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Charity Bit.

In our office, we have a club dedicated in championing all charitable causes and events. It is known as the Ukhwah Club. Ukhwah in English means fraternity. We do all sort of things to build networking, friendships, establishes good rapport and relationships with all external parties and also internally.

Every end of the year, our normal and default event is to choose a charity home that is not supported by any welfare department and send them our contributions - in terms of money, clothes, electrical appliances or whatever that we managed to get for them. But usually we give money and spend time cleaning their home and help them with what ever that they need for a day. The sequence of meetups trailing up to the event would usually take weeks, if not months in order to properly choose the right charity home (we have had experienced dealing with a fraud - establishing an orphanage but siphoned money off them - but that is another story for another post), brainstorming on what we can do and what we want to achieve.

I always support the club's sentiment, but I never agree on the one-off contribution to charity home. The reason I don't agree with a one-off  contribution is because I always believe that we could establish a sustainable relationship with the management of the charity home.

So this year, I suggested something that is out of the ordinary. We choose a charity home and stick with them for one year. We can choose to help and pay for their electricity or water bills but we have to have commitment in order to make it work. Rather than having to do it in a grandeur manner, setting up events for donation drive - which uses money to gain money - I suggest we do a small pop-up events every now and then. The ones that don't actually take up so much of our time but the effort is consistent. To prove my theory, I went and set up a booth selling good old new stuff (clothes, accessories, bags, shoes that my colleagues and I collected , that were never used and was bought strictly on impulse - yes we have many of those) during a Safety and Health Week in our office building with a help of a few of my colleagues  and all of the proceed we gained was given to Ukhwah Club.

We've made close to RM500 in just few hours. I also sold some of the paintings and accessories from my own business during that time and I contributed 20% of it.

The idea is that you don't have to go big.. small booths and small-scaled events would produce the same impact and the best part is it requires less time and effort. I know many of my office colleagues have some sort of business on the side and if we manage to convince every one that they can get a free promotion and at the same time do good deeds, am sure everyone will be more than happy to join.

After the pop-up sales during the Safety Week, many a times I have been asked when are we going to have another round of the pop-up sales. They said it was fun and quick. I think this is mostly because when people know that they are doing good by purchasing stuff - cheap good stuff - they are motivated to contribute more. Which is what I'm aiming for - the rippling effect. And the fact that the pop-up has an element of surprise in it, people are always intrigued of when and where it is going to happen again. :)

My next plan is a bake sale - collaboration with a baker friend of mine. We are going to order 100 of her delicious red velvet and chocolate cupcakes and open a booth for one hour - after that we will close shop and disappear.

We come and go but we do it constantly. All of us can take turns in manning the pop-up booths.
 

A quick trip to Melaka and a quick sketch session.

I drove down to Melaka on Sunday to get some things done and managed to squeeze in a quick sketch session in Banda Hilir. It was a really hot day, I had to scoured for a place with a good enough shades before settling down to sketch. Usually I will set in my mind to sketch an area and find a place but it was the other way around this time.

There was a tight window of opportunity and I didn't want to waste it. I don't usually go to Melaka and pretend that I am a tourist. It is kinda my hometown anyway.

Sketch # 1 : The path of the river cruise in Banda Hilir..

 

This place has cleaned up nicely over the past few years. I have never been on the river cruise but from what I heard it is supposedly the best way to view the area and it is fun too. Banda Hilir is permeated  by its rich colonial heritage and history. Melaka is one of the cleanest city in Malaysia. I love it here.

Skecth # 2 : UMNO Museum.

I have always wanted to sketch one of the red buildings here and in front of this building, there was a tree big enough to protect me from the scorching hot sun. You can stop grinning sheepishly now because I have no political affiliation with this party. :P

I would totally die of skin cancer if I were to sit out in the open in that weather even for a mere 15 mins. Can you imagine how hot it was? I think it was around 34 deg Celsius. Goodness gracious me!


For what's its worth, I think it was the best 1.5 hours spent.

Travelling Feet

When you travel alone or with a partner, although we do take pictures of each other (but mostly never together), it'd be much easier to do all selfie because it beats the hassle of having to ask someone to take your pic for you.


As I was going through my collection of photos thinking of what to post next on the blog, I saw a pattern in my all my travelling albums. I have an obsession with taking pics of my feet!!. Well, you can say that it is my kind of selfie :). I don't know why. It probably symbolises the "I am finally here!!!!" kinda sentiment at the place I was visiting. Or something.. 

