De Doodle Blog by YChien

Growing Up and Saying Goodbyes

2015-07-25T14:34:00.001+08:00

The funny thing about growing up is like one minute you know you hate bitter gourd, and the next minute you realize that you have fallen in love with it. It's sort of like an awakening, suddenly things are clearer and you see how stupid you were.

That's how it is like for me.

I have been thinking about doodling - Why did I come back? Why did I leave? Was it influence? Was it an escape? And now I could see it clearly that I was escaping something back then, from a space that no longer belonged to me. It was easier to fall back to things that I once belonged to, like this blog. But then little did I know that I had actually grown out of it. Yes, I did.

So I guess, this is not only good bye. It's Farewell. And Thank You. For those who have stuck around; encouraged me; hoped for me; wished for me; believed in me; supported me; cheered for me and also for all those who have left me.

The thing is, I love writing digitally or physically. And I doubt that I would stop writing ever. So I have created a space of my own, specially for myself; a place where I write especially for myself and for those who love and accept me for who I really am. And also to celebrate that I am suddenly and more than ever achieved a certain clarity in my life, that I am no longer so lost anymore. The space is right here.

I will see you around then. Adios.

Because Feeling Good is Wonderful!

2015-07-12T13:11:00.004+08:00

It’s July already, can you imagine just how fast time passes? With a blink of an eye and just a whisper of a smoke, we are already in the middle of Year 2015!

Today, I am going to write about many things here.Year 2015 has been really awesome, and I believe all these are my own doing, I vibrate them to come to me. There are plenty of opportunities along the way that have led me to where I am now, right now, feeling giddy, happy, empowered and plainly like I am on top of the world. Oh yeah, whatever you say, I truly believe that I am capable of doing anything at all. You ain’t gonna bring me down, NOPE.

My swimming sessions have been paying off. I am not like super-model-slim, in fact I don’t want that kinda unhealthy body image. I wanted to be fit. Taking the first step to swimming after being idle for so long was difficult, but down the road, it is all worth it. I can see my body is toning, my clothes are getting looser; my complexion is better and I sleep so well. Really, I don’t really care what you say about swimming getting broad shoulders, I love my body, I love being fit and if you don’t exercise, seriously, you have no rights to tell me which sports I should do or should not. At the end of the day, I am the one exercising, and you being in the couch potato should just stick to your couch. Hehe!

Oh, my passion is burning, as you all know, I love diving and I am in love with it. Thinking about it makes me really happy and suddenly there are just plenty of people and dive trips coming along my way all the time. This is so wonderful and I have managed to fit in 3 diving trips on this 2nd half of the year. I am confident that I am going to make wonderful friends along the way. And I truly absolutely believe that our trips are going to be wonderful, we are making good memories and yes, we are going to see something good during our diving trips! Something rare that’s worth every conversations in the future. And most importantly, we are going to be safe, happy and alive when we return homes as planned.

I have also fully and truthfully come into terms with my sexuality. This is something I have been struggling and confusing myself for a long while. I truly believe that sexuality is fluid and if you put it strictly, it’s just a spectrum that society puts labels on because they don’t really have conclusive answers for the entire working of it. And I am so happy that I can now be honest to myself and my friends. And I am really grateful that there are people who accept me. While there are others who question about the entire sexuality concept, too bad for you all, you are missing half the fun! Whatever it is, I believe in love. True love. To me, it’s LOVE first. Other qualities such as skin color, gender and etc, come much much much later. So YAY to myself! This is good!

I am feeling really wonderful, like I am not even kidding or faking it. There are secrets to this positive energy that I am feeling. There are things that I have been doing to improve my body, mind and soul. You might question about my methods, but honestly, it’s nothing harmful. These are just things that you and I have come across the internet for many many times and while you are skeptical about it, I am a firm believer. At the end of the day, look who’s complaining about bad day? Definitely not me.

I am never stingy with my knowledge so in the next few posts, I am going to list down things I do everyday. ;)

Busy Times

2015-06-28T14:53:00.000+08:00

I have been lazy. I have been lazy to do anything especially drawing. The irony is that this is supposedly a DOODLE blog but here I am writing and writing even more. Should I just switch side and rename it to THE NONSENSE-WRITING blog.

June has been really busy for me. A lot of activities and tons of money flowing out from my pocket. I hope that it's all worth it in the end. I have so many dive trips lining up this year, I am really excited to be honest, so excited. I pray earnestly that everything will happen and end smoothly and that everyone including myself and all whom are travelling together will have happy memories!

I bought my own equipments! Now I have full set of diving equipment already, I am ready to explore further. Oceans, wait for me, I am coming for you.

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Also, I have been eating lotsa good foods, no wonder my belly just won't refuse to budge despite how many laps I swim per week. But these desserts are out there, so tempting, so delicious....waiting for me.....

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On the other note, the weather has been too hot lately. Just few weeks prior, it was raining cats and dogs around here. I am not sure if it's because I am getting more conscious about the weather, but it seems like it just keeps weirder, plus the facts global warming is freaking real and happening at an alarming rate despite what all the naysayer says. It's scary in a way, and it keeps me wondering if I will live long enough to see the world end. If it gets this warm I think I will just move to the islands. These warm weathers seem to be better when you are near the oceans, maybe I should, one day and get myself really dark and tan.

