Christmas seasons!

Hm.... Christmas.... Not much celebration for me this year... It was quite quiet and rather simple one celebrated with the ones I love... First "celebration" was at T.G.I Friday, a place I wanted to go for so long and finally came true... Haha... I told Simon about celebrating Christmas together earlier since he will be back in his hometown for Christmas and I did not give him a choice of where to go since I have decided T.G.I Friday it is!! Even though that was Monday when we went... Hm... The food was great... My standard of course... I am not so sure about Mr. Chai who is very choosy with food and always gives comments on food which will make you feel he is someone very good in cooking.... Seriously, till now, I still do not believe that he doesn't know how to cook even though he has told me a hundred times that he really doesn't know.. Hm~~~~ I guess not only me that think so.... We managed to do some window shopping but had to rush back campus for practice.... The practice for Christmas Celebration of Parit Buntar Baptist Church on the following day.... Yea.... The following day and that was our first and last practice for the mime and song performance... We can actually skip this part... Hehe... Then the Christmas Celebration at church was.... hm.... A lot of people came... Mostly non-believers? Perhaps half-half... Many songs and carols were sung... We , USMers, were in charge of the two performances I said earlier only. The mime we did was "Angel In Disguise", quite a nice song by Corrine Mae. I guess we also used the least time ever to practise a mine for my whole 4 years in Uni. The song performance "I can only imagine" was done by Simon, the vocalist; Derrick, the pianist and Terence, the guitarist. I liked both of the songs. I had a great time with uni fellows and church friends. Then off I sent Simon to the bus terminal.
The next time, I had to settle a couple of matters before going back like tidying someone's room, dumping my stuff back to my hostel, fixing the car, etc. Kinda sleepy all the way back but the faithful 988FM made a good company. When I reached home, I tried to recall the songs I have heard along the way but I can hardly remember. Oh no... Was I conscious?? haha... No la, they had some series going on. Nothing much after I reached home. Except mum was really happy with the roses I bought from Cameron Highlands for her abd we were trying to arrange them nicely in a few vases. Haha... That was because the vases were really small.
There were only me and mum for Christmas eve. We went for some shopping and walked around the pasar malam which was blasting Chinese New Year songs... Then whole night in front of the TV watching some outdated TVB series.
The next day was the Christmas day!! I didn't get to go church because I failed to convince mum that going to church on Christmad day is a good idea besides shopping or sleeping. Hehe... But at least we did have a great fellowship over lunch. Then I messed up my bro's surprise plan which got him so mad. Another round of shopping... Haih... I am now sick of Alor Star's shopping centres already. It's time for them to build new ones or add more shops. 　
As for the night, I have finally found one friend who is still in AS for the semester break. He is one of my good friends. We met at Old Town and chatted for about 4 hours. Wow... But it was realy nice catching up with friends. Miss the rest so much after being tortured by him for about 4 hours. Haha... Kidding... But I guess he will be too busy to read my blog. So I do not need to be scared to talk bad about him. =P
So much for my Christmas celebration.. The next day went out with him and another friend again at Halo Cafe... Hm.... It was fun also.....
No matter what happened next, do not really matter much since I am already back in campus again... Boring... But still can't wait for my outcoming trip-- To Kuantan for Keng Wai's wedding!!!!

SakitNya...

Haha... See the handiplasts on my fingers?? Hehe... Those are the results of polishing and grinding samples.... My samples are quite small - 10mm X 10mm. At first I did not realize as well, until I saw one of my fingers was bleeding... Seriously, I did not sense it happened that time. But I started to feel the pain afterwards. Thanks Yeam Thean and Angeline for the handiplasts. Those I used in the photos are new ones that I bought on the way back home. I bought extra as well to spare. Actually I wanted to buy one whole box but it has 200 stripes.. That's too much.. Haha.... You have no idea how dirty it will get shortly after started grinding... I wanted to buy the plastic ones but not this cloth ones... I even wanted to buy the cartoon ones but no point la since I have to change it everyday if I need to do grinding... Notice the nail polish? Haha.. Wanted to remove the nail polish but my dear roommate asked me to leave it because it can play a part to protect my nails. Seriously, it did help because my nails didn't break a bit... =) *peace*
Looking forward for CPR at Cameron Highlands.....

