untitled.

I just realized that I could be easily contented. It doesn’t take a lot to delight me. Little things make me ecstatic like a four-year-old high on sugar. Flowers, babies, the <3 word I just learnt (spelt ‘love’), yellow Ikea trucks I see each morning as I go to work..

and this cute rustic yoyo in my hand right now. I got it from my trip to Jakarta.

I’ve been missing traveling. Life has taking its own sweet time to stride forward that I cant even remember if I’ve gone out anywhere the whole March. Days were spent either at work or home with family and loved ones, which is a good thing anyway.

I woke up to happy emails of late. Some came from strangers who encouraged me to do more with my photography and writing. It’s intriguing to see your effort and ideas being appreciated by individuals who share the same passion as you. Of course, there are those who detest and argued but the scale is very little. I have come to believe that I can either complain because roses have thorns or rejoice otherwise. My choice is obvious.

I have been meaning to find some sort of a connection to all the randomness of things that I’m doing at present.

Travel + photography + writing = ?

Travel photography?
Travel writing?
Travel photojournalism?

Perhaps, it’s all too early for me to tell. I’ve been dreaming of doing travel photography my whole life. I know for certain, its still a long way for me but if I frame my mind to be positive, I know that day is going to happen. I just want to get out of my mundane zone of designing visuals and do something different. Different here means one amusing job that requires me to run with my backpack swaying left and right, hop on the train to God knows where, stumble upon cute little kiddies in sari and use my finger to trigger some magic in the shape of love, colors, faces and cultures. Too long an explanation?

That said, I’m looking forward to end the month with a few fun photography sessions. My high school friend, JY asked me to pose along with her Saturday. That or I might be helping Johan and MN with a wedding shoot. Lets hope this time I’ll get great shots, as the last time was a bit suck-y.

Ttfn!

therapeutic blocks.

I was at an engagement’s photo session when I received a text message from Han, inviting me to watch her little cousin playing for the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth  Orchestra at KLCC. My rezeki, as she said, to which I said ‘Right on! I’m in!’

The performance was splendid. Conducted by Kevin Field, they blew us with an absolutely lovely noise of strings and winds. I am not much of a classical person (even though I listen to Opus a lot while I’m reading and working) but I totally enjoyed the show. Twas something new and different, cant always stick to jazz and jack, ey? The Light & Speed was awesome, a medley of techno sounds inspired by an Australian composer. Brilliant! Felt like giving a standing ovation but I think that would just be too dramatic for my friends to handle.

I had MN waited for me at the park. How cruel of me to leave a hungry man alone. So, I let him won the Jenga and Uno session later in the evening. No kid.

MN and I had been frequenting Boon-Boon of late. Many thanks to Han for introducing me the place (about few weeks ago?) just as I was planning to write on hang out gems. Boon-boon, the name itself is already interesting. Quirky and fun. I assumed the owner chose it for the meaning: boon means profit. So boon-boon means double profit. No?

Tucked in a little corner in taman desa, Boon-Boon might look like a typical Chinese restaurant from outside but wait until you get to your seat and take a look at their very very favorable menus. 900 items? Okay, by the time you read selection no 162 you might want to jab a finger into your eyes. And don’t tell me ‘haiya what to eat ah?’ as you can just say lat ta li lat lai li tam plong, point your finger to any number and amuse yourself with the choice. You can get almost anything here from fried rice to sizzling steak. Most of the food variety are seriously scrumptious; fusion dishes combining common plate with novel approach. My first meal here was the famous French Fried Rice, with French being the sausages, I assumed. Two thumbs up and two thumbs up again! Imaginative and yummy-licious! Some of the portion here are fairly large for my small little tummy however, but I love the food presentation. Prices are pretty decent too. Sadly, I haven’t found my favorite meal just yet. Maybe because I love their snacks; fried crabmeat and calamari, more than I like the main dishes. Or maybe I like those on other people’s plates more than on my own. I’m gonna try their seafood spaghetti the next time around.

The drinks menu is by the same token as well. I remember Che Din ordered some kinda juice (sorry I cant remember which) last two weeks and by some feedbacks from those who’ve tasted it, twas ‘sedap!’. 150 types of beverages, I doubt you could go amiss. Ice lemon tea served in a tall glass is enough for two people to share. The décor of the place is simple and nice. Nothing spectacular, the ambience is just enough for people to chill in ease with dim lighting and lots of space. Every time we raid Boon-Boon, we often get our favorite spot outside to ourselves without any fist fights. 

The number one reason why I dig this place is because of the free wifi, uno and jenga. There’s always something to do here besides eating. Today was one of the rare occasion. Han was there without her laptop so she suggested the four of us; MN, Lyn, herself and I; to play jenga. Looking at the table full of foods and drinks, I can imagine the game. We eventually played tag team with Han and I being the annoyed ones as MN and Lyn cheated (according to me). Lots of drama and tense! My heart stop beating each time I tried to not let the blocks tumbled over. Both Han and I were so eager to win but luck wasn’t on our side. They cheated, you see. The villain always win in real life.

