Hold That Thought: July 2008

Beginning of The End

Posted by Ivan Lee On 2:47 AM 6 comments

Heylo fellow netizens. Sorry for the delay. I've been trying to find some time to update since coming back from Brunei but to no avail. Life had been hectic since I missed my official first week in school due to work. There was a lot of catching up and decisions to be made owing to the fact that this is my last academic semester. Wow, it just hit me while I was typing that this is it. After this it'll be hello... reality. No more financial support from parents. I fondly remember when I first set foot on KL that it was a gush of fresh air, a new chapter in my life. A lot had changed since then. One thing for sure is that I'm more certain about my goals and what I want from life right now compared to say... couple of years ago? Anyway, there are still 4 more months before I finish my current semester so lets get back to the present day shall we? For this semester I'm taking 5 subjects plus a dissertation making it the last and the hardest semester of all. Imagine that I'm presently at the middle of my second week and the workload is as heavy as the middle of last semester. Some of the subjects are quite dull in the sense that it's more to theoretical applications. Nevertheless, to balance it up, I'm thrilled to be taking one of the most exciting subject in the entire course. It's none other than, International Tourism Development. Let me draw you a brief picture on what I'm having for the current semester aite...

1. International Tourism Development

2. International Marketing

3. Strategic Management

4. International Human Resource

5. Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions (MICE)

6. Dissertation a.k.a. Thesis a.k.a. Final Year Project for some.

Now what so interesting about this International Tourism subject? Hmm... the fact that we get to travel duh... After taking into consider the budget and the visa problems due to the fact that our class in an MNC, Multi National Class, we were given 5 places to consider for this trip which were;

1. Yogyakarta, Indonesia

2. ChiangMai, ChiangRai (Thailand) & Laos

3. Macau, China

4. Medan, Indonesia

5. Ho Chin Minh (Saigon), Vietnam

My personal favorite would be the latter, Vietnam followed by Thailand & Laos. If everything would to go as planned, including Bangkok by the end of this year, I would've visited 4 different countries! I'm thrilled and thankful to have this chance to travel before I start working which will definitely spell the end of my freedom to travel lol... As for my dissertation, I'm thinking of sticking to my previous title which is 'To Investigate The Economic Value of Prewar Buildings In Relation to Sustainable Tourism Development In Georgetown, Penang' since my research proposal had been approved. The school had also assigned a supervisor for my title so I doubt I'll have any chances of abandoning ship.

As this chapter of my life is reduced to a mere few pages, I couldn't help but wonder what's life like once I've been emancipated from my beloved parents?

PS: Below are some preview pics that I promised. I'll delete them in a few days time due to the protocol that we're not suppose to post pictures of such in any websites. Hence I'm doing something illegal muahahaha... Btw the pictures have nothing to do with the palace. It's just some VIP houses that MJ and Vanessa Mae used to occupied during their visit.

Non illegal pictures which are places where we visited...

Triple A's

Posted by Ivan Lee On 5:45 AM 2 comments

One more day before I leave for Brunei and I still haven't pack a single bit so I'll make this a short post just to make up for my absence in the following week. Today I went for window shopping in One Utama instead of concentrating on packing up things from my list of essential items. It was there that I experienced three different events that specifically relates to Ah Long, Air Force and Architecture.

First incident happened either at the opening ceremony or the anniversary of Monsoon-id where I bump into the star from Ah Long PTE. Um.. what's his name... Ah yes.. Mark Lee. Well, that's about it. Nothing particular in terms of celebrity sightings.

That's Mark Lee with Fann Wong

Next was a musical medley by the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific. It was held at the atrium and I must say, I'm impressed! The batch that performed called themselves 'Top Covers' and boy did they lived up to their name. The objective of the event was to foster goodwill between Malaysia and the US therefore there were some performances from our Royal Air Force as well. Halfway through the performance, the band dedicated a song to their bassist as it was his last performance with them if I'm not mistaken. I don't know why but the act itself coupled with the song which I couldn't remember the name struck a chord with me. Lucky my friends went back earlier or they might be thinking that I went psycho or something. Gosh.. I think there's something emo going on with me this few days haha... All in all, the performance made my day.

This is them performing My Country This of Thee in another place with a few different members from the ones I saw in 1 Utama.

