟一回　読む　前に、　下の言葉は　覚えれば、　全部　ブログが　簡単に　分かります。

０１）小銭（こぜに）－ small change.
０２）ブログ　－　blog.
０３）こじき　－　beggar.
０４）帽子（ぼうし）－ hat.
０５）ビジネス　－　business.
０６）アイイェア　－　Chinese expression of sighing.
０７）まじめ「な」－　serious.
０８）冗談（じょうだん）―　joke.
０９）替える（かえる）－　exchange.
１０）デパ一ト　－department store.
１１）袋（ふくろ）－bag.

私の　友達（ロンさん）、　デパ一ト　を　持って　います。　それで、　ビジネス　を　始める　前に、　沢山　小銭　を　準備　しなければ　なりません。　小銭　を　替える　所は　銀行　です。

替えた　小銭　を　貰った　あとで、　銀行の　ドア　を　開けて、　出ました。　ドアの　そばにこじき　が　座って　いました。　こじきの　前に　帽子が　有る　のが　見えました。　悲しい　こじきの　目が　ずっと　下　を　見て　いました。　残念　ですね！

ロンさんの　お金　が　入って　いる　袋に、　冗談に　帽子に　置きました！こじきは　とても　嬉く　なりました！　そして、　当惑に　目も　すぐ　上に　見るし、　口と　目も　大きく　開いて　いました。

こじき：　“あああ。。。やっと。。。よかったたたた。。。！” 自分で　静かに　話しました。

けれども。。。

ロンくん：“アイ。。。イェアアアア！僕の　右手　疲れた、　左手に　変えたい。”

すぐ、　左手で　帽子に　袋　を　拾って、　こじき　から　持って　行きました！

悪い　人　ですね。:p.

初めて　日本語で　冗談　を　書きました。

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:36:00 +0000

午後８．０３、５月１０日２００８年、クアラルンプールで　家に。

よかった！僕は　初めて　日本語で　冗談　を　書いて、よろしく　お願いします。

。。。。。。。。

この　ブログは　簡単に　分かる　ように、下の　言葉　を　覚えて　下さい。

０１）　警官（けいかん）－ policeman.
０２）　警察署（けいさつしょ）－ police station.
０３）　身分証明書（みぶんしょうめいしょ）－ identity card.
０４）　運転免許（うんてんめいきょ）－ driving license.
０５）　アルコール　―　alcohol.
０６）　テスト　－ test.
０７）　結果（けっか）－ result.
０８）　ネガテイブ　－ negative.
０９）　ドライバ　－ driver.
１０）　乗客（じょうきゃく）－ passenger.
１１）　ハンドル　―　handle (car’s steering).
１２）　ブレタライズ　－　breathalyzer.
１３）　検査（けんさ）－　inspect.
１４）　かむ－ to blow.
１５）　フラフラ　－　imbalance.
１６）　よっぱらった　―　drunk.

リンさんは　ビール　を　沢山　飲んで、よっぱらった。　午前１２：００　ぐらい、車　を　運転して　いました。警官は　リンさんの　車を　止めました。

ピピピー。。。。。
車　が　止まりました。

リンさんの　顔が　赤く　なった　ように　見られました。

警官：　“多分　よっぱらって　いる？”　と　思いました。自分で　考えて　いました。

警官：　“窓を　開けろ！　エンジンを　止めろ！　身分証明書と　運転免許　を　見せろ！”。

リンさん：　“はいいい。。。”　弱く　言いました。

警官：　”早く　車　を　出ろ！　ブレタライズを　かめ、　アルコール　テスト！”

リンさんは　車　を　出ました。　それに　ブレタライズを　かみました。

リンさん：　”アアアフフフ。。。”

おかしい　結果、　ネガテイブ　です！　よっぱらったでは　有りません　でした？

検査した　あとで、　リンさんは　フラフラと　歩いて、　車へ　行きました。　ドライバの　ドア　を　開けません　でした　が　乗客の　ドア　を　開けて、　入りました！

リンさんは　ハンドル　を　捜しました。

リンさん：　”うんん。。。？。。。うんん。。。？　どうして、僕　を　車　が　出させた？　今　見ろ！。。。見ろ！。。。君は　ハンドル　を　無くす！どうしたら　いい？どうしたら　いい？　うるさい！”　邪魔に　言いました。

警官：”？？！！。”　１００％　よっぱらって　いる！

リンさんは　最後に　警察署へ　連れて　行かれました！

Acquisition of such powerful MENTAL power. How?

