Surviving a Week at Outward Bound School

day 4: you will be able to guess which one of these people is me after reading this entry.

i planned to stay low. but...

"changed completely and seemed like you are not yourself."

"you seemed to know almost everything."

"are you actually one of the instructor here?"

"Takashi Jack Sparrow."

"Takashi, what are we going to do now?"

"Takashi, where are we going to put this?"

"Takashi, this... Takashi, that... Takashi, bla bla bla..."

"are you dating The Equipment Manager?"

"so your boss sent you here, i thought that you came to accompany your boyfriend."

(~.~)

...

and so right after Eid on Aug 4 to Aug 10 i went for a short course at Outward Bound School, Lumut, Perak, Malaysia with the equipment manager. only the both of us is from the training company. the rest, 70+ of them are from a short government course before they are posted to any suitable position in the government.

Day 1

The Equipment Manager & i introduced ourselves to the course director while waiting for the 70+ of the others. we told them that we are also instructors and we are used to kayaking and i went for a PWC expedition.

not much. registration & administration. rules & regulations. dividing the participants in watches (groups). handing over foods, phones, IDs, wallet, car keys, and wallets. selecting managers, assistant managers and logistics. briefly introducing ourselves, and The Watch Instructor (WI) asked if i am an instructor too. settling down in dorms, dinner, night ice breaking; which i told everyone in my watch that i have a thick and firm wall between me and everyone in my life; that i will always hope that they are the ones who will be trying to break the wall.

WI teach us a little bit about whaler (bow, stern, port side, starboard side) and asked me if i know them. no i dont. i just know how to run things. i seldom know the name of things. then he asked if anyone knows how to use a compass; and i slightly put my hand up and it ended up i am the only one who knows how to use them.

Day 2

morning exercise, suddenly everyone knows me.

one more time, i was asked by the WI if i know how to knot. no i dont. and i dont even know the names of the knots. i dont knots. i never knot. but i can really say i am a fast learner. i can knot by myself just by looking how knots are done by the WI. seeing this (maybe), one of the members wanted to book me to be his partner for kayak expedition.

assembling dome tent, yes. but this time the WI asked if anyone know how to assemble a dome tent and only few of us put our hands up including me. and so i was assigned by the manager of the day to set camp site up for the day after.

whaler expedition practice. learned how to assemble & disassemble, adjusting sails, commands and i mostly did the rowing. jump off mother boat and climbing up again for water confidence, etc..

whaler watch self practice at night. they decided that i should be the navigator & rower; and another girl as captain. i began showing what i am as i taught them on how to row.

my wall begins to crumble a little bit on the top.

Day 3 (i am the manager)

morning exercise (supposedly but we immediately head for breakfast instead), some of the guys said that they voted of which of them deserves me as their kayak partner.

whaler expedition to camp site, i mostly sat at the tiller at the stern, giving command and seemed to be taking over the captain position; especially when the WI left us by our own and stay on the mother boat.

when we reached the campsite, still in the whaler, more of me continued to show when i began to instruct and give opinions which they mostly agreed on; and on the campsite especially, when i have sufficient experience in camping when i was in grade school, and also with my Waterfall mates (dang they organized Eid open house at Kedondong when i was here!!!!)

that night the WI asked us to tell everyone what we contribute during our expedition and asked me to handover my position of 'captain' & tiller to another person so that i can row.

feel kind of bad because we planned to wake up early morning at 4am to make breakfast because we are leaving at 7am the day after, but my watch mates finished cooking after midnight, just before the storm came in.

Day 4

whaler expedition back to base. as planned, i no longer hold the tiller at first and i myself planned that i want to sit at the rower seat. but just as i climb on board, the seats are full and i am stuck at the stern, and the other person assigned to take care of the tiller was already there.

then suddenly the captain said,"Takashi, give command."

a little later the person assigned to the tiller said that she can no longer handle the tiller because of seasickness. and so i am the 'captain' again; at least i am learning to be one. to look at the wind, to give commands, to make decision of which way the sail should be, of either we should row or we should just depend on the wind.

again, especially when the WI left us by our own, i was rowing and another guy was learning how to handle the tiller. and when i asked if he wants to row instead; he said yes and hand over the tiller to me.

i went off route at first; and had the WI yelled at me from the mother boat: "Takashi! you really need to take care to the tiller! dont let go!"

another guy from my watch also wanted me to be his partner for kayak.

i begin to feel sick of people depending on me too much.

wall crumbled more and showed my forehead to my eyes.

Day 5

kayak practice in the morning, there are 6 gentlemen & 9 ladies in our watch. the WI asked the gentlemen to line in a row and the ladies to choose and partner with the gentlemen. the other guy from the day before started calling my name; but then the WI said: "dont concern much about Takashi. she is used to kayaking. she will partner with another single kayak for the expedition later."

and so i am safe for this round. i started to think i'd rather be alone than stuck with someone who would hold me down. we began to practice on what to do in case of capsized kayak; and the WI chose to capsize with me. thanks to the crumbled wall.

and as mentioned, i was partnered with a girl from another watch. and i ended up rowing alone at the back, while the girl is busy with her camera and her low level of physical strength.

we went trekking to camp site in the evening; unload our camping equipment from the mother boat. and here we go again. most of the decisions and actions are on me. where to set up tents, where to start fire, starting fire; except for cooking. i dont make food. i just dont. i will only make food that if i dont, i will die.

and i began whining to my watch mates. and my watch mates began whining to me and each other.

i saw a ghost, that looks like white Cheshire Cat; twice.

wall showed my head. yes, i begin to show them some of what i really am; especially when the WI is late for about 1/2 hour for our nightcap. we sang together and lay on the tent sheet together. slept late after chit chatting with the other watch and the WI who came later.

