Mission 2019 #01: Lepoh Waterfall.

Salam.

For 2019, we concocted Mission 2019.

Basically the mission statement is to visit as many waterfalls as we can in the list of waterfalls from this website.

http://waterfallsofmalaysia.com/
(Thank you to the website owner for this useful website.)

Since we live in KL, we are going to start with waterfalls around KL and Selangor, and maybe including West Pahang (area around Bentong and Genting Highland).

So, for a start, the first waterfall that we visited in 2019 is Lepoh Waterfall in Hulu Langat.

To reach the waterfall itself, you have to trek about 4 km uphill from the parking area.
The trek is moderately challenging, with mostly mild sloping trek.

There are two places where the slopes are more than 45 degrees to vertical and one of them is near the end of the trek. For that slope, I had to take  a breather before I start the climb but still manages to reach the top.

All in all, if you are like me, you should reach the waterfall in under two hours. 
For detail guide on how to get there, refer to the website above.

As for the waterfall itself, there is a pool where you can take a dip and swim.
The water is cold and the surrounding is relaxing and serene, conducive for a nap after the long trek.

For the more adventurous, there is a natural rock slide where you can enjoy a thrilling water slide along with the waterfall. It is about 5 meters in height but the total length of the slides itself is more than 10 metres (maybe 20, I don't have a tape.) The smooth rock face, carved by thousands, if not millions, of years of water cascading down its surface, seems to be nature's reward for the bold and the brave.

While we were there, there were some kids enjoying the slides while taking selfie videos with their water-proof iPhone. The benefit of modern living.

As for us, we picnicked and swim for about two hours before heading back.
It was quite a challenge to the muscle after not hiking for a long time, but it was worth it.
For nature lovers and camping enthusiasts, this is recommended.

 

A Taoist drinks the water.

The eternal question, is the glass half full or half empty?

Read this Tao poem by Richard Seymour.
(http://www.taoism.net/supplement/taopoems.htm)

It poetically summarises his understanding of Tao philosophy on the matter.


Half Empty or Half Full?

Would an optimist say a glass is half full,
Where a pessimist would say it is half empty?
A glass may be made of anything,
But its function lies in its emptiness.
That emptiness may be filled with whatever we choose.
The pessimist sees future potential;
The optimist sees only what is gone.
While others grow thirsty as they debate this point,
A Taoist drinks the water,
And is refreshed.


This is thought provoking.
It flipped the head on conventional thinking.
We are so focused to avoid being called a pessimist that when asked, we always say that the glass is half full, never half empty.

But in acknowledging that the glass is half empty, we acknowledge its potential.
The emptiness has potential that we can fill and influence the final content.

For example, if we have half a glass of coconut water, we have space to add a bit of milk and vanilla ice-cream and turn our coconut water to coconut shake. Yum...!
If we have half a glass of teh 'O', we can add lychee and turn our teh 'O' to teh 'O' laici; for extra "umph", add ice for teh 'O' ais laici. Double Yum...!

On the grander scheme of things, if there is anything missing from your life, people will say focus on what you have and count your blessing.
But this breeds contentment.
And contentment is poison that can sap the the passion, the drive, the life out of you.

That "emptiness" in your life is potential yet to be realised.
Hence, count your blessing, but do not stop counting at the half way mark.
The other half is life not yet lived, dreams not yet realised.

Or, be like Tao, "drink the water" and be "refreshed" as the last line say.
Enjoy the presence.


PS: As an engineer, I would say that the glass is too big, an overdesign.
You have overpaid for your glass. Bad investment.
It would take longer to recover back your capital.
But that is just the engineer in me.

The life, death & resurrection of Camellia.

Salam.

This is for all karaoke aficionados out there.

One of the most selected song during karaoke sessions in this country is Camellia by Ramli Sarip or Sweet Charity band.
But their Camellia is just one version of the song.
The original singer of the song is Abiet G Ade, an Indonesian singer.
And that Camellia is actually just one song in a series of songs titled Camellia.
Abiet G Ade recorded a total of four songs titled Camellia.

The first song of the series is aptly titled Camellia I.

It tells the story of their first meeting.
How Camellia comes into the singer's life and brightens his days, "puisi dan pelitaku" (my poem and my lantern).
It is a classic "boy meets girl" storyline.

Listen to Ebiet G Ade serenading Camellia.

Camellia I : Ebiet G Ade

The second song in the series, titled Camellia II, is the most famous.
This is the one adapted by Ramli Sarip and the Sweet Charity band.
The one that is sung by all karaoke lovers all over Malaysia.

As you may have guessed by now, this second song details out the resistance to their love.
How many people are against them being together, "sejuta tangan telah menahanku" (a million hands stopping me), "tak perlu kau berlari, mengejar mimpi yang tak pasti" (no need to run, chasing uncertain dreams).
Telling him to forget Camellia.

The link below is the original version by Abiet G Ade.

Camellia II : Ebiet G Ade

The third song, Camellia III, is about his longing.
Camellia is no more in his life.
They are not together anymore.
Leaving only memories and photos of her by his bedside, "ku simpan dekat dengan tidurku dan mimpiku".
I will let Abiet tells you himself of his regrets and sorrows.

