Backyard

What a view! Fresh snow and sunny day. Doesn't feel like Christmas though, but I am sure that
the feeling will come soon. Hope you enjoy this picture.

Guayaquil

Looking around, nothing familiar, yet everything is just right in its place. None of the faces that passes me I recognise but yet I know them. It feels like home. The smells, the streets, the organise chaos, the sounds, etc it all made sense but no sense to me. I love it.

Chalk Dust

For the past 4 years we have been talking about putting up a sliding to bring more light in to the dining area. Finally was beautiful view of the mountains and abundance of light into the dining area. Finally our house looks like a home. I will post before and after pictures once its all done.

Human trafficking in Colorado

One of the greatest gift in the US is to judge other but not themselves. It is so common that they highlight and scrutinise other countries, not-so-well-known countries about their wrong doing. Human trafficking in Malaysia was a major topic in the US some months ago. People who looked at my passport or knowns my nationality, starts to question my integrity and every move. Human trafficking is not a problem created by Malaysians.

Now the latest news, Human trafficking in Colorado. Its in the US. So much for blaming it on a 3rd world mentality when it is now in the US. I guess the US is also a 3rd world then.

The Truth Reveal (with evidence)

In June 1998, the government of Malaysia had hired a team of experts from across the
continent to be gather here in Malaysia for a research project to compliment the history studies that we undertaken in our secondary school.

The objective of the research is simply:
1. To find prove and evident that show the Malays are the
origins of Malaysia and they are the first race and religion that lands their foot in Malaysia .

2. To further strengthen their claims, first they need to find
the grave yard of the Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Lekiu and etc..to show the existant of their pioneer.

3. The Batu bersurat in Terengganu, reveals that the islamic
religion has landed in Malaysia for a hundred years ago
which further strengthen their claims!

That is why, we are taught with sejarah (history of Malaysia )!!!!

BEWARE & OPEN YOUR EYES!!! go ask your brother, sister, niece, nephew and etc. etc, since the year 1999 (if i'm not mistaken) or year 2000, do they study about HANG TUAH anymore????????

Why is that popular subject GONE????? Missing in action???????or evidence reveals something different that causes the government to stop the syllabus and HIDE the TRUTH????????

*Here are the Evidences of the findings by the team of scientists, archaeologist, historian and other technical staff from the United States , United Kingdom , Germany , Canada , Yemen & Russia. *

*The evidence are: *

1) They finally found the grave yard of Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat and etc..., their skeleton had been analise and samples of DNA had been taken with the results show: Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, hang Lekiu and mates, they are NOT MALAY!!!!!! they are CHINESE (islamic) from china!!! and why are they here in Malacca????? because they are in a mission to protect the MALAY S from the potential attack of SIAM ( Thailand )!!!

So Hang tuah is not malay hero!!! they are the protector of the useless and ungrateful Parameswara (who is from INDONESIA ) landed in Malacca and claim the land belongs to him!!!
The hang tuah bunch of people are all from china, they are being assign to malacca because parameswara request the Ching Dynasty Emporer for protection!!! This is why the Hang Tuah series of history is MISSING from
SEJARAH!!!!

*2nd. Evidence: *

The researchers hired by the government found the oldest tomb stone(grave yard) in Kelantan in year 2000. Suprisingly the tomb stone are at least 900 years old!!!! older than the so-called batu bersurat. and the best thing is, it belong to the CHINESE!!!!!!!!

Being landed first in Malacca doesn't mean malay is the first in Malaysia cos during that time, the road is too long for them to see the other side of the coast!!! where the chinese has landed far more earlier. If you want the black and white evidence of the truth reveals please write to
the The Federal Association of Arc & Research of Michigan , USA .

Please do not ask the chinese nor the indian to go back to their home country! Cos evidence shows that Malays are NOT Malaysia origin either! Your ancestor are all imigrant from INDONESIA ! Let us unite as a nation and not divided by races.

So why the heck, are we being told to get out of our own country from the the political leaders??!?!

