Throwback to Taman Negara

When looking back through my iPhone's photo album, I quickly glanced through the photos of the TUISC and I back in Taman Negara. We went to the protected rainforest a few months back and it was such a thrilling experience, I must say! The council members and I stayed in a seven-room home stay facility in Jerantut (Yes, I know it's a really funny name). 

On the very first day, we traveled from the home stay facility we traveled to the Gua Kota Gelanggi and a few other caves. It was terribly exhausting because the whole cave excavation took nearly three hours or more! Super duper tiring. W also trailed the forest, which was fun but kind of creepy at the same time since it was our first time entering a real forest. In the caves, we saw various rocks with many bizarre shapes! Some were shaped like a skull, an elephant, a baby and many more! I found it rather dubious that they were formed naturally because it just seemed unreal to my naked eyes. The cave excavation was also very challenging since we had to fit through small gaps between rocks and it was pitch black inside the caves, too! Nonetheless, it was an unforgettable experience since we got to see some breathtaking views from the caves

On the second day, the council and I went into the Taman Negara and we went on the Canopy Walk or a suspension bridge that stretched 530 metres long. I'm telling you, it was not as easy as it sounded especially for those who are afraid of height, that's for sure. The bridge was only fit for one person and we had to keep a certain distance from the person in front of us so that the bridge wouldn't shake vigorously. I kept singing nursery songs when I went on the bridge to keep myself happily entertained and to take my mind off the creepy height.

After that we went trekking the jungle and then we went rapid shooting which was the highlight of the entire trip. Rapid shooting is a speedy ride on a wooden boat in the Taman Negara's river. Because there were twenty people of us, we were separated in two boats. The interesting part? We had water fight against each other, splashing each other's boat with the river water and water buckets and the boat was in a really high speed that we thought it almost flipped over! SO. FUN. 

After having so much fun splashing water like a 5 year-old, we had our 'picnic' lunch by the river side and visited the Orang Asli encampments, where we learned how to use their traditional bamboo blowpipe. 

To wrap up our teambuilding trip, we went for another trip the next day to experience Flying Fox and raft building. I've tried flying fox before I truly enjoyed it! The hardest part of our last day's activity was the raft building, in which we're supposed to craft a raft from barrels, pipes and plastic ropes and we had a raft race on the river. It was such a hard work but my team won in the end, yay to that!

Our team building trip was extremely exhausting but all the mud, sweat and blood (nah, no blood) was really worth it in the end! Can't wait to go on another trip with this bunch in the future! Love you all so mucho :)

International Student Council

Hello everyone!

It's been a while and I've been rather busy in campus these days. Starting September 2014, I've been officially chosen as a the Secretary of Taylor's University International Student Council! I've always wanted to be more active in my daily uni life and perhaps this is the best way to spend my time productively. Basically, the council acts as an aspiration box for International students in Taylor's, we are also enthusiastic in promoting cultural integration. Our main focus for this year is community service; offering a helping hand for those who are in need. I'll be helping out in many projects, student conferences and most importantly, WORLDFEST!

As new council members, we've had a few outings and meetings to get to know one another better. Last Thursday, we had an appointment dinner at Nandos in Citta Mall. We chatted over food and took lots of pictures using my monopod a.k.a selfie stick hahaha. Let me tell you something, these people are the best! We've only known each other for a few weeks and we've gotten along so well!

And girls being girls, we could not stop taking selfies! 

A group photo with everyone in the department and the V.I.Ps

Here are the members of TUISC for the year 2014/2015. If you're an International student in Taylor's University, please don't hesitate to approach any of these familiar faces for any help and inquiries!

See you around, folks! xo

KTJ Prom 2014; Bal Des Edelweiss❅

Or what us, commoners, would call the 'Ball of the Winter Flowers'. Such a beautiful name for this year's KTJ annual prom dinner. As you all know, I left KTJ back in form 5 but of course there's no harm in meeting up with fellow old friends whom I might not meet for years long in the future! This year, the event took place in Aloft Hotel, KL Sentral. A relatively new hotel yet it was surprisingly good. I loved the food served during the event and the location is pretty accessible, too!

During the event, there was a time when all couples hit the dance floor and slow-danced. Well, I danced with my girls since I didn't have a date and it was still so awesome although the dance seemed more like a group hug. 

This year, they set up the photo booth again, which I was really excited about. We took several photos just like last year a because heaven knows when will we be able to take pictures like that again in the future!

 I had a great time in KTJ's prom this year. It was nice to see so many familiar faces and how much these people have changed throughout the years. Sometimes, a good time like this made me regret leaving KTJ in the first place :(

Friends

Dedicated to my beloved and very often, retarded friends. Friends for 7 years long and still counting!
Not exactly the full team in this picture since some of us live in different island and even in a different continent! Despite being separated by the seas and distance, nothing, let me repeat that, nothing can break apart this inherent bond between us. Here's some picture after a short meet up at my place :)

Burgers and Big Hugs

My visit to the burger joint that's located in Subang Square, SS15, earlier today was not only satisfying for the tummy but also inspirational. The name 'Big Hug Burger' itself is inspired by the power of a hug that can transcend all differences among us. 

