Know Your Limit

Too often that our surroundings fill us with the notion of achieving as many goals and dreams before "time runs out". Too often that our environment enforce the idea of reaching beyond the stars or else, life would be nothing but a pointless journey. Too often that our parents, teachers and even motivational strangers would encourage us to sacrifice fun and live prosperously.

Amidst these notions and 'encouragement', we blindly charge ahead, believing more is better in a world of consumption. We thrive at the idea of living large while pity or scorn those who are happy and satisfied with a not-so-high income. In our mind, all we ever know is to achieve your goals and aim for the top prize. To put it in simple terms, we simply want to win.

In contrast, I'm not implying that we should not have goal. As a matter of fact, it is essential that we set a few goals in our life so that we won't walk astray and aimless, especially in this doggy dog world that we unavoidably live in.

Problem arises when we set no boundaries for ourselves and persist in striving for more when our shoulders could not bear the weight anymore. Consequently, we find our wallowing in tears and stress, not knowing where all these pressures are coming from. As we are so caught up with achievement, we punish ourselves with self loathing when we do not push for the extra mile.

Unfortunately, not all of us realize the origins of our tensions. Comfort are, instead found in the form of pills and therapy. In my life experience, I trapped myself in this awful notion once. Being one of best in class was all that occupied my mind. My soul was a competitive one but at the cost of someone else's endeavour. In the end, a little part of me crumpled and it took a very long time to repair it. It wasn't until I realized that while goals are imperative to our social survival, it's not fatal to us if we do not succeed them.

In a nutshell, we need to understand the limits that we can impose on our body and our mind. Don't crumple up and dissolve into a messy pulp but most of all don't inflict pain on yourself.

Life Story of a Lego Lover: Conquest

Picking up from where I left off in the other post, I was on top of the bricks. From seafaring pirates to heroic firefighters to ghoulish ghost, I had it all. Every opportunity that I encountered, I would want to have it. An empire was within my grasp. Of course, all of these required the help of parental support. Nonetheless, my conquest of LEGO sets were expanding.

Like all famous conquerors in history, the thirst for lands and resources would never be quenched. If so, the British would not have sailed all the way to Malaysia and left its quaint lifestyle here nor would the Vietnamese be able to borrow culinary ideas from the French such as the extensive usage for a baguette. Indeed, my thirst was similar to all these conquerors.

Unlike all these conquerors, my quest for dominion did no include any treaties or bonds of loyalty. In other words, I would yearn for toys with interlocking bricks. As long as the toys have interlocking bricks that I could build a tower with, I would want it. I supposed back then, the concept of brand was not familiar to me. In my eyes, all toys were the same and the labels were just different colorful words that I would completely ignore.

Thus, my possessions included LEGO-ish toys from A&W, a knock off brand that a factory somewhere managed to produce, another knock off which I got hold of at the night market and among many more. It never occurred to me that all these bricks were different but I did notice the vast difference in price. During days of privation (that is, me with limited pocket money), I would opt for the cheaper products but most of the time, my parents surprised me with the real deal.

It was not long after that I realized certain bricks did not fit well together. I was perplexed of course. How was it that some bricks fit perfectly together while others would fall apart immediately the moment I turned it upside down? A mystery to which I solved when I noticed the tiny LEGO words on each legitimate LEGO bricks and minifigures.

As I scratched my head to this findings, I began to wonder why some other bricks were not branded. This was when I first understood copyrights. My eyes opened up to all the things around my house and school. Certain things might look the same but they might not necessary derive from the same source. Soon enough, the dark magic of materialism and branding had overthrown my innocent/naive mind and I unconsciously fell under their influence, following their rules and regulation.

Just like that, I was conquered. While I eventually realized this colonization of my perception of the world, it had integrated itself into me. Similar to all the colonized countries of the world, we want independence and governance of our country or culture. Yet, we cannot deny the influence the past has on our lifestyle. Sometimes, we are not even aware of it and perceive things as the way it has always been.

Regardless, my love for Lego was a relationship I dare not break. One must know that all relationships have its ups and downs and mine was no exceptional. My next life story would feature the love/hate relationship I had experience with my favorite toy brand.

Chronicles of My Motorbike: Kitty Loves My Bike

No worries. There would be no road accident stories for this post. In fact, current post revolves around a feline friend that has been exploiting my bike as a personal cozy bed.

Just about anywhere we live, one is bound to find stray animals strolling around while putting on the saddest face to beg for food. So, around my neighborhood, there lives this cute cuddly cat which could lose a few pounds. A few weeks after I moved in to my new place, I noticed it running around with that bug-eyed face, asking for some catnip or something. Given that I have no cat food to bargain with it, I ignored it.

