Yea I repeat, I've moved!
See ya there! ;)
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Life
Three major incidents happened to me and the people that I love, since my last entry in July. Okay I gotta put this in sequential order so you can get what I'm talking about;
Aug 27 - 31: First, my bf and I went to Bali to celebrate our first anniversary of dating! (Wow, we've been going out for a year now =D) I was so excited because twas my first time to Bali and I really, really wanted to go to Bali yayy!
Sept 4: Secondly, just few days after we got back from our Bali trip, I received a very, very devastating news from home, my uncle; my mom's youngest brother was admitted into the ICU. It was not longer than 24 hours after that, I got another call teling me that my uncle is gone. Gone. I didn't get to say goodbye to him. In fact, none of our family members back home did too. Everything happened too fast...
Sept 8: Thirdly, remember when I mentioned in my few posts ago about my bf joined a reality show called DiGi The Next Level? Where he had to be away for five-week shoot? Well, guess what? He won the competition! =D
There you go. Back to back of extreme joy and sadness. I didn't know what to feel at first or rather how to manage my feelings. I was exhilarated at one point but at another end, I just felt like locking up myself in the bedroom and cry my heart out because of the loss :'(
But I survived. Survived the emotional rollercoaster ride. A short yet long enough for me to learn a thing or two about life. A thing or two about life that would make me stronger to face another ride (who knows).
So what I learned is that; one needs to embrace unavoidable sorrow in order to understand (or appreciate) what true happiness means. It's the same thing with; one has to go through hardship before he/she could enjoy the harvest. Perhaps, this is the only way we can really appreciate life.
And no one ever say that life's going to be all rosy all the way. But hey, it's not going to be all gloomy all the way too. So, I believe the only thing to do is to live.
There is a common belief that growth requires suffering. One of the greatest causes of suffering is attachment. The more easily we can let go of the old and embrace the new, the more we can grow through joy rather than struggle.
- Sanaya Roman
***My uncle left us on Sept 5, 2010. Hemorrhagic dengue. RIP uncle::
Aug 27 - 31: First, my bf and I went to Bali to celebrate our first anniversary of dating! (Wow, we've been going out for a year now =D) I was so excited because twas my first time to Bali and I really, really wanted to go to Bali yayy!
Sept 4: Secondly, just few days after we got back from our Bali trip, I received a very, very devastating news from home, my uncle; my mom's youngest brother was admitted into the ICU. It was not longer than 24 hours after that, I got another call teling me that my uncle is gone. Gone. I didn't get to say goodbye to him. In fact, none of our family members back home did too. Everything happened too fast...
Sept 8: Thirdly, remember when I mentioned in my few posts ago about my bf joined a reality show called DiGi The Next Level? Where he had to be away for five-week shoot? Well, guess what? He won the competition! =D
There you go. Back to back of extreme joy and sadness. I didn't know what to feel at first or rather how to manage my feelings. I was exhilarated at one point but at another end, I just felt like locking up myself in the bedroom and cry my heart out because of the loss :'(
But I survived. Survived the emotional rollercoaster ride. A short yet long enough for me to learn a thing or two about life. A thing or two about life that would make me stronger to face another ride (who knows).
So what I learned is that; one needs to embrace unavoidable sorrow in order to understand (or appreciate) what true happiness means. It's the same thing with; one has to go through hardship before he/she could enjoy the harvest. Perhaps, this is the only way we can really appreciate life.
And no one ever say that life's going to be all rosy all the way. But hey, it's not going to be all gloomy all the way too. So, I believe the only thing to do is to live.
There is a common belief that growth requires suffering. One of the greatest causes of suffering is attachment. The more easily we can let go of the old and embrace the new, the more we can grow through joy rather than struggle.
- Sanaya Roman
***My uncle left us on Sept 5, 2010. Hemorrhagic dengue. RIP uncle::
Monday, July 5, 2010
Vamos Albiceleste!
Yea as you can see the team that I've been supporting (and religiously following) for this World Cup is out from the tournament :'( Sad. Very sad. The Albiceleste lost against Germany at the quarter final last Sat. Read about this devastating story here.
Oh well. 2014 it is.
Find out more about Argentina here.
Vamos Albiceleste!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
OMG! OMG! OMG!
The first part of the finale will be in the cinema in November 19, 2010 while the second half will only be out on July 15, 2011. Read about it here.
