• A Rare Tsunami, and a Change in Geography
• 
  消灾祈愿文
• Flash presentation [NY Times]

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Since there are so many sad news all over the world, i'll add another blog that is written by a Singapore-born woman in Holland who died recently wof a rare tumour which touched hearts worldwide with her blog of her final days. [Grace Chow - Dying Is] It's similar storyline to Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie. Enjoy reading~

And just for some relaxing song to calm you down enjoy Jay Chow's demo. [Jay's Demo]

It's really a tragedy. An earthquake that reach 9.0 on the Ritcher scale that occurs in Sumatera. Batu Ferringi's Miami Beach was terribly affected, and the tourist rate drops around 70% to 90%. Loads of information are all over the newspapers and death tolls have reached the all time high since 1970's. It's the 5th biggest shock since 1900.

I'll recommend reading on the following articles

• Biggest quake in 40 years
• Some notable Tsunami
• An informative early article
• Some pictures from 光明
• Tsunami Clip from Phuket
• MOre tsunami videos (jlgolson.blogspot)

I would mourn for those death (200k till press time), but not until 5 days lah dik!!! All national celebrations are cancelled. I'm kinda worried for Sheena Lim, who have dozen of celebration sprays and christmas packs on stock. She'll lose everything if there's no party goers. I believe a lot of other sales person who are willing to sacrifice their time celebrating to work for money. Guess i've made quite a solid choice this time not joining her in this investment. Maybe after grad lah, by then, i'll start selling those in small amount (like 500 or 1000).

This tragedy is so close to us, and the death toll is more then the event of 9/11. They made up this clip which doubt the suspicion of terrorist attack, judge for urself [Pentagon Strike]. Our government are looking for a better precaution for future attack and even list Tsunami as one of the 9 nature disaster.

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For those interested to donate, The Star have worked together with Maybank for the "Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund". Please click [here] to donate.

And and those who only intend to have a relief and score better in what we do, let's have more sex. Or for the rest of you, there's no harm just to watch [Men just a want a look]

Yeah, so happy managed to take pictures with my family, and try out some shots on fireworks in A'Famosa Waterworld. Arrived there at around 5p.m. as dad was hungry and went for food before coming and meet me at my place in Dahlia. They left the family car and asked me to drive as dad is a bit tired after driving down from Genting earlier this morning.

The Sand Carnival is worth a visit as there are so statutes and famous buildings and historical figures on display. I was happy to have a picture with the other 5 prime minister of Malaysia. There's also a replica of Mona Lisa, the statute of the biggest buddha and also shi huang di, among others. It's still quite early even after we've visited the Piramids, Chinese Mosque and the Australia's Opera House, so mom suggest we go to Tampin to have our dinner b4 coming back. (you know how expensive the food can be in those tourist attractions).

While i was driving, i asked Irene to call Amelia for directions as she's from Tampin. Before reaching, i always tot that Tampin was juz a small town, smth like Balik Pulau. Mana tau when i reach there only i realised how big it is, and the place doesn't look kolot at all. Take local speciality WanTanMee (which was introduced by Amelia). I can say, it's just acceptable - still prefer the one back in Penang. Quite full after finishing my big bowl, then Qi cannot finished her's and end up i've to finish it for her. **Bloated** I tell u....Thanks again to Amelia for showing the way thru the phone.

Since we're again early (the show starts at 9pm), so we go for another round at the SandCastles. With the lights on, the view is really different. Take another "roll of film" worth of pictures again before entering the show's area. Found a strategic spot for taking photos, but too bad it's not even close to where my parents are sitting. I hope they are not angry with me not sitting with them. The show starts off with a red indian running along the main street, and also a music band that parade from downstreet to the upstreet. Then there is a flock of peagions flying through us which will make a magnificant photo if it's in bright daylight. There are camels, elephants, monkey and horses....dancing girls, glowing vehicles and cute little dog doin stunts with it's trainer.

Good time passes fast, without even realising, it's time for us to enjoy the fireworks. It only lasts for like 5 minutes, but, luckily i managed to capture some fireworks. (it's not that easy to capture a satisfying fireworks u know...) Technical part of capturing, i'll leave that to those interested to ask me personally lah. After the fireworks there's another "red-malays" (they are not red-indians anyway) performance. Having fun even though i've been with real red-indians when i was in NewZealand 12 months back.

