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Now at the end of the year, it is a good time to review on the year 2009. What have been done right? What was wrong and could be done better? That way, I will know what is in for my 2010. My resolution and the path to take from here onwards.

Just I remembered from the last visit to MPH, I learned that what got me here couldn’t get me up there. In the process of going up, I needed something else. Something greater than what I having now in order to bring me up there. Otherwise, I shall be at same place. This plateau.

Rewinding back, it begins in January when I did my first ever, serious review of the year I gone through. Much thanks to Francis for that.

Back then earlier this year, I was still “emo-ing” over the issues that I could not hold control of. The only companion back then was the beer and the friends around the table. They stand by me when I needed them most though most of the time, we don’t talk much.

Nikon d80

It was this time around I decided to venture into my passion. I took a step, out of something to get a digital single lens reflect (SLR) camera. Opting between the several brands from Nikon to Sony Alpha, I chosen the former. Being to know that it was an instinct to get a Nikon. I couldn’t care much less back then. Would I reconsidered again of the model or brand given it one more time? I don’t know. Probably not. Oh ya, I got that unit from Yannick.

A few good men got married this year as well. Friends from college, friends from workplace, friends from high school. Congratulations to them.

Back in 2008 Hari Raya time, few of us went to Cameron Highlands. Then in March 2009, again I went to Cameron. This time around, I was the odd one. Everyone going in couple except me alone. I wanted to get away from the city. I bring my baby along and soon started with the photo shooting. Photography begins.

This year was also mark the year I had my first passport, going out to oversea. Although the flight was to Bangkok, Thailand but hey, at least I out of Malaysia for the first time. Looking back, I realizes that the year 2008 was more towards the traveling but 2009, I had my fair share of it.

Later I had some addition to my life. Things were getting rough and tough. Hey! tough times never last, tough people do. Suddenly I realized as I looked back to the archives in 2009 that time flies. Especially when the times were tough. You have been busy handling that coming towards you.

I made new friends. I have been hiatus from my blog for a while. Took a lot of photography session with those experienced photogs. From Alphantics such as Ho, Wingz, Templar, Buttercups and Minimuffins to name a few.

I lost key project which was totally beyond my control. I managed to rake a few deals thanks to the help from both my business partners and even my team. It shows that no man is an island. We need support from each others to get it through. Now as the clock striking 12 midnight to mark the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010, what is there for me? What I wanted to make most of in 2010?

the ups

• an extension of me
• a shutter into photography
• got a stamp in my passport for the 1st time
• cleared a few good books
• got a new brand phone
• making a little extra of numbers

the downs

• had a mishap
• deeper into the hole
• become a dropout
• strings become stale

To put everything in a single context, it has been a bumpy 2009. Amongst, I learned to be a better person than yesteryear. Looking forward for 2010, it is going to be a tough times as well. So bring it on! I’m ever ready.

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Thoughts, Rants and Musings 2009, 2010, New Year Resolution, Year End Review

As we walked around the Courtyard in search for dinner location, we stumbled upon

Cafe Trio – A nice place with Jazz.

Cafe Trio

Japanese Restaurant

Japanese Restaurant

Starbucks

Starbucks

Chang Foot Massage & Spa

Chang Foot Massage & Spa

After the shopping walk earlier, everyone is agree upon that we need a good body massage.

The Ambience

So we went in to the shop, and got comfortable with the ambient and setup. We changed into a comfortable outfit which both Thomas and I fall asleep throughout the massage session. I was like soooo lazy to do anything after that.

King Kong for Dinner

The King Kong for Dinner.

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People and Places Holidaying in Bangkok, Malaysia Airlines System, Malaysia Airlines Travel, mas, Vacation in Thailand

On the second day of the holiday in Bangkok earlier this year in March, we decided to walk about around the Courtyard by Marriott before looking for the spot to have dinner.

Three of us were pretty wasted from the shopping earlier this afternoon.

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People and Places Bangkok Holiday, courtyard by marriott, Malaysia Airlines System, Malaysia Airlines Travel, mas, Thailand Vacation

Colorful Juice Drinks

The next morning we wake up a little stoned. Probably from last night out till wee hours. Enjoying the healthy full-filling breakfast from the Momo Cafe, we are ready to shop!

Breakfast Buffet

Yummy Breakfast at Marriott Courtyard

Yes, the shopping complexes here we come!
First stop, we dropped by the Plaza Thaniya which seems to be quite empty. Where is the crowd? Later we headed back to where the crowd are concentrated the most.
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People and Places Bangkok Trip, Malaysia Airlines System, Malaysia Airlines Travel, mas, Pamper Yourself in Bangkok, Shopping Heaven in Bangkok

The shipment was finally transported back from Penang. I left the place with mixed feelings. Of anguish, frustration and depression.

Only the adrenalin can be of help. Cheapest form of drugs and it comes free. Siti reluctantly play along. As her usual self, we came to a curve only to find a fierceful Waja tailgating us.