The first teaser trailer:
And it's in 3D!
I can't wait!
The first part of the finale will be in the cinema in November 19, 2010 while the second half will only be out on July 15, 2011. Read about it here.
The first teaser trailer:
And it's in 3D!
I can't wait!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2010
I did my second 10km run last Sunday at the KL Marathon 2010. I must say the experience was waaaay different than I had during the Borneo International Marathon in May this year. Probably because this time around there were more people AND I ran with my boyfriend for the first time! ;)
Me - Still trying to look at my best. The gun time was at 7AM!
With my colleague Nana and her friend! ;) They did the 21km.
Me - still trying to look all smiley despite the soreness!
While everyone was huffing and puffing to the finish line, a tragic incident happened at the 8th km around 1 hour into the race for 10km runners. A guy in his 20's had a seizure and passed away on his arrival to the hospital. Read about the story here.
May his soul rest in peace.
Since it was my first time running in the KL Marathon, I can't really comment on the organizer. However, I do feel that they should provide at least three drink stations for the 10km instead of just two (one at the 4th km and the second one was at the 7th). My time was 1:48 (unofficial).
Seriously, I need a proper training.
Next stop, Penang Bridge International Marathon? Hmmmm maybe.
Me - Still trying to look at my best. The gun time was at 7AM! 
With my colleague Nana and her friend! ;) They did the 21km.
Me - still trying to look all smiley despite the soreness!While everyone was huffing and puffing to the finish line, a tragic incident happened at the 8th km around 1 hour into the race for 10km runners. A guy in his 20's had a seizure and passed away on his arrival to the hospital. Read about the story here.
May his soul rest in peace.
Since it was my first time running in the KL Marathon, I can't really comment on the organizer. However, I do feel that they should provide at least three drink stations for the 10km instead of just two (one at the 4th km and the second one was at the 7th). My time was 1:48 (unofficial).
Seriously, I need a proper training.
Next stop, Penang Bridge International Marathon? Hmmmm maybe.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
FIFA World Cup 2010 fever
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
DiGi The Next Level
It's a little overdue though I guess I've mentioned about it in one of my earlier blog posts; so here we go again... my boyfriend got selected for a DiGi-sponsored reality TV show called DiGi The Next Level! They just wrapped a 5-week shoot for the show which will be aired on NTV7 starting July 7, 2010 (hey it ryhmes ;p). Read more about it here.
I'm super-excited about it; not only because of the fact that the show will put Runfool one step ahead in the game but also because of my boyfriend is going to be on TV! Yay! ;)
Run fool!
Pre-arranged. By my boyfriend of course. Each bouquet was sent to my office on every Monday afternoon (for five weeks!) when he was locked away for the shoot. Awwwww ;')
I'm super-excited about it; not only because of the fact that the show will put Runfool one step ahead in the game but also because of my boyfriend is going to be on TV! Yay! ;)
Run fool!
Pre-arranged. By my boyfriend of course. Each bouquet was sent to my office on every Monday afternoon (for five weeks!) when he was locked away for the shoot. Awwwww ;')
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Yoga
Since I stopped going to yoga classes like a month ago, I've been practicing a lot from home through online yoga videos by Esther Ekhart. I like her. She's easy to follow. You can check out her videos here.
And most importantly, her cat does yoga too! =D
Check out Spookie (that's her cat's name) doing the cat pose!
Happy yoga!
And most importantly, her cat does yoga too! =D
Check out Spookie (that's her cat's name) doing the cat pose!
Happy yoga!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Borneo International Marathon 2010
Three reasons why I decided to do it;
1. My bf's new year resolution was to make me run 5km
2. The marathon was held in my hometown, so watta heck, I used that 10k route to school everyday
3. Signed up for the run with my bf. As simple as that.
I do admit that I can be very irritating-ly optimistic-ish sometimes. But only after the run I realized how I've overestimated my decision.
Reason #1. My bf's new year resolution was to make me run 5km
But I did a 10K instead. Ambitious. It wasn't easy for a first-timer like me. Plus, with no consistent training or what not. Luck was really on my side. Phew!
Reason #2. The marathon was held in my hometown, so watta heck, I used at least half of that 10k route to school everyday
Riiiiggghhhttt. While I was running (and walking most of the time), I realized my mom DROVE me to school using that road and NOT run.
Reason #3. Signed up for the run with my bf. As simple as that.