Padas White Water Rafting

The day we came back from mount KK, we went to Poring hot spring. I always like hot water bath. It was an outdoor hot spring that we went to. It was fun though the water to fill up the tub was really slow and we only had one hour there. But it was good enough to relieve the tension on our legs after the climb. Cool... Somehow I started coughing after I came down from the mountain... Mum said I should just stay up there. Haha...
We reached back KK town around 9.30p.m. After taking bath, we went out for celebration!!! Haha... But only four of us - Simon, Yan Wai, Derrick and I. Kian Beng wanted to rest. Sze-Lyn and Jason were tired also so they only went nearby to have dinner. At first I was quite excited but became too tired to enjoy the food after started eating. But the dinner was good... The price were reasonable. Haha.. I considered it cheap actually. After went back to Akinabalu, I had to pack my stuff because we will go for Padas the next day and then go straight to airport after that.
Woke up early to make sure all my things were packed then off we go for Padas. We had to be quick to avoid delay because we need to board our flight at 9.15p.m. Thank God that everything went on smoothly. We had our lunch at Tenom town. Then took a train to Pangi. I was at first excited to get myself wet. But after the safety briefing, I started to feel scared.... When we were in the river, I can hear my heart beating fast. We passed the first two rapids and all went well... But when we came to the third - Washing machine, our raft overturned. I was all the while concentrating on paddling instead of looking in front to see what happen. Out of a sudden, I was trapped under the boat. I was really panic. But I managed to catch the crosstube and catch a breath. I grabbed the life line and got out of the boat. I heard the guide shouted loudly asking us to let go of the life line. Then I saw the boat turned back to normal position towards me... Opss... But I managed to get out and grab the life line again. I was the first one being pulled back into the boat. We were all panic and held on to the life line. So it took quite some time to turn the boat back. And we actually passed through the fourth rapid as well which was Merry-go-round. Simon and Jason were far behind the boat and we only have 3 paddles back in the boat. That was crazy man! All we know that time was to save the two and get back the rest of the paddles. Kena scolded of course because we didn't follow instructions and let go of the life line at once. That experience taught us a lot but also terrified us. At least me and Kian Beng I guess.... I did not really know how to swim and always panic when I am in water especially when my legs do not touch the ground. Kian Beng did not know how to swim at all... Then he told us that there were still a few more big rapids... Again, I.... Haha... After two big rapids, he said the rest were just mild ones. Then he told us about the big rapid we just passed which was called the Big Sucker. If our boat overturns there and we are trapped by the current, we might keep turn there if we do not know how to come out. I was terrified because I thought it was the next one coming up... Crazy man! Shock of my life... After that I slowly calmed down because the danger was over. Kian Beng was really brave. She tahan till the last... Me..?? I just hoped that time I could get out of the boat and wait for them somewhere. But I have told myself, this is the place I will definitely go back again if I have the chance to after I learn how to swim better and get rid of my phobia....
Again, we had good weather that time... Not so hot... So we did not get sun burn much.... And that's the last chapter of our trip to KK.... We did not take photos of the rafting but we brought back unforgettable memories... =) *peace*

Indescribable....

