Away for Vitamin Zest

Hi friends,

I will be away for 6 days! Hope You will not miss me too much :)

I will be staying at Tapah. No internet connection! Sigh. Camp site inside the jungle. So, I am totally disconnect from the CYBER WORLD~

Mean while, I've some articles for your reading pleasure when I am away.

Take care friends!

Jarod

Kepada Sabahan yang dikasihi

Setelah membaca surat yang ditulis oleh saudara/saudari yang berasal dari Sabah, ia menyentuh hati saya dengan orang-orang yang tinggal di Sabah. Saya pernah melawat Sabah pada tahun 2007. Destinasi-destinasi yang saya kunjungi ialah Gunung Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu , Pulau Sapi + Malukan dan Kolam Air Panas Poring. Setiap tempat yang saya lawati memberi memori yang istimewa dan ia masih kekal dalam minda saya. Saya juga jatuh cinta dengan suasana di sana yang mana udara dan tempat yang saya kunjungi sangat bersih. Langsung tidak dapat dibandingkan dengan udara dan persekitaran yang teruk di Semenanjung Malaysia** terutamanya KOTA kita, Kuala Lumpur. Janganlah kata API* di KL ini rendah. Habuk tetap habuk. (*Unit yang digunakan untuk memeriksa tahap keselamatan udara.) (**kecuali Cameron Highland dan tempat yang terpencil.)

Saya telah menghantar surat yang ditulis saudara/ri ini kepada kawan-kawan saya. Salah seorang kawan saya berkata bahawa dia perlu berlajar dari orang-orang Sabahan. Ya, kita dah hidup dengan baik. Kita di Semenanjung Malaysia telah mengabaikan anda. Sangat Malulah saya untuk berdepan dengan kawan-kawan Sabah.

Pernah sekali kawan saya berkata bahawa orang Sabah tidak menjaga kebersihan. Masa itu, saya tidak bagi komen kerana saya masih tidak tahu akan keadaan yang sebenarnya. Namun, jika anda suruh saya bagi komen sekarang, saya boleh kata bahawa ia berlaku kerana kesusahan yang dialami mereka dalam keperluan harian. Dah menjadi kebiasaan bagi mereka untuk tidak membazirkan air. Tidak mendapat air yang mencukupi bukanlah sesuatu yang seronok bila ia berlaku pada kita. Saya masih ingat bahawa sepupu saya yang sangat suka dengan kebersihan diri, selalu mesti cuci tangan, muka selepas makan. Bayangkan dia di Sabah. Mana boleh tahan lama?

Sabahan juga mengalami kemiskinan yang sangat membimbangkan. Apabila anda membaca Sabahan Plights 2, anda mungkin akan merasa betapa untungnya kita ni yang masih boleh makan dan minum teh petang tanpa memikirkan banyak. Kerana kemiskinan, ia juga menjejaskan kesihatan rakyat di Sabah. Ubat-ubatan yang mahal tidak mampu dibeli oleh mereka. Malah, susu yang khas untuk bayi pun mereka tidak mampu. Ada yang pemikiran mereka masih kekal seperti orang dahulu. Mereka tidak mendapat didikan yang baik dan cara yang betul untuk menjaga diri serta anak-anak mereka.


Malaysia sangat maju! Maju di Semenanjung sahaja. Sabah? Sarawak? Adakah ia telah diabaikan oleh kerajaan yang hanya mahu jaga muka dengan membina KLCC, KL TOWER, Litar F1, membeli kereta berjenama, menjaga perut, dan apa lagi? Cyberjaya? Saya tahu! Kita perlu menjaga muka Malaysia bagi pelabur-pelabur yang akan membawa wang yang banyak ke negara kita ini. Setelah 45 tahun, baru "nama" Sabah dan Sarawak di pentingkan.


Bahkan saya tahu bahawa sekolah-sekolah di Sabah turut susah kerana kekurangan guru-guru yang tidak rela mengajar di sana. Eh, Sabah itu bukanlah jauh. Sekarang ada Air Asia ini! Semua orang pun BOLEH TERBANG! Saya pernah membaca di surat khabar yang menyiarkan masalah yang dihadapi oleh pelajar di sana. Mereka yang tinggal di pendalaman Sabah memerlukan masa yang panjang untuk sampai ke sekolah. Mereka terpaksa melalui sungai, jalan melalui hutan-hutan, dan jalan agak jauh jaraknya untuk sampai ke sekolah. Kalau hujan, tak payahlah pergi sekolah. Jalan yang mereka lalui akan banjir ataupun sekolah tidak ada guru kerana guru pun tidak dapat sampai.