Tricks to play Jenga:

1-     you must have very steady fingers. And for photographers, you MUST have steady hands from all those points and shoots so no excuse.

2-     If no steady hands, you can ‘jentik’ the blocks like what MN did. But, be careful with this trick. It may cause the blocks to become very very wobbly. This trick only applies to the first two rounds.

3-     Take a deep breath, hold it, remove the blocks slowly and you’re good.

4-     Sadly, trick no 3 only applies if you’re not tense. If you’re tense, ask your team mates to help you figure which blocks to remove.

5-     Often the loose one helps.

6-     If your team mates cant help you any longer, don’t fret! Just try your best luck! No loose blocks? Just take one pick and with all might, try to remove it whichever way that you could.

7-     Worst comes to worst, remove any plates and cups to a safer area, position your finger carefully, baca bismillah, (by this time your team mate would say ‘its okay, just do it, man!’) count to three and pull out the block!

The collapse is always the cool part!

We had so much fun and laughter playing Jenga. After jenga, twas time for some Uno. Another (four) rounds of hilarity and teasing! We cant seem to get enough of the games. 

Boon-boon is dangerously addictive. A great lepak joint! I love this place for almost everything except for the songs selection. The same pick-outs each day with that that lousy Japanese song tops the chart. I don’t expect much, this is after all, ain’t Laundry. As long as they let me kill my time till my vertebra cant hold the seating any longer, I’m all good.

Hail to Boon-Boon!

p/s i'll try to speed up the photo updates!

write on, missy.

So I’ve had a bit of a brain freeze the past few days. I’m not too sure whether the reason is the always-empty tummy or I’m having writer’s block. I don’t even know what writer’s block really means. I promised Han to write on her (or shall I say ours?) favorite hang out place but haven’t really got the idea. No research, no pictures, I’ll hold the entry up first. But never mind that, today I’m writing in something, finally.

Right. Apa tadi?

Oh yes, nothing that exciting has happened except for work and photography session but then again a slow pace is just what I need to catch up on several matters: friends and my new love, Adam.

I’ve managed to grab hold of Eka on his free day, at last, and how I miss the pair so much! We planned to go on a road trip comes Sunday but I’m crossing my fingers. Matta Fair 2008 is going on in PWTC; my concern is I might have to work over the weekend.

Yesterday, visited my love Ira and her new born Adam Faiq. Such an adorable little boy, he is! He surprised me with his lovely huge round eyes! Oh dear, he melted my heart when I cuddled him in my arm. Adam has such strong muscle even though he’s just barely two weeks old. That eyes, that cute dimple, that sweet smile, he made me feel like I want one of my own. *gasp is this me talking? Wah, looks like motherhood is calling out to me!

'look at his mischievous look! '

I’ve been sticking to the telly like a magnet. Watched my blueberry nights, half way, before I cursed norah jones for her bad acting and switched to Closer. I’m gonna watch eternal sunshine of the spotless mind tonight.

I already forget how I used to feel about you.

Vincenzo to Bourdain; ‘I know there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. But sometimes the light comes from a train that’s gonna smash you in the face.’ I chuckled every time I remember this quote as its so true.

So, what’s next?

I have a photo shoot tomorrow. I’ll leave a note on this blog for sure, if the trip up North this Sunday ever happens.

Cheers!

ipoh lai la!

My original theory of road trip was to do an economical outing somewhere on weekends to shoot and hunt for food. Eka came up with the idea of going for a photography trip and El suggested ‘Ipoh!’. I jumped up and down waiting for the big Sunday to come.

We planned it two weeks back.
First, it got cancelled.
Secondly, four people out of six bailed out due to work.

Nonetheless, my (now) faithful traveling companion agreed (if not pushed after got pinched miserably) to go ahead with the ipoh trip. We struggled to get out of bed and hit the road mid afternoon. We were terribly late but was too excited to worry about anything. Grabbed some burgers, we had lunch in the car to save time and with magic ball in hand, our concern on getting lost in ipoh suddenly became less. Hehe. The drive was pretty smooth without any traffic so I guess we were fortunate enough this time. We arrived in two hours time without much hassle.

Upon arrival, I nearly shoot myself in the head as I totally forgot about one thing: twas election month! Now now the colorful town of Ipoh was mottled with ugly BN and rocket banners and flags and signages.
I didn’t find it as a good opportunity for photography documentation, however. I don’t like politics, so. Anyhoo, we managed to find our way around for some good photography spots. For two really clueless road tripper with zero navigation, we did pretty well.


sometimes i can be utterly clueless. you know why?

Ipoh is pretty much a quiet town on Sunday with less traffic and people. Its not a popular tourist spot but for those who wanna go for a short trip, even tough I found this place a tad bit boring, I would certainly recommend Ipoh. My second time here, my early memories of this place is the beautiful colorful temples, greeny hills and the edgy looking hospital. I love the main street leading up to places. Could be confusing for a first timer but its totally hypnotic too! There is not much of high rise building around but there’s lots of terrace shoplots with beautiful colors and wooden doors which reminds me of Muar. Finding a place to park would be a breeze if not for MN kept on terbabas for one. We strolled around the street (me in my short and gold flat looking like a tourist bitch) and discovered that most of the shops here looked as if they have not been opened for a few hundred years. Very deadly!