Next Breed of Worshippers - Malaysians

A hidden gem that stood undetected amongst the big Christian worship movement in Canada (Vineyard), Australia (Hillsongs), Europe (JesusFreaks), and some other individual song writers and worshipers, Malaysia is emerging as the next generation of powerful worship leaders and songwriters that will sweep the world.

Workout through winter

With the weather changing, there is no way I could continue cycling outdoors. Now it time to find something else to do to get the heart pumping. Any suggestions?

Colours of change

Fall is here. Before you know it the snow is coming. Possibly tonight. We'll see. Here is a picture of the street in front of the house.

Bicycle

The classic picture of a bicycle parked under a tree. The owner of this bicycle, lives in the driest place in Kenya. Hardly anything grows here, except for wild bush and Baobab trees. No question about how much gas this bicycle would use.

In the arms

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There’s vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lie
That you make up for all that you lack
It don’t make no difference
Escaping one last time
It’s easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

Walking a city

I decided to change the name of my blog today. I have traveled to many cities. So far 180 of them. I have walked nearly all of them and found that as I walked them I become part of life there. I am part of the society. Not a tourist, not a foreigner, but its people.

Walking shoes

With or without, people go about their ways. New Zealand's culture has a very "free" lifestyle of walking about without shoes. Here in Kenya, its not cultures. Either you have it or you don't. In the outskirts of Embu town, a dry section of the country called Dondora, hardly sees rain. Vegetation in this area is close to none. The infamous Balboa tree thrives in this place. Women walk for miles to gather firewood for their days meal and to heat up the house at night.

Controlling Frustrations

Sometimes there is a will within to stop frustrations and stress in life. It may look nice and noble in the beginning. But eventually it becomes chaotic as life starts to bog you down. People in your face, profiling you with a perception that you fit in a mindset just because they want to. You have to remind yourself again, not to let these kind of things to bog you down. Its a roller coaster.... what can I say!

Fall is in the air

The air chilly in the morning. The days are getting short. Most of the Aspen trees in the mountains are starting to turn its colours. This is the best time of the year. Its not too hot, nor cold. The Mountain scenery is beautiful. I'm looking forward to the holiday season.

5 years ago

5 years ago I saw a terrorist attack the twin towers.
5 years ago I was sitting in a bungalow in a 40 acre lot in Bethlehem, South Africa.
5 years ago I had a dream and purpose to a world with no boundaries.
5 years ago Lisa was my fiance.
5 years ago I was pioneering a new vision in South Africa.
5 years ago I was placing Malaysia in the map to the Latin Americans.

5 years later, I am here, wondering where all my dreams went.

No Sony IPhone / IPod

I guess I have been an avid fan of the "No Apple products" for too long. The latest IPhone and the New IPOD caught my attention. Touch screen and playing videos on those screens are something worth looking at a 2nd time.

Symphony over Penang

Captured this picture from Northam cafe during a fantastic sunset. Located in Penang, Malaysia.

(Click to enlarge)

Penang Hill

Our last week in Penang, we spent some time visiting Penang Hill. Wonderful scenery, with lots of history that goes with it. My grandfather used to be the first Malaysian station master in this iconic place.

Digging up the yard

After my trip, and coming back to my house with a backyard full of weed, was more than I could handle. There were weeds growing everywhere. Apparently during my trip, there were plenty of rain which aid the growth of these nasty 'shrubs'. Currently bought a rototiller to help me with breaking up the ground and loosening the soil. A Craftsman 3hp 15" wide rototiller. Very temperamental but gets the job done. Here is how my backyard looks like now after putting in about 2 hours of work with the rototiller.

Ashamed Malaysian

For years I fought for my identity as a Malaysian and its achievements. We just celebrate our 50th year of independance on August 31st. Malaysia boast of its accomplishments which puts the country ahead of many others. The celebrative mood turned sour when an annoucement came right after that Malaysia will adopt Islamic law over federal law.

Not only that it is sick, but its the start of a breakdown in a nation.