Bila kerajaan cakap tentang Project Bakun dan project lain lain, tenaga elektrik yang dijana di sana akan di salurkan kepada Semenanjung Malaysia. Apa? Semenanjung lagi? Orang Sabah tak perlu ke? Takkan nak suruh mereka pakai minyak tanah ataupun lilin seumur hidup ini? Bagilah peluang untuk mereka menghayati hidup ini.

Peluang pekerjaan bagi Sabahan agak berkurangan kerana terdapat banyak pendatang tanpa izin yang datang ke Sabah. Mereka ini telah mengambil alih ekonomi ataupun wang gaji yang sepatutnya kepunyaan orang Sabah. Kenapalah ini boleh berlaku? Kerajaan harus menilai apakah masalah yang telah berlaku. (Kita tahulah, hanya mahu menyatakan sahaja.) Bila menang pilihan raya atas bantuan orang Sabahan dan Sarawak, barulah kerajaan bertidak menjaga keperluan mereka. Tolonglah, jangan layan mereka ini seperti orang yang bukan sebahagian dari Malaysia ini.

Kebelakangan ini, saya telah membaca sejarah tentang bagaimanakah Sabah telah menyatukan negeri itu dengan Malaysia. Pada masa itu, rakyat SABAH yang menentukan bahawa mereka ingin bersatu dengan Malaysia. Jikalau pada masa itu mereka memilih Filipina ataupun Indonesia, Malaysia LANGSUNG tidak mempunyai Sabah. Ingatlah bahawa rakyat Sabah yang berhasrat untuk bersatu dengan Semenajung Malaysia ini. Menteri Pelancongan yang sangat suka memaparkan nama Sabah, sila fikirkan cara-cara yang baik bagi menjaga Sabah yang penuh dengan kehidupan liar, pemandangan yang cantik, dan flora fauna yang istimewa. Janganlah hapuskan keunikan Sabah.

Sabahan yang melawat ke Semenanjung mendapati kita mempunyai adat yang berbeza. Sama juga dengan Raykat Semenanjung yang pergi ke sana. Macamlah dua negara yang berbeza. Banyak yang kita di Semenanjung Malaysia boleh berlajar dari mereka. Adat dan kemesraan mereka, kehidupan yang menarik serta makanan yang luar biasa.

Tidak menarik perhatian anda? Dah sampai masa kita bersatu, bukanlah bersatu pada masa 1963. Itu hanya dalam kertas, dalam hati saya rasa belum lagi. Saya suka dengan Sabah, bagaimana dengan anda? Dah sampai masa kita tolong menolong. Dah sampai masa untuk Sabah berubah demi masa depan yang cerah. Dah lah 45 tahun hidup tak menentu... Kawan-kawan di Sabah, saya menyeru anda membuat pilihan yang baik dalam hidup anda. Selain itu, kawan-kawan di Semenanjung ini tolonglah Sektor Pelancongan mereka. Banyak tempat yang boleh kita lawat. Tak perlulah susah susah nak tukar wang kita ini, terus pergi ke dunia yang berbeza di Sabah dan bila anda balik, memori yang terbaik memenuhi minda anda.

Semua gambar yang anda tengok ini dirakam di Sabah. Cantik? Menarik perhatian anda? Pergilah menikmati Sabah yang cantik ini! :)

Penjelasan Gambar:

Gambar
1: Pemandangan di atas Gunung Kinabalu
2: Ikan-ikan di Pulau Sapi.
3: Pemandangan di atas Gunung Kinabalu
4: Pemandang Gunung Kinabalu dari bawah. Diambil dari Wikipedia.
5: Pemandangan di atas Gunung Kinabalu
6: Kota Kinabalu, pemandangan dari atas bukit.

M'sia Gov wake up lah

Warning-Article below is Rough and you have been warn! Read with your own responsibility and thou shall not sue me for inappropriate language usage!

I have arrived safely in Malaysia. Was in Singapore for a short trip to see for my self what is so great about this tiny red dot. Well, indeed they are great. I will elaborate more about it for my next post. Now i just wanna bombard the DAMM minister who restrict/imply rules for woman/girl to go out of Malaysia.

Hey, if you want to prevent or help, you should think of a way to HAMMER those culprit. Not women who are innocent at this point. Majority of them have done nothing wrong. Do they deserve to be treated in this way?

I wana smack you with DURIAN when i heard about it in Singapore news. I wonder how will they (Singaporean) think about us. I So damm Pai SEH! Hey, wake up la! Still with your immature brain ah! Can't you suggest something that are much more realistic and workable? No wonder Nothing works well in Malaysia is just because of your DARN ridiculous ideas.

