Kari Ayam Raub & Kepala Ikan

Ooohh, thinking about this makes me drool already. I've been going to this restaurant every year probably since I was a kid. The whole family would normally stop here for lunch when we balik kampung during Chinese New Year. This is our itinerary for the past 10+ years or so- Wake up at 7, leave at 9, arrive at this restaurant at lunch time, and proceed to uncle's house.

This place have the best curry chicken and fried chicken that I have ever tasted. But its different in the sense that it has a very distinct taste that you can't find anywhere else. Its probably a type of curry but I don't know the specifics. We normally have that with a messy plate of rojak mee which is quite good as well.

Fireworks

This was back during Chinese New Year. I never knew how my uncle got them every year because erm, lets just say fireworks are not easy to come by these days if you get my drift. So I this is one of the things I look forward to every year when I go back to my dad's kampung. I have tons of memories running around the big empty compound of my uncle's house playing with fireworks, which at normal occasions is used to dry groundnuts.

There is a sort of adrenaline rush when you light up that little sucker and watch it burst into a crazy array of colours seconds later. Naturally, we would have a huge variety of fireworks but the dragonfly remains a personal favourite amongst us cousins. Upon lighting up this baby it would catch fire with a small burst of light, signaling that you should be throwing it far far away. Then seconds later it would burst into what I would describe as a machine gun-ish bang.

Living Dangerously

Ramlee Burger patties fried to bits with caramelised onion and garlic, mixed with tomato puree, and topped with Parmesan cheese. This topping goes on top a generous helping of macaroni and sprinkled with more Parmesan cheese. That's me, living dangerously in the kitchen. =D

I call it the Ramlee Bolognaise le Macaroni.

I'll probably be living off this stuff in uni next time. Cook up a huge batch for the whole week or something like that. This holiday I'm determine to learn some home cooked recipes from my mom. One year passes by very quickly and soon it would be time for me to leave the nest. Its hard picturing my life without the roti canai and nasi lemak, replacing them with burgers and steaks (or whatever people in the UK eat).

Will be heading off for a week long holiday- Singapore, Penang, and Phuket via a cruise ship. Never been on one before so I am pumped! I will post up some things to keep you occupied while I'm away so don't worry.

I'm looking forward to exploring these cities and snapping my way through them. Been browsing through loads of other photographer's work to get some inspiration. I find it helpful to see how people see this world and interpret it in their photographs. Lately, I've been a little complacent in terms of photography things are getting a little repetitive rather than fresh. Hopefully I'll return from this trip with some nice refreshing images.

Heritage

Here's a photo essay on the coffeeshop my dad grew up in. Its still run by the family till today. When the sun goes down, this will be our reunion spot where the whole family gather during festive periods like Chinese New Year for some drinks and cards.

Edelweiss

Random title but since we're on the topic of flowers it'll do. The whole family visited this flower exhibition yesterday at Putrajaya, the most magnificent ghost town ever. Seriously, the city itself is so beautiful but its buildings are all empty. Sad.

There were more people at the exhibition than I expected. Turns out, loads of people are interested in plants. Mom's face lit up like a lightbulb seeing all the flowers and started snapping pictures. She's passionate about plants and flowers, see her garden and you'll know what I mean.

I won't call myself a plant person but I though the expo was rather interesting simply because I've never seen so many flowers in one place. The garden outside the expo was massive and all the flowers were in bloom. But the weather was not on our side that day and it was drizzling slightly. Some sunshine and I would get to appreciate the flowers a tiny bit more.

So far my holidays have been pretty awesome. Spending most of my time eating pizza while watching Leverage and Fringe on my computer. I'll have to start work soon. So much work to do. But I'll think about that later. Right now, rest.

10 Days of Our Lives, Outward Bound School (OBS) @ Lumut, Malaysia

I just got back from Outward Bound School Malaysia yesterday and it was just WOW. So much has happened in those 10 days. We've kayak-ed and trekked for too long, evident from my post OBS roasted look. We've survived tough conditions and unpredictable weather that would make London cry.