Day 6

lead trekking back to kayak base, kayak expedition back to base. i can no longer tolerate with my kayak partner and began to force her to row. from about 20% rowing the day before, she increased her rowing to 50% this day.

became stressed that the WI said each member in our watch is compulsory to cook rice for solo camp afterwards.

preparation for solo camp. played Hot Seat game, which these people arent being honest enough (that when we came back from this activity some of them in my dorm are still talking about someone behind his back).

trekking to solo camp site. set up tent, look for firewood, which is not much, but enough for me to cook instant noodle (compulsory to cook rice my arse~ leave the unnecessary things be please~ for me it is enough to just have something to eat. it is the wilderness dang it whataya expect?) and boil water for a cup of instant coffee.

wrote a letter for my future self (compulsory and will be sent to the address written on the envelope about 6 months later), went to sleep at about 9.30 pm. just as i began to doze off at about 10.30 pm (i guess), the WI woke me up asking if i have already eaten and written my letter. i said yes and he told me to go back to sleep.

but i cant sleep. the moon is too bright and it shined right on my face and there are many weird sound, sound of people running, the sound that sounds like "kroink kroink kroink" a boar i think, sound of people chanting, sounded like it was going to rain, and i cant wait for my watch to turn 5.30 am.

Day 7

5.30 am, i boil some water for a cup of Milo. i packed my things and we began trekking back to base. trekking back to base. we were the earliest to reach the base camp so we had more time to clean up.

closing ceremony. sing. bought souvenirs. exchange phone numbers. joined whatsapp group. went back to Puchong.

...

"... like a dragon."

you really have no idea of what i REALLY am.

should i change from Takashi (喬士) to Ryu (龍) by the way?

Resorts World Kijal, Terengganu - Feedback

"i wrote to the General Manager of Resorts World Kijal." - here

yesterday i received a feedback by email from the PR Manager as below:

apologize, aye? crappy reply from crappy manager.

well a junior colleague that i successfully brought up, the Equipment Manager and another junior colleague will be there from tomorrow, 22 March to Wednesday, 26 March. this resort is lucky that it wasnt me who was sent there.

because if they still going to treat me like im a dog, i shall bash them. them typical Meleis.

Resorts World Kijal, Terengganu

receptionist: why arent you staying here, miss?

me: oh, by the time that i called in, they said that its full.

look at these pictures. tell me what you see or feel.

...

the truth is, its not worth it.

why?

1. i love food. i love to eat. i have been to InterContinental Hotel KL, Maya Hotel KL, and Corus Hotel KL. all these hotels are 5 stars hotels. they serve MARVELOUS food; and here she is, the receptionist, expecting me to stay at Resorts World Kijal and eat CRAP? oh, come on~ like i didnt know where to find us good keropok lekor and good grilled fish.

Good Grilled Kerapu @ Megi Ketam Bistro.

2. staying in a hotel, i would expect to have people to help me with my stuff. last 2 weeks they are helpful enough to help us to get our stuff up to the room we are using. but we didnt get any help with our room arrangement - which we rearranged the room without help from the banquet staffs even if we asked them to; and we didnt get help to get our stuff down when we are done on the 3rd day.

3. yesterday morning, i asked my junior colleague to get help for our stuff. but she came down at our car saying that we have to take the trolley by ourselves. she said that the receptionist told her "ambil kat bawah", which literally means "take it downstairs".

4. the staffs from the Kampong Restaurant are racist. they only greeted "good morning" to foreigners. typical Malays!

5. the rooms sucks. like there were no refurbishments made since i came here when i was still an intern in 2009.

well the basics suck, so i wouldnt want to talk about the other facilities; and what is your damn point Ms. Receptionist? are you trying to insult us by offering us to pay for crappy food and serve ourselves at all time?

WE ARE NOT DOGS!

...

so i prefer to stay at Kerteh Lodge. its cheap and i feel comfortable by not paying for crappy food, crappy service and meeting crappy people.

i wrote to the General Manager of Resorts World Kijal.

hope that he/she will reply me soon.

and if i really want to stay in a luxurious hotel, i would stay at The Qamar; previously known as Paka Residence Resort. but when it was still Paka Residence Resort, the food still sucks. i had a chance to stay there last year. i havent had any chance to stay at the Qamar yet, but the rooms and service are much better than Resorts World Kijal.

Company Trip: I am leaving to Japan end of this year

i am me.

i was sleeping on my left side, facing a glass door of a house and my head on someone's lap.

then suddenly that someone said,"your taxi is here."

i woke up and pack my things, made sure that i have my passport, flight ticket, phone and wallet.

i got on to the taxi and went off somewhere and opened my eyes.

it is 7.50am.

...

i never had any nice dreams lately.

i cant wait to go to Japan at the end of this year.