And he got selected for the reality TV show called DiGi The Next Level a week before we're supposed to go back to KK together. So he's now locked away for seven weeks for the shoot! Hence, I had to run alone.
Lesson learned.
We can only plan, but it's up to Him above to actually manouvere the plan.
Whatever it is, completing a 10k run makes me discover the one thing about myself --- determination. I admit, I felt like stopping at every KM, but no, I told myself to keep on going. Maybe because I knew that my mom actually woke up at 4.30 in the morning just to send me to the starting line (and actually waited for me at the finishing line); and maybe because I was thinking about my nephews and niece who knew that I was going to run in a marathon (and so I thought, what would they think if their auntie didn't finish the run), or maybe because, I didn't want to let my bf down. All of those maybes. Oh well. I thought, I've started this, so might as well be done with it.
And so I did.
That's my mom in the picture ;) We're at the finishing line.
It's done. With less complain, but much much pain. Ouch.
Read this: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
1. My bf's new year resolution was to make me run 5km
2. The marathon was held in my hometown, so watta heck, I used that 10k route to school everyday
3. Signed up for the run with my bf. As simple as that.
I do admit that I can be very irritating-ly optimistic-ish sometimes. But only after the run I realized how I've overestimated my decision.
Reason #1. My bf's new year resolution was to make me run 5km
But I did a 10K instead. Ambitious. It wasn't easy for a first-timer like me. Plus, with no consistent training or what not. Luck was really on my side. Phew!
Reason #2. The marathon was held in my hometown, so watta heck, I used at least half of that 10k route to school everyday
Riiiiggghhhttt. While I was running (and walking most of the time), I realized my mom DROVE me to school using that road and NOT run.
Reason #3. Signed up for the run with my bf. As simple as that.
And he got selected for the reality TV show called DiGi The Next Level a week before we're supposed to go back to KK together. So he's now locked away for seven weeks for the shoot! Hence, I had to run alone.
Lesson learned.
We can only plan, but it's up to Him above to actually manouvere the plan.
Whatever it is, completing a 10k run makes me discover the one thing about myself --- determination. I admit, I felt like stopping at every KM, but no, I told myself to keep on going. Maybe because I knew that my mom actually woke up at 4.30 in the morning just to send me to the starting line (and actually waited for me at the finishing line); and maybe because I was thinking about my nephews and niece who knew that I was going to run in a marathon (and so I thought, what would they think if their auntie didn't finish the run), or maybe because, I didn't want to let my bf down. All of those maybes. Oh well. I thought, I've started this, so might as well be done with it.
And so I did.
That's my mom in the picture ;) We're at the finishing line.
It's done. With less complain, but much much pain. Ouch.
Read this: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Friday, April 16, 2010
Arts and wine
Simply divine.
This masterpiece was born during *our wine and doodle session at home.
Quoted from the bits and pieces of our conversation during the session:
"Don't let the inner child of you go away, ever. It means hope."
"Just doodle. There's no right or wrong. This is our world."
Aaahh.
Wine and arts.
Simply divine.
*My boyfriend and I
This masterpiece was born during *our wine and doodle session at home.
Quoted from the bits and pieces of our conversation during the session:
"Don't let the inner child of you go away, ever. It means hope."
"Just doodle. There's no right or wrong. This is our world."
Aaahh.
Wine and arts.
Simply divine.
*My boyfriend and I
Sunday, April 11, 2010
What's up!
If blogs have the ability to collect dust, mine qualifies to be one of them. I've abandoned this outlet for almost two months already. As much as I hate to admit it, but yea, here goes...I've been bogged down with work :S Was busy managing the preparation for the launch of Anlene Clinically Tested Four Weeks Campaign --- for its *BTL materials as well as the Website. All is done now but. And I've actually hopped on to another new digital campaign for a different Client. So yea. Gotta get this blog running before it becomes one of those furniture in the cyberspace (if there's such thing).
So what's up?
Few things happened in the past two months...
1. I joined Yoga classes. Heck, I'm turning 30 next year, so I guess it's about time to take my body seriously,
2. And took up running. I'm not so much of a runner as I grew up playing sports that involves a lot of people in a team. But yea, I'm doing it mainly to support my boyfriend's passion (and I actually signed up for the Borneo International Marathon in May with him, doing the 10KM). Madness, I know.
3. I cut my hair short-er (think Pink, the singer). Just for the fun of it. Nah, actually I was curious about how I'd look like with my hair super-short.