Confrontational

Working in a faith based environment, one would think that there aren't any office politics...... BULL!! There are more bitching and back stabbing then ever. I have never ever let these small little attacks affect me. However, if it was a direct attack in front of other, one would feel like its open season.... and you are the target. I had to bring up the issue and plainly tell the attacker off. There have been other incidences that people would talk behind my back and not even confronting straight out. Maybe they are just threaten that I am not an American. ...typical!

5:30 am stinch

Waking up at 3am is not my usual practice, but due to current situation, I don't have much of a choice. They said that for every 1 hour of jetlag, you will take a day to adjust yourself back to current time. Its been 4 days, I am still waking up at 3 am. I should be waking up at 7 am by now.

Jetlag theory - busted!

Formula for overcoming jetlag

Arrive: 11:50am
12:30 pm: Shower (yea 30 mins shower)
1:00 pm: eat a big mac (no pickles please......ugh!!)
1:30 pm: 2 hour nap
7:00 pm: jolt out of bed (not really 2 hours I initially planned)
10:00 pm: back to sleep
3:00 am: Wide awake
3:30 am: Chat with friends on MSN, coffee, brush teeth.
3:45 am: headache attack
6:00 am: back to bed
6:30 am: gived up on trying to sleep
7:00 am: breakfast with 4 mugs of coffee
12:00 pm: Lunch (chimichanga)
2:00 pm: Nap
4:30 pm: not really 2 hours but close enough.
10:00 pm: Load up with Unisom. (cheaper solution use Wal-som)

GQ latest model

What else can you do when you have a sunglass, a pair of beach shorts, and a beach ball?? Pose for a picture.

24 hours

Again, I will be on a plane to Asia. Crossing the pacific ocean is no fun, with having to spend 11 hours confine in your seat. There is little movement in the plane, but what can you do.

Another inspirational plot

I'm sure you have heard of Paul Potts with his opening song of Nessum Dorma by Puccini. A shy fellow, not much confidence in himself took the crowd by storm. A star was truly born. I wonder how many shy ones out there with a talent as such, but yet to be discovered..... or maybe never. I wonder how many are not discovered due to first impressions (chap teeth, fat, skin colour, etc.) I am sure there are many in their minds would say "he is not going to make it. Look at his skin colour!!"

Readers.... if you can't take this... move on.

Biggest Polluter

A horrendous sight! You thought with the big push from the US about global warming, they would have practice what they preach. This picture was taken in Idaho Springs, CO where weekend-ners take a leisure ride in the mountains with this CO2 producing train. Looks like global warming is of no concern to these people if its for their leisure. But how they complain when someone else outside of the US is doing it. Current standing, US is the biggest polluter in the world.

got CO2?

Beaver Creek - The Pine Lodge

I got a gift from a friend to stay at the Pine Lodge in Beaver Creek. Its a nice mountain resort, but no where near a 5 star resort as they claim it to be. It was interesting when they received us at the front door. They definitely did not expect a typical white family roll up to the porchway. At first, it was awkward that they thought that we got lost. Eventually they figured out that we are guest at the resort. A little "chuckled" I just decided to enjoy the rest of our stay and not to be bothered by narrow minded people, on who is qualified to stay where. This is definitely not a 5 star resort. I will give it a 4 star. I have stayed in 5 star hotels all over around the world.

Astrophotography

This is my first night sky shot. I was pretty impressed with the result of the picture. Astrophotography is something that I will be exploring more and will be interested in capturing the night lights in full darkness..... you know what I mean?

Never give up

Even though people around you tells you that you can't, there is still a dream that needs to be realised. "World's fastest Indian" is a show to get you out there again to do what you were born to do. The story of Burt Munro and his bike.

Go Kiwi!

Homework

Joys of owning a house, comes with the headache of maintaining it. There is no question if you own a house, you would have either develop the skills or pay through your nose for someone else to do for you.

Current DIY.
- Patio with paver bricks
- Fencing the backyard
- Gazebo over the patio
- sodding the backyard
- buidling a deck in the front.