As I was heading for the exit something took my attention. It was an exhibition of architecture models build from recycled items. I've always wanted to build one of my own haha...

Build from cardboards

These are from UTM. Doesn't it reminds you of something?

Certainly does for me. It looks like those shop houses in Georgetown.

Speaking of Georgetown, as of 7th of July 2008, the historical sites of Georgetown has been listed under UNESCO's World Heritage List along with Malacca as historic cities of the Straits of Malacca. I'm exhilarated with this news. I've been waiting for them to announce the result as they had mentioned it would be made known on early August. I guess they can't wait to share the good news haha... I'm so gonna boast about Penang to my classmates tomorrow! With this renowned title that Georgetown is holding right now, The Chief Minister had better do something about the conservation of the grand old lady, Georgetown. This is to prevent Georgetown from getting stripped off it's title as the granting of heritage sites by UNESCO is unique in the sense that it is not a permanent title, at least not for sites that has been below par. It would be a shame if that happens. Imagine Miss Universe getting her title stripped off now multiply that with a thousand. That's how humiliating! Alright, a tad too dramatic but still it make sense. Alan, remember I told you about making a blog together on the heritage of Penang? This must be a sign from the divine being that advocates this idea lol... Maybe we can get a few more of our friends to join in seeing that there were so many posts regarding our dear alma mater. So guys, please do help make this coming blog a success! Anyone?

Did I mention it's gonna be a short post? Screw that! Here's a random picture I took before snacking on those yummilicious Tau Sar Phneah. Okay, it's not really that random. Anyway, I'm dedicating this to none other than our very own TSP not forgetting all my other friends. Share share la...

Virtual Tau Sar Phneah from Hold That Thought

Today, I met someone. It was just a glance through. I was quite surprised to have seen what I saw. It was one of my BFF's crush. What I learn is to never judge a book by it's cover even the content page! I guess we got it all wrong. After this incident I couldn't help but wonder, what if I got mine wrong too?

A Royal Affair

Posted by Ivan Lee On 10:24 AM 3 comments

First of all, I'm not involve in any hanky-panky with the royal family. I think Malaysia's political scene has seen enough of these similar theatrics with all those drama queens accusing, backstabbing, playing the "victim" and acting like dumb blonds. Seriously "girls"! Enough cat fightings and superpoking each other (pun intended). Straighten up your acts or just send your resume to Hollywood.

Slightly off track haha... Straight to the point, I'm going to Brunei The Abode of Peace!

I think you know what flag is this... right...?

What's it got to do with the title above? Simply put it this way, it's the Kings 62nd B'day! Yes, it's Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaula, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam's phews... big day and I'm one of the 16 chosen by my college to attend His Majesty's extravagant gala. To prove how grand it is, they even created a damn website for the event. Sadly, I'm not going as a VIP sighs.. We will be there for the sole purpose of assisting in the royal banquet which will be held at the Nurul Iman Palace! What's so "pah pai" about this palace? According to Wikipedia,

"Istana Nurul Iman contains 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and a floor area of 2,152,782 square feet (200,000 m²). Amenities include 5 swimming pools, and an air conditioned stable for the Sultan's 200 polo ponies (Is he like a fan of 'My Little Pony'?), a 110-car garage, a banquet hall that can be expanded to accommodate up to 4,000 guests, and a mosque accommodating 1,500 people. The palace was built in 1984 at a cost of around $1.4 billion USD and has 564 chandeliers, 51,000 light bulbs, 44 stairwells, and 18 elevators. It is also a home to a car collection that includes custom-made Ferraris and Bentleys as well as 165 Rolls Royces. Istana Nurul Iman is indisputedly the world's largest residential and administrative palace currently in use for state functions, and at 2,152,782 square feet, Istana Nurul Iman certainly has more building floorspace than any other palace in the world".

Partial view of the palace with golden dome. Notice the houses are like the ones in our own Jetty area build on stilts. It's also a tourist attraction.

Bird's eye view of Nurul Iman Palace. It looks like the shape of a mosque!

