Overall introduction on what I’m doing now

Hi guys, I am in Taiwan now. My 1st week here is ending soon.  Doing fine here and gonna blog whenever I have the free time and internet connection. Currently, I am having an internship under Aiesec worldwide organisation with a community in Hsin Chu City (新竹市). I would say it is some kind of community work where my tasks are recording everything that I see, I eat, I play and I think about Taiwan from my own perspective. Besides, the most important element about my job is to introduce my home country - Malaysia’s cultures & lifestyles to everyone here and get to know more about Taiwan’s cultures at the same time. I am glad that I have the chance to expose myself to something completely new to me. It widens my horizon and most importantly, I got to know more about myself, my own country and stories about other nations too.

Solely on this first week, my timetable was fully packed with activities. Although it was really tiring by the end of the day, I was happy to learn more things everyday. 學無止境嘛! Currently,  I am staying in an abandon big house alone without internet connection as my home stay rooms are fully occupied. Kinda creepy though especially during the first night. But now, I think I am more brave >< I am looking forward to shift into a Hakka family :) They are so nice. Anyhow, my current home stay parents are very nice to me too. They prepared 3 meals per day and brought us sight visiting around the city ^^ Guess where I am going tonight? =.= okay, cut the crap.

Wanna know how’s my timetable look like?

• I will be teaching English/cultural exchange stuffs at 2 primary & 2 secondary schools. The timetable for some of the schools are not fixed.
• Nursing the wetlands garden every evening
• Having interactive classes with students during after-school-time
• Playing on a grand piano twice a weeks in a luxury hotel-alike DENTAL clinic
• Create an entire new webpage for Dongshan community
• Create another blog solely on my experiences in Taiwan

Suddenly, I feel like I have become a superwoman for being able to do all the stuffs during working days. I was so amazed to know that some of the interns have a more relaxing and flexible working hours & jobs in other areas. Envy max T.T Anyhow, I do accept my job tasks as a challenge and it’s actually a golden opportunity for me to grow and learn how to adapt especially improve on my EQ :)

Plus, I can’t wait to go travelling with all my Taiwanese buddies & Msian friends who are coming over soon ^^

 

Alright, some of the random pictures taken throughout this week. Have a nice day everyone

All the pics below are not edited. Bo enough time ><

*were taken with DSLR/digital cam*

It was actually my 6th times travelling alone by flight. Was welcomed by 2 lovely Tw Aiesecers once I reached the terminal

 

This is my pretty TN manager. She is very friendly and nice to get along with'

 

Followed my TN manager to attend her English class. My 1st day as part of Taiwan Uni student

 

Some wonderful work arts

 

This is the map of the wetlands that I would be helping regularly. It has a pretty amazing history behind the creation of this park

 

Some beautiful flowers planted in the park (preview)

 

Another good news is I am fonder of cats & dogs. They could actually staying together quite well under the same roof

 

My wonderful host family members

 

This is Dan. He is an Aussie guy who studies in University of Monash, Melbourne. He works under the same project like me

 

The classroom

 

What do you reckon this place is? It is a big hall of a secondary military school where the band get to practice their songs

 

This is the map of the housing area of Hsin Chu. It called 八卦圖. Could you see the shape of a spider web? does it look like what we watch in the ancient war movie?

Hsin Chu city  is famous of its MIHUN (a kind of noodles). According to my Hakka home stay father, he told me that the noodles is famous because the dough they made needed strong wind to let it dry. Hsin Chu city’s wind is always strong and windy. That’s why it helps the noodle to dry quickly and somehow, it has become a unique characteristic of Hsin Chu.

 

Some cute students :) *yeah* pose somehow has become my signature

Having an interview with student reporters yesterday. The guy sitting beside me came from Japan

 

 

After the group interview, here comes individual interview. Was bombarded with lots of questions from different perspectives. It practiced my impromptu presentation. Not bad huh :D Furthermore, I am happy to share my experiences, education, climbing mountain experiences, Australia + Msia culture, current Taiwan adaptation, etc etc

 

Group pic before leaving Hakka College

 

Attended Aiesec Welcoming Party yesterday. Kinda fun though. I am having massive headache now. argh!

