Unity in Diversity

Malaysia's 51st Hari Merdeka is coming up on 31st August. The thing I like about living in the Malaysia-Singapore region is that we live in a multi racial society.

We speak different languages, have different cultural backgrounds... We may have different skin colors but we're the same people!



Get the idea?

I can't imagine a world with everybody looking the same and behaving like programmed robots. I'm glad that God created us diverse and unique, just the way we are! A monochromatic world is not my cup of tea!

So this time around, the post is going to get a little unique... you know! It's going to be interactive and the stage is going to be yours!

You get to put up any pictures that is originally shot by you (taking from flickr is not an option... hahaha) or with you in it that reflects multi racial and cultural living... and send it to me!

It can be a picture of you and your friends or a shot taken of a scene that shows multi racial living!

I will then compile them and put it up on the blog with a shout out to you...! This is not open only to Malaysians... it is for everybody!

So send yours today at devmenon_dm@yahoo.com! Well, I'll be compiling them from now until post merdeka celebrations so you have ample time to snap away and send me as many shots as possible!

Let's celebrate unity in diversity! Snap away!

Smooch a Pooch

'Woof' everybody! (Extending paws to shake hands). This was the common sight at Singapore Expo on 24th Aug.

I was taking a walk through Singapore Expo and I had this sudden realization that there were an unusual amount of pure bred dogs around. Being the curious cat that I am (*pause... at this point I would like to make myself clear that I'm not a big fan of cats... It's just a figure of speech...), I decided to snoop around (so now I'm Snoop Dogg... hahaha).

To my pleasant surprise, there was a Dog Show going on! It was the SKC 166th & 167th Championship Dog Show at Singapore Expo organized by the Singapore Kennel Club. I took a few pictures with the dogs and I'll give you a rough description of them for your general information.

Me and a Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are one of the most intelligent dogs. They are used as guides for the blind and they make excellent Rescue dogs. Since they are very energetic, you got to keep them busy or else... there goes the entire shoe collection, bitten, eaten and torn to a million pieces, just to amuse themselves!

Me and a Greyhound

The Greyhound is the Racing Dog. They are used to race and are popular for their speed and agility. They are all muscle!

They've got this thing in their stride; very 'royalty'... quite dainty as well!

However, they are not really high energy dogs, opting to save their energy for the next chase. In between chases, they are couch potatoes. They eat a lot (high metabolism... something I can relate to... hahaha). They are very sociable and friendly dogs; chilling out with their owners on the couch is fun!

Me and a Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russells are just so full of energy. I nearly bought one for my mum but after much research and deliberation, we went against buying one in case she found it too much of a handful. These dogs have the impression that they are actually larger than themselves and will work until they wear themselves out.

They are quite on the mischievious side and always looking for an adventure. Fun to have but the commitment level is high as it's super attention-seeker.

Remember, Milo from The Mask (starring Jim Carrey)? Milo is a Jack Russell!

Me and these noisy bunch of American Cocker (black) and Bichon-Frise (white)

The American Cocker is really cute. Great family dog. Cocker Spaniels have a bit of a reputation for being gluttonous (some of you can relate... hahaha... get this dog and you have company to indulgence everyday... hahaha).

The Bichon-Frise is a great companion dog. It's very obedient and not stubborn unlike many of us... hahaha! It can tolerate when you play rough but the problem is it may be easily hurt... so go easy!

The one I met the other day was quite excited and kept barking non-stop! The owner commented that it had an identity crisis... it think that it's a poodle... hahaha!

A pair of Rottweilers

Contrary to popular belief, the Rottweiler is not a scary dog. It only becomes scary when the owner abuses, mistreats and doesn't give the attention that is due to the dog eg: garage owners who mistreat the Rottweilers and leave it to guard the yard!

They are big guard dogs but they think they are tiny lap dogs when they are with their owners (contrary to Jack Russells)! They are very loving, friendly family dogs if trained properly and given due attention!

Aimei and a Collie. She likes dogs but she's afraid of them. Note the uncomfortable distance and the semi-touch of the dog.

Me and the Collie smelling my cologne... hahaha

Collies are famous because of Lassie the dog in that show of the same title! Thay are intelligent, strong and graceful! They are wonderful with kids!


Me and this huge wolf grey in colour German Shepherd or an overgrown Siberian Husky (I'm not sure... zng and I are still contemplating). Really big.

The owner is this really petite lady but the dog is like half her height. I like this dog. It's very intelligent and protective! It can send shudders down the spine of any criminal and yet be very affectionate to children the next! They are often used as Police dogs. I have a friend who owns one... Simply awesome!