One morning as I was walking towards my motorbike, getting ready to go to work, there it was, that cute cuddly cat resting in the basket of my motorbike. It laid in there like a feline royalty. When it heard me coming nearer to my bike, it was startled at first, not knowing whether to move or continue its majestic nap. On the off chance that the cat had fleas, I couldn't care less how cute it was. I shooed it away.

Next few mornings later, I came across the same putty cat and like our first encounter on the bike, it was resting like a royalty. I admitted that I kinda fell for it with it cute cuddly face and that fluffy stomach. The same couldn't be say when it saw me as it quickly jolted away, giving me the irritated look on its face as I sat on her majestic throne.

I supposed the cat learned that the throne was mine to reign because it never came back to dominate it after that morning. Cats maybe regal but they know their own territory to rule. Nonetheless, I'm still frightened by the possibility of fleas overthrowing me for my bike.

Life Story of a LEGO Lover: New Found Interest

Once upon a brick ago, there lived a seemingly innocent boy in a small town built on Southeast Asia's largest island. This town was conquered by ethnically similar townsfolk with a knack for not minding their own business. Such was the lifestyle when the only excitement residents could enjoy was the annual holiday sales.

As for this little boy, his surrounding was filled with such like-minded people as well. He would have joined their cult if it wasn't for the superhero that saved him. That superhero was LEGO. More accurately, it was DUPLO, a subdivision of LEGO catered towards kids below 5 years old. Kids have the habit of swallowing anything that they can put into their mouth, especially something as colourful as LEGO bricks. Thus, DUPLO was created as temporary replacement until kids move pass their Oral Stage.

Coming back to the little boy, for as young as he could remember, he always had these blocks called DUPLO. Back then, he didn't really know the name. All he knew was that he had this interlocking blocks along with a few animal characters which he could place on top of the blocks. He was happy with such a simple toy design. Eventually, DUPLO was switched to LEGO, the one with the smaller bricks but the fun was still there nonetheless. In his mind, he was building a plastic empire with his little animal friends. In his parents' mind, it was something they could occupy him while they were busying gossiping about other people's life.

In the next coming months, the boy was so fascinated with these bricks that a little green monster called Greed was growing inside him. He wanted more. He wanted to expand his empire and there weren't enough resources. Unfortunately, the complexity of these interlocking bricks in the small town was too much for the minds of the locals to bear. Hence, it was slightly impossible for the boy to find these goodies in the town. He relied on his caretaker - his father - to savage these rare plastic goodies.

Of course, the father had to travel to this foreign land to find these plastic treasures. Sometimes he would come home with a handful of these plastic bricks and sometimes he would come home empty handed. Initially, the Greed inside the boy was in its infancy. So, the empty handedness didn't really bother him. However, as the collection piled up, the Greed transformed into a tiny gremlin, fed by constant wanting and needing.The boy would find himself shouting, sulking and crying for in his mind, he had the image of an uncaring father. It was one of those obnoxious moments which no rational adults wanted to recall.

While the introduction of DUPLO/LEGO brought creativity and imagination to this little boy, it inadvertently set him on a path to a world of materialism and avarice. Nonetheless, the good virtue of playing these interlocking bricks would eventually develop in this boy but whether he was faithful to the same interlocking bricks is another story for another post.

Party in Port Dickson

When it comes to a person's first job, the things that usually come to the mind revolves around money, possibility of a Scrooge-like boss, limited holidays, tiredness and constant yapping about being tired. At least, that was true for me. As such, the idea of company's trip never really came to my attention until the day I was informed my colleagues and I would be going to Port Dickson (PD for short).

PD lies along the Western coastline of Peninsular Malaysia, located in the state of Negeri Sembilan. The beaches dotted along the coast are not known for their beauty but they are the target of family picnic and camping on the weekends or school holidays.

It is true that PD was not on my top 10 must go to places in Malaysia but I was happy anyway as I would going somewhere with the companion of my fellow work buddies (colleague is too formal). Bear in mind, I just started my job 3 months ago and as mentioned above, I never knew I would be entitled to go on a trip, fully paid by my company. So, I become the giddy kid that lives inside me.

In the span of 3 days and 2 nights, I rode my first jet-ski; played various wacky but exhilarating team building games; ate more than 5 meals that kept my belly bloated and enjoyed the company of the people who give me salary. To make an interesting post short, I shall illustrate the excitement I have experienced with a series of pictures displayed below:

Generic Sunset (still beautiful in my eyes)

Coconut on The Beach

Into the Pool

Breakfast Buffet

And of course,

Mermaid's Cove

I have many more LEGO photos which you view on my page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Legobricklife

Overall, it was a really fun trip filled with waves of laughter and memorable rapport. Honestly speaking, it negated the stress I had accumulated from obnoxious kids. Though the stress part is inevitable, it's replaceable with some fun time away from it.

(Note; Fun doesn't mean there would be no body aches from the activities, especially if you are a person who strays away from exercise.)