All in all, June has been a good month, and I just can't wait for all the coming trips!
Till then, hasta la vista baby!

All is Well and Getting Better.

2015-06-18T21:03:00.000+08:00

I think it has been approximately four months with a lot of determinations, groans, whines, complaints, pain, tears and sweats to get to this point where I feel quite healthy, quite fit and generally satisfied and happy with how my body is. And I only hope that from now on, it gets better and better.

I have always loved swimming than any other on-ground sports/activities. I love the water. It's like my natural element, something I can't explain except that I feel very much belonged in it. Maybe in my past life I was a marine live, a dolphin perhaps? I do wish so.

Going back to what I was saying, yeah I love swimming but I lost touch with it since I entered high school. I no longer swam regularly and naturally my body size increased horizontally so fast before I could even react. For years, I had been fighting with it by controlling my diet to no avail. And together with my slowing metabolism, all these fats were winning the war. I was depressed for a long while. I know it was such a stupid thing to be depressed about but I wasn't feeling confident of myself. I couldn't fit into my pants and shirts any more. The worst was, I couldn't enjoy what I love - diving. I was always tired after one simple dive and if there was current, however small, I tired out so easily that I always felt like I was going to die somehow.

Then, something happened in my life. That was it, the trigger! I thought to myself like screw it, nobody is going to take care of you if you don't do it yourself. And the first thing that I needed to change was to stop being a couch potato! (Also the fact that I am working with a 45-years-old manager who looks like he is only in his 30s because he exercises regularly kinda motivates me a lot...) On top of all that, I have somehow and miraculously ended up in the fast food industry, which means I literally cannot avoid processed food these days when product development is part of job scope... If I don't start exercising, just imagine how horizontal I would be. So that's how I have ended up swimming almost daily these days, always pushing myself to the limit each time with the hope that I could swim laps without really stopping in the future.

It has been five months now and before I even thought about it, I can now swim longer and longer and longer, without any rest! And also, I am starting to see the transformation, like how most of shirts and pants are becoming really loose and the muscles are starting to show. I am less tired, sleep better and the best thing is that I don't feel so guilty during those days when I eat a little bit more than usual.

This realization of course makes me extremely happy. I know a lot of people will tell you like you have to incorporate certain exercises to build your strength or that swimming will give you broad shoulders... Tell you what, screw them. Pick a sports you like regardless what the others say, because it's so much easier to motivate yourself to exercise when you pick a sports you really enjoy, make it a habit to do it consistently and reap the benefits later.

And most importantly, take that first step.

Something You Love.

2015-05-25T21:54:00.001+08:00

Hello. I am back.

Time passes away so cruelly and so quickly, isn't it? Half of year 2015 has already ticked away. And what have you been doing? Have you found yourself? Meaning of love? Happiness? Have you been spending enough time with people who matter? Have you been walking to your dreams? Or are you running away from them?

These questions I have been asking the same of myself and I found myself at a roadblock. How do we define happiness really? How do we define love? Everyone has their own definitions to these abstract concepts, what's yours and what's mine anyways? To some, it's money; to another, it's food; to me though, I think it's really diving.

I liked diving, a lot. It's not until now however, that I realize just how much I am really really in love with it. I guess the feeling comes along because I hang out with the right company; and I am so glad despite the circumstances, I have decided to continue pursuing this hobby and now it has turned into a full-blown passion which I absolutely enjoy to the max. This crazy obsession of mine, may cause a lot of money but spending on something you really love; like a joy in your heart is something you can't really put a value on. How can you measure memories, laughter and friendship that you gain along the way with monetary values? At the end of the day, as long as I don't come back with huge debt and still have sufficient in my account to survive the months, all is well.

So the next time you see me going around diving, give me a high five! Because you know, I am doing something I really love, and I hope that whatever that you may doing in life, you have something or someone you love with you, just so that if life never happens the way you want or it starts throwing you lemons, you know where to get the best lemonade done and enjoy it.

I just came back from Redang Island again! And I finally took my Advanced Course, yahoo!

Happy Labour Day!

2015-04-30T23:00:00.000+08:00

How are you celebrating?
I think I am going to read a good book and rest my soul.
Sounds perfect. ;)

No Money! Or Maybe Yes.

2015-04-12T14:17:00.000+08:00

That's where my money goes.

March Vacation 2015

2015-03-31T18:49:00.003+08:00

Hello! I have returned from my vacation! I had a rather fun and interesting trip. I have always been in a diver's club that I joined through a forum and after many missed chances, I finally got to join them for this small dive trip and needless to say, it was very fun! I met new people with the same passion and learned many great tips from them, since they are all very experienced. ;) We were in Redang Island, Malaysia. As far as I know, the dive sites there aren't as well known as many other beautiful islands around Peninsular Malaysia, it turned out to be a rather relaxing dive trip after all, mainly because we were lodging in Redang Laguna Resort and with its all-in-package and wonderful services! Seriously, if you are visiting, check Redang Laguna Resort, the prices you are paying may be slightly higher as compared to the others but the services, the peace and ease of mind are worth every penny of yours.