I feel kinda bad as I don't have much time spent with my parents. Feeling a bit sad when I arrive back in Tmn. Dahlia. Happy they came, but i don't even have time to show them my room, and wut i've done in Melacca. Well, there's always another time (Melacca is only 5 hours drive from Penang). Dad, Mom...welcome to visit me anytime. (Pss....but mom....don't get serious and come melacca to work).

On the way back, Dad told me that TuaKor's (big aunt) house was being flooded by the tsunami, and her second house near the coast of Tanjong Tokong, Penang, was being taken apart by the tidal wave. Some of my cousin brother's boat are also being lost under the seabed. Other then that, my mom's younger sister was joking (i think she's serious) that she felt the shock when she was shitting during that time. I feel fortunate that my family and I were not back in Penang during that time. Good deeds have good returns? Well...maybe.

Tried calling SuWei as her house is quite near to GurneyDrive. That girl is so farnie, people are suffering out there in Gurney while she's happily shopping in Gurney Plaza. That hyper girl, always gives me surprises. Her car was bring pushed to the center of the road, filled with mud. But fortunately after cleaning still can drive. Her aunty staying in Tanjung Bungah area is also safe as they din go for their regular picnic outing. Shiau Fei also called to ask if anything happens to my place. (thanks for ur concern). And sorry about ur relative's tragedy.

More on the Tsunami on the next update.

Have a nice sleep over Christmas Eve, i'd prefer to go out and party with my friends, but thinking about the traffic jam that i've to go through, i'll opt to spend it with them on some other occasions, considering Geographer is such a packed place.

Woke up early on Christmas day and drove all the way up to KL-Karak Highway. Bukit Tinggi is easy to locate and visit as it's juz along the way to Genting Highlands. It's an IJM project that consists of the Colmar (Hotel & Restaurants), a Japanese TeaHouse, Botanical Gardens and Rabbit Farm. The French Castle is still under construction and it can be seen from afar. Spent whole day there filling up my CF memory card. Tiring, but satisfied.

Irene must have her wish fulfiled as she managed to take a ride on a horse (Felicia) and also spent a lotta time with cute little rabbits in the Rabbit Farm. We have set lunch in this restaurant in Colmar, the main course tastes terrible, but other then that the soup, fruit punch and even the dessert tastes great. Worth every penny of the RM33 i paid for it. The seafood soup have scallops and a piece of fish as well as tomatoes in it. The mixture makes me hunger for more.

I just realised that my partner is afraid of spiders. But to her dislike, the Parking Lot where we parked is infested by spiders. Huge spiders are as big as a child's hand all over the place.

Anyway, during the evening I drove up to Genting View Resort to meet my parents. They stayed up there for 2 nights bringing my younger sister and her friend XueHua. Dad went and listen to a talk and managed to get 4 tickets to H20 Concert, but things don't come free....he ended up joining the membership. Aih~never know persuation comes so easily for him.

Went up the following morning to have a few snap shots on Genting. Bought myself a Green Turtlenneck from SEED for RM49. I find it fits me more compared to the RM89 (-30%) Green Sweater from Gio. This is one of those rare times when i love shopping. I can't do that as frequent as the girls as Apparels for guys are expensive and selection is limited.

Have our "lunch" at Starbucks in First World. Choosen a comfortable seat on the 1st floor which have a pleasant view of the Times Square and the Christmas decorations. Spent quite a lot of time there not willing to leave. Got the "buy 1 free 1" voucher from Tian Wei, saved up a bit from there. Did too much travelling lately...muz settle down to start catch up with my studies dy. Haha....just came down from Genting, going to A'Famosa for the "Festival"...will keep you people updated...later~

Dear Santa,

I know i've not been a good boy all year round. But since everyone is writing to you. I think i might as well let u know my wishing list so that if i happen to turn good, at least i can have one of them in my socks the night before x'mas.

Before i start the list, i do hope that u don't strain urself from the busy schedule. Do welcome to stay over at my house anytime when you're free. U'll have my word that it'll be once in a lifetime experience. So here goes: -

1) Canon dSLR EOS 20D
2) Canon i4000 printer
3) Apple iPod mini
4) 林志玲 Taiwan stamp collection set
5) TY Billionaire bear set
6) Nikon Coolwalker

Other then that, i do wish best of health of mom, dad to worry less, Qi to get a good grade for STPM. I won't forget my 2 grand parents as well - 吃老老. Bernard, SuWei, YiLing, Kahhung, and my group of friends from Disted-Stamford: have a nice x'mas have all the fun. As well as Shiau Fei and YiShu - please come and visit me whenever u people are down in Melacca.