If it's a Siberian, then, it's distinct attribute would be it's very wolf- like features and coat. It's highly energetic and is a working dog used to pull sledges for transportation!

As for now, it's still an open discussion on whether it's a German or a Siberian! Dog experts, anybody?

As for me, we have a family dog as well; a Miniature Shnauzer! No pictures available at the moment. When I do go back, it'll be up!

Schnauzers are intelligent, loyal, protective and sociable. They are sturdy and quite muscular! They are however a little 'vocal' sometimes but that makes them great watchdogs. Mine's called Pepper due to her 'salt & pepper' fur coat shade!

So now you know a little bit more about dogs and have furthered your knowledge on the animal kingdom!

I hope that by the end of this post, you will be a dog lover! Save the planet, save the animals!

Smooch a pooch...!

Skimming

When I was in Penang, behind the famous (because I was staying there... hahaha) Naza Hotel, the 2nd International Penang Skimboarding Competititon was on. Now, I know that many of you are probably hearing about this sport for the first time so let me try to explain this sport to you.

Unlike surfing, skimboarding doesn't require you to swim into the sea and catch this huge wave (which you can't really find in Malaysia for my non Malaysian and non Singaporean readers... hahaha - broadening the readership people, broadening the readership! We will take over the world one day! Muahahahaha).

Skimboarding (or skimming) is a boardsport which involves riding a board on an outgoing wave.

So how does it go? Unlike surfing , skimboarding starts on the beach. The skimboarder stands within running distance from the point of entry into the water with the skimboard in hand and waits for a wave. As the desired wave approaches the skimboarder runs towards the water.

These are some of the shots professionally taken during the competition:

Ok, now for some of the shots I took with my Cyber Shot from my k770i. Hahaha. Sorry, the pics won't be as good. I couldn't possibly go in too close to the skimboarders. I had no pass! Hahaha.

Hahaha. Better stop embarassing myself with this mindless comparison between a pro cameraman with a pass and a good camera and an amateur with no pass and a camera phone.

Ok. Here's some videos that I will attempt to upload for the first time:

Sorry, this is the best that I could do! Oh yeah, did I mention that a Channel [V] vj was in the same hotel as me? Yeah, a Channel [V] vj was living in the same hotel as me! didn't make a big deal out of it anyways!

So there you have it; an explaination on why you see some of the guys carrying a board in Malaysian and Singaporean beaches when obviously there's no surf to ride on... they are actually skimming! *Light bulb * light bulb

Of Graduations & Weddings

Now that I'm back from Penang, I have got to let you know what went down in that time! I am gonna talk lesser today... More pics, less talk! Sleep is already calling unto me!

Friday morning in Penang was hectic. We woke up super early to get ourselves to USM in time. It felt great being among so many university students again... I felt young (A lot of people said I look younger than my brother... hahaha)! Thus, my job for the day started: driver, photographer, florist, delivery boy, drink holder, socialite... and the list goes on! Hahaha. (Not complaining bro... Proud to be those; proud of you!)

Before graduation ceremony

After graduation ceremony... Ta-da... now he has flowers!

In between the top two pics is a story of its own. I was actually hanging out in a lecture room where you can watch the graduation live! That's way better than UTM who leaves the rest of the family members under tentage, sweating away! However, I still slept off after it was my brother's turn!

I was totally bored and restless!

Here, you can actually see Ultraman and Spongebob floating in the air.

The only shot we took at my bro's graduation! Even for this, I'm still the cameraman!

My bro's best buds (BFF)! Hahaha... sounds so girly!

We had a graduation dinner after that!

Didn't bother to take any proper pics of the dinner... too hungry, too tired~So it's only my drink; Vanilla Milk Shake.

Once graduation day was over, the next day, we had to rush down to a very close friend's wedding, none other than Anand's and Atchra's!

Bride & Groom

Going through the wedding ceremony


Presenting: Mr. & Mrs. Anand

Looking stunning in traditional Punjabi costume!

Us and the newly weds!

The guys: Spot the odd one out...

The gals: Dot's head looks like it's detached from her body and honestly... I don't know what Mei Ching's doing (the one in baby blue dress)

Sharing a light moment with Lil' Jared

Anil's (Anand's brother's) college mates. We had an amazing dinner time. We hit it off the first time. Great company! Couldn't have asked for better dinner mates!

An amazing candid shot. It really captured the moment!

This is where everybody is well behaved! Hahaha!

This is something we discovered in the hall (Courtesy of Sue & Dan). Wanna take a guess what this means?

You guessed it right! Wireless Zone! Hahaha. Lost in translation!

Anyways, coming to end of my posting, I just wanna congratulate my bro on his graduation! Fantastic job, bro! The world awaits your deposit into this generation!