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:05:00 +0000

11:10p.m, 25-March 08, Kuala Lumpur.

Before diving into this YouTube video clip, there are 4 essential characters that I would like to make it clear lest confusion:

1) Zapatero, current Prime Minister of Spain (left).

2) Aznar, former Spaniard Prime Minister (not in the picture).

3) Juan Carlos, Spain's King (right- with a yellow tie).

4) Chavez, President of Venezuela (picture - down).

Synopsis - you can refer to this BBC web page to get a rough idea of the tussle between these 2 countries all about, however, this is not the essential point that I wish to deliver, only meant for your perusal if you wish to know further :).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7089131.stm

Video clip at YouTube:

Forget about the quarrel, ditch the nuisance of recognising who they were, delete the discomfortness of the King's rudeness against Venezuelan President, Chavez by demanding him to shut up and the bilateral history sentiments of these two countries. The only conversation that attracted me the most, were the few sentences mentioned by PM Zapatero almost at the end of this video clip. He rebuked to Chavez:

"....One can be diametrically opposed to another's ideology.........I think there is an essence and a principal in a dialogue. In order to respect and to be respected, we must avoid resorting to insult. One can radically disagree with another's idea.......one can strongly disagree with everything while respecting people at the same time. This is the ground if later one want to be respected.........now and in the future, even if, we deeply disagree about the ideas we hold."

Why am I sooooo get caught into these few sentences? Sincerely speaking, out of norm, when human disagree with others ideology, hardly, he/she will respect each other due to emotion starts to take control. Yet, this is not impossible to achieve, I have seen people doing it repeatedly, especially from a successful people.

A big argument happens in a meeting but after meeting, those involved, still solve, discuss, make jokes, have lunch together! Got it? How to acquire such a clear cut thought? You will need a strong mental power, agree? Or maybe this is just common sense as you don't need such mental power to achieve this?

*blur**blur* :p!

Memoir - Dynasty Warrior 5 original soundtrack

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:02:00 +0000

11:29p.m, 11-March 08, Home.

Myriads of mental therapy can be implemented easily as a method of mental defense mentioned in my previous blog, "The beauty of the past". Besides, flashing back sweet nostalgic scenario for the sake of switching from negative to positive, on the other hand, you can attempt by listening to the music you like the most, of course has to be joyful, happy, ovation, delightful and motivational, Esther Hicks recommended.

A music namely, Memoir from Dynasty Warrior 5 Original Sound Track (OST), I have been resorted to, most of the time while experiencing mental challenges. Play it from my play list situated at the right panel. It takes time to load sometimes up to 1 minute :).

This music is formed of 3 momentums. All these requires you to unleash your imagination power or an occasion that you had experienced before, before continue reading :)!

1) 1st momentum (0 till 47 sec) : Historically, you were being defeated severely, you were nobody, you were flung to the bottom of rumbles, piece of crap you were, a pig in a pigs' sty hence, this momentum is more to sentimental to reflect your destituteness!

2) 2nd momentum (48 sec till 1:10 sec) : Perseveringly you denied all mentioned above, bite you own tongue, lunges forward stubbornly, deflects every hindrances strenuously and melancholy thus, the tempo of sorrowful with a bit of motivational spices (composed with oriental musical instruments.......cool).

3) 3rd momentum (1:10 sec till 1:24 sec) : and finally URrrrrrghhhhh! a cry of VICTORY! a ray hope of lights at the end of tunnel! you emerged VICTORIOUS!