Camellia III : Ebiet G Ade

The last song (Camellia IV) in the series is about lost.
Camellia is now gone forever.
She is with God.
He is grieving by her grave,

 

"batu hitam

di atas tanah merah
di sini akan kutumpahkan rindu"

 

"black [grave]stone
on red earth
here I will pour my heartache"

 

Listen to his heartache longing for Camellia.

Camellia IV : Ebiet G Ade

However, in the 21st century, Camellia was resurrected.
Her resurrection was actually foreshadowed in Camellia IV.
The lyric in Camellia IV said;

 

"kamatian adalah tidur panjang"

"death is just a long sleep", rather than a permanent state.

 

And in arts and fiction, this is of course possible.

 

Camellia only "slept" for about 20+ years before she was resurrected by the singer Irwansyah.
However, the sweet and innocence Camellia of Abiet G Ade's version is no more.

 

Irwansyah's Camellia is a mistress (perempuan simpanan).
But he is letting her go.
Breaking up with her.
Despite singing that she is "wanita terhebat, yang pernah singgah di hatiku"

("the greatest woman that has ever visited my heart"), he still breaks up with her, asking her to forget about him.

 

He fears his other lover will find out about Camellia, "ku takut kekasihku pun tahu, kau pernah menjadi simpananku".
Some of you will hate Camellia for being a mistress, and some of you will hate Irwan for being a coward and letting her go.
But the acting in the music video is spot on that you also feel empathy for the couple.
And the slow sad song pulls your heart and begs your sympathy.

 

Listen to Irwansyah telling her to forget him and pining for her at the same time.

Camellia : Irwansyah

 

Now you know about the history of Camellia.

Enjoy the songs and if you are a karaoke lover, you can add all these songs to your repertoire.

 

 

PS1 : Someone should make a movie based on these songs already.

 

PS2 : I am not a romantic, I just reviewed and commented on the songs as they

are. Not my fault that good songs are sad romantic songs. It is just a coincidence.

 

 

Ghosts & Jinns are racist: Part I

Ghosts, Jinns and supernatural entities in Malaysia are racists!

They only disturb Malay people.
Malaysia is a multiracial country and yet, these supernatural non-corporeal entities, only disturb Malay people.

"Bunians" of the jungle only kidnap Malay people even though all races; Malay, Chinese, Indian and even foreigners go hiking in the jungle.
Pyromaniac jinns only burn Malay houses even though there are Chinese and Indian houses nearby.

If you suspect your great grandparents or grandparents have "saka", then a good way to avoid the "saka" from passing over to you or your children is by marrying Chinese or Indians or Mat Salleh. For sure the "saka" will avoid your descendants like vampires avoid garlic or the sun.
I also never heard any clairvoyants claim they see any demons or jinns "bertenggek" on the shoulder of non-Malays. Almost always, these entities only "bertenggek" on the shoulders of Malays.

How racist of these demons/jinns!

Then, there's the hysteria-inducing jinns or demons or whatever species they are.
They are not only racists, they are also sexists.
They only disturb and cause hysteria amongst young Malay girls, never Chinese/Indians girls or boys of any race.
Why is that?

With all due respect to my Chinese and Indian friends, I think these ghosts or jinns or demons should also disturb the Chinese and the Indians.
I thought our country Malaysia is harmonious and no racial discrimination, and we all get along happily (or unhappily, I supposed in this case) together.

I think rather than eliminating them with "jampi" or whatnot, we should sue them according to Article 8 of the Federal Constitution that guarantees equal protection under the law and prohibit discriminatory practices.

What do you think?
Am I being silly?

If you think I am being silly, then please explain to me why they only disturb the Malays.
Some say they only disturb Malays with low "Imaan".
But then, non-Malays, who are majority non-Muslims, would have zero "Imaan".
They would certainly be easy picking for these jinns and demons.
And yet, they are not?

Why is that?

Lesson from a mime.

Salam.

Credit: Poet Hafiz.

 

 

Being true to oneself until the end.
Commitment and dedication to who you are and what you represent.
To your essence.
To your being and what you stand for.

This post is a reminder to myself before I start on this journey.
Because the neuro-storm that is my mind is as beautiful and as terrible as the red spot of Jupiter.
The red spot of Jupiter is a terrible beauty, magnificent and malevolent, neutral and non-

discriminatory.
It doesn't care who you are, just like the hurricanes and typhoons on Earth do not care who you are.

So it is with the mind.
It wanders everywhere and wonders about everything and everyone with nary a care.

 

Hence, we are back to the mime.
Do I literally stay silence like the mime?
Or, do I stay true to my art and write?

 

Which lesson should I take heed?

 



Welcome to the rabbit hole...

Salam.

What will I blog about?

Anything that interest me.
Opinions on matters that are important and significant.
Matters that intrigue me, that draw my attention.
Social issues, political commentary, economics, religions, science & technology.
Science fact and science fiction.
Books reviews, food & travel reviews.
Movies & songs reviews and recommendation.
Maybe throw in some poetry writing.

About life in general.

This blog is also where I vent and let go.
And where I can be creatively crazy and weird and eccentric.
So, if you dare; welcome to the rabbit hole that is my mind.

Until next time.