Waterfalls 11: Lata Berembun & Lata Bomoh Ali

i was sickly shivering on Feb 9, was too busy on Feb 10, was conducting a training on Feb 11.

...

on Feb 8, 2014

hiking up

Lata Berembun

hiking down

Lata Bomoh Ali

going back

...

"well for me, i think that Lata Medang was far more adventurous," i said to The Firestarter.

but then he said that maybe, just maybe at that time i didnt have enough stamina; and that i was not wearing the right shoes; and that we brought more load and we cooked there.

just like last time when we went camping at Lata Hammer for the 2nd time;

i knew what should i wear, what should i bring, where should i step on, who should i look after, et cetera.

people grow through experiences.

i grew through experiences.

...

photos credit to The Cameraman.

Waterfalls 10: Kedondong Falls 3rd Trip ~ Xmas Special !!

on Dec 25, 2013

the gentlemen tried their best to build a raft out of bamboos during our 2nd trip to Lata Hammer last September. but it ended up as a bench for us to put our food on and to sit on.

but this time...

im on the raft!

there were 11 of us.

The Boss, The Boss' Lady, me, The Joker, The Firestarter, The HBP, The TH, The Herbalife Girl and 3 Body Builders which i dont know how to describe them because we werent really close and this is the first time that we met each other but we just blend in: swim around, cook around, eat around, raft around.

Waterfalls 9: Lepoh River 2nd Trip

on Dec 14, 2013

the night before, the Dentist, one of us stinking campers died in an accident. it was said that he had internal bleeding.

i couldnt sleep that night.

but still we keep on going with our own little adventure at Lepoh.

we planned to cook pasta and in the end:

1. someone got burned (lucky i am a first aider aite? hahahah~)

2. some of the pasta being given to the fish

3. some others are thrown away

the photos being taken while we are here shows faces.

so, no photos.

by the way, The Boss had a plan on this coming Chinese New Year.

hope all goes well. hope all goes well.

...

coming soon!

Waterfalls 10: Kedondong Falls 3rd Trip ~ Xmas Special !!

Waterfalls 8: Kedondong Falls 2nd Trip

on Nov 17, 2013

i seriously do not really remember what we did. but i was really tired. i dont think there were pictures this time.

by the way, they are leaving to Lepoh again this coming Saturday, Jan 18th!

but i am needed at Shah Alam!

nooooooooo~~~!!!

...

coming soon!

Waterfalls 10: Kedondong Falls 3rd Trip ~ Xmas Special !!

What Keeps Me Busy #4 - November 2013

yes, i know.

i was going to tell you about the 'strongest experimental figure'.

i was planning to write about my 2nd trip to Kedondong which we cooked Beef Fried Rice on Nov 17; and that i turned down their invitation to Lepuh on Nov 23 because something happened; and i am invited and i agreed to come with them to Lepuh on Dec 14 and another round of Kedondong on Dec 25.

i was being busy since my last entry on Nov 6.

i was send to to teach at:

- Crown Regency KL on Nov 7 & 8.
- KLCC on Nov 9.
- our Training Centre on Nov 12 & 13.
- KLCC on Nov 14 to 16.
- KLCC on Nov 19 to 22.
- KLCC on Nov 26.
- Cyberjaya on Nov 27 & 28.
- Concorde KL on Dec 2 & 3.

i was told that there are only 3; but there are more to raise. i successfully raised one in November. there are 6 more to go. good luck to me; and one of them have started what i called the unconditional syndrome.

i was suddenly involved and being one of the leader in the changes that need to be made in the company.

i was being promoted! (yeay!)

i was not having a good rest on weekends.

i was tired.

the time is now 5.09pm.

about 20 minutes to go for a full weekend after a busy month.

Waterfalls 7: Pisang River

the cameraman posted the video about our 2nd trip to Lata Hammer when i was in Korea. i saw some comments; which the Boss mentioned that we should go for a Deepavali day trip. but i waited for 2 days to comment that i would love to come with them.

so 2 days before yesterday the Boss asked if i have any particular place that i would love to go. but i have no experience in exploring waterfall so i just say that i wanted to go to Pisang River (i knew about this place because they kind of always talk about it) simply because:

1. its near.

2. i am not yet fully recovered that i can walk and hike far like Lata Hammer, Lepoh River & Lata Medang;

3. while bringing a lot of things like how we grilled mackerel when we went to Lata Medang.

but the Boss said that he wanted so try something new; and he was afraid that Pisang River would be dirty as it is accessible very easily. so he said that we might be going to Setinggi Waterfalls.

we met at the Cameraman's house at 9 am yesterday. there, we once again discuss about where we want to go; but then finally the Boss came to a decision that we shall look at the condition of Pisang River: if it is not ok, then we shall go to Kedondong.

we were using my car and another car; a friend of the High Blood Pressure's car.

oh...

i havent told you. there are 9 stinking campers: the Boss, the Boss' Lady, the Boss' Lil Bro, the Boss' Lil Bro's Lady, the Firestarter, the Cameraman, the High Blood Pressure (HBP), the Dentist and me.

that was the first time i met the Boss' Lil Bro, the Boss' Lil Bro's Lady, the HBP and the Dentist.