-___- I know right!!! I promise these pics aren't icky. LOL

And.. the fact that am also obsessed with shoes.. so some of the pictures were taken after I bought the shoes. Bear with me.. 

But here goes.. a collection of pics I called "Travelling Feet".

Pictures of places in no particular order: 

Hong Kong, Langkawi, Bali, Jogjyakarta, Nice, Penang, Tekala Waterfall, Muar 

and various departmental stores. 

Happy Monday!!

Photo Friday # 1 : Green.

 

  While on our way back from a friend's wedding at their hometown (which a bit far off from our place), we stumbled across this majestic place known as Sawah Ring. Just had to stop the car and capture this.

My ever so faithful Crocs, all worn out and extensively used; especially during traveling.

A view from my afternoon run in the office gym.

Right : Walking about taking picture after a run 

Left : Jatih Luweh - the epicentre of Terrace Padi field in Bali.

Playlist # 1: 5km Running Tracks

I have yet to run without any music buzzing in my ear. I don't think I am able to run just by hearing my own inner voice trying to motivate me to keep on running.. or assuring me that the pain is temporary..

I need more than that.. I need running tracks. A set of playlist that is supposed to help me run faster and longer. I posted this on fb because a friend asked me to share the playlist with them..

I consider myself a universal listener. I enjoy all sorts of music genre as long as it goes well with my mood.. (at any point in time)..Heh. 
 
So here it goes; my 5km playlist in this order - this list is compiled, tested and proven for making me feel all pumped up at the beginning, helped me find my comfortable pace, pushing me farther in the middle and motivated me to finish the run till the end.

1. Eminem - Lose Yourself
2. The Roots - How I Got Over
3. Wisin & Yandel - Irresistible
4. Papa Roach - To Be Loved.
5. The Roots - Here I Come
6. Gun N Roses - Paradise City
7. Stonesour - Sillyworld
8. Three Days Grace - Animal I Have Become
9. Chromeo - Fancy Footwork
10.Big Boi- ShutterBug
11. Swedish House Mafia - Don't Worry Child

 Photo: My first Solomon Trail 10km Trail Run

Note : Willing to try anything (well mostly anything).

A friend asked me what have I been up to lately. In response to her question,  I said, "Plenty".

Then she went on and asked me, "Anything of your own?"

I didn't quite catch the meaning of it, so I asked her what did she really mean.

She laughed and told me that usually whatever that I have going on is because of my boyfriend. I will take after whatever that he is currently into; hobbies and activities.

LOL.

Looking back at all the things I've done, it rings true for the most part of it.

I always ended up doing things that my boyfriend is doing. In my defense, it is normally because I support whatever that he wants to do and I don't mind learning and taking up the challenge even if it means that I have to do new things, things that is out of my comfort zone. Things that am not used to. (Hence the tagline of this blog).

That is where the fun lies, isn't it?
Usually the boyfriend would ask (politely most of the time), if I want to join him for *insert suggested activity here*..

Of course I would!!

I learned to surf and dive because of my ex and now am running, cycling and sketching because my current boyfriend, Mr Snots. He is a runner and very artsy fartsy kinda guy. We have been together for almost 5 years now and all I can say is that my knack of "stealing" his activities is working well. Haha.

But what people fail to see is that I don't have to try too hard to do all these new things. It usually comes naturally to me. I have always been active ever since I was in school. Even back then when I was in Uni, I enjoyed doing outdoorsy activities and I still play futsal now...occasionally. So taking up other sports or outdoorsy activities because of my boyfriend is no big deal. I can adapt easily.

Not many people know that I have always been drawing and doodling, but of course it was not to the point of what am doing now - going out sketching. I have always loved paintings in general, but to be presented with an opportunity of starting a small business of our own? No one is their right mind would want to pass that up.

I guess my relationship sparks new interests in me, or even brought out and heightened all the interesting stuff that lies underneath my mundane life. We bonded during these times and it is beyond fun that I have someone to do all these things together although I don't mind if doing it all alone either. With all that is going on right now, I am not complaining.


But really, don't you want a girlfriend that is more than willing to take up all the challenges thrown at her? You should feel loved .... or .. maybe a bit intimidated. :)

Scenes from all my cycling trips -some with Mr Snots, some I went cycling alone.

A sketch challenge from a friend.