Now let's talk about diving! We dived with Laguna Dive Centre and since it belongs with the resort, they have big boats! I love going out to the ocean with big boats to dive because there will be ample of spaces for us to get into the gears, small ones are just plain comfortable with tons of punching around. The underwater world is ok, beautiful but not impressive as others I have been to before.

Overall, it has been a good trip, so unforgettable that I am returning there very soon again.

Brace yourself, Vacation is Coming

2015-03-11T22:10:00.005+08:00

While I really want to be excited for my upcoming dive trip, going away for vacation also means that I need to finish up a lot of my work before I can go and enjoy myself in peace.

This is working life for you.

Why Am I Not Going?

2015-02-28T20:32:00.000+08:00

I have been seriously addicted to reading. A lot of times I have to contemplate if I should attend go that luncheon or if I should just stay at home and read the whatever book I am into.

It's kinda bad for my social life, but the books seem to be more interesting than reality...

But wait! I never ignore my friends of course, just drop me a message any time, I still logon and check my phone. ;)

When Your Favorite Song is also Your Ringtone...

2015-02-09T09:00:00.000+08:00

Maybe I won't be picking up calls anymore.

So Many Holes

2015-01-31T16:33:00.002+08:00

I guess all Malaysian drivers can relate to all these with all the MRT constructions everywhere...

I hope the MRT constructions will finish soon enough so that our roads can be fixed and hopefully, lesser jams later when the public transportation system has been revamped!

For now, we Malaysian drivers will have to drive vigilantly for the sake of our poor poor cars.

Legend of Korra, I Pick You! [Part 2]

2015-01-20T21:56:00.000+08:00

The grand finale of Legend of Korra was aired on 20th December 2014, and one month later, there’s still a lot of buzz going around in fandom. Die-hard, obsessed, addicted and amazed fans like me will probably remember the magical moments for a very long time. I have mentioned this plenty of times and I don’t think I will ever tire out saying this over and over – Legend of Korra is a marvelous animated TV series. And the relationship between Korra and Asami is truly a great writing. There has never been a better queer representation on children’s TV than LOK, in fact it delivers far better than many other adult movies or TV series with similar theme.

What I like most is the positive representation of woman, and not only the young ones; even the old ladies are as powerful and play as important roles as the men in the series. And then there is the blossoming friendship between Korra and Asami that slowly and subtly develops into something more; something more romantic and along the way, they have already fallen in love before they even know about it.

I believe that a lot of people are crazy over this development because it feels real, true and strong and more so, it’s relatable to many queer people out there. Unlike heterosexual people who can openly start flirting when they find someone whom they are at least/midly attracted to; many queer people begin differently unless the person you are attracted to has already made known of his/her orientation. In many cases, it begins like Korrasami; first as good friends and along the way, they may or may not discover that they are actually attracted to each other more than just friends and then fall in love even without being together or in a relationship.

How do I know? As a person who strongly believes that LOVE is just love and sexuality is just as fluid, I may have or may have not experienced the same thing. :)

Mostly, I believe Korrasami is also an accurate portrayal of true love. I know that attraction or infatuation do happen at first sight; but falling in love is another matter altogether; that takes a lot of time and effort and even then there is still a risk of it not even working out in the end. And I don’t believe that you have to be in relationship to make it happen. Like Korrasami, they know they are good friends, heck they are probably aware of being attracted to each other in one or two ways, but it is not until 3-4 years and multiple life-threatening adventures later that they realize that perhaps, their attraction never stops and has been falling in love unknowingly. In the end, when the relationship begins, we see two mature people who have already fallen in love with each other, coming together and making the decision to journey and explore their future lives together; not just – “Let’s get together and see if we fall in love or not” relationship. And that to me, is beautiful.

Love can come in many forms. Gone are those days where true love comes in the form of Prince Charming saving damsel in distress; or witty, humorous bad boys courting an impossibly rich and unapproachable girls and then fall in love just because someone saves the day. It’s time to show the future generations that love can happen anywhere when you least expect it. Sometimes, it develops like Korrasami; or it takes a long time; or it takes multiple separations and failed relationships to finally come around with the one; or it happens later in your lives; or it happens with not the prince charming you have always dreamt of; or and or and or….. And very also very importantly, platonic friendship do exist between males and females and that just because you hang out with another person of opposite sexes, you are sleeping together, no.

To the creators, supportive staffs, and all the people behind this awesome series, thank you for pushing the boundaries to portray Korrasami. May this be the defining series for all the positive changes to come in all children’s television.

And thank you to all my readers for bearing with my obsession with Korrasami.

Actually, there are also a lot of many other things to love about LOK in total like its brilliant and detailed animation; its deep yet relevant theme in each season and so many more! It's a really good TV series.

Legend of Korra, I Pick You! [Part 1]

2015-01-12T11:00:00.000+08:00

Three years ago when I first saw Legend of Korra with all the posters and trailers, I was intrigued mainly because we seldom get cartoons that feature female heroins. You could argue that anime has a lot of them but think about it, which of them isn't sexualised, or for the sake of fan service.

So Legend of Korra actually stands out a lot being particularly unique because not only the main character is a young, athletic female, she is not a white and by the western animation standard, it's a pretty risky move. I know Disney produces many movies with female as their main characters but they are all always damsels in distress whereas Korra is different, instead of being saved, she is doing the saving. I mean the idea is getting old and I am pretty tired of the media representation when it comes to females and always portraying them as weak beings that need to be rescued. It's time to show something different in the cartoon televisions!

