My Experience in Kumpuchia

Keith & I just came back from Cambodia for a 3D/2N trip. Honestly, when come to holiday destination, country like Cambodia would never be our pick because our impressions on the country was sloppy and certainly nothing much for us to explore around as we are not interested in temple visits.

As it is not convenient for me to disclose the reason that led us there, so let's just say it was a God blessing to allowed us to have such humbling & enriching experience after seeing the life styles and living conditions of the majority of the low/medium income Cambodians.

It was a whole new experience altogether seeing the real thing comparing to what we saw on TV/magazines. The impact is so much greater after talking to the locals during our visits to all the major old ruined temples like Angkor Wat, Bayon, Pink Lady, Tomb Raider and many others to understand more about their history and the life of their people. It really made us realise that what we have back home in Malaysia is some sort of a comparison between Heaven & Hell in many ways.

There is no regret of the trip eventhough there really isn't much to do, so a 3D/2N trip was suffice for us. Foods that we have tasted in different stalls and restaurants were pretty tasty. However, the cost of living in Cambodia is certainly very high comparing to their earning power. Majority of them can't afford to eat out in their entire life, with the exception of those working as tour guides which they get the chance to get free food from the restaurant in return of bringing the tourists there for meals or the driversbeing invited by the tourists to have theri meals together (which we did). It is common for Cambodian to have home cook food for all 3 meals a day. Even for Keith and myself, we find things in Cambodia are expensive.

Everything in Cambodia is transacting in US Dollars. Imagine people are earning as low as USD30 - USD600 a month but a plate of fried rice actually cost USD4. While a can of Coke cost USD2 in Cambodia, a can of beer cost USD2.50. So just do a simple math.

Life there is really tough. Children as young as 3 years old are being exploited by their parents to sell souvenirs at all the tourist hot spots. You would be approach by at least 10 people asking you to buy something which mostly are selling the exact same things. But luckily they would just ask & beg but not touch you.

This short trip make us realise how bless we are with all the things we have. It was certainly a worthwhile trip. If you think you have a lousy life, terrible job, envy of your friends who can afford branded goods but you can't or not satisfied with anything in your life, go make a trip there and see what kind of life people are leading in country like Cambodia. You will realise how lucky you are after that.

Funny & Creative

Received these pictures from a friend and thought of sharing it with you all as I think it's very creative and amusing. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

New Experience

Yesterday was my very first experience as a recording artist attempted to record my debut single. Oh my..... it's a totally different experience all together as a recording artist.

I have recorded an album for my personal collection last year, which I simply pick a few songs, practice a few times and headed to the studio and recorded the songs. That was really easy as it was just like singing Karaoke.

The 2-3 hours spent in the studio yesterday has proved challenging. I was really nervous but still I thought I would be able to finish recording the song in that one session. But I was so wrong. It is not that easy after all. What makes it even more challenging is because I write my own songs so everything has to starts from scratch and it is really depends on myself how I'll deliver the songs well in my own style.

I finally understand why some artists can actually take a few years to produce one album and now it makes total sense to me as in why these days the recording companies would release singles as and when a new song completed. It is really not easy to produce an album and it does take lots of time and hard work to make good music.

It's gonna require more effort than what I've expected but nonetheless it is a great experience and I am glad that I have make it this far. :)

Though I wish to release my single as soon as possible but I'm not going to rush it for the sake of doing it.

I promise myself and those who support me that I will make serious and good music. :)

So, please be patient my dear friends! Cheers!

Just A Little Updates

Hmmm...have not been feeling really well these past few weeks and things got worst after I went for the charity run on Sunday morning. I am basically dehydrated after exposed under the sun and lost of loads of water thru sweat.

I'm hit with sore throat. fever. migraine. nose congestion and not to mention dehydration. Went to work yesterday with a very bad sore throat that hurts so bad. I made it thru the whole day and leave work on time to get home for some rest. Towards the evening the fever started.

Woke up this morning found myself in a pool of sweat and migraine. Sore throat still there and I felt really bad. Went and see doctor, bought some buns for breakfast and lunch then came home to rest.

Hopefully I'll be all recovered tomorrow.

I have an album to make. I can't keep falling sick or unwell. I must stay strong and healthy!!

Sealed

The Deal Is Finally Sealed.

I've been telling my friends and family about the project of my solo album for months and I finally got my contract signed and all the deal is set.

There were many discussions to and fro in the past months and I'm glad that I have it all settled yesterday. Now I got to get started and keep the ball rolling... keep rolling rolling rolling... keep rolling rolling rolling.... :)

So I'm gonna have busy busy months ahead but am not going to rush for it as I want to make quality music, besides, whether I make it or not, will all depends on my debut. So gonna do it right from the start.