When I uploaded my first ever sketch (after gazillion years of not drawing anything) on Facebook, a good friend; a good sport and also an annoying bugger most of the time; asked me whether I was be able to draw this photo that he took of his village. A picturesque mount of Gunung Ledang overlooking the paddy field. It is a gorgeous piece of photography indeed.

So I tried and failed. LOL.

Sketching

Sketching has been taking so much of my free time lately. I love the feeling of getting absorbed in the process of translating the image in front of my eyes on paper. Skills are pretty rusty, and I hope with a lot of practice, I will be able to gain back my steady hand.

I still feel a bit awkward and slightly embarrassed in doing sketches in public; with people looking over my shoulder and the heat.. oh my god the heat. Sometimes when the heat was just too much for me to handle, I took a picture of the place and sketched it at home.

Sketching of a picture googled for Cinque Terre, Italy.
My ultimate travel plan. I wish I will someday get to go there and sketch the the coast live.
One can always dream..

Sunny Poppies.

Behind Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

Last weekend, we decided that we were just too tired of shopping malls - we have always hated the malls but we always go there to eat and it is the closest to home. So we decided to take it outside and go to the places that we think we can just sit down for few hours and let our mind absorb all the surroundings - and after much deliberation we ended up in Medan Pasar, Kuala Lumpur. That day was a very hot day  but we managed to find a spot under this massive tree and spent an hour or so sketching.

Planning to go out sketching more.

 

Paying our respect and its expectations.

In Asian's community, Filial Peity is a tradition or a virtue of paying respect to our old folks or ancestors.To be specific, our parents. It is a known tradition where as grown up, we are supposed to take care of our parents in any way that we can; to be there helping them out physically, financially and last but not least, emotionally.

Growing up, I was brought up with an expectation that I should study hard so that I could make enough money and take care of my parents. Although it was not laid out to be that blatant, but psychologically, we have this thinking that we want to be able to make enough money so that we can repay our parents back for all their hard work and all the hardships that they went through raising us up.

This concept is entrenched in our brain and we can't escape it.

As much as I am against the idea of putting such burden and expectations to a child, this is a norm in our community. The sense of pride and achievement one can get when they are able to provide for their parents is beyond explanation.

As for me, I help as much as I can. My parents are not expecting anything much but at their age, the simplest sentiment that I have for them is that they should no longer have to worry about paying the bills. Financially, my parents are doing ok because between me and my brothers, we have our own area of responsibilities. Although my dad has enough pension money for his use, my brothers and I also have collective allowance that we set aside every month for them. Whatever that could ease their mind, we will take care of it.

Unfortunately, being able to provide them with financial support, isn't always the ideal case. Since they are getting old by the day, we are also worried about their health and whether someone is close enough  if something bad happen. I think I am lucky that my aunties and uncles are closed by but at the back of my head, I always worry about these small things - the unforeseen circumstances and the what-ifs. The best that I can do it is to call them up and ask about their day and their well being.

When I go back to visit them, I will help my mom clean her house, get things organised and buy household items that could last them until my next visit. But of course, surrounded by other shallow minded and stupid people, those people tend to highlight our (my brothers and I) weaknesses.

- how we only managed to go back few months once.
- they instill fear and guilt about if anything were to happen to my parents, we won't be able to be there on time.
- how their kids are always there for them, live with them and take care of them.

You know,  am sure if  my mom or my dad hear about this on a daily basis, they will tend to "feel" the same way.  I know I will.

This is when the internal conflicts start pouring in.

- We were asked to study hard, get a nice job and be "somebody". Now we  are being compared to someone who is not doing so well in life (as in job),  still stay with their parents of which automatically makes it convenient for them to take care of their parents (or maybe the parents are taking care of them..who knows)

- I love my parents, don't get me wrong, but I don't think I can live with them under one roof. We are all grown ups now and we tend to bicker on so many things. We have different views on how things or life should be. It is quite unimaginable to see myself living with them anymore. We will miss each other more if we haven't seen each other in a while and when we are far apart. I want to keep it that way in order to make the relationship / closeness / arrangement work.

- I love the sentiment of taking care of our parents, I do want to take care of them. But, they had the chance to live their lives well back then and I think it is quite unfair if we are now expected to just drop everything and dedicate our life for their need. There should be some balance. I want to be able to be there for them and at the same time, I want to do things for myself.