And that's how I started watching Legend of Korra. You should try it out! :)

Worthy Book FnB Edition 2014/2015

2015-01-05T09:00:00.000+08:00

This is real! There are 180 F&B vouchers in this book with lotsa discounts and freebies inside, featuring 44 brands of restaurants and popular F&B Franchises in Malaysia. This book will have something for everyone so be sure to grab one today. It's really a good deal!

You can easily get a copy of this Worthy Book F&B Edition 2014/2015 from all major bookstores (MPH, Popular, Times, Borders, Kinokuniya) and selected myNEWS.com outlets in KL and Selangor.

If you need more convincing than this, be sure to visit their social network platforms to find out more about this Worthy Book 2014/2015 FnB Edition:

Website: www.worthybook.my

Facebook: www.facebook.com/worthybook

Instagram: www.instagram.com/worthybook

Twitter: www.twitter.com/worthybook_my

Blog: www.worthybook.blogspot.com

Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/WorthyBook

Now if you will excuse me, I am off to exploring more food with my Worthy Book and enjoy wonderful discounts while doing so. :)

Go ahead and grab one book now and enjoy all the discounts and goodies that come along in this book!

My Year 2014

2014-12-31T00:00:00.000+08:00

It’s time of the year again; to celebrate and welcome another brand new year; to write resolutions that we know that we will never be able to fulfill… So unless you have done everything that you have set for yourself, then here’s a pat to your shoulder from me to you...Congratulation! Now go on and write more resolutions! As for me, I can’t even remember if I have made any resolutions for year 2014 but one thing I know for sure that it has been an interesting ride!

Looking back at what I did in Year 2013, which I have written it here… I couldn’t help to cringe at my own ridiculousness because apart from getting my diving license, what I have achieved in that year has been so insignificant; but I guess I wouldn’t know better at that time. I take it as a good sign though, that I could laugh at my old self for being so childish because it means that I have grown out of it, and probably become wiser now than I was before. And to make sure that I get a good laugh of my own absurdity on every end of another year, I am going to attempt in writing down what I have done before departing to another brand journey ahead.

Year 2014 has been an intriguing ride. For starter, I have read more than 100 books in this year alone! The exact number is actually 106 as of today and if you ask me how do I even know? I have a google sheet specifically to list down all the books I have finished for the year. I must thank my nifty little Kobo Mini for being ever so efficient and convenient. With Kobo Mini, I can bring my books everywhere and can easily steal some time indulging in some wonderful stories anytime, anywhere. And more than ever, I find myself falling in love more and more with books. I have literally turned myself into a book nerd and I don’t regret every second of it. There’s something very therapeutic about reading. It literally opens up your mind, changes your perspectives and teaches you to be more compassionate towards many things in life. And for the coming new year, I hope to come across with more inspiring books that will teach me more things about life itself.

Next, I need to talk about diving in Sipadan. This is one of my most memorable highlights in this year and I believe that it will be in my mind for a very long time. I had always known that we humans are really tiny in the face of nature and after spending 5 days 4 nights around the beautiful islands in West Malaysia, I finally had the chance to see it for myself, just how tiny and unsubstantial our lives are. We are just part of something so huge that many of us are so absorbed in our own self-importance that we forget to pause and think about others. We forget that there are billions of other living things in this world, sharing the same planet and sustaining the entire ecosystem together with us and with our stuck up, ignorant and selfish attitude, we forget that if we don’t protect these living things, they will vanish, the balance will be tipped off and what’s left would be our own extinction. We forget that this planet is shared, we are just one tiny part of it and who gives us the right to claim this Earth as our own and destroy the nature. The beauty of Sipadan islands and the lives around them have humbled me. And if Sipadan is only one itsy-bitsy beautiful thing of this planet, I wonder what else I could discover out there. Will we ever have the time to discover all the magnificent secrets of this world before it perishes due to our negligence? I wonder…

Year 2014 has also taught me to love myself better. For a while I was stuck in a miserable bond, I thought I was doing a favor by sacrificing my own happiness only to find out in the end that a toxic relationship is only going to end up badly and hurting both sides. I should have made the decision to walk away when I could but I did not have the courage to do so. Out of this unpleasant experience, I have learned that your heart knows what you really want and when it is trying to tell you something, you better listen to it. There is also nothing wrong or selfish with self love, you can love yourself without being selfish or arrogant or self absorbed. The difference is only a fine line apart yet distinguishable. And in life, sometimes you have to make that decision for yourself, even if it seems cruel and heartless to the others but when it’s done for the sake of your own love to yourself, you need to do it regardless what the others say or think. You owe that love to yourself, not love from others but the love that comes from you to your ownself. And when you start loving yourself, you will find wonders of what you can accomplish and achieve.