Thank you so much to the people behind this (am not going to reveal too much for now) and I want to give a big shout out of love and gratitude to my beloved hubby, Keith. Without his love, support and understanding, none of this would ever materialised.

This is my official first step towards my Goal. It is no longer just a dream. ^.^

THANKS FOR BELIEVING IN ME........ God Bless

Chinese Lyrics

I've composed a melody and am trying to put in Chinese lyrics. I've been cracking my head for days but can't seem to even come out with 1 line.

Don't quite know how to express it in Chinese and how to form the verse. Should I outsource it? Hmmmm... How? How? How?

Will give myself till end of this week, else gotta get help from those who are very good in Chinese.

On Treatment for H. Pylori Bacteria

Keith & I went for a blood test last month and a bacteria called, Helicobacter Pylori or H. Pylori in short were detected in my blood. I was advise to do a further check up for confirmation if that bacteria is found in my stomach as well. Hence, I made an appointment and went to a hospital this morning and did an Endoscopy.

The test came back positive and according to the doctor my stomach lining was very red, which might due to some inflammation. So now I have to take 1 week medication to treat it and to see the doctor again in 2 weeks time.

It is not really serious as many people have these bacteria in them nowadays. However, it is good to detect it and treat it early as this is the type of bacteria which might cause stomach ulcer/cancer in the long run if not treated.

So for those who always have gastric pain, heartburn or feel bloated even though you have a proper diet practice, do go and do a blood test on this H.Pylori bacteria to fins out if your problem is causes by that. Do not take it lightly as it might turn to something bad if not treated properly.

The procedure was pretty simple as I don't remember when I was knock out and when it ended as they put me on general anesthesia. As the dosage was low hence the grogginess didn't lasted very long after I regained consciousness.

The only down side is, when they stuffed the tube down my throat to my stomach to extract the cells for the test, it must have scratched my throat as it is a bit painful and swollen even until now. Hope the swell and pain will go away soon.

When Inspiration Strikes....

An inspiration just strike me this morning when I was busy working. I had to quickly write down whatever flow into my mind while rushing for my work. :D

I was kind of panicky as I still don't know how to use my new phone for voice recording and I didn't have time to figure it out then so in fear of forgetting the melody, I had to keep singing it in my head over and over again while working on the lyrics.

Whenever I have the inspiration to write a song, it is ALWAYS the chorus that strikes my mind first. So each time all the chorus are easy peasy. And then I have to slowly work on the other part of the songs.

I have a real love-hate relations with song writing as most of the time when I think of a title and try to write something, nothing would come out. My sudden inspiration always came unexpectedly and often caught me off guard and when I don't have the chance to actually record it down there and then, I'd have to try my best not to forget it. But sadly not all the time I can remember it as after a while the mind tend to drift off to some other thoughts. :D If I'm lucky, sometimes the melody does come back then I can continue to work on it. :)

As I am working on my solo album now, hence I am under pressure to write the songs. Yes, my debut solo album is gonna features all songs written by myself. :)

Just Wondering

Mmmm... was just wondering, with the existence of Blog, how many people still write their diaries the conventional way?

Awkward Self

I often feel very awkward about myself.

Contrary to what everyone may thinks, I never really feel good about myself. I don't really have much self confidence and I certainly don't feel attractive at all. Yup, I don't quite feel comfortable in my own skin. I believe I have mentioned this many times in my earlier posts. :D

In my own eyes, I always feel like I look like a Guy. Yes, I think I look like a Dude. But I have a solution. I just pretend that I'm a Transvestite. A dude that cross-dress as a girl and I also play the part.

Hence, I feel less awkward about myself now. Mmmmm.... it might sounds a bit weird but this is what it is. Some must be wondering why do I share something so personal with everyone. Well, I just want to tell all the ladies out there, you are Not alone.

Almost all female have this same issue no matter how they look. For example, I saw a programme on E! 2 days ago and they were talking about Mary-Kate Olsen's (one of the famous Olsen Twins) eating disorder problem. In one of her interview, she said that:"Sometimes when I look at my sister (Ashley), I'm thinking why can't I be as beautiful as my sister?". You see what is the problem here? They are identical twins and surely Mary-Kate is as beautiful as Ashley. So, why Mary-Kate had such thought? That is because we don't see ourselves as how other people see us. We often see ourselves base on how we feel about ourselves which link to our self esteem level.

We can never be good enough for ourselves and there are a lot of chain reactions as it not only affect ourselves, it would affect the people who love us & care for us as well. Ask me, I have been there done that.