For the newly weds, Anand & Atch, have a loving and blessed marriage all the days of your life! Be fruitful and multiply! Hahaha!

(Wedding pics courtesy of Sue... Thanks!)

Treasure Hunters

Now that the whole birthday thingy is over, reality has kicked in... hahaha. I'm now in Penang for my brother's graduation. I started my journey on Wednesday morning. The whole day was spent driving...

(drove until the steering wheel cover also torn)

driving... (with a slightly better view)

and... driving (picture paints a thousand words... hahaha)

We broke journey in Taiping in my aunt's place to meet up with my beloved grandma. She had a fall earlier this year and had to go through an operation. She was in Kluang with my mum for some time before she moved in together with my aunt for a couple of months. I missed my grandma a lot. She's awesome!

My grandma has a tattoo... check it out! See the green markings on her hand? That is an old school tattoo! They are more happening than what we make them out to be. But she didn't like my latest haircut though. Hahaha. Her hair is all-white, her eyebrows are white... Snow White but we (my bro and I) aren't even close to dwarfs!

My bro and I got up on Thursday morning thirsty for an adventure... actually, more like I was thirsting for one. We decided to go check out the historical sights of Taiping since we are both historical buffs.

Our first stop: THE OLD CLOCK TOWER

Sitting at the heart of the town, this magnificent clock tower was originally built with wood and had gone through much renovation during the years.

Outside the clock tower is an old BRITISH-LIKE PHONE BOOTH which bring out the feeling like you're in London or something... hahaha.

The clock tower houses a small little office and counter for tourists (that's me...) to make queries and find out more about Taiping. So we chatted with the person in charge, En. Annuar.

We had a long chat as I asked him more about the first RAILWAY TRACKS FROM TAIPING TO PORT WELD and how do I go about getting there. Mr. Annuar then replied that the tracks no longer exist because people have removed and thrown it away to make way for development. People just didn't see the value in it!

I was a little angered with the whole thing! Port Weld-Taiping was the first railway line that ran in Malaysia. It was opened on 1 June 1885 to transport tin from Larut and other tin-rich areas to be exported through Port Weld. Imports came in from Port Weld and was sent through the trains as well. I had to study ALL of these facts to sit for my HISTORY PAPER and now they tell me that it's not there! The sleepless nights and the amount of oil burnt staying awake...! Totally nonsensical and unacceptable!

Seeing our enthusiasm and passion for history, he then hinted that if we really, really, really wanted to see part of the railway artifacts... we actually could! I got super excited. He said that it was in King Edwards school! I thanked him and immediately rushed to the school!

Being the smart and Mr. Know-it-all that I am, I reached the school, parked my car...

Only to realize that it's the wrong school!!! I was actually at ST. GEORGE'S SECONDARY SCHOOL! And they are "enemies". Hahaha! How am I supposed to know which is which. I'm not even a local. However, the school was beautiful!

Sadly, we also found a dead rat in St. George's School's drain... Hahaha!

So we asked directions and headed down to King Edward VII Secondary School. When we reached there, we rushed in and met the Asst. Principal who told us that... This ISN'T the school! We were like... "WHAT?!!"

It was actually King Edward VII Primary (2)... Can you imagine if we had gone to Primary (1) and then later told that it was actually Primary (2)? Hahaha. Anyways, our spirit were still up although I had a very hard time trying to convince my brother that it was all worth it because he wanted to badly go off to Penang already!

So we headed down to the school... King Edward VII Primary (2)!

We rushed to the office in excitement totally looking forward to this discovery that even many Taiping people didn't know about! In the office, we were met by this guy who attended to us.

When we asked him about the artifacts, he didn't even know about it! He told us that the school had no such things! Our hearts sank!

We didn't give up and continued pressing in... Thank God a lady nearby heard our conversation and noted to the man that there were some "plates" hanging at the back and that maybe we were looking for that!

The guy's response was classic. He went something like this, "Oh, besi yang gantung kat belakang tu, eh?" ("Oh, the metal that's hanging at the back, is it?") Me and my bro were staring in disbelief. Without any escort or help, we searced and finally found what we were looking for... "Part of The Lost Tracks of the Taiping-Port Weld Railway Line"!

Also serving as a carpark?!!

Feeling like treasure hunters!

This was really the highlight of the whole trip! The rest of it fails in comparison! You have got to really go and check this out if you're down in Taiping. If you're looking for something a little more different, I think this would be it!

It was fun but a little tiring so it was absolutely cool to have a room with a sea view when we reached Penang! Yippee... I love the sea!

And a bonus pic of me trying this funky pink sunglasses! Hahaha! Price tag still attached!

That's all for now! Sleep beckons me!