Another thing Year 2014 has given me is quality friendship which I am really grateful for. It’s really important to surround yourself with like-minded friends and people who can truly accept you for who you really are. It is such a blessing that I have found these people whom I can talk about anything in this world and even better that we share many of the same views, beliefs and principles together. And much thanks to this bunch of crazy friends, I have come to learn to accept myself better and be comfortable in my own skin. Out of these 365 days, we have talked about how shallow and close minded a lot of people are when their reasons in going against certain issues don’t even make sense. And we talk about how easily most people are being led by the media or the society they are in that they can’t even think rationally for themselves. While I admit that we are not perfect ourselves or even self righteousness, we accept our flaws, analyze and discuss over many dumbfounded issue that have plaguing our planet. We examine why some groups of people are thinking this way; why do they close up their minds; why do they have to do this and that and at the end of the heated discussions, we all laugh all over about them and vow never to be like them in the future. There are some interesting issues that we have been discussing among us that I would really like to share with the rest… but with these 1000 words essay right here, I will have to put them in another post.

Overall, Year 2014 has taught me many things, plenty of self discoveries and lessons. It's essentially a very good year. I mean what's so bad in a year that many of my OTP(s) come true! What do I hope for the new year? New discoveries, new adventures, good people, good friendship and lotsa love. :)

Happy New Year! :)

In Summary:
1. I changed job, yeah like it's exciting.
2. I read more than 100 books in a year.
3. I visited Sipadan Island and dived there.
4. I made a conscious decision for the sake of my happiness and walked away from things which have been toxic to me.
5. Of course I love my family and friends.
6. Korrasami and so many other of my OTPs come true!
7. Thank you Year 2014. :)

Why Legend of Korra Matters

2014-12-26T00:00:00.001+08:00

We need to talk about Legend of Korra.

If you are a fan, you should already know that LOK has finally reached it end with its marvelous and much talked about finale. The entire fandom and internet are going wild with its courageous ending, and with that leaving its legendary mark in the history of children's television. For many years to come, many people will remember Legend of Korra. And we can all see just why.

When I first came upon Legend of Korra two years ago, I was deeply intrigued by the Korra, the main character, heroin and also as an avatar in the show. Korra is different than a lot of cartoon shows I have come across, especially by the standard of the west.

First off, the heroin is a female, not just some stereotypical female with big boobs, dresses and all the feminine qualities that you could imagine; She is the valiant, slightly masculine, athletic and not-afraid-to-kick-ass type of female and thinking back, I couldn't even remember when she actually wore dresses in the entire 4 seasons. Korra isn't the typical female in many shows that need protection, she fights very well and isn't the type to back down from the taunting of men. And most of all, Korra has dark skin and whatever races she is in, she is not white; in which I feel that this itself is such a bold step. I mean look at all the famous cartoons, which of them actually feature powerful females as the main players and at the same time aren't whites? And it's not just Korra, most of the female characters in the entire series hold roles as important as the males and not just as sidekicks, princesses in distress or trophy wives.

Back to the finale that has stirred up quite a ruckus until the two creators themselves came out and confirmed the ending: that Korra and another female lead are now together, romantically. In short, Korrasami is canon.

I love how the creators are trying to empower the people through this representation instead of making it into just another marketing gimmick or baiting the queer community for the sake of viewership. They genuinely want to challenge the limit and show a positive expression of love to the audiences; that women and men can have platonic friendships that are both inspiring and empowering; just like the relationship between Korra and Mako.

Then there's Asami, who is an equally powerful female lead and whose friendship with Korra has developed into something more throughout the four seasons. Some people think that it's too sudden and as quoted by Bryke (the creator), that's just because you are viewing the entire show with a "hetero-lens". In other words, your mind is so closed up that you are unwilling to accept the existence of non-heterosexual people. The hints of their blossoming relationship may be subtle, but they are definitely there, displayed right in front of your eyes. And the development is gradual, not rushed for the sake of pairing two people together. It is not the major plot; it grows at the side until it reaches the climatic moment. It feels so real. However, what we never expected is that the creators actually pushed it further and make the relationship canon on a children's television! So kudos for their determination!

So why is it such a big deal? Because we are talking about children's television and to actually have queer representation in one is a very progressive move. Our lives are shaped by the society we are in, and while you can say there are many queer movies out there already, but to actually portray one in a kid's show, apart from Legend of Korra, I would say none has made it this obvious or that far. It is so important to teach our children from young that love is never wrong, whether it is happening between two person of different or same sexes so that they can start seeing things with open minds, that non-heterosexual people exist out there and it's okay if you are one of these people because ultimately, it is just two humans falling in love with each other. Love is never wrong.

And here I would like to quote directly from Bryke's tumblr:

“I’ve become skeptical of the unwritten rule that just because a boy and girl appear in the same feature, a romance must ensue. Rather, I want to portray a slightly different relationship, one where the two mutually inspire each other to live - if I’m able to, then perhaps I’ll be closer to portraying a true expression of love.” - Hayao Miyazaki (a masterful storyteller and co-founder of Studio Ghibli.)

I agree with him wholeheartedly, especially since the majority of the examples in media portray a female character that is little more than a trophy to be won by the male lead for his derring-do. So Mako and Korra break the typical pattern and end up respecting, admiring, and inspiring each other. That is a resolution I am proud of.

However, I think there needs to be a counterpart to Miyazaki’s sentiment: Just because two characters of the same sex appear in the same story, it should not preclude the possibility of a romance between them. No, not everyone is queer, but the other side of that coin is that not everyone is straight.

Legend of Korra has its flaws, it is not perfect. But what is true is that all big dreams begin with one small tiny step and LOK has certainly make its first mark and hopefully we will begin to witness positive changes in the media, children and mature televisions alike. Thank you Bryke and Michael for the awesomeness.