 

that’s basically an overall introduction of my current community work in Taiwan. Till here, see you :)

Friends in Msia, Taiwanese from Australia or anyone in this planet who are interested, if you are coming to or currently in Taiwan. Do contact me through fb or email, I wanna meet up with all of u :)

Mountain Kinabalu, the peak

Helloooo, have been posting too many wordy posts previously. It’s time for me to blog with more pics.

I would like to continue my KK post. If you missed out the first part of my KK mountain climbing story, do click here to view it.

 

We slept in a dorm at Laban Rata after having our dinner. Not long after (approx 2am), we got to wake up to continue our journey to the peak of the mountain. Before the hike, I felt uneasy and nausea. But then I knew I have to eat something. Hence, I kinda forcing myself to chew on a bun.

The feeling of dizziness worsening during the first 30 mins. However, I kept forcing myself to go on. Without any warning, I actually vomited at the side of the sloppy mountain. After vomiting, immediately, I felt great. I was so relieved by then.

It was sooooo dark when we were climbing up the mountain. We have no idea where were we and what kind of mountain were we climbing. All we knew was keep going up up up. We climb awhile and rest awhile. Frankly speaking, it was quite tiring to climb this mountain especially for people who didn’t do much training like me. What kept me going the most was my mind. I kept telling myself to go on just because I paid for this hike. If failed to reach the peak, memang memalukan lar. lolz

The happiest moment was to able to see the sunrise although it was quite cloudy on the day. Once I took off my gloves, my fingers were numb. Gosh, it was freaking cold out there.

 

   

You could see the hat that I was wearing was different from other pics. It was almost Christmas, that’s why I purposely brought the Christmas hat along :) just to snap a pic ><

 

  

It was scary to look down the valley. One wrong stepped could end up to death ><

We were amazed to see the pathway that we have gone through during the pitch dark morning. It was freaking sloppy. When we were heading back, I felt the time was crawling instead of speeding. Perhaps the clearer we could see the surrounding, the harder to walk.

I met these 2 sweet aborigine girls half way through the mountain. They descended so fast and agile. I reckoned they climbed the mountain frequently. It was just a piece of cake for them ><

After descending from the mountain, we got to wait for another partner of mine for quite a long time before we could head to the town. Anyhow, I had an enjoyable climbing trip in Sabah. Thinking back, I couldn’t really imagine how brave and naive I was to plan this climb impromptu.

Alright, that’s all for now. Enjoy climbing, I reckon it would be more fun if you climb with a group of friends who have a strong will. Having a strong body doesn’t mean you are strong internally. get it? haha.

 

Mountain Kinabalu, Sabah

OMG, I am slacking for the whole day. But who cares, it’s time for me to blog again. Looking at the Veni Vici Vidi column on my blog’s sidebar which you could see right now is the list of the mountains I have conquered so far with the dates on it. I just realized that I never blog about my experience on climbing Mt Kinabalu, Sabah. So, decided to blog for the sake of remembrance for the future.

Well, when I was almost having my finals of SAM in 2008, I came out with a crazy idea of climbing Mt Kinabalu. Don’t ask me why, the answer would be aiks, it’s complicated to explain :D

Since it’s hard to find kakis to climb together at the very last moment, the easiest way is to search online for kakis. In the end, I knew a woman from the net who was interested to join me at the same time, without thinking twice, JOM d. Here, I would like to thanks heaps to my parents for letting me to go to this trip alone with a total stranger. Their mentally supports is always helpful for me no matter what situation I am in. Plus, so happen one of my friends, ZhiYong, boyfriend of my dear friend, Mei Ying would be there at the same time, I invited him to join us. Here goes our journey.

I met with my climbing partner for the first time @the airport. Once my dad saw her, he was relieved as well. Well, old sayings said, never follow a stranger home. This was true, but the risk that I have taken was worth it at last :)

Firstly, we went to the agent office to finalize everything. Will tell you the contact at the end of my KK post. After that, a driver drove us to the Kinabalu Park which was situated deep in the jungle. It was raining heavily at that time too.