4. Did a bone health check at the launch of Anlene's new research study (the event that I talked about earlier). And it turned out that I scored -3.1. It simply means; I'm at risk of Osteoporosis. Gulp. Hence, the item #1 and 2 above.
5. (Succesfuly) organized a suprise birthday party for my boyfriend on April 3. Till today, he's still buzzing from that night ;)
6. Been off coffee for almost 30 days now (and counting)
7. Gradually cutting down rice and beer at the same time (not easy).
8. I haven't been painting, let alone touch my painting stuff :(
9. My boyfriend went for the audition for DiGi The Next Level. Call me a kiasu girlfriend, but I'm super-confident that he's going to get in!
10. And last but not least, booked a holiday to Bali for the coming August! ( I can't wait!) ;)
Yepp, that summed up my happenings in the past two months. I just hope I'd be able to blog more in details soon. I just don't like summarizing stuff. Simply.
Peace.
*Below the line
So what's up?
Few things happened in the past two months...
1. I joined Yoga classes. Heck, I'm turning 30 next year, so I guess it's about time to take my body seriously,
2. And took up running. I'm not so much of a runner as I grew up playing sports that involves a lot of people in a team. But yea, I'm doing it mainly to support my boyfriend's passion (and I actually signed up for the Borneo International Marathon in May with him, doing the 10KM). Madness, I know.
3. I cut my hair short-er (think Pink, the singer). Just for the fun of it. Nah, actually I was curious about how I'd look like with my hair super-short.
4. Did a bone health check at the launch of Anlene's new research study (the event that I talked about earlier). And it turned out that I scored -3.1. It simply means; I'm at risk of Osteoporosis. Gulp. Hence, the item #1 and 2 above.
5. (Succesfuly) organized a suprise birthday party for my boyfriend on April 3. Till today, he's still buzzing from that night ;)
6. Been off coffee for almost 30 days now (and counting)
7. Gradually cutting down rice and beer at the same time (not easy).
8. I haven't been painting, let alone touch my painting stuff :(
9. My boyfriend went for the audition for DiGi The Next Level. Call me a kiasu girlfriend, but I'm super-confident that he's going to get in!
10. And last but not least, booked a holiday to Bali for the coming August! ( I can't wait!) ;)
Yepp, that summed up my happenings in the past two months. I just hope I'd be able to blog more in details soon. I just don't like summarizing stuff. Simply.
Peace.
*Below the line
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The tigers need our help!
60 years ago, our Malayan Tiger population numbered 3, 000. Today, it's barely 500.
Don't let this year be the last year of the Tiger. Let us help save the tiger by signing up here.
Pledge your support now.
Don't let this year be the last year of the Tiger. Let us help save the tiger by signing up here.
Pledge your support now.
Valentine's Day
It's a universal day of celebrating love and affection between lovers. And as always, I'm always super-thrilled with the celebration ;)
Now this post is not going to be about how I spent my Valentine's day with my amazing boyfriend (though yea, we did have a mighty good time on Valentine's day!), but this post is more about finding the root of why I still believe in love --- in this oh-so-cruel world that we're living in today.
An obvious truth (or finding):
This is a portrait of my mom. A picture of which she sent to my dad after they just got married...
And this is what she wrote at the back of the photo;
I.T.A.L.Y = I Trust And Love You
M.A.L.A.Y.A = May Angel Look After You Always
Aaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwww!!! ;) I remember my siblings and I always had a joyful laughs everytime we see this pic --- still do, actually (thanks to my eldest sis who actually scanned and posted this photo on her Fb).
After more than 40 years of being together (of course, they've had their own roller-coaster ride throughout the years), my parents are still together now, but. They've shared their ups and downs together, I've seen. Yet, as they get older and grey, the relationship becomes closer and tighter with each other. All because of love.
Heh, twas not really that difficult to dig the root of the case ey! ;)
All you need is love!
Happy Valentine's day peeps. Wish you all the love in the world.
Now this post is not going to be about how I spent my Valentine's day with my amazing boyfriend (though yea, we did have a mighty good time on Valentine's day!), but this post is more about finding the root of why I still believe in love --- in this oh-so-cruel world that we're living in today.
An obvious truth (or finding):
This is a portrait of my mom. A picture of which she sent to my dad after they just got married...