(1:25 till 2:00 sec)

Tranquilly but firmly whispered to yourselves, "Denying my existence demonstrates that the challenge has been so banal, disappointing and characterised by failure that it can ill-afford to take any chances by allowing me to prevail my supremacy!"

Phewww! A measly 2:36 minutes music can be elaborated to thus far! Amazing :)!

P.S: In order to get-to-know the feelings that I'm enjoying, at least you have to listen to this music 3 times consecutively per day for 3 consecutive days.

Moreover, you will need a good speaker to play followed by a head swing together with the tempo of the music :p!

Am I a demented zombie :p?

Hahahahaha!

The beauty of the past.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:22:00 +0000

1:22pm, 21-Feb 08, Home, Kuala Lumpur.

Shouldn't at this time I should be working, while everyone is busy with their daily job? Why am I writing this blog at such time?

Esther Hicks (Abraham) mentioned in The Secret movie that we, human is always in a self-defense mode, in the sense, let's say, physical injury you have, your body sends an immediate signal to your brain, to leave away from the detrimental condition. For instance, your hand landed on a hot kettle, in split second, you withdraw your hand hastily due to signal of pain sent to your brain in order to reduce further damage to your hand, thus a physical defense!

What about mental injury? As we, human are formation of a body (physical) and a soul (mental), how do your brain tells you that you are experiencing mental injury? According to Esther Hicks, while your are undergoing depression, unhappiness, anger, frustration or whatever negative emotions you can think of, all in all, a thousand of signals signaling that you are experiencing a mental challenge. If you don't amend it, by switching form negative emotions to positive, that's where the psychology problem grows silently within. Run amok, you might. Atrocity of massacre, you might and that's where the borne of terrorism and massacre in Darfur right now. Funnily, our mental defense is not automatically by itself ignites on which switching from negative to positive compared to physical defense i.e. your hand withdraw by itself when it senses a danger. I don't know why and don't ask me why, perhaps you might seek consultation from Esther. The worst is that you have to do the switching manually!!

Knowing the fact of myself being in the state of negative emotions now, it's better to publish something feels good (the switching - mental defense) and that's was during my first day of Orientation Week in Nottingham University 5 years ago. Lucky I am, I did save this public diary and thus, today publication. I wish to be back in past, where the only pressure is exam, no such problem as no money, no job and sad relationship mental challenges. However, we still have to move forward, striding gallantly towards our ultimate goals.

..................................................................................

Hello everyone,

Finally, I had arrived to Manchester airport on Tuesday early in the morning after stayed motionless for 13 hours inside the air plane. Then, we had to wait for almost another 4 hours for someone from Nottingham to fetch us. The week when we embarked was actually a Welcome Week for us. The Welcome Week brought fun and the opposite. When we firstly arrived at Nottingham, we were told to register at the reception – this was the first queue, then we had to pick up our own luggage back to our temporary hall named Hugh Stewart. Everyone could easily moved their luggage to their respective hall except for me because not even single of my luggage has wheel! After that, dinner was served, we all Teong Senn, Aries, me and the others were really pleased with the foods served. They served soup, chicken breast with cheesy sauce, fries and cakes. The decorations of the cakes were magnificent but perception changed significantly when we consumed a scope of the cake. The cakes were extremely sweet as it liked condensing a kg of sugar into a sector of a cake! First layer of the cake was something like granular sugar, second layer was cream and third layer was like brown sugar. The sugar level is >> the flour available! After drinking the soup, I found out that the soup was actually a cheese soup, yikes!