How I Spend My Days Off

Working life is never easy. That is why one doesn't work 24/7, seven days a week or basically, til you die. Most companies or establishments usually offer at least one day off and at most two days off. Mine is the latter to which I'm extremely grateful of.

When those days of the week finally come, it is expected that people should be elated with joy as they can afford not to care whatever happens at work. Contrary to the fact, I believed that the 5 days of the week have drained most of us dry to the bone and we want nothing more but a nice comfortable bed and a whole day of TV. Sadly, I'm the restless type of person and I find it extremely difficult to stay at home and just watch some brainless TV shows to pass the time.

As such, I will list down all the activities I engaged myself in and somehow trapped myself in during my days off.

1) I go out.

As simple as sentence is, I do not stay at home the whole day at all. My restless mind is fond of wandering around without supervision and when I tied myself down, I become...bored. I need to see things; I need to do stuffs and most of all, I need interaction. I personally believe I'm borderline ADHD but of course, that might just be me giving myself excuses to make mistakes. So far, for almost all my days off, I have never stayed at home.

2) I meet up with friends.

During my university years, I have constant interactions with my friends. In uni, at malls and even at home (I'm referring to you, Varsha). Unfortunately, the downside of graduating is that everyone will be going their own way. You can't force your friend to take the same path as you. That's utterly selfish and suffocating.

However, there are some friends who remain rooted and my days off are the best time to meet up with them. I don't seem overly clingy (though I am to a certain extent) and I get to fulfill my social needs. Thus, on my days off, I usually have lunch or dinner with my buddies and have a few laughs at our confusing life and unknown future (it's quite depressing sometimes).

3) I drink coffee.

Coffee has, one way or another, become an essential substance in my life. I drink it on an daily basis but those consist of the cheap Nescafe 3-in-1 sachets. While I admit this is obviously an addiction I should keep in check, I couldn't help but find myself at various coffee parlor (with wi-fi) and sip on one of the higher end coffees or teas. Of course, my definition of higher end is nothing more than RM15. I could just sit there the whole day, staring down on my book or iPad screen.

4) I buy grocery.

Although this doesn't happen as much as compared to my other days off behaviors, it is one of the few moments whereby I could buy decent raw food to cook at home for moi. Let's be honest, outside food is great but it ain't exactly the most hygienic.

5) I lament about my life.

On the usual working days, I don't have the chance to ponder or contemplate where I'm going with my life. Hence, these days are my opportunity to wonder if I know what I want in my life. Let's just say I look forward to this as much as I look forward to clean a toilet used by kids.


And that is how I spent my days off. For you readers, how do you spend days off? Is it as fun as mine or you rather spend your days at work?

In the Month of August...

Looking back at the month of August, there are a few things which I can recall vividly. Firstly, my ex-housemate, Varsha left back to her home country. I did a teary feature of her in a few post back. The event stroke my chord the hardest and it left a little void inside of me to which I'm still pondering of how to fill it up. While on the subject of friends, August seemed to resonate a few goodbyes, not in with my life in particular but with the people around me. With respect to the privacy of my friends, I would mention no further on the issue. So, there is an air of solemness lingered in the air of August.

However, that quickly dispersed for me as a few people entered back my life with a stronger foothold. We don't usually hang out as much before but now, it seems like we are seeing each other every week. Not to mention that, I acquainted new friends to which I'm positive about my relationship with them.

Honestly, there wasn't much more I could describe how I spent my August as my routine was pretty trite. The void did make me lonelier but it quickly dissipated as I moved on with my life with tremendous effort (I admit, it was extremely hard at first, like breaking up with someone). So, while I overlooked the sunset in the distance, I couldn't just sit there as the last sun drop beamed over me. I had to stand up and chased it if I ever wanted to feel the warmth again.

(PS. Buying that Groot and Rocket LEGO set really spiked up my spirit)

Traveling

Traveling - an action that in recent years, many have vigorously partake. From a short journey to a local tourist spot an hour away to a foreign country that contradicts one's own culture, traveling has become an experiential escapism for many to briefly elude the hardship of life.

Ask yourself this question. Why is that many people eagerly spend most of their hard earned cash just to indulge in momentary satisfaction in a location far from their home and workplace? Some of us meticulously plan the traveling agenda with a desperation to see all the sights and try all the delicacies. There are some of us who have no schedules planned but a mere intention to just experience some foreign air. Whether it's the former or the latter, we just couldn't wait to pack our bags and leave a familiar territory and into an u familiar one.

