Gems of Youtube

Ötzi – the Iceman

 Amazing how they found him in his everyday condition. He opened up a lot of opportunities to us to study. And because of him alone, the archeologists had to REDATE the Copper Age.

Four Wives - One Husband

A new kind of documentary to me. But i fell in love. So refreshing and realistic. Funny too. e v e
Liked it so much!

Pastel, Dreamy Photo - Photoshop Tutorial

 Gonna show you how to get this pastel, wash-of-lights picture like this. I'm not an expert. But i've been looking everywhere but no one really shows how they photoshop their pictures. Though i've seen millions of them posting pictures on Instagram with this kind of style. ):

This is how i always did mine. Easy way.

First, go to this deviantart page, and download the zip file.

Soft pastel actions.

 Extract the zip file. And it should contain these files.

.atn file

 Open your Adobe Photoshop. Now drag the .atn file and drop it anywhere inside your Adobe Photoshop.

Now you have a new action in your action list!

Now open the photo you want to edit.

This is the original photo.

 You just need a one click to achieve this soft look. 

There are three selections for you to choose. Soft and sweet. Marshmallow action and Soft purple tones. 

I chose Marshmallow action. Click the Play Selection button. And you're done!

Just click the Play Selection button and save your stylish photo!

Reading eBooks with Moon+ Reader

I got lucky recently and got a chance to own an android. So, the search for ebooks in epub files begin. I've already had a lot of pdf files of ebooks. And i converted them bit by bit to txt files so i can read them in my phone.

But excitement got me to download more and more books. It's really strange though. Recently, i thought it's such a waste of time to read. I don't know why. Maybe because i need to just sit at one place and do nothing else. I don't know if anyone had this kind of feelings as well. But, i have an answer. No wonder Amanda Seyfried mentioned multitasking in Ellen Show. You know, listen to audiobooks, knitting and working out - all at once!

So, here. I'd like to share a link to this list of books. The books are amazing. They are real books! With pictures and publishing font. Please have a look.

Top Books of 2011

p.s: My favourite ebook reader is Moon+ Reader. I've tried Google Play Books. It SUCKS!! And i've tried Aldiko. It's quite okay. But i don't like how it turns the pages. With Moon+ Reader, you can turn the page with real paper effect. It's super COOL! And as always. It must be a PRO version so you can fully enjoy it! ^^

Curly Parsley = Daun Selom

Curly Parsley, not the Italian one

The first time i had curly parsley, i realized that it tasted so much like daun selom. Seriously. Only a bit stronger in taste.

Daun Selom

And another western veggies that can be substituted with Malay is artichoke. Cos i heard it taste like young jackfruit. Interesting eh?

Understanding Vampires

Before my grandmother died, she had a dream and she screamed to my mother to run. When asked, she said the house was on fire. And my mother believed that's the sign. The sign that she's gonna 'leave' home.

Today i had a dream and it's about the same. I don't believe in spiritual beliefs. But i do believe our body can detect a vision of future. Even if it's in a matter of seconds. Again, it's not that i truly believe that i'm gonna die.

And again, it doesn't mean that i don't wanna die. Or i'm afraid of dying. I do have fears of dying. But i have complete different view of death now. And it doesn't scare me much as before.

It's just that, i'd rather be the one who dies than seeing the ones you love die. It's really unbearable. It leaves you with guilts, memories, unachieved dreams, regrets, many sleepless nights... and it's so painful.

Now, i understand vampires. Why they don't like their immortal lives. We always heard they said they hate seeing their loved ones died. And i know what they mean now!

Lost Home

Happiness is too far away for me. But, the truth is, i'm always happy. It doesn't take much to make me happy. Buy me a hair tie, a ball of yarn, a free sample... i'd be smiling ear to ear.

In fact, i've never had a big dream. An expensive dream like some people. Take my sister for example. She always dreamed of buying a cool car, build a big house. And her appetite is always hard to please. I've never wanted a big car. Never have i wanted a big house. In fact, the only house i've ever dreamed of was a small shack with a garden. And that's it.

In my life, the only ambition i had was to be a cabin crew. ~.~  Of course that'd never come true. And then, when i was in secondary school, i stood out as a writer amongst friends. People requested me to write everyday and people were sharing my writing books like a best-seller. I was too naive to notice my talent. And my parents were too naive too i guess, to support me to write more.

But still i continue dreaming about story lines. And at the same time, my love for English grew deeper and deeper. So, i began channeling my art into English essays. Started from there, my teacher gave a lot of attentions to me.

That's how i started dreaming of becoming an English teacher.