We were greeted by the warm and cheerful owner of the Big Hug Burger herself, Ms. Aidelle. 

She elaborated about the concept of her 4-month-old burger joint that was one of her lifelong dream that was conceptualize over three decades ago. Big Hug claimed to promote openness, closely-knitted family while offering burgers that are made of top-knotch ingredients at the same time. 

My friend and I ordered two different burgers that was absolutely mouthwatering, one is the house's specialty, The Big Hug Burger, and the one that I ordered was a newly launched menu called 'The Dancing Cow'

This uber-awesome mega goodness with cheese oozing out of is named after the burger joint itself, THE Big Hug Burger and yes, it's with a capital 'THE'. The burger was carefully crafted with fresh ingredients and fried chicken chop that still tasted really moist despite the frying. The tender chicken was perfectly paired with secret sauce, fresh veggies, pineapple, loaded mozzarella and cheddar, all stacked beautifully between the homemade super soft buns . If you find yourself not knowing which one to order, I'm highly recommending you this one. Careful though, it comes it a humongous size. Like, seriously.

The other burger that we ordered was this unique and flavorful baby called 'The Dancing Cow'. It's a newly launched addition to the menu and this burger served with yet another fluffy and almost cotton-like charcoal bun. And in between that fluffy goodness, lay the juiciest beef patty, beef bacon strips, cheese, fresh veggies and also two other ingredients that's rather bizarre to be found in between a burger, PEANUT BUTTER AND SAMBAL! For your information, I am a big and rabid fan of peanut buttery stuff. And Lord, this burger had me in the first bite. Highly recommended for those adventurous soul and foodie like me! Don't you worry because all of the supplies that are used by the Big Hug Burger are certified Halal!

Aside from their mouthwatering burgers, Big Hug also offers a free all-you-can-eat snack bars for their customers to enjoy while waiting for the food and free flow drinks, too! Their lemonade is homemade and is made from freshly squeezed lemon juice with added honey, very refreshing!

The burger joint is also equipped with so many toys, props and huge teddy bears that exceed my own size! I fell in love immediately with this place. Definitely a cozy place where you can hang around all day with families and friends. For a set the average price is around RM20++ whilst a la carte would cost you roughly RM14-RM17. Considering the superior food quality, unique flavor and generous portion, the price charged for their must-have burgers are in fact affordable and they also make the spent calories worthwhile.

Visit the Big Hug Burger for an exhilarating dining experience!

Big Hug Burger

Monday- Saturday 12.30pm-4.00pm (Lunch) and 6.30pm-10.30pm (Dinner)

Closed on Sunday

CT-G-03, Subang Square

Main Entrance Lobby

Jalan SS15/4G, Subang Jaya

47500 Selangor, Malaysia

Disappearing Trade: Clay Potter

Hello there! It has been ages since the last time I posted something in this blog of mine.

So, my friends and I were supposed to do this English project in which we have to interview someone whose occupation is 'disappearing' meaning that there aren't many people doing that particular job anymore. After considering several options, we decided to interview a clay potter who lives in Kuala Selangor. 

Two of my girls picked me up and our journey for the first time to Kuala Selangor started! 

The sun was high, it was sizzling outside. The moment we stepped out of the car, I started to sweat and smudged my eyeliner, remind me not to experiment on any 'make-up'  during a field work next time.

We met this Indian clay potter who's willing to be interviewed by us. His son, who seemed to have a crush on one of my girls, showed us around the factory and explained the process of making claypots. 

We saw how the professional potter did their daily routine. Imagine, a potter can make up to 3000 of those small plates that you see in this picture! Isn't that amazing? I couldn't even make one!

We were given a chance to try out how to make basic clay pot. To tell you the truth, it was EXTREMELY HARD. Even Bavithra, who claimed that she has gotten the innate pottery skills as she's Indian, only managed to make a doughnut out of it. I also did try making something out of the rotating clay but unfortunately, I'm not a hands-on person. Therefore, I failed miserably and I looked waaay too messy in the photos so I shall not upload it here :)

And then we did an interview with Mr. Aru, one of the potter and the owner of the enterprise. See those chickens and elephants behind us? Those are animal-shaped penny bank that he gave to each of us as souvenirs! Isn't he nice? I got an ayam :D

Yes, it was extremely tiring! After a day of fun under the hot sun, we were invited for lunch at Bavithra's place. Her mom made us Biryani rice with fried fish and other types of Indian condiments. It was so good, by far the best Indian food I've ever had! 

After such a filling lunch, my friends suddenly craved for IKEA meatballs. THE IKEA meatballs.Well, as an Indonesian girl who has lived in Malaysia for 2 years, I'm such a failure for not trying those meatballs years ago. 

The first time I heard about IKEA meatballs, which are served with a freakin' jam, I was petrified. 

Let me repeat that. JAM.

At first I thought this meatball should be featured on Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Food-.-

Honestly, I was so shocked that those IKEA meatballs tasted so. freaking. good.

Although I felt really guilty for eating them, these babies are worth spending calories on :')

I had so much fun today and it's all thanks to my lovely girls :D