Did I also mention that Legend of Korra has really cool fighting scenes too?

Go check out what Bryke and Michael have written in their tumblr!

Cheers Korrasami fans!

Hangover Happens All The Time

2014-12-15T10:30:00.000+08:00

For those avid readers out there, I am sure you are familiar with this feeling - BOOK HANGOVER.

I kinda get this all the time because I read super a lot thanks to my nifty little eReader- Kobo Mini. And you can read all about it of its awesomeness right here.

Back to being book hangover, the only cure is to read more books. Yeap, and that's what I am going to do - to read more books! There are millions of great books out there waiting for me to explore them all, I can't waste any more time!

While I was browsing around the internet, I found this which practically explains all my book-hangover-feels. - 21 Signs You are suffering a book hangover.

Alright folks, I am off to reading more and more wonderful books.

What's Your Name?

2014-12-08T11:00:00.000+08:00

You and I have been through this. I am sure.

Before A Vacation

2014-12-01T09:00:00.000+08:00

After I have started working, I have come to realize that taking vacation isn't easy! Like first, you need to plan your timing properly so that it doesn't clash with some important projects. And then sometimes you don't even know when an important project will come along! And then before you leave for a vacation, you need to either finish up all your responsibilities or hand over to someone and be super worried throughout the entire vacation.

This is serious business.
Working world ain't busy, you have been warned, youngster.
Welcome to working world!

LET'S MAKE COMICS!

2014-11-01T07:43:00.000+08:00

Eh, hold on! What's this!
Stay tuned.

:)

The Hungry Hog @ SS15, Subang Jaya

2014-10-17T02:32:00.000+08:00

[NON-HALAL]

Nestled in the forever busy town - SS15, The Hungry Hog is a small humble restaurant that serves some really delicious pork dishes. They have a variety of choices and whether you love your pork done with traditional roast or western style, they have them all covered.

LASAGNE - pork ragu, creamed spinach, french bean salad; RM23.90

I am not really a fan of Lasagne or anything that's too cheesy; but the lasagne here is super good; so good that my entire being actually craves for it and that's coming from someone who used to dislike lasagne so much. The minced pork and the layers of creamed spinach blend so well together, creating an unforgettable dish. Don't forget to have it with the french bean salad that comes together with the dish to give it a more refreshing taste.

LEMONGRASS PORK - pork strips, romaine, assorted fresh herbs, carrot, cucumber; RM17.90

This is a salad dish essentially so there's a generous amount of fresh vegetables and also not forgetting the aromatic stir-fried pork with lemongrass. Instead of mixing everything together, you can take one of the big leaves and wrap it up with a good amount of pork, carrots, sliced cucumber and most importantly the savoury sauce that makes the entire thing so much more appetizing. This is a very revitalizing dish, I don't see why you won't like it because I will definitely return for this.

BACON JAM TOAST - toast, bacon jam, parsley salad; RM8.90

The bacon jam is really nice. I could have ordered like 10 plates of this without problems; though the jam is best eaten together with the toast because the bacon itself can be quite salty and the bread is there to reduce the saltiness which to some people, could be overwhelming. All in all, this is still a very delicious appetizer, I must say.

BELACAN PORK - deep fried pork nuggets; RM11.90

I love the crunchiness of the pork nuggets and each bite gives you a burst of our ever popular belacan flavour. I mean what can go wrong with our local favourite shrimp paste right? This dish is a perfect snack to go with beers and good companies.

PHRAD KHRAPAO MUU - spicy minced pork, thai basil, egg; RM13.90

As simple as it looks, this dish packs a huge amount of spiciness. This is a either you CAN or CAN'T situation because the hotness of this spaghetti is just... mind-boggling. I am not sure about you but honestly I find it so spicy that it literally just overwhelms all my senses and in a way it makes the dish tasteless because all your senses are numbed by the crazy kick. Personally, I don't enjoy it at all as I am not really fond of spicy food, but you are welcomed to try it and let me know what you think later. :)

My dining experience with The Hungry Hog has been pleasant. I love the fact that their prices are reasonable and all their dishes come in generation portions which are ideal for sharing. Given the fact that I have only visited this place twice and have ended up with huge and satisfactory stomach, I could foresee myself coming back here again to enjoy their food.

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MINI RED RATING

Ambience: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Value: 5/5

For more information:

The Hungry Hog | Facebook Page

71, Jalan SS15/4C, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor

Kansas City Steak & Ribs @ Setia Walk, Puchong

2014-09-20T05:00:00.000+08:00

[NON-HALAL]

Kansas City Steak & Ribs is situated at a humble corner in the up and coming Setia Walk, Puchong. It takes a while to find the restaurant as it's located on the first floor, you have to climb the stairs yes, and with the complicated building layout, it could take a while to find it unless you are pretty familiar with the place.

KANSAS SAMPLER - RM35.90

We order the Kansas Sampler which consist of most of the available appetizers in the menu. The items are Fried BBQ Wings, Potato Skin, Squid Rings and Sausages to replace one of the unavailable items, I believe it was shrimps.