Next morning even worse, I had to finish a lot of stuff – accommodation, banking, insurance, smart card, registration, listen to speech and many more. Every thing can be done in one day but you couldn’t as you have to queue up all the while and I ended up everything on next Wednesday. Queue and queue! But it’s ok as the Nottingham’s staffs are friendly. There was one incidence, where I had to pay my first installment somewhere 587.21 pounds. I paid the lady 600 pounds but she decided to give back 10 pounds and the extra balance was carried forward for the next installment as they did not have sufficient change for every student. She gave me the receipt and my passport back and I just buzzed off like that and went for Students Union talk. After a few minutes talk given by one of the Nottingham’s staff, I suddenly freaked out as I forgotten to take my 10 pounds change! I quickly rushed out the door of the lecturer hall as if the speaker was transparent and requested the 10 pounds politely and you know what, they really gave me back the 10 pounds after a few checks with the computer and I don’t know what she was checking for and moreover, the lady that returned the money to me was not the lady that supposed to return my 10 pounds!!! Phew, I might be losing RM60!

Now it’s about the toilet in my temporary hall. I called it “Toilet Story – Episode One: Mismatch Menace”.

I think the toilet cistern is a new one and it doesn’t suit the bowl in any angle. Ya know, the cistern width is longer than usual, so, the bowl lid is impossible to be flipped more than 90 degree or even 90 degree. Guess what, whenever I wanted to pee, one hand has to be blocking the lid from falling back to its original place and the other you know what to do lah! It was so inconvenient. Even worst, when I tried to excrete some biological waste, of course, the foremost procedure you need to do is sit. While I was sitting on the bowl, the lid kept leaning against my back. You feel like something is compressing from the back. Imagine when you try to wipe your anus, before you reach your anus, either one of your arm has to nudge the lid and then you are able to reach your destination. The next morning, I brought up this matter to my temporary room mates and he burst into tears. He just placed the toilet rolls in between the fulcrum of the lids in order to avoid the lid from falling! Stupid me!

During the Welcome Week, the students from the Student Association kept selling different tickets for different occasions. Since everyone in my group went for those events, I just followed the herd and ended up wasting money for nothing (No offend please). There were four tickets altogether but I bought 2 only after realizing they weren’t worth for money. The first was the Barn Dance where everyone danced but not all of them dance. Just dancing and I had to pay 5 pounds and no free drinks, you want free drinks, go for the tap water located inside the toilet, and it’s free! The second ticket was meant for Buffet. It was a fraud! It was not a buffet but a set lunch. You can’t go for second or third round but just one round. Foods were fixed and you can’t take more than that! I wanted to take the vegetarians’ foods as well but not allowed! No combination allowed! I complained, no one bothered me. Am I practicing cognitive dissonance?

After staying in the hall for almost 4 nights, everyone had to shift to their actual hostel or hall. Lucky for Teong Senn because he stays at the same hall but different block. Meanwhile, I had to shift to my actual hostel in Broadgate Park which is situated 20 minutes away from the main campus. Fortunately, there was a van that took every single of my luggage to my new hostel if not, I will be like dead ducks!

Now it’s about the van I took:

The van is quite big. Only 3 passengers are allowed to sit in the front including the driver. So, to be a gentleman I gave the seats to the ladies and decided to walk to my hostel instead. Very quaintly, the driver insisted me and my room mates to follow him, saying that he needed us to guard the bags when arrived to the destination. Aren’t the ladies capable of doing that? Without any hesitation, I quickly hopped on to the van thinking of ‘Wow need not to be a gentleman and need not to walk, just guard the bag, why not? “He he”, I laughed sinisterly. I shouted, “Let’s go!” delightedly. “All right!” replied the driver. Oh darn! The driver actually stopped at another hall, the Cripps Hall where thousand people awaiting there to load their luggage in to the van. Then I realized why he insisted us to follow him, I had to become not a cheap labourer but a payless labourer! Loading an average of 30kg bags into the van, I got really weak and still had to guard the bags in the end!! Surprisingly, my room mate loaded all the bags happily and still smile at me while I was extremely tired. I wanted to slap him, indeed! After reaching my hostel, it took me about another 3 hours of queue just to get my room key.

That’s all folks!