And this is what she wrote at the back of the photo;
I.T.A.L.Y = I Trust And Love You
M.A.L.A.Y.A = May Angel Look After You Always
Aaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwww!!! ;) I remember my siblings and I always had a joyful laughs everytime we see this pic --- still do, actually (thanks to my eldest sis who actually scanned and posted this photo on her Fb).
After more than 40 years of being together (of course, they've had their own roller-coaster ride throughout the years), my parents are still together now, but. They've shared their ups and downs together, I've seen. Yet, as they get older and grey, the relationship becomes closer and tighter with each other. All because of love.
Heh, twas not really that difficult to dig the root of the case ey! ;)
All you need is love!
Happy Valentine's day peeps. Wish you all the love in the world.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Chinese New Year
For the first time in my working years, I had to experience the lion dancers visiting my workplace ---the office, today. After three days off work (due to the Chinese New Year hols), our office re-opened today. Hence, we welcome the Lunar year with a lion dance perfomance ;)
The lion --- entering our office
He's now placing the good luck coin on my desk --- he's so cute! ;)
Reaching for the "ang pow" and the lettuce!
The good luck coin that was placed on my desk ;)
Call me a small kid, but I can really get over-excited over this kinda thing, still ;)
The lion --- entering our office
He's now placing the good luck coin on my desk --- he's so cute! ;)
Reaching for the "ang pow" and the lettuce!
The good luck coin that was placed on my desk ;)Call me a small kid, but I can really get over-excited over this kinda thing, still ;)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Rebak Island Resort
Yes! I'm a beach holiday-sucker ;) The one thing that I've begun to develop eversince I lived away from home (where the nice beaches are).
Last weekend, my colleague and I went to Rebak Island Resort, Langkawi, an exclusive resort with its own jetty and boats to the from the main land to the island and back. The distant from the airport to the jetty is about 5 minutes and it took us 15 minutes of a boat ride to the resort. It's a rather quiet resort I must say (they only have about 80+ rooms/villa). It's a perfect place for those who loves a quiet holiday --- the only water activities that they have are snorkeling and kayaking. Serious. So you can imagine the rest of your holiday would be, sun bathing, swim (if you can, cos I can't), cycling around the resort, monitar lizard watching (which was not very appealing to me because I grew up in a house where monitor lizards were crawling like nobody's business on the yard---okay maybe I was exaggerating but yea, they're nothing extraordinary to me. Unless it's komodo or something), eat, drink (I mean, like a lot of alcoholic drinks --- it's Langkawi okay!) and sleep.
We stayed in a two bedroom villa --- an awesome two bedroom villa! Only a little drawback, the room was not sound-proof! Bleh. For two nights in a row we got called up by the hotel receptionist telling us that the guests below our room were complaining because they heard noise came from the room above. Yea, the first night was the sound of Channel V on TV and the second night was because they could hear my colleague and I were talking. Whatever. The good food and the friendly staffs of the resort compensated it all :)
But yea, it was a good weekend getaway overall :)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Rock me!
I'm sorry, I can't help it. I'm so in love with my new perfume by Anna Sui --- Rock me! Sigh. Loving the guitar-shaped bottle (and the sweet smell) to bits!
“Rock and roll is so much a part of my life that I wanted to capture its energy, independence, and playfulness in a fragrance that would let every girl be her own rock star.”- Anna Sui
As I said, I can't help it.
Beyawesome.
Note: The picture was taken by my colleague at Port Langkasuka in Langkawi, today.
“Rock and roll is so much a part of my life that I wanted to capture its energy, independence, and playfulness in a fragrance that would let every girl be her own rock star.”- Anna Sui
As I said, I can't help it.
Beyawesome.
Note: The picture was taken by my colleague at Port Langkasuka in Langkawi, today.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Why I like It Longer?
The world today is not a safe place. We hear this everywhere, everyday.
Everyone's getting meaner. Aggresive. Competitive.
Everyone wants to be a winner.
The Revolutionist Vs The Intellectual
The Serious Vs The Playful
Qwerty Vs Touchscreen
Every little thing matters; mail to mail, phone to phone, browser to browser, and thumb stroke to touch-tap.
So what's the buzz all about?
...
The world today is not a safe place.
That's why I need a reliable companion.
A companion that's not just tough but smart, wide yet sexy, rough yet classy.
A companion that is simply...longer.
Yes, size does matter. Still.
...
The LG Chocolate phone (BL40).