so this time the HBP brought two of his friends (this is the first time i've seen them). the others are the Boss, the Cameraman, the other one who is also i've seen him for the first time: the Tabung Haji (TH), and me.

the Boss, the Cameraman and the HBP went there first so see if it is worth for all of us to also walk there. about 20 minutes later, we got a call from them; saying that we should us have ourselves ended up being at Pisang River.

so the ones left - the HBP's two friends, the TH and me - take just about 30 minutes to get there. the pond is small, i think it is just twice of Lepoh's. but it is deep for me. all those amateur divers played treasure hunt: they fill in a 1.5L bottle with sand, hide it in the deeper part of the pond and challenge each other to go find it.

i didnt play in the water like how i have played in all the previous water that ive been to; and i didnt jump like how i did in Kedondong. i'd have to restrict myself after a week of harsh play in Korea, especially T-Express, Disco Jump & Double Rock Spin.

later on the way back we go down to a waterfall that we've seen on our way up to the pond. we played there a little bit and head home.

im thankful that they are willing to compromise / tolerate with my request that i cant go for a too adventurous walk / hike and that i am unable to bring too much load on me like how i used to when we went for camping at Lata Hammer.

and so i met my objectives:

1. going to a waterfall

2. returning Boss' machete and Cameraman's kettle

3. giving the souvenirs that i get from Korea to the Boss, the Boss' Lady, the Cameraman and the Firestarter

when we the stinking hikers were gluttonously eating, i received a request from an ex-schoolmate to hang out the next day; which is today, but i had to turn him down.

with a reason.

i also received a request to hang out from a junior of the same school.

but i told her that i am not going to be available on weekends until after November 17th.

and a request to go "eat steamboat together" from a friend after i have decided to come with the Boss to this trip; and another request later last night to "drink tea" from the same person, but i also had to turn him down;

with the same reason i told my ex-schoolmate: i need to go to Kuantan - something happened.

i just got myself home at Putrajaya.

just now.

i am going back to Puchong tonight.

suddenly i feel like i am running out of time.

disclaimer: all the photos belongs to the Cameraman. again, no faces. :)

Waterfalls 6: Lata Hammer 2nd Trip

i kinda promised that i want to tell you about how was my camping trip going on at Lata Hammer on 14 - 15 Oct, the days just before i was involve in the accident. 

the Cameraman just done with our video. guess which one of the stinking campers is me:

Subscribe 

well actually the trip was so much more than what is featured in the video.

here are some pictures (but i am going to show you any feces faces. if you want to see faces, watch the video):

day dipping

night fishing

fire dancing

next day breakfast on self-made bamboo bench

the Cameraman have other videos of all other Waterfalls trip; i guess.

but i am only featuring this one because i am too lazy to write and actually have already forgotten some of the details on the trip.

one that is notable is that the Boss entrusted me with a few newcomers to lead the way ahead of him on our way to the campsite; and i kind of already know what to do that i kind of dont need detailed instructions of how to do things. so i am no longer a newcomer. yeay!

by the way, the Boss also suggested that we go for a day trip this coming Saturday, Nov 2. i wanted to go; for 3 reasons: i like going to waterfalls, i want to return the Boss' machete and the Cameraman's kettle, and i want to give them the souvenirs i bought from Korea.

but i am not quite sure if i can commit to this particular outdoor adventure this time.

i am going to be the first to be sent out; that i think i am one of the strongest experimental figure.

what the heck am i talking about? i will tell you later.

disclaimer: the Cameraman tagged me in the photos and video above. i dont own any of them.

Seoul Vacation Guide for Malaysian Muslim - Day 0: What Should You Do Before You Reach There, If You Are Not Going With Any Travel Agent

tadaima. in fact, i should have said tadaima on Oct 26, 2013 at 3.20pm when i set my foot on the land of 31 degree celcius LCCT.

i am now at Jalan Yong Shook Lin for a training.

how was my trip to Korea you asked?

it was good.

so good that i wish that i can stay in Korea forever.

...

Day 0 - what to do before departing 

Nami Island Electric Car Tour Guide <3 p="">

*Based on personal experience and guidance from a Malaysian Muslim student studying in Konkuk University.

In Islam, if you are going for a trip with 3 people (including yourself) or more, you need select a leader. In our trip, we didn’t really select a leader, but we consider me as one because (I think) I made most of the final decisions and lead my group to the places we want to go. But, being a leader is mentally tiring. I felt lucky that we have The Student to guide us for a few days that I can consult him in making decisions; and lucky to have someone else in my group to give suggestions in cases that I am about to make wrong decisions and take over my position as a leader when I was getting really tired.

**Side Story 1

“Pernah datang ke sebelum ni? (Have you been here before?)” The Student asked. 

Why did he asked? It seems that I know many things about Seoul. I really did my homework, darling.

Check the weather condition: easy for you to plan on what to wear and what to bring, don’t bring too much clothes if you are planning to shop for clothes. For Oct 18 to 23, bring some t-shirts and light jacket. For Oct 24 and above, bring a light winter wear. My body does not easily get cold but my hand and ear does, so I brought myself a pair of gloves and bought a cap. I mostly just wear jeans and t-shirts on Oct 18 - 23. I only wear my jacket which I bought at Wintertime in the night on Oct 25.