These are only my thoughts. My opinions. I don't actually talk about these issues with my parents because I know they never really have any complaints and most importantly, I don't want to hurt their feelings. I know for the fact that even my dad wouldn't want me to stay with them. But you know, we think about stuff people say every now and then.
 
It's okay for people to think that I might not be an ideal child for my parents. All I need is for my parents to feel that I am an OK daughter for them because I love them with all my heart and I would do anything for them. Just at times, expectations can really kill the symbiosis that we have going on.

My dad and his Monster Beats Headphone by Dre. :)

 

Why Bali..

I miss blogging.

Many knows that I love traveling and I specially love Indonesia, to be more precised - Bali. I have been to Bali for almost 10 times for the past 7 years or so. My adventure with Bali started when I was still very "adventurous". The first time I was there, I was so busy discovering all the fun things that Bali had to offer. I learned surfing and hung out with new found friends, partying all night. For the next few years, after my first visit, it was pretty much consisted of the same repeated things; surfing, partying, surfing, partying. Although it was really fun, but it was never without a tinge of regret. I partied hard with my friends in Bali back then, every morning I woke up with a hangover and immediately promised myself not to do it again. But when the night came, we went out and did it all over again.*shakes head*

But after a few times going back for the same thing, I got tired. I figured I need a change and we decided to head to Ubud, where the pace is much slower. It was probably because age was catching up with me.

When i first came to Ubud, all that I could think of was,

"If there's heaven, The Balinese there are the ones that deserve to be in it."

Majority of the people in Bali are Hindus but what is interesting about them, especially the one in Ubud, is how they embraced and assimilated the religion with their eclectic culture and old pagan practices. Every act a Balinese does is seen as an offering and their devotion to God - on how they take every day as God's gift and seem to be so content with what they have. They start their day with a prayer and they also end it with one. They are the friendliest bunch and they always make me smile. They always tell me to take things easy and they always say that worldly things are just that - things.

They make me appreciate my religion more and make me think of all the things that God has given me all these while, and all the things that I take for granted.

I have always appreciate good paintings and pretty art things but before Ubud, it was just a simple admiration. Nothing more than that. There, when everyone seemed to walk around buying arts and trinkets to take home as souvenirs, I chose to mindlessly scoured around the area soaking up on all the chaotic vibes of the art market and learned to appreciate what they have to offer in terms of creativity . I also learned about their daily struggle to provide for their families.

Tip for buyer : You want to be the first one to arrive at their shop because you will be considered as good business omen and they would usually give in at whatever price that you are asking for. But do consider the fact that they making a living out of this. Do not take advantage out of this scenario.

That was when I learned that as a traveler, you are somewhat obligated to contribute to their well being by actually spending money in  buying their products and hire them for their services - drivers, masseur, tour guide and whatnot. I know most of us like to travel cheap, but in comparison of what we have and what they need - there is a big gap of what's important. Throughout my journey there, I have made friends with many art sellers and struggling artists. I brought back many of their paintings for my own collection, for my friends and also my relatives. It was the sense of contribution that made all the  money and time spent worth all its while.

Since then on, when my friends knew that I was going to Bali, they requested and asked me to buy them paintings - based on what they need and what works for their home. They encouraged me to start a business as an art buyer and it has now turned into a small business. Every time I go to there, I would walk around and be on the look out for small galleries or small village art shops where the artist sells their own artwork. I don't haggle to get the cheapest price because I know how much time and effort has been put into making these arts. Some of them actually confessed that they sometimes googled the things that they want to paint to get some inspiration, work on the images and try to make it their own. I appreciate their honesty. Truth be told - I don't mind it at all. We get inspiration from whatever that could inspire us - whether it's the internet or our surroundings. Whatever that floats your boat.

I have found a place where I can go back at any time if I need to. Ubud offered me a sense of calm and serenity that I had never experienced before. I was not there because I wanted to shop or to search for what's fun. All I wanted at that point of time was an escape. And that was exactly what I experienced in Ubud. Now, although it seems that am going back there again and again for business, but it never  really feels that way. I love what I do for my friends and customers as much as I admire the Balinese and all those lovely souls that I get to call friends. Gianyar province, where Ubud in located, thrives on handcrafts, stone and wood carvings, paintings and musics. It is in their blood and it is their most proud heritage. It is not easy to live and get by in these areas of Indonesia,  but what they lack in materialism, they offset it with spiritualism and a good heart.