But within those tough times, we've learn to reach deep for that extra strength and push on. We've learn to work with people we don't necessarily like. And we got to know each other as layers peel off revealing our true self.

Its been so nice seeing so much courage and determination in the span of these 10 days, watching people pushing themselves way past their limits and friends cheering them on. I've always assumed that when people reveal their true colours, I would despise it. Instead I saw people rising up to the moment, placing aside differences to achieve a common goal. Yes, true colours were revealed and I was impressed.

OBS started off with a sad-ish tone with everyone relatively somber after Speech Day saying goodbye to the awesome bunch of seniors. But soon enough, we loaded the bus and headed for Lumut, stopping halfway for some dinner.

Upon arrival I was surprised at how nice the campsite was. It has a beach! So technically OBS is kind of like a beach holiday with our school mates. Then we got separated into groups. I was placed in Gayong and we got an ang moh instructor named Charlie. We then signed forms gave SOME of our stuff for confiscation and headed for dinner.

Dinner at Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand

Chinatown, every major city in the world has one area densely populated by the every enterprising Chinese people hence the name. Its always interesting trying chinese food in Chinatowns in different countries. Most of them sell authentic food but there are quite a number of knock offs as well.

The Malaysian Chinatown is pretty good but its more regarded as a tourist attraction so I as a local tend to avoid going there. We don't say things like, "Hei, lets go down to Chinatown to hang out". The bangkok Chinatown was somewhat similar in concept but different in its own way. I remember the whole street was bustling with activity at night and I thorougly enjoyed the food sold at the side of the streets at the dismay of my dad.

We saw this restaurant and decided to give it a shot since it had a considerable number of people in it. The food was alright, not the best dim sum I've had. But I tend to be more forgiving during the holidays so all is well.

Goodbye seniors =( : Part 3

This batch of photographs were taken in front of the science labs at the patch of grass which were normally a no-no to step on. But its their last day so, oh well.

Goodbye seniors =( : Part 2

Back to the seniors. I'm currently STILL at OBS probably stuck in the jungle somewhere trying to light my fire with a limited amount of match sticks. So yeah, bear with the soppyness until I get back.

This batch of photographs were taken at the open field in front of the admin office. Its a beautiful stretch of grass. If this place was located in Europe it would have tons of ang mohs picnicking on it, enjoying the sun we asians loath so much. You know what they say-one man's trash, another man's treasure.

Ayam Tulang Lunak, Bali

This goes way back to a similar time, one year back during a holiday to Bali with a bunch of youths from church. Speaking about youths from church, I miss you guys terribly! Since I started school in KTJ, we've been slowly drifting apart due to the fact that I have Saturday school and I had to stay back in schools for most of the Saturdays for the night events.

The Bali trip was one memorable one and I still think about it every now and then. Ayam Tulang Lunak kinda means "Soft Bone Chicken" it is so soft and crispy that you just eat the whole chicken including the bones. I found the concept rather interesting and it was quite good.

Goodbye seniors =( : Part 1

One thing for sure, time flies in KTJ like nobody's business. It seems like only yesterday when I walked down the corridors of this school, welcomed by a bunch of the most wonderful people I had the pleasure of calling seniors.

In my previous schools, seniors were merely students a from above mine. They come and depart without significance except the occasional special ones whom you had the chance to know. But generally seniors live in their own world of stress while we watch them and anticipate what it is like to be in that same position in the future.

However it is a totally different case here in KTJ, probably because it is a boarding school. The seniors took time to know us and it is very sad that they have to leave so soon after knowing them for only a year. But in that time, I have developed a deep respect for these people as they have certainly proven to be worth looking up too.

Arghh! I'm definitely not ready to let go of these people. Who am I going to ask help from for Physics?? They certainly have played integral roles in helping me pull my world together when things get overwhelming.

So, thank you seniors for such a wonderful year. As I step into your roles, hopefully I would be able to be as helpful to my juniors. All the best in the next phase of your live and in chasing your dreams. May God be with you.