The first big hint was to find interesting places as railways or temples and ipoh has a few great ones. First stop was the DR Senivasagam park but we didn’t last long as the mosquitoes attacked us like a plague. We headed to the Ipoh Railway Station and I found the architectural very cool! A combination of super gothic and Moorish design with a few extra modern superfluities attached to it. The compound compromises of the famous Ipoh tree, very welcoming. Opposite the railway building is a neocolonial style building of the City Hall. It’s a bad-ass white and I totally love it! Of course we managed to get a few snaps but twas only unlucky for us that by the time our lenses started to get the groove, it drizzled and the sky brewed us some heavy downpour.





(more pictures can be found in my flickr)

Ipoh is certainly on the tip of everyone’s tongue when food is the subject concern. We decided to have a quick dinner afterwards. Eateries are just everywhere so you can just picked. But then again, make sure you picked well. Right, my bad that I chose to eat a local malay food stall (because of the lovely chairs?) when I surely know I should find that famous Hor Fun, char kuey tiao and coffee! Warg. Okay lets not write more on that. Ze food is totally out out out!

I would like to go back to Ipoh again someday. I surely wanna stroll down the street yet again for more heritage buildings, the lost world of tambun for the climbing, and churches and temples! MN kept on saying ‘you’re wearing this so we cant really go in the temples’ so I think he was pretty mad about me wearing my spandex short.

Here’s a few things I’ve learnt so far:

Ib's happy tips:

Tip no 1- if you are bad with navigation like *cough* me, don’t be shy to stop at the local gas station to ask for directions.
Tip no 2- one of the best way to find great makan spot is to ask the locals. They sure know better. You can stop by at any local convenient store and ask the people at the counter. Be friendly and they will surely spill you the beans. One of the friendly girl I met told me to go to a place called Boloh where they serve great laksa but we didn’t manage to find it.
Tip no 3- I didn’t tell MN this when he suggested to head up to the museum but I do not know why I don’t fancy ‘em. Here’s what I thought: its better to be out there looking at the real world, chatting up with local folks and listen closely to what the surroundings wants to tell you than to get your education learnt inside a stuffy building. I can google up history and learn Socrates anytime. Okay, maybe I am not THAT intelligently educated so mind me, ya?
Tip no 4- you cant afford to fret your whole journey should there be any major or minor obstacles or else you wont have fun at all. So stay positive! You’ll miss the chance to discover things that might surprise you if you keep on frowning!
Tip no 5- bring along your sketches to doodle, some playing cards or chalks so you wont get bored. Chalks is MN’s fav thing; he wanted to conteng road with it. My fav is of course, my playing cards.
Tip no 6- I hate to say this but its true; always plan ahead and plan well. Unless you’re a crazy stinky mad road tripper like me who just don’t care much about anything.
Tip no 7- don’t go out traveling on an election month.

I’m moving on to either Muar or Penang for my next road trip. FOOOOD! I cant wait! Woooh!

For my travelogue project, I foresee myself not having a home. Well, I don’t have one for the past few years so its not bothering me to not have one right now. A great number of people, including the police who nearly gave me a ticket, had been pointing their fingers to my car in horror and yell a big OMG. Those who knows me personally, knows that I’ve been practically living inside my car. I am totally comfy with the idea that my teddy and luggage bag are my number one companion.

I have a few more little projects in hand to keep myself busy, so I need all the time in the world to get everything done. Travel, as I had mentioned earlier, is my biggest thing for 2008. Finding money comes second and I hope the small little jobs I got each month can help to fund my traveling trips. Helping MN with his photography work, my design jobs, website and what not are up on the list as well.

Travel, so far, has been incidental to lots of creative ideas that came on rolling like a snowball. I guess, fate has forced me out the door to see the world in a bigger perspective. Its easier to find your way out of a strange land then out of your own mind. No, I did not google this quote. Its my own. <--shit this could be a quote too. Hah.

Thursday, a few days back in KL and already I’m driving myself nuts with everyone here plus work. Gah! I realized that Malays love drama a lot, ey? I don’t know. I have a lot of other things to settle than to entertain any stupid messages. The last one came two days ago telling me some shyte to not disturb her life and that I could have his ex back.

I’m sorry but do I look like I give a crap?
God bless you people.

I just want to keep out of fights that is not mine. Not worth my time dealing with it.

Its nearing 2pm and I need to send my ride for service. I seriously need to change the cellophane that secured my side mirror from dangling. It made some happy little noise of late, ticking an indication that its gonna fall off soon. I don’t want to change it. It makes my ride looks so bad-ass and I *giggle* love when people question me about it.

‘Yo! Whats with the black cellophane tape on your side mirror?’

ha ha.