Here I am going to be blunt, there's nothing great for Kansas Sampler, so unless you are eating in group and have people to share the plate with, don't bother ordering it because for the price you pay, it doesn't seem to be worth it. Your alternative would be to go for the single order.

PORK RIBS FULL RACK KANSAS FLAMING SAUCE - RM59.90

This pork rib is so huge that it could easily feed 4 grown men! We went in a group of four and we couldn't finish it. I must say that I am disappointed with the sauce as it wasn't even flaming as it claims to be slightly spicy. It feels like normal BBQ sauce honestly and despite the huge size, the meat is kinda overcooked? It was a very difficult and messy task for us to eat the ribs not because of its size but the meat was so hard to chew on. I have had other pork ribs from other joints and they were never like this. Sadly, we weren't impressed with the taste apart from the size.

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KANSAS CITY HICKORY BURGER - RM29.90

The burger that arrived last however saved our day! It was a pleasant surprise as just when we were kinda disappointed with the overall food quality so this dish definitely emerged as the hero that rescued the day! We enjoyed the fulfilling pork patty, just look at how thick it is and combined with the savory fried bacon, you could literally smell the awesome fragrance of the burger just immediately they brought it out from the kitchen; not forgetting the must-have melted cheese to make everything perfect.

PACIFIC SALAD - RM14.90

Pacific Salad is somewhat special; the dressing is a mixture of some peanut sauce, and probably thai chilli sauce as well? While it was a good side to complement all the other meaty dishes, my only complaint is that they could have chosen fresher vegetables.

Overall, my dining experience in Kansas City Steak & Ribs is pretty disappointing. There is a lot of room for improvement and since we didn't pay full price all the items thanks to their on-going promotion in Groupon, I have no further comments but it was still a good place to try out and who knows your taste bud might find it delicious or that they have improved? Do let me know then! So if you are living somewhere near, go ahead and check it out!

However, to ensure customers' loyalty and their revisit, it would be great if they could improve food quality instead of compromising on it just because they are doing a half price promotion. Doing promotion can help you to gain new customers to try out the quality food, but if it's not memorable and tastefully done, customers may be reluctant to return considering the fact that they have pay full prices in the future.

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MINI RED RATING

Ambience: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Food: 3/5
Value: 3/5

For more information:

Kansas City Steak & Ribs | Facebook Page

BLOCK E-01-01 Setia Walk,
Persiaran Wawasan, Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47100 Puchong New Village, Selangor, Malaysia

8 Reasons Why You Should Watch Orphan Black

2014-09-04T17:29:00.000+08:00

I don't really write a lot about TV Series or Movies but when I do, you bet that the show is real good to actually make me spend time gushing about it.

So, ladies and gentleman, get your popcorn, blankets and beer ready because we are about to head out to a crazy adventure!

Orphan Black is a TV series, but it isn't just any other shows; it is one of the best out there and sadly not a lot of people are watching it.

I am a person who take my tv shows, movies, music critically. I mean, hey, I am about to spend 50 minutes on each episode so I have to make sure it is worth my time, besides, I love shows that get my brain going, not just some mindless entertainment and thank you Orphan Black because it gives me all of those and even more.

The series begins with Sarah Manning, a con artist by trade who happened to in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessed a suicide of a woman, Beth Childs who appears to look exactly like her. Bewildered, Sarah takes on Beth's identity as a police detective and discovers deep, dark, and dangerous secrets about her origins.

To make it simpler for you, I am going to list down why I love Orphan Black and why you should really watch it! And why I am pretty sure you will be addicted like I am.

A REALLY POWERFUL LEAD

Ten minutes into the show and I already know that I am hooked. The plot easily piques your curiosity and bewitches you to stay to find out more. And the rest of the storyline is as enthralling. Of course, this is made happened thanks to Tatiana Maslany with her wonderful performance.

GRIPPING, CONSPIRATORY, WELL-TIMED PLOT

A lot of shows start off majestically to boost the rating in the beginning and then totally neglect the storylines later. Orphan Black is not like that, each episode is jam packed with new information, new arcs, new twists and each pieces are important in supporting the entire series to ease into the main conspiracy; not just mindless and useless fluffs just to fill up the time like a lot of TV shows do. Best of all, even with the erratic occurrences happening to different characters simultaneously, the entire show doesn't feel confusing at all. You can easily pick up the storyline even with all the madness going on, and that's what I really like about Orphan Black because sci-fi tv series can get so overly imaginative and confusing at all times but Orphan Black manages to tie everything together while keeping the suspense and entertainment values going.

CHARACTERS DEVELOPMENT

The entire show is about cloning, and how the main character - Sarah Manning along with her clones discovering their origins, purposes and the messy entanglement with their creators.

In the show, the characters actually grow with their experiences along with their emotions. All the characters are not what you expect them to be, one minute you will be hating them for what they have done; another minute you would be questioning their motives, their stands and whether or not you would be doing the same if you were in the same shoes. And the next minute, you would see yourself getting attached to the character you thought you hated in the first place.

The characters are all extremely 3-Dimensional and they grow throughout the shows. There's a lot of element surprises here. Be prepared!

AMAZING CASTS

The main actress is marvellous and with equally impressive supporting actors, actress and with substantial story arcs, you get a mind-blowing show, seriously. A good show cannot only rely on its plot, the casts play very important roles and thankfully, they have picked out all the right ones to represent the characters. And I really like the chemistry between all of them that makes everything feels so right. Oh, and that British accent is something we all cannot miss.