Some say it's super.
I call it different.
That's why I like it longer.
Everyone's getting meaner. Aggresive. Competitive.
Everyone wants to be a winner.
The Revolutionist Vs The Intellectual
The Serious Vs The Playful
Qwerty Vs Touchscreen
Every little thing matters; mail to mail, phone to phone, browser to browser, and thumb stroke to touch-tap.
So what's the buzz all about?
...
The world today is not a safe place.
That's why I need a reliable companion.
A companion that's not just tough but smart, wide yet sexy, rough yet classy.
A companion that is simply...longer.
Yes, size does matter. Still.
...
The LG Chocolate phone (BL40).
Some say it's super.
I call it different.That's why I like it longer.
Friday, January 15, 2010
My birthday
On the 7th of January, 1981.
And as you get older, the birthday presents that you receive will somehow be more meaningful or "connected" to you. One of the birthday presents that I got this year is an oil painting starter kit. It's from my workmates.
It's my first time to use oils as a medium and I must say the experience is way different than acrylic, crayons and watercolours;
It's still a WIP. I hope I'd be able to define the objects better to finish it.
And as you get older, the birthday presents that you receive will somehow be more meaningful or "connected" to you. One of the birthday presents that I got this year is an oil painting starter kit. It's from my workmates.
It's my first time to use oils as a medium and I must say the experience is way different than acrylic, crayons and watercolours;
It's still a WIP. I hope I'd be able to define the objects better to finish it.
Ipoh mali, Ipoh, Ipoh mali!
Happy New Year!!! ;)
It's never too late to wish a happy new year to everyone when we're still in January, no? Not like we have four seasons to really differenciate that ;) So what's up 2010!
Anyway, visited my boyfriend's hometown in Ipoh on the second day of January. It was about three hours long drive up North from where we live. Just like any other places in Malaysia, the scenary of the road trip would mostly be oil palm plantations, kampung houses (if you go through the small roads), fruits stalls at the side of the road, and the likes. It's the second time we went up North in the past three months; again I was disturbed by the sight of the blasted limestone hills and some other massive quarrying work going around it. Yea call me a development-pooper, but I seriously could hear the hills crying for help everytime I pass them by. Sigh. Anyhoo, our first stop in Perak was Teluk Intan (was known as Teluk Anson during the British era). My boyfriend grew up in Teluk Intan and he was so excited to show me around ;) We didn't spend that long in that little nice town though, but I managed to see the famous "leaning tower of Teluk Intan". I thought it was a really cute building; a popular giant short and fat tower--- a building with attitude ;)
We headed to Ipoh after the short trip at Teluk Intan. We took the small road to Ipoh and again, we discovered another mild yet depressing somewhat like a natural disaster---we saw at least nine porcupines dead splat on the road :( They either going out from the oil palm plantations (and tried to cross the road with revving cars) or into. Not really the scene that you would want any below 10s to see. It's just so sad.
We reached my boyfriend's parents' house in Ipoh at lunch time. We were welcomed by a home cook lunch meal by my boyfriend's mom, it was delicious indeed! Since it was only a night trip, we had to leave for our next place to visit just after tea time.
Our next destination was Kellie's Castle. It's located in Batu Gajah; about 20-mins drive from Ipoh. I first learnt to know about Kellie's Castle from Harmony Silk Factory a fiction written by Tash Aw. Then I saw another review in Travel 360 magazine about 10 scariest places to visit in Asia (or something like that). Well, maybe I've set my mind that the place is freaky but I thought that the mansion is just too "cold" to be somewhat standing in the middle of nowhere. Take away the highway and the small entrance ticket counter below the castle, the building is just so... "alone".
Kellie's Castle was conceptualised and built by William Kellie Smith, a Scotsman who arrived in Malaya in 1890 and made a fortune through the mining industry (of which were booming back then). With the fortune made, he then married his wife in Scotland, and moved back to Malaya after. Only after the second child Smith intended to expand his mansion and build the castle. Smith chose only the best bricks and tiles for the castle, all imported; and he even (almost) had the first bucket lift in Malaya in his castle. So to cut long story short, the history says that the castle is never completed due to the Spanish flu outbreak from Europe to Asia killing most of the workers and the death of Smith himself due to pneumonia during his visit to Portugal in 1926. And so the grieving wife packed her bags and left the castle unfinished, for her homeland.
...