SAPA - tourism area, north-west of Hanoi, Vietnam.

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:37:00 +0000

1:37am, 16-Feb 08 (Sat), Kuala Lumpur.

On the 4th day of my trip, I went to SAPA, a tourism area meant for village trekking and get to experience village-stay environment for couple of days. I went there for 2 days and a night trip. However, I chose not to stay in the village but in a hotel named Hotel Summit on the summit and that was a great decision made :-)! Read through....

I went to SAPA by train from Hanoi, the journey took 8 hours and hence we slept in the train with beds itself. Once we reached the railway station, Lao Cai, a van transferred us from there to SAPA together with other tourists from different countries like Canada, Australia, Brazil, Chili and Israel.

When we reached the summit, our vision could barely see anything due to mist and fogginess. Of course, the temperature is terribly not friendly, presumably around 5 Celsius with high humidity *ah-chiew* *sniff**sniff* :)!

Nothing special on the 1st day but 2nd, we went to the 2nd village even deeper down into the valley compared to the 1st day. No infrastructure, no protective grills along the tracks, slippery, steeply and muddy tracks emblazoned with aromatic buffalo's dung :p. Thus, a fish monger boots are a necessity for this trekking. The buffalo's dung are 5 by 5 inches big-sized, in other words, I would rather trip, slip or fell into a cavern rather than splat into these dung, yikes!

Before I went down, plenty of the villagers already awaiting impatiently outside the hotel just to give perhaps their tour guide services to the tourists. Service from them wasn't required as I had my own, also originates from the village it was part of the package. A good English speaker, she is.

While walking down, my lady tour guide went to toilet and I was being stranded on the road waited for 5 minutes and it was these 5 minutes wait, another villager (lets call her VA) approached me by saying,

VA:"Hello.....where....r....u....from?", muttered nonchalantly and intermittently English speaking.

I: "Malaysia", was my response.

VA:"Wen.....u....go...duwn....to...my..villige,...u....buy me......sumething....OK OK OK! (placing her hand into her bag to and fro repeatedly in gestural)! I....cuver.....you...OK OK OK", she added.

I:"Huh", was the only response from me, followed by, "No....buying....anything....no...promises", I uttered in the similar manner and I acted dumbly.

Thanks god, my tour guide came to my rescue and continued the journey with other tourists. The tough part came, from perspective view, the tracks that I was going into was very muddy, steeply and slippery. And out of sudden, a storm of kids rushed towards us, offering their bamboo walking sticks. Almost every tourists says no, therefore I followed their decision arrogantly by thinking that "I don't need that helping stick" :-).

The moment I went down..... the steep cliff, *swish...* *swosh...woohhhh*, very slippery indeed, I crawled back up to buy the bamboo heheheh :p! Each stick cost VND5,000 (RM1), I gave them VND10,000, hence expecting a change but poor kids unavailable! Every kids shoving their bamboos to me simultaneously once I bought from the kid. Don't really have any idea what to do, another kid exclaimed, "You bought from him and now buy one from me, pleaseeeee.....". Brilliant idea pop-up, "I will take another stick from you and you share the VND10k with your fellow friend, OK?" or maybe its their strategy of not having change, thus, I will unpremeditatedly purchase another :-)? I grabbed the additional stick.

You will only need a stick to smoothen the trekking, hence the extra, I gave it to my tour guide (let's call her TGA). Frankly speaking, she doesn't need it as she get used to walking at this uneven geographical terrain, anyway!

After an hour of trekking, to my surprise, I just realized the villager A (VA) was following my back all the while. Ahhhh!!! who cares, maybe she was just going back to her village, thus I ignored her but nightmare awaits me later. Another lady tour guide (pseudo TGB) touring the other tourists came to chit chat with me for quite some time till we reached another stop with a shelter.

Both lady tour guides, TGA and TGB out of sudden confronted me on a very small matter.

TGA: "Tell her (TGB), that you bought me this bamboo stick just now", she exclaimed.