Penang, Malaysia - more eating than you can imagine.

A small glimpse of what Penang food is.

Squished bug

Played around with my Nikon D80 on night photography. Especially if you are going to take pictures of fireworks, you really do need a tripod. Oh well, I was too lazy to carry one. This is the picture I took.

Morning stinch!

Can't sleep. Toss around in bed, hearing some ridiculous truck drove by at 4am in the morning. What is the world are they doing at this time?!Now I cant sleep. Trying to figure out away to get rid of the thorny bush.

Thorny Yard

The bush is out of the way now, but it left its thorns all over in the front yard. You can't walk to the car without getting pricked.

Haro V4

There are as many bicycles out there as anything else. The different combination of parts makes it more of a headache than trying to decide on a single bike. I can down to several hardtail mountain bikes within my budget is the IBEX Alpine 650, GT Avalanche 1.0 or Expert, and Haro V4. I think the Haro is the best bang for the buck.

If the shoe fits

Finding the right pair of shoes has been interesting for me. I just came back from DSW (a shoe store). Hot of the 20 rows of shoes, 2 rows were dedicated to men's shoes. The rest were women. Its a sad reality here.

Outdoor Post

Wonder how this lonely standing item in front of your house used to be your only link to the outdoor world. Here it stands again.

Cost of raising a child

This kid is going to cost me US$240000 by the time he reaches 18 years old. But who cares..... just look at the face.

Constituitional rights reign over other law

If practicing freedom of religion and speech is part of our rights as Malaysian, then why are the muslims making a big fuss about. Are human rights been abolished in Malaysia due to Islam?

Check out http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/05/28/news/nation/52707124213.txt

It comes and goes

So today I sold my motorcycle (Yamaha Vstar Classic). It was rather interesting turn of event. An older couple came this morning to view the bike. Immediately they fell in love with it and bought it at full amount. They paid in cash.

2 days ago, I saw the car that I have always wanted just about a block away from my house. They sold it to me today, for the price I was asking for. So I sold my bike this morning and got a car this evening.

Oh .... by the way, its a convertible..... whheeee!!

Home isn't home

I just came home from spending a week and a half in Asia. It was such a fantastic time I had there. I would never forget it. But, coming home to the US this time, doesn't seem so exciting to me. Apart from being able to see these 2 cultures from a 3rd party point of view, coming home was very disappointing. I can't really explain it but if I have a choice, I will be in Asia any day.

Peru

Its time again, after a short rest from all the traveling. Peru is the beginning of my myriad of travels for the summer. This trip will be short and sweet, but I am already missing home.

Amazing Race - Malaysia

Finally an American TV show is showing the real parts of Malaysia, the middle-upper class. At least the mindset is beginning to change from us living in trees to showing a clean country with upper classiness. The only thing is that a pair of contestants (no name mention) is still hard up on the idea that we are backwards. Talking and shouting loudly to the Malaysians there as if we do not understand English.

We are a British colony.... we don't speak american English..... we speak the Queen's English. If you need English lessons, let me know.

Surrealism

Talk about being home after life changing event. Kenya was not my usual comfortable trip..... so I thought. The trip definitely change into something that unimaginable. It took quite a bit of planning but the outcome of such a trip became apparent when people start to mix around with locals and built a lasting relationship. It was my last trip, but definitely a memorable one.

Being home now, led me to see a different part of life. I wish I am not home, but yet again, I want to be home. It is all quite surreal.

House ablaze!

1 block away from my house, I witness 2 homes going up in flames. The temperature outside was 14F, but with wooden built homes, it was easily licked by flames.

Last day, first day

We had our car stuck in a snow drift in our driveway on the last day of 2006. Snow turned to ice at the bottom of the drift. It was about 2 inches thick, and had to be chiseled away. Finally our neighbour came to help and tow us out. The next day their car battery went dead and needed a jump... the first day of 2007.

Wonder what this year would be for the neighbourhood?