I've made it! I've made it!!!! Haha... I have made it to the top of Mount KK but all thanks to the guide who dragged me up the last few hundred meters. Haha...
As I have said in the earlier post that I wasn't feeling quite well and I admit that I didn't really train much also, so I was really worried that I can't make it even to Laban Rata. We started off journey with high spirit but I already got very tired when we reached the first pondok. But they said that is normal because we just warmed up. But truly the next one or two km were easier. Then came the rocky path and steps which were harder especially when the legs started to get tired. Thank God for the walking stick we bought. Haha... oh man! I really walked like old folks. Also, I am really thankful because I did not carry anything. Poor Simon has to carry the backpack which contained two people's things. But most of the heavier things we have left with the porter la... But still.. Poor Simon.. =P Thanks to Yan Wai also who helped me to carry the EOS bag which happened to be quite heavy at the end.. Hehe... Derrick was way ahead of us. Four of us (Simon, Kian Beng, Yan Wai and I) were hiking together; Sze-Lyn and Jason at the back with the guide and porter. The last two kilometers were tiring but seeing the rest striving motivated to go on. At last, we have made it to Laban Rata around 5p.m.. After dinner we went to the place we stayed which I have forgotten the name! Isyk! None of us slept well that night due to the migrain and headache. Started off the second part of the journey around 2.30p.m. Still dark and can't really see the road in front of you. After around 0.5km, I felt like dying.. No la.. Felt like vomitting... Wanted so much to give up. Even the guide kept telling me that I shouldn't go on if I am not feeling well... But I decided to keep walking after resting for awhile. It took another 2.7km to reach the summit from Laban Rata. Almost half of the way we got up to Laban Rata. So that reminded me how long I have to go which indirectly made me feel that I sure cannot make it. I was left far behind from the rest that time already. But I slowly picked up my pace and met up with Yan Wai, Jason and Kian Beng. Then Jason left us behind. Kian Beng decided to stay when she reached the check point. Yan Wai and I still struggled to go on while the guide kept telling us that we should stop if we cannot make it. When we reached 8.0km, we thought we should just stop there. We even took photos there. A few China tourists came and took photos there also. When they left, they saw us still sitting. So they persuaded us to go on since we were already so close. We agreed but we told each other we'll just see how far we can go. After a few hundred meters, I was really exhausted because the road was quite steep. The guide saw and he took me by hand and led me to walk the easier path. When I came to the last 2oo meters I guess, I wanted so much to give up and he asked me to sit by the side which was not as cold. After a few minutes, I regretted and called out for the guide and said that "tak puas hati la kalau sampai sana." After he heard that, he dragged me up there no matter how many times I told him I cannot make it already because it was kind of hard for me to breath. I told him I really cannot make it. Then he said "Boleh, mesti boleh. Kenapa cakap tak boleh? Janganla menangis, nanti saya menangis juga." Joker la him... Finally, I've made it!!!! And guess what I did when I reached the signbooard.... haha... I cried!! I don't know why but I just cried. Jason and Yan Wai who were standing there were shocked I guess by my reaction. I guess those were tears of joy.. Haha.. I seriously do not know how I got myself up there. Unbelievable... "Lene, people like me also can make it, sure you can one la. So go for it girl!" The weather was very good that day that we can see the sunrise very clearly that day. The guides did say that we were indeed very lucky. Too bad my camera was not with me so I did not take photos but Derrick did. He took a lot of nice photos. For this time, I did not care much about the sunrise. Being able to stand up there was the greatest challenge that I thought I could not achieve. But all glory to God that I was reminded that nothing is impossible! =) But really, I would have given up even before I reached the check point, when I started to feel like vomitting. I did not get to stay there for long to take photos because I reached late, really late. Going back to the place we stayed was not that difficult and scary as the guide told me maybe because now we can see the route. Seriously, he really likes to scare people...
We took our own sweet time over the breakfast to have some rest. Then we started off the last 6km back to the starting point. Huh... That was long... The first 2 km were okay. Then I felt the pain on my legs. Then one side of my sport shoes spoilt. I had to use my name tag string to tie the whole thing together. I should have take a photo of that. Haha... The guide was so good that he gave me his name tag string to tie. Hehe... Seriously, the walking stick helped a lot. Without it, maybe I will opt to roll down the trail instead of walking. Haha... Slow and steady was what we did as we went down because we do not want to hurt our knee. Thanks to the guy who told us that. One friend of ours whom we met there got his knees swollen when he reached because he was going very fast. As I was going down, I kept wondering how did I actually got up to Laban Rata the day before. Thank God!! I think the funniest part was we were so happy when we saw the waterfall because that showed we were reaching soon. After the last corner, we knew that we can see the Timpohon gate.... But we can also see the long stairs we had to take to reach Timpohon Gate which will make you feel like "aw, why la put stairs at such a place??" My right knee was really painful already because all these while there is something wrong with my right knee but I do not know what is it. Simon gave me his walking stick which meant I used two walking sticks to go up the stairs. Argh.... that was.... I don't know... Hahaha.... It was just so great to reach the gate!!!!! Amen!!!! I remembered that time when they asked me " will you climb KK again?" My answer that time was "NO!" but now when I think back I think I might.... I had a great experience there though I can't walk properly like a normal person for few days, I can't sit down and get up easily for few days and I have headache when I see stairs. Hahaha...
My only regret-- I did not take a solo photo at the summit with the signboard because I was too busy crying!!!!!!! Argh!!!!!!!! That should be the reason why I go up there again... To take a solo photo at the peak!!!!!
To be honest, it took me many days to believe and remember that I have made it to the top. It all seemed unreal, like a dream... Besides the pain I felt on my legs and knees, I couldn't recall how I got up and down... It was total 17.4km... I went up to 4096.2m above sea level.... Oh man! Now I know I have been there. I have left my footprints there at Mount KK... and one day, I might go back there again to retrace the path I have taken....