This was my temporary accommodation for Day 1. When we were there, it was freaking cold as I was not used to cold weather.

Some souvenirs shops that you could find at Kinabalu Park. The area was surrounded with lots of trees and not to forget, the freaking tall Mt Kinabalu that I was going to conquer on the next day. Basically, we walked around the park and it was kinda relaxing though.

Freaking awesome right? so much mist some more

The very next day, I was so not prepared to climb *takut* as basically I have not been training on my stamina. Not at all other than frantically swimming for 2 days at the very last minute. When thinking it now, I totally have no idea why was I so brave and naive few years ago. But, at least, I experience it with no regret for the climbing part :)

We boarded a mini bus up the winding road to the main entrance for the climb. We were welcomed by a freaking amazing sign board. OMG, how could those ppl climb up and down on this mountain for less than 3 hours. This is insane. (2 x 4095m) But it’s the fact.

My partners for the climb and of course, the great guide as well. I guess he has been climbing up and down for dunno how many freaking times. He even helped my friend carried the heavy bag. Other than the guide, while on our way up the hilly slope, we saw lots of women, especially were carrying “look_like_it_was_a_heavy_basket” on their head and climbing up the mountain like nobody’s business. This is truly amazing. I was astonished to see how fast they could walk with the heavy burden on it. *Salute*

It’s true if you have heard ppl saying that climbing Mt Kinabalu is actually climbing up the staircases & easier than climbing Mt Tahan. but this is true only for the first half part.

This was the food that we received earlier before the climb ><

Because my other partner, the woman, Sarah couldn’t climb up the hill at our pace, the guide told us to climb up on our own.

Easy? Medium? Hard?

Personally, everything is about your mentality, not much about phsycial capability. Of course you are fit to climb if you choose to climb at the first place. I actually kept telling myself that I could do this. If not, you definitely will give up easily. Trust me!

The air was damp and my hair was full of droplets

I dunno the exact time I reached Laban Rata. Let me recall. hmmm. We started to climb around 8.30a.m. And reached Laban Rata at 3pm something if not mistaken. This means the journey took us approx 7 hours to finish HALF WAY. Anyway, I was delighted because it mean, I can eattttttttttttttt.

The temperature was approx 9.6 celcius plus the never stop blowing strong wind plus the wet clothes I were wearing making myself totally helpless and it was freezing cold

The must do thing is to order a hot chocolate/milo. Yummyyyyyyyyyy.

My other partner reached Laban Rata around 7 something. We were too exhausted and the scary part was, we have to wake up at approx 2.30am the next morning. I hardly doze off because of the scary weather ><

Till here now. have a great day everyone :)

Winter Break - Sydney

Yea, I am back. Most of my friends have started their Uni life once more, I am still goyang-ing kaki at home >.<

Well, on the 1st of July, my plan for vacation around Oz has started. I bought the air ticket kinda early without any detail planning and JOM, let’s see what happen next.

My first destination was Sydney. We have our lunch in the girls’ house (UNSW). Thanks Maggie for being the chef. The food was freaking delicious.

 

The chef (Maggie Law) and assistant (Jia Wen)

Camwhore using tripod & self timer before makan ^^

After eating, our first stop was visiting UNSW. The Uni was very green and peaceful.

 

 

Suddenly, my friends were obsessed in playing with my camera xD

 

After visiting the Uni, we headed off to BONDI BEACH where I have read a news about a guy who has been partially bitten by a shark few months ago.

The wind was very strong, cold and small sands kept stirring up whenever the wind was blowing. It made my camera zoomer “termasuk pasir yg halus” T_T Yea, my souvenir.

 

Later on, I took a bus and went to city alone. At first I was kinda scare as I knew nothing about the location in Sydney. Luckily I have a small handbook with me and in the end, I managed to meet up with Wan Wah ^^ She took me to her Uni which required around 30 mins bus drive from the city. Personally, I found the place was kinda far and the bus fare for just one trip has cost me $5.