Truth of the matter is I'm a traveling junkie myself. During my university years, I was eager or even desperate to travel somewhere. By hook or by crook, I wanted to see all that I could see and indulge in all that I have yet to taste. That's where the problem started. I only wanted to visit places I haven't being to or somewhere that wasn't Malaysia. Whenever such demand couldn't be fulfilled, I would wallow in personal anguish and frustration. My days would involve an incessant amount of complains and rants. I remembered a time before I joined college, my father was traveling to Paris, France - the city of light and love or whatever they call it these days. Initially, dad planned to bring me along. My excitement couldn't be any more palpable than it already was. Of course, a rain cloud just had to gather at my doorstep. I was cut out of the trip and I threw a tantrum rivaling that of a toddler.

Thinking back, I supposed it's all that hope and yearning that I will finally travel to an European country that fueled my anger the moment I was told that I wasn't going. I was a very shallow and unappreciative person back then. Another reason was that my scorn derived from my jealousy of those who had the wealth to travel all over. I admitted that I hated anyone who had the privilege to go anywhere they desire but most of all, I hated myself for not having the same privilege as them. I loathed myself for being a middle class citizen. It didn't matter what bright side others had shown me: I was still able to study; I wasn't living on the street; I was still in one peace. I just despised my life to an extent of not seeing any hope of continuing it. As I mentioned, I was a shallow and unappreciative person back then.

It was until an important person in my life slapped me in the face, insisting that I stopped with my laments and rants. In his own words, he stated that it's rather impossible to travel to wherever I want and it's a futile practice to try to out compete those around to compare who has traveled to the most states, countries or continents. Although it took a while before his words sank into my mind, I eventually realized I wasn't travel for personal pleasure at all. I just wanted to tick the location off my list of places I have traveled to and proudly said, "I have been here". It was pathetic and ignorant of me. All this while, I haven't been enjoying my travel at all, whether local or abroad.

It may seem like I have deviated from my initial question but I assure you, it's related. Ever since I started earning my own money, I have been visiting places and all of them are local tourist spots. Sometimes, I traveled to the same spot again and again. My previous self would see this as a boring errand to run but now, my perception is that as long as I'm going somewhere, even if it's a familiar place, I'm more than happy to hop onto any transports that take me there. As a matter of fact, I'm typing this while sitting through the local KTM en route to Kampar. While some parts of me still yearned to go abroad to see all those Wonders that TVs and Cinemas are vigorously advertising, I find enjoyment just going somewhere now. That important person of mine really hit me at the right spot.

My time to travel to other countries with my own money will come one day. It's definitely not any time soon but I don't mind traveling to the same backyard again. It's a bonus if someone important is there to travel with you.

Hiking Up Gunung Nuang on Merdeka

Most people would spend the National (Merdeka) Day of their country participating in parades or sleeping in on their cozy bed. Others would watch TV programs laden with National songs and documentaries about the history of the country. As for me and a few others, we decided to hike up a mountain. Truth be told, I was "persuaded" by a friend to join the hike. However, given that I haven't exactly exercise in a long while, I reluctantly joined because if not, my laziness would literally tangle me and suffocate the willpower out of me.

Fast forward - we ended up hiking Gunung Nuang, the tallest mountain in Selangor. As I knew, we didn't really plan to come here but GPS lady led us there. Now, I have been on numerous treks before but as I mentioned, that was a long while ago. Thinking that this should be like no other forest trekking that I have experienced, I enjoyed the first few meters of strolling. Not even 1km into the forest, the trail turned into a slope which after a few more meters, turned into another steeper slope. By the time we reached the first rest stop, we realized we had been only hiking for 1.6km. You have no idea how astonished I was. I thought we had hiked at the very least, more than 2km. I was really out of shape.

Now, the total journey to the peak of the mountain was at least 9km away. Initially, I told myself, "Meh, easy peasy". After being reminded of the hardship of trekking, I wanted to stay back and play with the butterflies. Luckily, the group unanimously agreed to trek half the way up since there was a waterfall in middle of the journey. Since the journey was cut short and I was a quarter way there, there was no point turning back, might as well move forward.

Thus, the journey continued and of course, there were more slopes to come (Don't forget, we were hiking up a mountain). Halfway up, my brain fried and I went into autopilot, letting my adrenaline took over me. I jogged up the trail, leaving the group behind (I'm such a horrible person). Before I knew it, I reached a stream with people having picnics around it. We regrouped and persisted onwards to the waterfall. When we we reached, I was glad that I didn't stop or else I wouldn't be able to take the following picture:

Imagine all sorts of Tomb Raider or Lord of the Rings scenes with this picture in mind. While the waterfall was spectacular, the object that caught my attention was the breathtaking tree that stood in the middle. It was just magnificent to see such a scene with my own eyes. Not from a book, not from Internet, not from any media but up front and close.

So, we stayed there a while, enjoying the scenery and the water. I would talk about the dreaded journey back but I do want to visit this place again. Hopefully, I have the energy to go all the way up to the peak then. In the meantime, let me enjoy my little comfort in my room.

And of course, not to forget:

Before I signed off, Happy Merdeka Day to all Malaysians!