Learn to listen, read and speak some Korean words (I did learn some; way before I knew I am going to Korea). It helps, especially if you are using Navermap, asking for directions and asking if there is meat in a certain menu. But make sure your pronunciation is good and avoid banmal (반말); else just say everything in English. I mostly use my reading and listening skills; as I do not really know how to converse in Korean well. Some of the yeok (yeok 역 means station) and buses doesn’t write the Romanized exits and destinations. Some Korean in Namdaemun Sijang (sijang 시장 means market) knows how to speak in Bahasa Melayu; and many in Myeongdong speaks Japanese and Mandarin. I can speak Japanese way better than Korean, and I do understand a little bit of Mandarin. So I get to save myself a lot. If you really know how to speak in Korean, sometimes you need to pretend that you don’t know; especially when you are dealing with some shopkeepers in Migliore, aPM, etc... 

  

**Side Story 2

I accidentally stepped on The Student's shoes while we were walking as he is walking in front of me. 

I spontaneously said "미안 (Romanized: Mian. Means: Sorry)"

He looked at me once, walked and looked at me again and said "Macam mana tau? (How did you know?)"

I said "Ada belajar sikit. (I studied a little.)"

**Side Story 3

I was walking alone in Myeongdong when suddenly a promoter from Tony Moly grabbed my arm and shoves a face mask to my sight and said "はい! このパックであげます! お土産です! 見てください~ (Romanized: Hai! Kono pack de agemasu! Omiyage desu! Mite kudasai~ Means: Yes! i am giving you this pack! A souvenir for you! Have a look~)" 

LOL. Do I look like a Japanese to you? 

Note: The Japanese called face mask as ‘pack’.

**Side Story 4

Again, I was walking alone in Myeongdong, and was given a free face mask and asked to go inside the shop for "eye shopping". When I go in the shop the person standing at the cashier counter greeted me in Korean which I don’t understand.

I replied him by bowing and smiling. I walked around the shop and I had a promoter walking together behind me. I did not say a word as I do not have any intention to buy anything then I heard something like:

Cashier: “한국 아닌가요? 외국? (Romanized: Hanguk aningayo? Oeguk? Means: Not a Korean? A foreigner?)"

Promoter behind me: "외국, 외국. (Romanized: Oeguk, oeguk. Means: A foreigner, a foreigner)"

Another promoter: “중국해요? 일본어요? (Romanized: Chonguk hae yo? Ilboni yo? (A Chinese? A Japanese?)"

Promoter behind me:  “모르겠어요 (Romanized: Moreugessoyo. Means: I don’t know)”

Note: Eye shopping means window shopping.

Decide where you want to stay (make sure it is very near to any yeok): we stayed in Namdaemun Guesthouse, the things needed for Muslim prayers are provided, and it is very near to Hoehyeon Yeok Exit 1, Namdaemun Sijang, 7E and other Korean 24H convenience store. There are washing machine and drier, and pantry with toaster, some free food and beverages, water dispenser, rice cooker, frying pan, etc...

Decide the places you wish to go and how are you going to get there: based on my plan, we decided to go to Namdaemun Sijang, Namsan Tower, Teddy Bear Museum, Hello Kitty Cafe, Cat Cafe, Trick Eye Museum, Myeongdong Shopping Street, Insadong Shopping District, Gyeongbukgung, Edae-Sinchon-Hongdae, Dongdaemun Sijang, COEX, Itaewon, Everland, Petite France, Nami Island etc… 

Petite France

We mostly travel by subway/train. So you will need to buy T-money for convenience – it serves just like our Malaysian Touch and Go; that you do not need to buy a ticket at the ticketing vending machine. There are some places that provides discount for foreigners especially on Chuseok. For example, I went to check on Everland website and printed out a coupon. We only get to pay KRW35000/adult instead of KRW44000/adult. Some required you to print out the coupon; some only require you to show your passport.  

Side Story 5

"Tickets for 4 people. I have this coupon," I said (in English) to the ticketing officer and showed her the Everland Discount Coupon for foreigners we printed out; and the ticketing officer asked me back (in English) "3 foreigners?" and pointed to the other 3 girls behind me.

LOL. Do I really look like a local to you?

Everland Parade <3 font="">

  

Download Navermap apps when you reach there: it helps if you are going to walk from a place to another, but it requires you to know how to read Korean and understand what it means.

Download Jihachul apps: easy for you to travel by subway/train.

Download Waze apps: it helps if you are going to walk from a place to another.

Check for halal places to eat. Based on my research and some suggestions by The Student, below are the list of places that is recommended for Muslim: Incheon International Airport (Lotteria Shrimp Burger, Paris Baguette), Namdaemun (Kebab between Hoehyeon Yeok Exit 5 & 6), Myeongdong (Lotteria Shrimp Burger, Yugane Seafood Fried Rice, Potala Tibetian Restaurant, Agra Restaurant, Myeongdong Eomoni Jib), Dongdaemun (전주집 Jeonjujib - Grilled Fish), Insadong (InsadongSujebi), Namiseom (shrimp burger at food court, pizza place beside a musolla opposite the food court), Itaewon (famous for Halal Food, we ate at Murree Muslim Food). Others are soft ice cream which range KRW 2000 - 2500, fried rice cakes, grilled squid/octopus sold at the sijang(s) and seafood pancakes. Avoid ordering things with any meat in it. Seafood is ok.