 

Bus fare in Sydney is kinda quite very expansive plus no concession for international student. They have implemented a new method of paying the bus fare by slotting in the card which could be purchased at selected shops into a machine. This was to save time and make sure buses arrive on time at every stop I guess.

 

 

Left- Taken in the bus =)

Right- Having dinner with them. Thailand food this time and I ordered asam laksa mee

Then, I went to visit their Uni during the night. Although the Uni was kinda old, but the atmosphere there was nice which were well equipped with swimming pool, lake and garden.

Before goin to their Uni, WWW kept sighing that their Uni would be not nice, bla bla bla.. haha

I jokingly told her as long as it was better than Chan Wa school can already. haha

After that, WWW and me headed to the city. I thought she would leave me after arriving at the city, but she did not. I insisted that I could go home by myself but she refused to let me go back alone. I was really touched at that moment. That night was kinda late and there were only few more buses left for the night trip. I was really worried that she might miss her bus. In the end, once she accompanied me till to the doorstep of my friend’s house. She went back home and reached her place at around 12 smth a.m T_T

Really touched by her action. She was way too selfless and helpful. Cherish our friendship always, friends for life =)

See u in the future xD

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2.7.09

Early in the morning, we went to Chinatown of Sydney to meet up with my classmates which were so happen to be all guys (Sydney U)

All my girl friends were busying shopping while I followed the guys walking around doing nth but just kept camwhoring =.= Not in the mood of shopping 

Having lunch (Za Fan a.k.a economic rice) with the guys. Could you guess who is the guy behind the food pic above?

09 Version of Maria a.k.a Mario a.k.a maid xD

Later, we went to visit Sydney U.

 

 

Would the pic above kinda similar with the scene in the Harry Potter movie? lolz

 

Part of J7 of Taylor’ College 08 a.k.a JPArians

 

I like this pic because accidentally has captured a poor little bird on the upper left side? Why poor little bird cos it was cute, isn’t it? =.=

 

Take 1

 

Take 2

 

Take 3

 

We kept trying to capture a picture of everyone jumping up by using tripod and self timer but Phailed. Either it was too early or too late. In the end………

 

TADAH

 

The best shot ever. Wait a minute? Where am I? T_T

Cos someone clicked the button, it’s was no longer self timer.

Anyway, satisfied =)

 

After that, suddenly everyone had fallen in love in camwhoring.

 

 

 

Maggie was the only one who looking at the cam =)

 

 

Graffiti Tunnel in Sydney U. Sorry for the error made in the pic on the right hand side.

 

Don’t wanna be a fat bear . hohoho

 

Ppl who vandalize? Haha.. Nope, they were beautifying the graffiti

 

Artistic thinggy hanging freely above the cafeteria.

Tak takut akan jatuh ke?

 

Could you spot the moon?

 

After that, we went to Look’s house to rest.

The kitchen. His house was small but cozy and it was far far better than where I am staying now T_T

 We went to a Chinese restaurant to have dinner together. Still, Malaysia cuisine which cooked in M’sia are the best. Kinda miss them badly >.<

 

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I have lost all my pics for the 3rd days. Yet, memories still fresh.

3.07.09

I went to Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Opera house, Fish Market, Chinese Garden and eating great food along the way.

The seafood which I eaten in the fish market was damn awesome. Lovin it lots.

Guess what happened when we paid our visit in Chinese Garden? We wore old tradition clothes and took a few pics. Me looked damn cacat but I liked the clothes I wore =.=

At night, we ate the awesome Pancakes in the Cold Rock.

Sadly, all my scenery pics especially during the nights were gone. We purposely went to the Opera house once again just to take night pics using my tripod. Anyhow, no worries. I would be back there sooner or later I think.  hmmmmmm…………

After finishing taking the night scenes, I treated my friends some cakes and having hot chocolates in the freaking cold weather plus extraordinary strong wind.

That’s pretty much about my days when I was in Sydney.

Next destination would be Melbourne. Cioz.