Greatings will not be complete if there's not the friends i have around me - Josh, Justin, Chyoli, Ah Ren, ChangWah, YiChen, Vivien, Sinting, SuokYee, Tian Wei, Bing Zhang and the others who have been helpful. Then there's to all my mui mui - Seow Boon, Marimo, SueYee, Ming Zheng..... (enjoy urself during this christmas ya!). At last, there is Irene... (pss...u'll be gettin' the wishes in person dun worry)

Okey santa....i guess i've given u too many names dy. With this mail i'll be attaching a list of their email addresses, so that u won't missed either one of them.

Signing off,
Nesohu

After receiving a lot of forwarded SMS regarding Dong Zhi. Most of it came from Sing Wooi and Shiau Fei, i've received one from Qi as well. The correct translation is actually Winter Solstice (according to TheStar today).

During this day, children will be having fun rolling Tang Yuan (glutinous rice flour balls) in preparation for the festival. It's the time when most of the people will be coming back to their home town for a family reunion during the festival. Tang Yuan is usually colored, and made at home. The whole family come together to make rice balls which were symbolic of fullness and being together.

But in the recent society when everyone is busy for all sorts of excuses... there are ready made packets sold in the local supermarkets. Presonally i prefer to eat those which are made by my grandma when i was still small. Other then the normal sugar soup, i've tried those riceballs in brown sugar with sesame seeds, which i took it in my 梁 association. I tend to missed the festive since i come to Melaka.

Anyway, thanks to Marimo Mui Mui and Corn Yok Mei, me and my friends are glad to have a bowl of Tang Yuan. Too bad there's not enough for SengKuang anymore. Those riceballs with fillings remind me of the one KhaiLing made for my housemates last year. It's only when i'm in melaka that i've eat Tang Yuan with fillings. It's a bit different and need some getting used to.

p/s: Some misc facts of Dong Zhi

The festival marks the start of a 15 day season in China when day is longer than night in mid-winter. During the old days, the people in China used to consider the festival as the beginning of a new season and New Year, when longer sunshine meant more brightness and postive energy.

When i was young i was told that after eating Tang Yuan we get one year older. I guess that means Happy Birthday to practically everyone!!! It's weird how old people bluff, we get one year older during CNY, Chinese Bday,English Bday, Winter Solstice, and the turn of New Year. One year a person is "5 year older"??? Funny thinking...if that's the case we are dogs and cats already

Do i want people to know me through my blog? I dun think so. There are just too many things i do not write here. And will never do. So am i worried that people may get the wrong impression of who i really am? Oddly, no. Its not a big deal to me. And i never think that i'd know a person well just by reading his/her blog. One could easily deceive other by making them believe in what they want to believe. I know better than that. A game everyone plays, in this world of illusion. We're just players, carefully plotting our own moves, not knowing when will everything turn upside down and we become the playees. (No such word,but u get what i mean)

So i say never take things too seriously. We need more humour to get us through life's sane.

I came across this from YiLing's Blog. It suddenly struck my mind that there are a lot of things that we might like to share, yet not beside a computer during then, or it's been some misfortunes or disapointed incidents that we would never like to share with the rest of the world.

Writing/ Reading a blog is only a side of you that you wanna share with the rest of the world. Not the whole you that some might assume. Reading Friendster "comments" might just be the same, that might be the way people look at you. Which might give people a fuller idea of what a person you are.

Came back from Singapore with Irene. Bringing her out of Malaysia the first time since the made her passport. It started not that pleasantly as I don't have any idea of the accomodation besides the Outram area that my dad tell me to look for one.

But things after that works quite well. Going to Clark Quay, Boat Quay, and the Fullerton Hotel to take some pictures for the night. Then we also drop by CHIMES to look around their Restaurants & Bars.

Second day was spent on Sentosa Island. Started the day early and walked until my leg practically falls down. Make the maximum out of our money, visit some of the more affordable locations before the sun sets. The day doesn't just stop there as she insists in goin Orchard Road to do some "shopping". But once there, she was shocked to see all those clothes are above what we students can afford. Well, time not wasted as i met Yann Ling & Tan Tan there. I've also managed to enjoy some performance from a Hawaiian group of christians, as well as the S$1 bread + ice-cream.

this morning go visit Chinatown by foot. The shopping area is a huge difference from what they offer in Orchard. Well, came back empty handed again. But it's the trip that counts i guess. Pictures will be uploaded soon. I guess that'll give more details then words.