But when i finished school, i don't know what kind of program should i choose. What university should i go. My parents didn't know how to help. And i didn't know even more.

I know i shouldn't blame my parents. But when i think back of those days. I can't help myself from blaming them for all the things happened to me. I continue living life in a wrong path and i don't know how to correct them. I'm walking in a big black tunnel and i have never saw a glimpse of light anywhere. It's all pitch dark.

Last year, i think i should start writing again. So i finished two manuscripts. I am still in a middle of writing one more. But my mother don't like what i'm doing. She don't like everything i do.

How can i do things she don't like? It's even hard to explain to her. That's why i lied to her. I know it's easier to say the truth. But the truth would be harder. It's too ugly and hideous. She can't take it.

Now, whenever i went home, i never felt like i went 'home'. It's just a place i visit. It's not where i belong. The room is too messed up. It's upside down. My bed had become a place to pile things up. And i don't know where to start. What to dream. What to do. Where should i place my laptop so i could think of something alone. So i could start writing a line or two. NO. There is absolutely no place for me. Their acts, their dialogues. I cannot hear them. They're so thorny that i feel like i want to pack up and run away right in that second!

But of course i waved goodbye anyway. I found comfort in wandering off. I took off and decided it's no longer a home for me.

I doubt my mother. What does she want from me? Doesn't she want to see me happy? What is she thinking? She don't like me writing. She wants me to be a teacher. But i've gone too far away from being a teacher. So what does she want me to do? She just don't get it. She never tried to understand. I cannot work. I can't serve people. I don't like it. And i'm just that kind of person who cannot do things i hate. Does she has any idea how many pressures she'd inject into my brain?

In conclusion. I'm not a happy person. I'm suicidal. Sick. No breathing creatures on this earth know what i had in my mind. What i think of when i let my thoughts take a drift. No one knows that i have a dream every night. The same dream. Over and over. Every. Single. Night. Like a psychopath.

If i lay in my bed, i cannot enjoy the softness of the pillow. I cannot . It's been so long since the last time i enjoy life. I've even forgotten how it feels like to see a clear sky. How it feels like to have a cool breeze sweeping up my cheeks. And how it feels like to live with a dream.

"All that I have is a river
The river is always my home
Lord, take me away
For I just cannot stay
Or I’ll sink in my skin and my bones

The water sustains me without even trying
The water can’t drown me, I’m done
With my dying ."

Surprise in Cameron Highland

On the way there. You can finally see the tea farm.

Went there last May, on the way back to KL. The road was very quiet. We were the only people going up. But it was quiet an adventure and full of great scenery. I took my time observing the surrounding. And i did noticed the little homes of the aborigines along the slopes. When we reached Lojing, we started seeing  views of covered farms. And we head on up and up. In the middle of the journey, rain started pouring heavily. And here in the highlands, it was really a downpour. My friend who were driving started getting so silent and get her head focused. The car was moved a little by the slippery road and her face turned pale as ghost.

We started reaching the real Cameron Highland area and there's another problem, the fuel tank was desperately asking for refuel. But gas station was nowhere to be seen. We still hiking up and low and the roads started getting smaller and the corners are extreme. The sky keeps sprinkling water to the ground. And i guess that place must always be wet cos some of the rooftops were covered with moss. Moss wouldn't exist without constant moisture, right?

So, finally, we reached Brinchang and we went to the gas station. The first time turning off the AC and opening up the door. We can finally feel the cold breeze of the highland.

Here are some photos took in MARDI Cameron Highland. A spectacular place for only RM3 entrance fee. Everything represents Cameron Highland like strawberries, roses, tea farm, vegetable farms, and many more, you can find it here. It's like a compact Cameron Highland.

Salad Bowl of Malaysia

Pretty. Still wondering why they grow them here cos it's highly poisonous.

Strawberries, but i'm not excited.  ^^

Healthy flowers

A big fat rosemary tree.

Look at how the fruits were hanging down. So excited over this!

I want a little garden like this.

Cameron Highland is surprisingly cold. Yes. But only at NIGHT. I always underestimate others' opinions about this place. And now that i've experienced it myself, i agreed. It's really cold. But not that cold. I didn't even wear extra layer. LOL. But it's just cool enough like the AC. In daytime, nope. It's not cold. When the sun is up, it's still hot. Only the breeze is cool.

I remembered having a bowl of seafood tom yum in Tanah Rata. I was excited over the unique plastic bag and plastic spoon. They were too cute.

And because of the climate, vegetables are at the best health. The cabbages and roses are grown at the edge of the road just like weeds. And everything about it is pretty. My 1 day stay there is not enough. And i'm looking forward for a revisit trip.