Jeonjujib

Buy some food to bring there; egg canned food, instant noodle and 3 in 1 drinks.

Convert your MYR to KRW, and convert some other of your MYR to USD in case you are going to be short of KRW and also to control yourself on how much you spend.

Get yourself used to Korean modern culture. If you are eating in a fast food restaurant, make sure you clean up after eating. Throw your trash away yourselves and put the tray you were using to the places provided. If you are in a train, make sure to put your phone in silent mode, do not speak loudly to each other or if you are talking to someone over the phone; and if you want to listen to some music, keep your music to yourself - use earphones or headphones. You can sit at the "elders, pregnant women, disabled and injured" seat, however you need to be alert if there are any one of the categories are present in front of you and you need to get up to let them have the seat.

You can also offer your seats which are not meant for anyone of the above categories to anyone of the above categories, but sometimes they refused to and they will say it is ok for you to sit; like an auntie said to me “괜찮아, 앉아바. (Romanized: gwaenchanha, anjaba. Means: it is ok, sit.)” when I offered her my seat, so I continue to sit.  By the way, please note that this auntie is using banmal. It is ok for aunties like her to use banmal to younger people.

If you are using an escalator or walkalator, and you are staying put on it, especially in the yeok, stay on your right so that other people who are in a hurry can pass by. Knowing how and when to bow and greet is a bonus. I bowed to the shopkeepers about 30 degrees every time i entered a shop and bowed again when i leave. I don’t know if what i am doing is right, but it seemed alright to them and they treat me well. 

walk out of Hongdae Station Line 2 Exit 6 in front of KFC

There is something that is actually invincible, but people can actually see: self-confidence. There is another thing that is actually invincible, but people can actually see: bad intentions. If you really have self-confidence, it will build a wall around you and people with bad intentions won’t be able to come near you to bug you. If you are alone and lost, don’t hesitate. Just carry on; but you need to also prepare yourself to have a good sense of direction. There is a few times that i left my group and walk alone; without any way to contact each other. But sure we suggested that we meet at certain places at certain time. The last night I am in Seoul, I really wanted to see Hongdae at night (especially street performances), so I went there alone; and came back to the guesthouse safely. 

:)

Journey

no, i am not telling you a story of Journey to The West.

so The Boss (of Outdoor Adventure) said that it is going to be only for 2 days 1 night; on 14 - 15 Sept.

it was a relieve for me who will most probably need to depart to Terengganu on the 16th.

i have the right to refuse, since i already refused them earlier because it is public holiday.

but i was not sure if they are going to take my refusal in consideration.

i think it might be a good thing to totally rest for a day and go back home to Putrajaya before coming back to work next Tuesday.

if not, it will be a whole 3 weeks of no rest for me.

i was told to give an answer the morning that we depart to JB if i am able to go to Terengganu.

so, on the way to JB yesterday, i kept quiet and didnt even mention about Terengganu.

but suddenly My Boss said: "Gun, later when you go to Terengganu with this other trainir, make sure you this this this, that that that."

ok, fine. i am going.

we had a total 2d1n meeting. we reached JB at 5pm and started the meeting until 7.30pm.

we had our dinner and cleaned ourselves and continue the meeting from 9 to 11pm.

we continue the meeting at 9am after breakfast this morning and it ends at 3pm.

we had our lunch (or shall it be called high tea?) afterwards and start our journey back to Puchong.

we reached Puchong at 8pm, i cleaned up, wash my clothes, pack my waterproof bag for tomorrow, go for dinner with My Roomate & Equipment Manager and here i am.

having my whole body aching like hell and praying that i wouldnt pass out on my way to Lata Hammer tomorrow.

i was a fan of Dicky Cheung by the way.

Robot

actually i planned that after i went back from camping, i shall depart to Putrajaya the very night and have a good rest, then i shall depart to Pahang once more to attend a wedding.

so later yesterday evening boss called me and asked if i can make myself free on 16th.

and she asked what time will the wedding ends.

and if the other trainers can fetch me from Pahang to go to Terengganu since it is on the way.

because there are no other people can be sent to Terengganu.

so my journey will be like:

12 - 13 sept : meeting @ Johor Bahru

13 sept night : swimming class @ Sunway

14 - 15 sept : camping @ Bentong, Pahang

16 - 19 sept : teaching @ Kerteh, Terengganu

i decided that i will not be attending the wedding.

i dont think i can keep up mentally & physically.

i am not a robot.

Waterfalls 5: Lepoh River

"somebody died here, in this exact spot. you see there? in memorial of Alistair Henley," said The Boss.

...

last Wednesday, The Boss tagged me on fb asking if i would take a day trip on the coming Saturday. so i said i want to.

i was in Cyberjaya for a training and started to plan for the rest of the week, as my Room Mate and i are moving to another hostel room. i planned to move on weekend but it seems like i do not have enough time so i quickly moved my things on Thursday and Friday night, after swimming class.

i really couldnt sleep on Friday night because my body is totally worn out of working, moving & swimming. i woke up at 6am on Saturday, reached Firestarter's house at 7.20am and ride Teddy's car to Cameraman's house.

we depart by car at about 8.30am and started hiking at 10am.

hiking was full of adventure, i dont really know how to describe it.