So the only way not to make matter worst is try to find a way to make yourself feel good, even if you have to fake it. Trust me, if you can convince yourself that, you'll feel good about yourself eventually.

Influence

In our short life time we come across many people in our lives. There are our family, relatives, friends, colleagues and acquaintances, which some might be with us in our entire life time and some are just few years or as short as just a few minutes encounter.

No matter the length of time that we spend with anyone , every single being that we meet plays a part in our lives. And every one of them would either influence or affect us one way or another. It need not be a direct face to face or online interactions. More often than not, we could be affected and influenced by merely visuals, words, sounds & touch from an ad on a billboard, a book we read, a speech, a twit, a touch or even just a stare. All these could affect us in so many ways without us realizing it. Its could simply change our thoughts, perceptions, decisions, feelings towards anything or anyone.

We, human being, often think too highly of ourselves and always live in a self denial world where we believe we are the most intelligence being on earth and we have total control of ourselves that we would not be easily influence by anything or anyone. But the truth is, we are not that impervious. Never underestimate anything no matter how minute it is.

For me being involved in a gothic metal band recently has actually caused some stirs and it was rather shocking to many of my friends and family members as they never have imagine I could associate myself with this sort of band. Well, to most people, they still have the perception that those who sing about hatred, condemnation, hell, blood & murder are witchcraft/Satan worshipper as the lyrics are often anti-Christ.

Many have shown their concerned and I really appreciate their love & care. As much as I try to convince them that I do not worship the Darkness and am still a God fearing person. I mustn't underrate the power of Darkness as many (those with similar experience) have told me. I try to be more cautious about my behaviour and constantly pray to God for guidance in everything I do.

I may think I am in full control but I might be wrong. I am more wary these days when I pray to make sure that I am talking to Jesus and not the Satan. But so far I think I'm safe because I am still the same person as before.

So to all the people out there, thank you so much of your support and concern. Love ya all!!! Muackz....

I will be careful....as what you all have advised me. :)

HALUN

Things are going really well for my band. The printing of album is about done and we had a band meeting this afternoon to sort out some issues and work out our jamming schedule.

Just gonna keep my fingers cross and pray for God's blessing for the great response for our debut album.

:)

Rice Fields of Japan - Displays on the field in art form !!!

Everything has a Beauty. But, not everyone sees it.....
RICE FIELDS OF JAPAN - AMAZING
Looks ordinary enough...... but watch as the rice grows!!!!!!

Stunning crop art has sprung up across rice fields in Japan , but this is no alien creation.
The designs have been cleverly PLANTED!
Farmers creating the huge displays use no ink or dye. Instead, different colour rice plants
have been precisely and strategically arranged and grown in the paddy fields.
As summer progresses and the plants shoot up, the detailed artwork begins to emerge.

A Sengoku warrior on horseback has been created from hundreds of thousands of rice plants.
The colours are created by using different varieties of rice plants, whose leaves grow in certain colours.
This photo was taken in Inakadate , Japan ....

Napoleon on horseback can be seen from the skies.
This was created by precision planting and months of planning by villagers and farmers located in Inkadate , Japan ...

Fictional warrior Naoe Kanetsugu and his wife, Osen, whose lives are featured on the television series 'Tenchijin' appear in fields in the town of Yonezawa in the Yamagata prefecture of Japan ....

This year, various artwork has popped up in other rice-farming areas of Japan , including designs of deer dancers.
Smaller works of 'crop-art' can be seen in other rice-farming areas of Japan such as this image of Doraemon and deer dancers. The farmers create the murals by planting little purple and yellow-leafed Kodaimai rice along with their local green-leafed Tsugaru, a Roman variety, to create the coloured patterns in the time between planting and harvesting in September.
The murals in Inakadate cover 15,000 square meters of paddy fields.

From ground level, the designs are invisible, and viewers have to climb the mock castle tower of the village office to get a glimpse of the work.

Closer to the image, the careful placement of the thousands of rice plants in the paddy fields can be seen. Rice-paddy art was started there in 1993 as a local revitalization project, an idea that grew from meetings of the village committees.

The different varieties of rice plants grow alongside each other to create the masterpieces.
In the first nine years, the village office workers and local farmers grew a simple design of Mount Iwaki every year. But their ideas grew more complicated and attracted more attention.

In 2005, agreements between landowners allowed the creation of enormous rice paddy art.
A year later, organizers used computers to precisely plot the planting of four differently colored rice varieties that bring the images to life!

TRULY A WORK OF ART!

Creative Coffins... Anyone?

These cool & unique coffins are made in Africa. Anyone interested to get it?