TECHNOLOGICAL MARVELS

I must say the production house behind this show seriously puts in the effort in the technology aspects. Having two identical person in the same screen has never felt so real, for many moments I kept thinking to myself "Tatiana (the main actress) must have twins in real life! This is so real!".

WEIRD SENSE OF HUMOR, IN A GOOD WAY

Despite the dark plot, the show can sometimes be very funny. Watch out for their intelligent dialogues that actually crack you up laughing.

IT MAKES YOU THINK

The show carries more messages than you think. It's not just a simple brilliant written feminist show; It is an indirect representation of our lives in these clones. Even though these women are self-reliant; however in the face of the entire "systems" and the "laws" that been set since ages ago, they keep facing roadblocks; being objectified and have no autonomy towards their own bodies.

These people in the "system" uses these backward laws to govern these women, making claims and modifying their bodies and patenting their genetic codes, thus effectively degrade these people with actual lives to merely company's properties and nothing more.

And also there's the LGBT issues, one of the clones happen to be a brilliant scientist and in one of the scenes where she is supposed to be employed in a big research corporation and all the other person is interested in is her sexuality when it is nothing related to whatever she is going to be working on. Thus her famous quote:

Doesn't this sound exactly like our society works? Stereotypes, labels, objectification and so much more that plague so many people.

Women are haunted by the same "system" and people couldn't look pass one uniqueness of another being just because they are different than what the society dictates them to be.

TATIANA MASLANY

Last but not least, the brilliant brilliant brilliant main actress that makes this show so so real and so so wonderful. The fact that she is juggling 10 characters in the show is not an easy task and what makes it more profound is her ability to insert distinguishable individuality into each characters so perfectly, whether it's the postures, the accents, the way they speak, facial expressions and most importantly it's the eyes.

It's hard enough for an actor to act out or grasp the essence of one character; Tatiana however has been playing all ten. And you could easily differentiate them without any confusion. There are actually plenty of scenes where the other clone has to impersonate the other one; like Sarah impersonation Alison to help her out from her situation, and Tatiana manages to pull all these off perfectly and it's always easy to tell which character she is portraying at the time. If this is not talent, I don't know what really is.

Whether it's the impressive acting skill portrayed by Tatiana and so often proven on screen that she could switch easily to another clone during the impersonation scenes; or the storyline that keeps your curiosity running wild; and the messages that kick your brain thinking; Orphan Black is a good show, ones that deserve more rounds of applause and recognition ~~(especially the actress who "conveniently" got omitted from Emmys two years in a row!)~~

Marathon-ing Season 1 and Season 2 throughout the weekends without sleeps is totally worth it.

I just wish Season 3 could come quick enough! And I am just glad to know that a lot of people share the same feel as I that Tatiana Maslany deserves any best actress awards out there! Damn!

4 Reasons Why Food Delivery is AWESOME!

2014-08-28T06:44:00.000+08:00

I love the internet, how could you not? It gives me lotsa anwers and solutions to everything and one of the things that I absolutely adore is online shopping. You can order just about anything and have your things delivered right to your doorstep, including a nice hot meal. Don't tell me you don't love to order your stuff online.

SAVE TIME

I live in a city where there's always road rage because everyone seems to be rushing somewhere; where time is never enough and all we always hear about is deadline, deadline and deadline. Thanks for food delivery services, instead of just driving out, get stuck in the lunch time jam with the rest of miserable folks just to get your belly filled.

These days, when time can seem so limited during those busy periods, online ordering and food delivery are your answers!

WIDE SELECTION

Most established food businesses are providing online ordering and food delivery services. Just spend a mere 30 seconds and google search the term "FOOD DELIVERY" and you will get what I mean.

Even if the restaurant you have been craving might not provide that service, be sure to check out food delivery service providers such as FoodPanda - the most powerful online tool for food delivery and you might find something more than what you have been expecting.

SAVE COST

To be honest, it can be such a hassle to just drive out and eat; and with so many random expenses especially living in the city such as parking or even petrol since there will always be some unexpected jam on the road; having your food delivered to you sounds like a better idea and definitely more time and cost effective!

JUST LAZINESS

Once in a while, you just want to lie on the couch all day relaxing with your favourite books or movies and you just refuse to leave the home the whole day. We all have lazy moments like these and food delivery always comes in handy. So be sure to bookmark Foodpanda - a reliable food delivery service provider in Malaysia so that you could enjoy weekends lazing on the couch with a full belly. :)

Guess what! I will be giving away 5x RM10 FOODPANDA MALAYSIA CASH VOUCHERS!

How to participate:

Suggest a new restaurant that FoodPanda Malaysia should add into their service and why? (In not more than 30 words)

The 5 most creative answers will be selected by 5th September 2014.

Oh ya, remember to fill in your email addresses in the form so that I can contact you later.

Time to start planning for your lazy weekends and order food delivery just because... well, sometimes you don't need any reasons to relax your body and soul. ;)

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Once in a while, you just want to do absolutely nothing. So let someone else takes care of your stomach. :)[/caption]

Don't forget to visit www.foodpanda.my for all your stomach's needs. :)