11.30am we reach and i immediately dig in the nasi lemak they bought earlier.

yes, i am hungry all the way.

the water is really cold that i had cramps but really, i refused to get out of the water.

a lot of fish, that i fed with bread, Corntos and Mamee.

nothing really special on this trip, i just learnt how to dive in the water and i took the courage to slide like a roller coaster. The Boss is the lead, Boss' Lady behind him, QA Engineer behind her and me the last one.

we started to hike down at 3.30pm, reached our car at 4.15pm and reached KL at 6pm.

seriously i am thankful that i am not the one driving. i am too exhausted.

by the way, we are leaving for another Lata Hammer camping trip next this coming Saturday. lucky that when i asked The Boss, he said it is going to be for 2D1N only.

means that i actually can go to Terengganu on Sunday if i were to be asked for. XD~

...

Alistair Henley (25 Dec 1949 - 14 November 2010)

suddenly collapse when hiking and lost his life.

what made me think is: he must have helped many people, as the Director of Asia Pacific Zone of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. was he alone? if he was not, why wouldnt anyone help him? did they do not know how to help?

Company Trip: Korea ~ Start Line

when we were on the plane on our way to Bali last year, our Big Boss already planned for this year's trip; which he suggested that we should go to Korea.

i received a text message when i was still in Pahang, visiting my relatives during Eid. it says that a meeting regarding 2013 company trip shall be held today, 15 August 2013, 8.30am. 

so we just came out of the meeting and this year's trip is going to be different than last year, which we are being followers to a travel agent.

this year we are to plan the trip ourselves - what, where, who, how, when;

and we will need to write a 1-page-story of our experience.

"i want you to be a true traveler, and you already started to travel the moment you started to make research of the place that you want to go." - Big Boss

Fasting at Golden Palm Tree Extreme Park, Sepang

in life, there are things that cant be learnt by reading and cant be taught by teachers.

those are the things that are called experience.

GOKART:

it was fun. it was my second time playing gokart. my first time is when i was with my family; so i can say that playing with colleagues who turned to be your best friends out of office is the best.

while playing, i realized that i couldnt see whats behind me. i was driving the fastest i could, but suddenly somebody took over me. i panicked. i did want to win so bad but in the end i didnt even get any place in the race.

my manager from sales department was in a race together with a new colleague; whom also came from the sales department. both of them seemed intense trying to win the race; and they had a minor accident.

in personal or working life, if you never look back to what you are in the past, you would never learn to move faster.

if you are moving fast and there are things that is getting in your way, sometimes we need to wait for the perfect chance to get rid of them.

PAINTBALL AND ARCHERY:

it is my first time playing paintball. well it is just the target shooting range. i got 5 hits out of 20 pellets.

it is also my first time with archery. i got 4 hits out of 12 arrows; and the last one is the bulls eye.

have i ever wrote about goals and hitting a target?

yes, yes i did. but i wrote it mostly in spoken malay.

so... goals... or hitting a target.

i aimed just nice, the pellet/arrow went lower than the bulls eye.

i aimed higher than the bulls eye, it went far left.

i aimed more to the right, it went slightly right off the bulls eye.

so... i think the picture below explains it all:

ATV:

well, i didnt wrote about the time that we went for atv ride at Kemensah last april. we went for package C.

it was very adventurous for me, as i had myself fall off the ride when it tilted sideways on our way back to the base training track.

i AM scared. but i hid my feelings inside and just go with it. jump. remember?

yesterday, i rode behind the guide. together riding behind me were those who already went to Kemensah last time and there were first timers.

the guide was going too slow for me. and the track bores me to death. so i asked if the guide can go faster. so he went faster but still, he had to stop and asked me to stop to wait for the others.

well, if you have already done some particular thing in higher level, you would say that you can even do things in the lower level with your eyes closed.

the first timers complained that the atv is hard to be steered and they keep on feeling like they are falling off the ride.

but for those who already went to Kemensah, we went like: "what? that is it? but we want more!"

...

someone asked if i am a robot;

because i played gokart, paintball, archery and atv yesterday evening with my colleagues and bosses, while fasting.

we had a discussion and sharing session after break fast; reached my room at 10pm; and turned up to office 8.15am this morning.

yes, i am tired.

but life must go on.

there will come a time when you will rest in peace, forever; so what is the point of resting while there are so much to explore in this world?

Waterfalls 4: Chilling Falls & Pertak River

Selamat Menyambut Ramadhan to all Muslims~

...

as promised yesterday,

i actually havent been feeling really well a few days before we went to Kedondong last week.

headache strikes me like hell. 

but still, i cant get myself to lost the chance to go for any outdoor adventure; so...

i just go.

i was stuck in traffic jam for about 3 hours on my way back to Puchong.

my right leg hurts like hell and my head is killing me.

i had high fever the next day (Sunday June 30) and refused to see a doctor.

♫ ♩ fever~ fever~ yeah! ♪ ♬

hush, Adam!

we made a plan that we shall go for a final trip before Ramadhan.

so those of one week things happened, and then there i was: 

sitting in my car at UiTM Shah Alam at about 6.30am, July 7; 

fetching The Firestarter to get to The Cameraman's house; 

without sleeping through the night 

because i had my 1-hour power nap after the so-called team building event. 

we reached The Cameraman's house at about 7.30am and bought Nasi Lemak for lunch. 

two cars departed from KL at about 7.50am;

The Boss, The Boss' Lady and The Cameraman in one car.