Siti kept to her left and we let him through. Not intend to leave him get away easily, I told Siti to hit on the accelator just to keep up with him.

She grumbled a little. The Waja was gone from the sight by the time Siti had her on. Turning into the lane only to find Waja was there. 3 cars ahead of us. I told Siti to keep up with him this time.

As we manage to overtake the 3 cars, he was ahead far away. Siti seems to acted up as I pressed on her. Agitated she seems. Probably she still mad at me from the accident she had caused by me earlier this year.

Both of us were left to see the backlight of the Waja slowly blended in among the traffic of Mahameru highway.

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Thoughts, Rants and Musings driving in kl

Following up from the Bangkok trip, we did go for the Sky Bar & Distil (Sirocco) or Lebua at State Tower. Taking the cab, we reached there and find the magnificent view at the 64th floor.

We couldn’t bring any bags up including the camera bags. Probably afraid there might be bomb! Standing on top of the Bangkok’s second tallest building, the breathtaking golden dome just more than what I had imagine it would be like. After hanging out for a while, we discovered there is an open air Sirocco restaurant tucked away in a corner. Noticed that the Sky Bar’s counter changes its color every few minutes which magically illuminating the entire area.

The live jazz band was just setting up when we about the leave the place. The dinning seems very classy. A googling about the restaurant tells that reservations are required for Sirocco.

Location: Lebua at State Tower
Open:17:00 – 01:00
Dress Code:Smart Casual (no beach shorts or flip-flops allowed)
Contact: +66 (0)2 624 9999

Will I return? Definitely yes – and bring a chick. Not ah bengs like Thomas and Wingz

Dropping by for the foot massage, I think all of us fall asleep and wake up wee hours around 2ish looking for a way back to the hotel… Oh blogging about it just makes me wanted to go back to Bangkok again!

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People and Places Bangkok Sky Bar, Lebua at State Tower, Malaysia Airlines System, Malaysia Airlines Travel, mas, Sirocco Restaurant

Black Sand Beach

Soon the sky getting clear, we headed to other destination before our check-in is due. Next drop was the Black Sand Beach. I often thought the black sand beach was like the Cenang beach or any beach that long stretch along the shores.

When I reached there, it was quite a disappointment to see that the beach seems not being maintained well. According to Yatz, he said that the blackness of the sand is deteriorating. I suspect due to the poor maintenance. It is a pity because I used to hear a lot of stories about the black sand beach. Mostly from the legend of Mahsuri.

more after the jump….
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When Everything Fails Bird Park, Black Sand Beach, Durian Perangin, holiday, langkawi, Malaysia Airlines, Malaysia Airlines System, Malaysia Airlines Travel, mas, vacation

If you are surrounded by the great friends, you will know that you will not be lonely. Moreover, they bring great news and laughter into your life. As I drove home today, I recalled the good times of one of the gathering.

I have a friend whom study abroad under the scholarship in the Oz land for a couple of year. After he returned,
he told us that he got himself a pouch. It was his lucky pouch made from the kangaroo skin. To be exact, it was made from the kangaroo scrotum. I wonder if he still using it.

Back then, he used it to keep his coins.

The legends has it:-

Once upon a time there lived in the center of Australia an aboriginal boy. One day he came upon a small kangaroo in the bush, caught it by the tail, and made a purse out of its dear little symbol of masculinity. He gave it to his girl, and she kept seeds and berries in it.

Next he saw a large kangaroo. He caught it with a spear and made another purse from its thick symbol of masculinity. He gave it to his farther who kept stones and things of value in it.

Ever since then, male kangaroo scrotum purses have been popular amongst the aborigines. For women, the soft pliable one; for men the strong, wrinkled one.

They became as important as one’s own symbol of masculinity and were recognized as the brining luck items. That’s why kangaroo scrotum purse is often called as “Lucky Bag” or “Lucky Pouch”.

Come to conclusion, if you have a large and wrinkled scrotum it proves your masculinity? Is my friend was trying to prove his masculinity back then?

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When Everything Fails Kangaroo Scrotum, Unique Gift

In my next adventure, I was told that we are going to shoot the labrador whom loves the water. That day, I went to the designated rendezvous after picking Wingz up.

You cannot miss the moment she jumped into the pond.

Jumping into the pond

Her beautiful candid moment

Capturing the candid moment

Awwww…. so cute.

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Abstracts abstract, Dog Photography, Labrador, Pets Photography

The town does not exist
except where one black-haired tree slips
up like a drowned woman into the hot sky.
The town is silent. The night boils with eleven stars.
Oh starry starry night! This is how
I want to die.

It moves. They are all alive.
Even the moon bulges in its orange irons
to push children, like a god, from its eye.
The old unseen serpent swallows up the stars.
Oh starry starry night! This is how
I want to die:

into that rushing beast of the night,
sucked up by that great dragon, to split
from my life with no flag,
no belly,
no cry.

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Thoughts, Rants and Musings Anne Sexton Poems