Here are the list of pictures i've promised. [Singapore Christmas] Enjoy and do give comments

In the middle of my holidays? Argh!!! What the hell...hopefully it'll go away as fast as it came. Feel a bit of pain y'day when i was out with Lincoln, but just ignore it after drinking some herbal tea.

Mom's off to Sungai Petani for her course, one and only one that her employers sends her to after servicing for about 30 years. Guess that's her only chance to get a course. But wonder why an old lady still need to get a course when she's almost goin to retire?

Bought Deception Point two days ago and have been reading it since then. Quite interesting and the conspirasy is twisted. It's like all Dan Brown's book that i've read - Factual & Fiction. I'll let u know about it when i finish.

Well, have a few nice days in Langkawi with my dad and mom. Too bad my sister is too busy with her social life like wut i used to do when i was her age. She missed all the fun we have there. Good thing is that i have the whole room all for myself. Haha...that's kinda rare as i'm usually the unlucky one sleeping on the floor.

Managed to take a lotta nice pictures, from dawn to dusk. Even tried on the "Sunny 16 rule" that i learn from a nature photography book. Glad dad decided that this trip is for me to take photographs. Have a lotta time to capture what i really wanted, and with the new polorizer that i've bought, there's much more things that i can do. Though from the photos i've checked, there are some boxes...i'm not sure if it's my LCD monitor's problem, or issit the Polarizer's fault.

In the evening we go to a place call Tanjung Rhu, they have this Pantene advertisement filming there. I'm quite amazed by the tonnes of props and workman stationed there for the filming. Managed to pinjam one of their "windows" to capture a nice scene. I hope it's acceptable in current market. Too bad i can't walk near the filming site, if not i really believe there's much for me to learn from the professionals.

On my way back to Kuah y'day, seen quite a beautiful sunset with the orangy sky. Waited there for like 15 minutes for the sun to go down the other side of the moutain. While waiting, i saw a group of youngsters snaping photos in the same location. I thought i found some photography kaki, since they are using a Sony F828. But mana tau those people are there to take photos of themselves and leave. What a disapointment, having one good camera and leave it all in AUTO mode. Better go for a cheap camera lah young fellas.

Came back quite satisfying, with the trips reduced and no rushes to go from one place to another. Well, tired now, getting some rest before goin out again later this evening.

** Pictures are being posted on my Fotopic Gallery [Lankawi With Parents]***

.Got myself a set of these cool gadgets. Okey...they don't look cool on the picture, but they are quite expensive for a piece of plastic. A full RM 128 for a pair of Ring Adapter and Lens Hood. It's quite useful as my limited skills increases. Well, here are some pictures of the LAH-DC10 that i paid for.

As for why i buy that thing...i've actually aiming for it since yrh0413 intro it to me. Search around for it since i came back to Penang. Some shops quote a full RM150 for it, while another shop asks for RM130 and dun have the stock (which most of the other shops doesn't have as well). Went to one shop with Bernard while waiting for Irene to come back. I H.A.T.E. it when she's late. So...it's kinda like temper shopping. But after buying only realised it's not her fault, as the old bus is driving at 60kmph all the way from Taiping. Argh!!! Anyway...happy to get my new baby.

I was kinda undecided when come to filters. After goin back to the car, i found out that i seriously need a Circular Polarizer (yet i dunno how to use it). Walk back the 2nd time to the shop and buy it. Waste another RM100 that i dun have. :(( Nevermind lah, hope the thing serves me well to get more nice pictures. All in all...RM228 spent within an hour. I dun think i will be using much money the next few days dy.

Annual event in Penang since 1960's. Hardly go there since the time when i'm still a baby boy. Reason for that might be due to the mindset that there's nothing amazing about the place which is juz a few minutes walk from my old Sungai Dua house. As the place was mostly selling products that are not of much interests, so...

Anyway, feel like visiting it again this holiday. See if there's any changes after all these years. Well, to my surprise, i can't remember the place there dy. I mean I only remember the shop lots, but never remember the fun park to be so equipped and extended until the flats right behind my place.

Managed to take quite a few pictures, but the candids on ah mois are kinda noisy as pictures above ISO200 usually does. Or issit juz my stupid camera that shows that kinda effect. Too bad i've only got 56k connection at home. Uploading it when i manage to find a broader connection some day.

As most friends are off for holiday, hardly anyone go surfing for new stuffs to browse thru. Here's one sent by my aunty in KL. The Geography Olympics. See how many of u know ur geography well.