The Firestarter and me in my car.

we reached Chilling Falls' gate at about 10am; 

i think. 

Chilling Falls is a Fish Sanctuary. 

you will need to register yourself (RM1 applies) 

and any disposable items (deposit of RM3 applies for each disposable item). 

the hiking is less than 1 hour; 

i think. 

sorry. 

i wasnt in my best condition to focus about the time. 

and you will have to cross streams to get to the falls.

the trek is easy.

very.

the scenery is superb and there are fish every where.

but the water is not as cold as Kedondong; 

and there are just too many people that we didnt get to swim as much as we want.

so we decided to clean ourselves up at Pertak River; 

where we were stranded last time on our way back from Lata Medang.

Pertak River's pool is very deep and there are less people.

i wanted to swim my guts out but i just cant stand it anymore.

i really feel like fainting;

so The Boss' Lady and i cleaned ourselves up and changed.

the other guys wanted to go further down the river and dive;

so we just sat on the stones while they are having fun all by themselves.

*jealousy strikes*

i felt better after sitting under the hot sun 

and managed to drive out to the main road from Pertak River. 

suddenly The Boss called The Firestarter 

and asked if we want to eat cendol.

i just said yes.

i cant have them not to eat cendol because i am on my way of getting my flu back.

and i ordered one;

and started coughing like hell~

wah hah hah! 

my body must have been hating my soul so much.

One Week

good morning ladies and gentlemen.

it has been a while since i didnt write.

i have been busy.

yes, kind of.

no, this entry has nothing to do with the picture shown above.

lets see...

right after i am done with my last entry, i went off to Kerteh and came back Thursday. me, 2 other male colleagues and a big fat animal. i didnt have any time to write, i was exhausted, i didnt get enough sleep; because i am in charge of this animal whom:

1. offered to drive us earlier that day but never say a word on our way there.
2. conquered 3/4 of the queen sized bed we shared at Kerteh Lodge.
3. snored like a grizzly.
4. didnt put its phone in silent mode at night.
5. even if its phone is in silent mode, its vibrating like a massive vibrator that i thought Kerteh was having earthquake.
6. made me sleep outside for the 2nd and 3rd night at Kerteh.
7. keep on looking at my laptop at its free time.

i caught flu on the way back to KL and my right leg hurts because i drove like almost 5 hours.

i have too much things to do on Friday that i didnt get any chance to see a doctor... yes, i didnt get any chance to see a doctor but i do get the chance to try out Zebec the Lakeside Water Theme Park after office hour; for free (duh~); which, was kind of bad for my body because i was kind of recovering from the flu.

i need to monitor a team building event held at the water sports company on Saturday which made my flu gone worse; even though it ended up that the participants not having the event we planned.

i took a power nap after the event and went to Chilling Fall & Pertak River the next day (Sunday) with The Boss, The Boss' Lady, The Cameraman & The Firestarter. i will write about it later.

and yesterday i went for a "date" with my Ex Roommate; coughing & sneezing. her birthday falls on... errr... muahahahaha! i planned with her that i want to make up for her birthday soon as she came back from US. so it was her day yesterday:

1. drove us to Pavilion.
2. lunch at Grandmama's.
3. she bought herself a pair of Gucci glasses.
4. i bought myself a 5L dry tank.
5. watched Monsters University.
6. window shopping at Pavilion.
7. tea at The Loaf.
8. window shopping at Times Square. and played with make up at Sasa.
9. went back to Pavilion and had dinner at Bulgogi Brothers.

i felt sorry for her that in the end i asked her to drive us home; because i started to feel giddy; but 4 tablets of Panadol ActiFast sets me right back up afterwards. kind of...

i am still having my flu now; and its raining heavily here in Puchong.

Waterfalls 3: Kedondong Falls

remember the first time i went to a waterfall with them?

yes, i didnt properly introduce them.

well, at that time there was The Boss (whom i consider always leads us to the waterfalls), The Boss' Girl, The Joker, The Cameraman, The Firestarter and me.

the second time i went to another waterfall with The Boss (of course), The Cameraman, The Firestarter and i was introduced to The Engaged, The Doctor and The Teddy.

this time, it was The Boss, The Boss' Girl, The Cameraman & me.

actually The Boss planned that we should go to Chilling Falls; as The Firestarter is not coming with us (his finals will be starting on 2 July).

but when we reach the car park, there was almost no space left.

so The Boss asked: "so which one do you want to go? we can go to either Sungai Pisang or Kedondong Falls."

but then it was decided that we should go to Kedondong Falls

for me, to hike to Kedondong Falls is easy.

very.

easy.

about 25 minutes hiking in and 25 minutes hiking out.

very.

easy.

to the point that i dont feel satisfied with the little adventure and i want more.

to the point that i can hike with my slippery flip flop without getting any blisters.

but i admit that i had a good time swimming and jumping into the water from a big rock.

i should buy my own life jacket; and also a pair of hiking shoes.

The Firestarter suggested that we should go to somewhere new next Sunday.