I: "Yup, I bought her the stick due to insufficient change by the kid from top, an extra...", I responded banteringly as I am quite tired.

TGB: "You will buy me a stick right? We will help each other hehehe....together....just joking....hehe", interrupted.

I: "Alright alright....!", I replied without any sense of alarm and was distracted by the beautiful scenery.

I busied myself of snapping pictures.

The journey continued with my TGA.

I: " What do you (villagers) do everyday besides going to paddy field?", asked curiously, curious of their past times.

TGA: "We went up to SAPA town."

I: "Hmmm...do what? Any examples?"

TGA: "Oh! For youngster like us, we go up looking for partners. The lady can't choose the guys but the opposite."

I: "Oh! I see."

TGA: "Normally, a guy will buy the lady something as a confirmation of starting a relationship and the other lady can't intercept once given.", she explained.

I started to felt a ring of alarm fadedly, related to the bamboo I gave to her???

I: "What's the population in a family, averagely speaking?"

TGA: "Mine is 8"

I: "Wow! That's a lot!", astonished.

TGA: "Nope", replied firmly. "My neighbor has 15, mine consider small, I like more babies when I get married, 10 perhaps", she added.

I: "That's a lot, in a city center, normally somewhere around 1 to 3 kids due to living cost", I reinstated.

TGA: "No no no....actually, I love to have 2 kids only not 10", trying to be in sync with me!!!

That was where I started to awaken from my deep sleep! Very alarming...starting from the bamboo stick quarrel, the confrontation and the chit chat, all in all has their own hidden agenda! Holy crap and stupid me! VA also once a while whispered, "I love you, I love you" when she had the chance to talk with me. Yikes! Everything was getting down to my nerves. I'm petrified, what were they going to do with me especially in such a remote places? I know nobody and the roads back to hotel, shishhhh! Fortunately, I didn't opt for the overnight stay in the village package initially :p!

Immediately, I swarmed myself into the groups of other tourists throughout the whole trekking, we chit chat whatever under the sun just to kill the time and avoid unnecessary conversation with both TGA & TGB. Possibly like an octopus where I can squirt the blackish ink just to flee myself away when sensing a danger :p!

Eventually, I reached their village with a natural view of terrace paddy fields. Magnificent indeed.

There came VA demanded servicing money from me. VND50,000 (RM10).

VA: "Plis.....pay.....me...VND50 thousand....", demanded.

I: "Whut...whut?", perturbed.

VA: "I....cuver....you.....from up till down.....yes...cuver cuver..cuver..", explained.

I: "Whut cuver?", perplexed. "Oh! You meant cover up! I didn't request for any cover up!"

VA: "Pay...pay...pay..."

Knowing didn't ask for any such service, I had no choice but to ignore her. She was very persistence, finally, instead of asking to pay for services, she tried to sell me something. After a few bargaining, I bought a cylindrical flute cost VND20k (RM4). Off she goes back to her house. Another villager (pseudo VB) quietly followed my back as well, this time, I requested help from TGA to explain to her not to cover me up. Phew :)!

After 4 hours of trekking, time to return to the summit by a van. TGA jokingly said, "No need to go back up! Marry with the people over here". During this moment...just a split second..., a lady back in KL flashed via my unconscious mind inadvertently. "NO", escaped from my mouth firmly. Quickly, I regained my consciousness, "Oh! no no no, someone is waiting for me back in my hometown, I love her a lot", 1001 excuses flung out subtly and politely. Off I go back to the hotel.

Never travel alone. My sisters and mum were petrified and tired on the 1st day trekking trip, hence on the 2nd day, I trekked alone. Since, I had came thus far away from KL, I would really want to opportune this opportunistic 2nd day opportunity, hence traveled alone. What a journey, it was! Another sigh, "Phew :-)!".

Before the advent of Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:41:00 +0000

11:41pm, 12-Feb 08, Hanoi, Vietnam.