Everything also worst than other country. The only thing you know is TALK! Talk nonsense and nothing ever comes out! NATO! I am waiting for the moment where the PA will take over the current Government. FED Up! My sleep is being disturb because you don't give a damm consideration. Really wanna throw you into SHIT POND behind my HOUSE! I MEANT IT!

E-NAFF lah & result

After giving a try to Nuffnang, I give up and instead opt for Advertlets. At least Advertlets is better as they got advs for me. Nuffnang never email me for Adv and I really disappointed with it. I still maintain it and see whether they gonna give me in the future or not.

I've got my result today for my last semester exam. The result came as a shock to me. I didn't expect it to be this good. PTL! Now, the next semester will begin in a weeks time. It reminded me of a song.... Life is like a boat by Rie Fu.

I am going to Singapore tomorrow. Will be back on Monday night. I want to see why Malaysian like to compares with Singapore. I will see with my own eyes and let you know when I reach HOME. Let me gear up with camera, note book and pen. See u!

Thailand Trip

The trip to thailand was an eye opening one. A Vacation with an unforgettable experience and sight. I guess i am hoping to gain something over there rather than just having my fun time. I went there all alone as my travel partner fall sick just a week before my departure. Geared with only 10 KG of my backpack, i went to penang & stay over at a friend house. The next day, another friend bring me around to get some true penang delicacy. Unfortunately, it was not up to my standard. Neverthelas, i will go again to penang to scout for some food. But one of the nice ones i have tried was the Indonesia Curry Prawn. SUperb! Finger licking good!

Later in the evening i am on board the flight that everyones can fly! (Sure you know what i meant!) Upon arrival at thailand, i was quite lost as i am not sure about the public transport that can bring me to the guest house i am targetting. The map of bangkok is not useful as it never mention what bus i can take. With the least info, i just have to ask the people surround me. People's are kind to me in many ways. Although the communication are tough as some of them are lack in english, finger is what we have. Thank GOD we can use all that we had!

According to the direction that i got from the internet, i can actually get a bus from airport that bring me directly to Bangkok city. But it will cost me MYR 15. So being "smart" (+ stingy) that i am, i begin to get to the shuttle bus. OH NO! It's not the bus that i am suppose to take! I am so nervous that i kept on asking the lady sitting behind me where they are taking me!!! The sweat just won't stop & my heart are pumping much faster. But lucky as i am, this bus is a free shuttle bus that bring passenger to the bus treminal. Luckily i am not being sold to the slaves company...They ask me to take a bus from the bus terminal & it will bring me to the city. PHEW!

As i arrived, i got to the bus stand that the lady mention. I find that their public transport are at least more convenient, more better than malaysia. Everywhere is easily reach & the rates are cheap as well. I chatted with local folks to pass time. I also noticed that there are quite a number of them are wearing yellow collar T-shirt with a temple symbol on their left side pocket. Being so busy body, i enquired about it. Their King Bday are coming soon, they must wear it every monday to respect their King. GOSH! so committed! BTW, when i reach the city, i am abit suprise with the city. Its full of the king picture. They hold a high respect for him.

Taking a bus numbered 556 that lead me to the Thanon Khao San, or called as Khao San road. It's a guest house/backpacker favourite area that many westerner are staying. I consider my self as one of the backpacker & willing to experience how the people stay. The guest house i stayed was quite nice, not really expensive. It cost me MYR 15 for a night. I believe in KL it will cost me RM 40-60 per night in this kind of places.

I took a nice meal and rest quite early. The next day, i woke up quite early. It was not the alarm clock that woke me up. Perhaps because i am at a foreign land that my body are not use to it. The weather is really hot!! Everyday went by with a cold bath. Some of the days i even took 3-4 shower. Is nice to walk around, but the thing that bother me is i didn't bring enough cash for the trip. GOSH! The first few days of my trip really makes me worries.

But thanks to my parent, i am able to cope with the financial difficulty. Please take note that you can bring along your VISA + Master Card + Visa eletron. There are plenty of ATM for you to cash out $.

I also want to thank GOD for keeping me safe. In a land that i am not familiar, i am really grateful that i am well & un-harm when i return home. For those who had sacrifice a time of concern & commit me to GOD, Thank YOU very much for your prayer!

Bangkok has a lot of activities going on. There are alot of market for people to visit. Personally i like chacutak market which open on saturday & sunday only. Nice & i can see alot of happenning things surround this place. There are cheap books, antique, drinks, foods, cloths, accessories, decorating material, arts, & so many stuff which you wont get in KL. I just love the food! Delicious & unique! Books are cheap but too messy that i am lazy to flip & hunt for it!