The castle stands still and strong 'till now. The feeling was just different when you're in the abandoned castle. It's almost as if you feel the presence of the past. I tried not to let silence take over any second when we were there. I tried to catch up with the other visitors (although my boyfriend was with me too) but the least I did was to walk and move at the same pace as the other visitors so we won't be left alone behind. Or will you ever be alone in the castle?
...
Oh well! Other than the limestone hills, Ipoh is also well known for its food! So the next day, we went on a food hunt around Ipoh town! We had the chicken rice and the famous Nam Heong original Ipoh white coffee. They're not only great, but they're cheap too! Dangs! Wished could extend the trip longer since I have yet to try the famous hor fun and the snow beer! But time was not on our side. Monday was approaching. Bleh.
The trip ended on a rainy Sunday evening.
It's never too late to wish a happy new year to everyone when we're still in January, no? Not like we have four seasons to really differenciate that ;) So what's up 2010!
Anyway, visited my boyfriend's hometown in Ipoh on the second day of January. It was about three hours long drive up North from where we live. Just like any other places in Malaysia, the scenary of the road trip would mostly be oil palm plantations, kampung houses (if you go through the small roads), fruits stalls at the side of the road, and the likes. It's the second time we went up North in the past three months; again I was disturbed by the sight of the blasted limestone hills and some other massive quarrying work going around it. Yea call me a development-pooper, but I seriously could hear the hills crying for help everytime I pass them by. Sigh. Anyhoo, our first stop in Perak was Teluk Intan (was known as Teluk Anson during the British era). My boyfriend grew up in Teluk Intan and he was so excited to show me around ;) We didn't spend that long in that little nice town though, but I managed to see the famous "leaning tower of Teluk Intan". I thought it was a really cute building; a popular giant short and fat tower--- a building with attitude ;)
We headed to Ipoh after the short trip at Teluk Intan. We took the small road to Ipoh and again, we discovered another mild yet depressing somewhat like a natural disaster---we saw at least nine porcupines dead splat on the road :( They either going out from the oil palm plantations (and tried to cross the road with revving cars) or into. Not really the scene that you would want any below 10s to see. It's just so sad.
We reached my boyfriend's parents' house in Ipoh at lunch time. We were welcomed by a home cook lunch meal by my boyfriend's mom, it was delicious indeed! Since it was only a night trip, we had to leave for our next place to visit just after tea time.
Our next destination was Kellie's Castle. It's located in Batu Gajah; about 20-mins drive from Ipoh. I first learnt to know about Kellie's Castle from Harmony Silk Factory a fiction written by Tash Aw. Then I saw another review in Travel 360 magazine about 10 scariest places to visit in Asia (or something like that). Well, maybe I've set my mind that the place is freaky but I thought that the mansion is just too "cold" to be somewhat standing in the middle of nowhere. Take away the highway and the small entrance ticket counter below the castle, the building is just so... "alone".
Kellie's Castle was conceptualised and built by William Kellie Smith, a Scotsman who arrived in Malaya in 1890 and made a fortune through the mining industry (of which were booming back then). With the fortune made, he then married his wife in Scotland, and moved back to Malaya after. Only after the second child Smith intended to expand his mansion and build the castle. Smith chose only the best bricks and tiles for the castle, all imported; and he even (almost) had the first bucket lift in Malaya in his castle. So to cut long story short, the history says that the castle is never completed due to the Spanish flu outbreak from Europe to Asia killing most of the workers and the death of Smith himself due to pneumonia during his visit to Portugal in 1926. And so the grieving wife packed her bags and left the castle unfinished, for her homeland.
...
The castle stands still and strong 'till now. The feeling was just different when you're in the abandoned castle. It's almost as if you feel the presence of the past. I tried not to let silence take over any second when we were there. I tried to catch up with the other visitors (although my boyfriend was with me too) but the least I did was to walk and move at the same pace as the other visitors so we won't be left alone behind. Or will you ever be alone in the castle?
...
Oh well! Other than the limestone hills, Ipoh is also well known for its food! So the next day, we went on a food hunt around Ipoh town! We had the chicken rice and the famous Nam Heong original Ipoh white coffee. They're not only great, but they're cheap too! Dangs! Wished could extend the trip longer since I have yet to try the famous hor fun and the snow beer! But time was not on our side. Monday was approaching. Bleh.
The trip ended on a rainy Sunday evening.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