2 days to go before the advent of Valentine's Day. A day where most lovers will get together to share their experiences experienced throughout their life being a couple or blossoming of a new affair. Couples of my good friends had had been in the state of emotionally challenging, challenge in the sense of break ups, seeing their long last lover dreadfully to be with other known friends or merrily together with their new partners.

Due to these challenges, they would and will....., will find other couples immediately just to:

1. Fill the empty gap of loneliness?
2. To forget the past and positively move forwards ignorantly?
3. To shield the already bleeding heart from a treacherous dagger?
4. To show off that you can easily get a new couple even though you dumped me?

All in all, believe me, these sentiments will again prevail during the day of Valentine, the flashback of the sweet time with your old partner, flips-flops with bitterness of recent tragedy.

Few observation and listening I did to my fellow friends. I have known them for quite a period of time. I would say, they can be a reasonable perfect husband/bf/gf in giving out care, trust, love and financially solid for years to come. However, as time passes by, the standard of living has been increased not only inflation, fuel prices, raw materials just to name a few, but increased in standard emotional needs too.

Emotion plays an important role, majority constitutes the "sense of security". And security consist of financial stability, loyalties, faithfulness, trustworthiness and love. The context of financial stability is always the culprit especially in city center everywhere in the world.

The most painful moment observed is during where they suspect their loves one started to have had relationship with other but keep in denial state when confronted. It keeps dragging on and on with suspicion overlapped with trust on her for almost 6 months, she admitted eventual. It's nothing wrong to start a fresh relationship however, you have to make things clean and clear cut by not dragging or unconsciously giving false hope to the current partner.

Try to unleash your power of imagination, a dagger was being trusted deep down into your heart, it's always good for everyone that you pulled out immediately rather than fiddling on the dagger as to which direction to pull off according to your unconscious wimps & fancy and that's the most torturous if compared to immediate withdrawal of the dagger!

Sometimes, it's hard for them (those in denial state of about to get into new relationship) to speak the truth as they always wanted a security. Security of having the old partner while venturing for a new. If somehow fails, at least they can fall back to their old. Feared the condition of failure, where nobody to fall back on at the end? Feared being lonely while in dormancy? I rest my case.

I'm really pity with my good friends as I only can advise the other party to be as decisive asap rather than dragging on :(.

Preston, better still, cease yapping and get back to your road towards millionaire or else you will be the next victim or you yourselves already one of the victims, I wonder? Enough said.

Happy Valentine from Hanoi, Vietnam.

Indeed, Devil May Cry!

noreply@blogger.com (Preston) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:03:00 +0000

1:03a.m, 4-Feb 08, Kuala Lumpur, Home.

No matter how villainous, sinful, depravity, father of all lies and uncle of all tricks, a person is, deep down their heart lays a lights, a lights of hope, humane, gentleness of which, sometimes will take a full grip of their conscientious.

What do we call them? We call them, “Devil May Cry”.

Roll the chorus muuuusic please! Deng deng deng tang…..

You can listen to this uploaded music. Kindly refer to the right panel "My current musics" (sometimes it takes up to 1 min to load the playlist). Select "Devil May Cry 3" theme songs. Initial music might sounds a bit disturbing, however I love the chorus, the most :)! The chorus starts at 2:03 minutes.

**We are falling
the night is calling
tears inside me
calm me down

Bless me with the
leaves off of the tree
on it, I see
the freedom rain

We are falling
the night is calling
she is inside me
going down

Midnight calling
live softly, slowly
drowning with the
love we need

Bless me with the
leaves off of the tree
on it, I see
the freedom rain

Praised to my father
Blessed by the water
Black night, dark skies
The Devils cry!**

**Devil May Cry 3 chorus theme songs by Capcom.

Highlights in RED colour font reconstitute as “An ugly food has shown us that the even hideous thing can be sweet on the inside”. Ditto to our life, no matter how bad, ego and vice a person is, deep down their heart lies tranquilness.

There goes the saying, “Devil May Cry”.