KK

Our Padas plan yesterday failed because they said the water was too high, too fast and too dangerous for us to go... There was another place that we can go, but I was not so sure about the name since I did not join the discussion. We have all decided to wait we come down from mount KK because the other one is only level 2 & 3. Since we have come all the way, why miss the level 3 & 4? But if we still cannot go on the last day, then we migt have to go to the other place...
We ended up at two islands - Pulau Sapi and Pulau Manukan, snorkeling... Serioously, that was my first time snorkeling... I do not know why am I so afraid of water when my legs can't reach the ground, and I get panic very easily. But I had fun... Saw Nemo!! Haha.... They wondered why I get so excited when I heard of nemo and I have no idea too... Maybe because I am dory gua.... But what I saw were not very clear because I could wear my spec while snorkeling... Also, many of the corals there were died because too many people have gone to these places. Hopefully I will get to snorkel soon and I hope I won't get panic to easily next time... *peace*
Then we came back to the KK town again and walked back to our hostel following the waterfront route. As we were walking back, we passed by one street where they sell a lot of food, snacks, etc. A lot of nice food there and most importantly they were cheap also. Haha... Simon bought some fried crab which were nice and cheap. The one smaller in size was RM 0.50 each and the bigger one was just RM 2.00. That was really cheap man!!!!! We went back hostel with the food we've got and rested for awhile before we went out again for some walk and more food. We went to Wisma Merdeka and then met up with Yan Wai's friends who then brought us to try some nice bread with kaya and butter. Sounds normal but the bread they served were really soft. Then we had this fried dumpling that I like very much. They said it's just normal Hakka dish, but I am not a Hakka and quite few Hakka at my place maybe. Then they showed us around in UMS... Man! That la consider university. Engineering campus should be just one small corner of UMS... But we were told us about some other "stories" of UMS....
On the way back, Andrea's car punctured. The gentlemen tried their best to fix it but the spare tyre in her car cannot be used and the one in her boyfriend's car cannot fit. At the end, I guess they left the car there.
I was really tired and wanted so much to get some rest because I have not been sleeping well these few days. Somehow, my cough got even worse yesterday night. I cough "continuous", non-stop until I cannot tahan. Thought I felt better after drinking some warm water. But the effect did not stay for long. I can't recall much and I do recall I coughed the whole night. Hopefully I did not wake Kian Beng and SL up or disturb their sleep... Kinda sleepy now...
Today is considered as the resting day in order to keep the energy for the next two days which is for climbing mount KK!!! I will surely get up there!!!!! Haha....

First stop - Kudat!

We're are now back in Kota Kinabalu after spending one night at Kudat!!! I shall not talk about how I got to the LCCT from my hometown because it was not really a pleasant journey since I was sick and kept coughing all the way. My first time taking flight-- not so good as well... Reason being I was coughing all the way also due to the air condition. I was so scared that I might wake the guy sitting beside me and I was even more worried when the guy beside me and in front of me started coughing... Haha.... I managed to get the seat near window so I managed to see all the nice view... Haha... First time ma, sure more excited... But there is something that I think I should say is that our flight was delayed 5 hours from the original time la...
After we reached KK, we went straight to Kudat to meet up with Yee Ting and her friends... It took us about 3 hours to get there but according to Yee Ting, that is considered near already.. I felt like it took forever to reach because I was really really hungry... But the dinner we took after we got there was great! I think the pictures we took could explain more but I can only upload when I get back. After the dinner, we went to Esplanade for a walk. A place where they usually hang out. Though nothing much, but quite fun to go with a gang of friends. Also, there were people singing karaoke in open air. Cool.... The next morning, we went jalan-jalan at the old town areas and took a lot of random snaps. Then we went to have "brunch"... We had Fish Head Beehoon, Prawn Beehoon and Tomyam Beehoon which were really nice....

After that we headed towards the TIP of BORNEO.... Super nice place.... The sea, the view, the wave, everything... so nice.... Another nice place after that was Pantai Kulambu.... The thing I like the most about this place is the super fine sand.... So soft... The water is very clear..... Again, lots of photos were taken there..... I wish to blog more details but I think maybe I will do it later when I have more time.....

Photos from the Tip of Borneo



Photos from Pantai Kulambu

Tomorrow we will go for Padas white water rafting!!!!!
By the way, Sze-Lyn, Jason and I still not very feeling well.. I am a bit better than them.... Hopefully I can recover soon...... Pray for me.... Pray for us....

Here I come, Sabah!!!

Back in Parit Buntar again before leaving for KL, together with Yan Wai and Kian Beng. Tomorrow 7 of us will be taking flight to Sabah!!!! (ps: This is my first time taking flight~ Hehe..) The bad news I know is that out of the 7 persons, there are 4 that have fallen sick and not recovered yet. I am one of them. I was sick since 28th Nov, the day I went back to home town. I went to see doctor at our university's Pusat Kesihatan before I went back. But the medicine she gave me didn't really help. Instead, the chinese medicine which tastes really awful helped a lot... I had fever, sore throat and then cough... Till now, I still cough as if the whole lungs will come out very soon. But thank God it is much better now. I just hope that it will subside before we climb mount KK.
When I was on the way back here, I received message from my friends that we will be having seminar tomorrow which those students under my supervisor must come. But I will be in airport that time checking in already. I have tried to ask them what's the seminar about and also tried to send message to my lecturer to tell her about it. But she hasn't reply me yet. I am quite worried that she will be mad at me. But I have planned this much earlier and I was notified about this seminar like 2 hours ago. Now I just have to pray that she will be fine about it. Hopefully.....
Somehow, this incident has influenced me a little... Not as excited as before because need to worry about the seminar.... =( mood spoiler....