VIP Seatings

VVIP Seatings

The Royal Banquet Hall

Now that's kick ass cool! However, there are restrictions on where one can or can't go as everyone involve in the function will be given a palace pass which is as sacred as a passport. In the event that it is stolen or misplaced, one will be required to lodge a police report. Another fascinating fact is that ladies are required to wear a headscarf, in local terms "tudung", while in the palace regardless of race or religion! I'm so gonna have a Kodak moment with my female companions teehee... By the way, I'll be there for 10 days starting from the 9th till the 18th of July. Which means I'll be back just in time to celebrate another "Royal B'day" lol... In addition, my trip will be at the expense of my college yeehah... On top of that, I'll be fulfilling another lame childhood dream of mine which is to fly on an airplane. I hope we are flying with MAS although I'm all for Tony, you go girl! Oops... i meant, you rock! As icing on the cake, we are gonna be paid. I'm not sure how much but some inside source suggested that it might be close to RM 1000! I'm starting to see Bangkok on the map lol... if I do get paid at the amount stated that is. Did I mention we'll be serving with equipments and cutlery made of PURE GOLD that might weigh up to a deadly 15 KG! I couldn't help but wonder, am I gonna cause a royal disaster?

Recap

Posted by Ivan Lee On 9:01 AM 7 comments

Hmm.. seem to be having trouble remembering who I took this picture with.

More than half a year after celebrating the New Year with Kel, ITCH & Nick (I hope I got all the shadows correct), I'm back again. I know, I know... I've said that I will not abandon this blog before but the work loads and activities of last semester really took a toll on me (not making excuses). Anyway, I would like to apologized to those who had constantly logged in only to be disappointed with the same old post entitled "My December" hence I take it that you guys would puke at the slightest mention of "the month which must not be named" but please don't, it's a special month for me *winks*. To make up for it, I've renovated my blog. Hope you like it. Well, 2008 has so far been quite a journey. Now before you start fainting on me I want to make it clear that I won't go into every details of what I've gone through so far. There, much more relieve already? Back to the topic, this first half of the year saw many "first time" encounter in my life which led to me being less a virgin. Okay, before you go any further please control your hormones as it has nothing to do with sex! What I meant was I've done things that I've never did before prior to this year. Starting with my trip to Malacca for work turned leisure purposes then followed by Johore purely in the name of fun and then pursuing my childhood dream of going to a foreign country, in this case, Singapore. Yes, I know it's no big deal for many people but it is for me as I've never been overseas before with the exception of crossing the Penang Bridge.

The following are pictures from my "business trip" to Malacca:

My first time having a room all to myself. Paid for by the boss!

Porta de Santiago. Around there was the area where we work.

Night shopping at the famed Jonker Walk.

View from the hotel which was supposedly the highest building in Malacca.

Delicious Fried Oysters.

The following are pictures from my trip to Johore and Singapore:

The supposedly famous Nasi Lemak stall at Johore.

The picture tells is all.

Chinatown in Singapore.

Well preserved heritage buildings.

Reminds me of Washington D.C.

Contrast of the old and the new at Clarke Quay.

The iconic Merlion which turns out to be smaller than expected.

Street shopping at Bugis Street.

Adding to that, I had my first hand experience in fine dining which I ended up being drunk, yup you heard me right, after umpteen glasses of wine mind you. I shall tick that off my list of "things to do before I die". Apparently, my classmates got it on video. As the saying goes, that's what friends are for, right?

Fine dining at K.L.C.C.

Then there was the chaotic conference which was dubbed "The First Gastronomic Conference in Malaysia" in which I was placed in charge of the F&B section but ended up doing more on decoration. All's well that ends well, I got an A for my Events Management and the co-organizer gave us a 7/10 which I assumed an A-, not bad for us first timers.

Lunch time!

Work in progress before dinner.

Dinner with "hostess" dressed in various ethnic clothings.

Of course besides those major activities there were other various ones that I will not elaborate on due to my laziness haha.. However, I want to officially thank Jim for the exquisite dinner he "belanja" us during his trip back to Penang for the CNY celebration. THANKIEW JEE MEE !!!

To sum it all, the first half of 2008 has so far been fruitful in the sense that I've gained a lot in terms of experience and also, sigh... weight. With all those traveling going on this year, I couldn't help but wonder, will our trip to Bangkok materialize?

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PC FAIR

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Beginning of The End

Triple A's

A Royal Affair

Recap

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Memories

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