For books, i would prefer Chiang mai which has plenty of used book store around it. Cheap & good! There is also another used book store which serve food as well. Is nice with the settings. OH ya, i also get to know a few Thailand ladies who are friendly. Unfortunately, i don't get their contact as i am quite lazy to contact. They are pretty as well. :)

Chiang mai is much better than Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. More peaceful, more friendly. Perhaps because the speed is much slower than bangkok? No idea, but i would return to Chiang Mai if given a chance.

I got to know a girl who stay next door to me in bangkok guest house. She is from Switzerland. Same age, studying nursing & friendly. *wink* Speak quite good english. I also found out that they speak french. I thought they might have their own language. GOSh! I feel like a outdated young man!

Above all, GOD showed me lots of things. People here are friendly instead of being rude, but some of them are really poor. Their kind hearted affection really touch my heart.

What will i miss for this trip? Perhaps it was the food in Chiang Mai! Bangkok as well...hehe. Kao Soi, a northen special dish, more like our Curry Laksa, but not that spicy. The food stall that are on the road side: With 10 Baht, i can buy a pack of fried squid! The Omelette rice, which cost only 10 Baht in Bangkok. I went there twice & get the same dish twice.{FYI, 10 Baht = MYR 1} At chacutak market, the 3 baht ice cream. I ate quite alot! Never count~~

To get a good deal from shopping, you really need to walk around the places. I do a lot of walking & my leg was quite pain. There are like needle poking my leg. ouch! Compare prices in between the stalls, make sure you do remember where it was! It could be confusing if you don't remember it. Some market are like maze, but once you are there a few time, you will be used to it.

For my flight back to Penang, i took an early trip to Airport cause i can't wait for the bus in the wee hours. I was "stranded" in the airport for 9 hours. JK! Well, i spend my time at the cafe lounge. The cafe are mainly for the worker, pilot, stewardness, & public as well. I saw various airlines of stewardness in their uniform! Dream comes true! haha...no la, just so happy to be there! Strange but true, i didn't noticed any AirAsia stewardness having a meal there. sigh... :(
Was looking forward to take a picture with them.

During the time while i was at the public restaurant, God show me that the pace we live now are very fast. We didn't slow down & look up to GOD. In my heart i have to agree with it. We often rush to do things and put GOD aside. Even worshipping GOD also need to rush & end on time.

I remember Pastorpher was sharing on how the Korean churches pray everyday. They prayed with their heart, & they prayed all the day until they are enough. Some with commitment in work will leave early, but they do come for a prayer before work. These are the strong relationship that build over time that i have seen.

When we rush thing, we will miss a thing.

Recently i have a conversation with a friend that i have not seen for months. What struck me is that he mention a pastor said that the "Relationship with GOD is the most interesting thing in the life of a Christian." I have to agree. Not the earthly thing, not the soul mate, not the satisfaction of life,& definitely Not money. But a relationship with GOD!

Many sheep are lost,
How many can find their shepard?
Or how many can accept a loving shepard?

Happiness is the key. Without happiness, you got nothing. Peace is in front of you. It's either you take or denied. GOD always give choice for us. Sometimes, we are just so stubborn. Make a wise choice.

Life is like a boat. journey are unstable. Yet you need a light to shine for you. GOD is always there for you.GOD BLESS!

PS: I come back with a luggage that weight 22 KG

SABAH VY superb!

This is my first time visiting sabah. I really have a lot to share with all of my friend. Let me state those things that i experience for the first time in sabah:

* Flying with air asia & taking my first flight of my life!
* See the aerial view from the plane.
* Climbing the MKK.
* SAW for the 1st time CRYSTAL CLEAR beach water!
* COLD until i shake my whole body at MKK.
* Live in Trekker Lodge with westerner.
* Trying out HOT SPRING!
* Tried the best BEEf RENDANG that will not be out of stock after passing one round to share with 10+ of people.
* SAW with my own eyes the blinking star that you can't get from West Msia.

Above are some of the experience that i gone thru. Is really enjoyable and i can't forget it. All your life, MKK is a place you must visit to enjoy the nature that will captivate your heart for the rest of your life. The name "The Land above the Wind" for sabah is not without it's worthiness. My entire life perspective change when i went to sabah.

It was totally different than what i have expected. Sabah people are not like west msia. Most of them are friendly and they smile alot. Of course there are some part which may not be nice, but overall, it is awesome.

When i first arrived, i thought of being in a foreign country like indonesia or other country. The people there have a dark skin and it does make me feel uncomfortable. As the time goes by, i don't feel that anymore. May be there are alot of Sumandak Palawa that attract me. :P

KK city is just a small town that have it's own uniqueness. I walk the whole town in a few days time. But what capture my heart was the trip to MKK. The trail was not easy. Compare with Gasing Hill, this is really tough. There are lots of stones, steps,& jungle trek. Not forgetting is the wind that blow towards us. It's cold wind. It's not suprising that some westerner take it easy for the trek to the peak.

I took 6 hour to reach Laban Rata, two third of the height of MKK. We overnight at the mini hut that just have a simple facilities. I am freezing cold at the hut! Can't sleep the whole night! Was with "SS" and 2 outsider in the hut. Around 11 pm, we woke up and try to warm our self. The electric was cut-off at the period.(It was later re-connected.)

What capture me is the moon! Is sooooooo BRIGHT! & ROUND! The star are all over the sky. It's like blinking to me saying HI! I can't count how many star are there! May be thousand over...And ya, i also saw meteor flying over the sky. Wishing star? May be? I dunno...

When i reach 7-8KM of the journey, what i see is really wordless. I can't describe the beauty of MKK. Only those who went up there and enjoy it would know how it felt. Awesome, superb, & fabulous!

I didn't reach till the peak. It was too chilling. But i made a promise i will go again in the future. MKK is really capturing my heart.

Not forgetting is the blue blue sky that are so bright. It is not normal blue and grey color, but a clear blue sky that capture my heart. What you see in KL city may be different than in Sabah. Sabah is a superb place & good for romantic occasion.

The best part for couple would be Poring Hot Spring. Good for honeymoon and relaxation. The park is nicely decorated, awesome and clean. I must say that i have to put my first choice of travelling to a romantic place around Malaysia on Poring Hot Spring. There are jungle trekking, Hot spring, Caves for explore, & other outdoor activities. I don't feel much mosquito there. The dorm are just nice, not too hot or cold.

Remembering that 8 of us were cramp in a dorm. It wasn't that bad after all. It was so nice! All of us really enjoy it! Although most of our leg are screaming in pain, but it leaves a good impression. :P

The first group leave on monday, the other were on island hopping. It was nice with the beach! I really enjoy it! Crystal clear beach and pure white sand. I really love it! My heart are falling in love with the beach!

Coming back to reality, i really miss sabah alot. So many things that capture me! (Or may be i am a kampung boy?) Perhaps city life are not for me? The wind! I can't feel it better than in sabah!

The other day i was chatting with a friend and i saw a moon. It wasn't that nice compare with Sabah while i was at MKK. MAN, miss it so dearly!

Perhaps i should name my self kampung boy. Falling in love with nature and thus should also find a partner who would enjoy nature as well. Sumandak palawa! (The only word i know in Kadazan language.)

Wordless...Making my heart popping while i type it out. At first i place Cameron Highland on top , Now it would be Sabah! The best place to visit! VMY 07-08 is still around, bring it on for your self!

NOTE: MKK means Mount Kota Kinabalu

SABAH No1

Sabah Pic

The above link is d pic from my trip to sabah. Do enjoy the photo. I will update more when i get more picture from my friend. The post on sabah will be updated once i am free.

3 monkeys play a fool...

How to test a girl whether they have gone thru the societies? easy! 3 monkeys tested a girl last week while going for a trip. They may tackle her for a while, then asking all the nonsense, and at last, asked for her name. Finally, they concluded that she is polite and a good good girl.

Before this, they went to ate at a fish monger village. They also saw a young lady there. As usual, they just bring out all the stuff and test her. YUP, they found the wrong fish. She has experience in handling "GOLDFISH UNCLE" with her words. Excellent! They praise her for that great feedback.

In this society, human beings really need to know how to handle people. If not, people on earth may as well fail to get past the barrier towards a challenging life ahead of them.

During the trip to Uncle Lim (only some may know) place, they stop by at an isolated place. When they reached, there are alot of cleaning up to do. "I figure it out that 3 male monkey are quite well in it." But overall, they lack of "womanities" to help them. Yea, woman indeed play a role in our life. Like our mom, she always use her warmness to cool us down, give us advice, spanking our backside when we are wrong, prepared dinner for us, & much more that they had contributed to us.

There is also a mandarin wisdom sentence that goes like this: Behind every succesful man lies a great woman who help him get back on the track. WOW! Agree?

life is indeed great! GUYS, treasure the woman behind U! :P