Happy 1st Birthday to my Blog~

This post is supposed to be on the day itself but since I'll be dropping off my MAC to a friend later for safe-keeping while I have my holiday in Sabah for 5 days, I shall put up this post first.

MY BLOG IS 1 YEAR OLD~!

*never thought it will actually last that long*

HAPPY BE-EARLY 1 YEAR OLD BIRHTDAY 

TO 

KAYREN ORIGINAL

SOAR Advisors Recruitment and Training Sem 2, 2008

After the interview last month, a group of us were chosen to undergo a 3 days training from 27th to 29th July 2008. It was a 10 hours a day training but it was a great one; meeting new friends, sharing experiences, learn new things...

Day 1 contained sessions of Professionalism, Personality, Stage Fright and also discussion in groups. Day 2 were more about discussion, research and even a sketch and Day 3 was KARAOKE!

The pictures I have are more of 'syok sendiri' lah~

...taken at GoodDay Cafe...

...this was how cold the room was...

...

...

...

~ONE GREAT TEAM~

*all photos are available at www.kayren86.multiply.com*

No Title (Part 1)

The title of this post is 'No title' because I can't think of a title for it. Hah~ there'll be more 'No Title' in my future posts.

After a day of bodyaching after the camping I had last weekend, this week was another new adventure, not anything interesting or whatsoever but it was once heck of a time for me. Swimming, not something that I love doing or fond of doing. Reason dated back to myself when I was a kid, seeing another kid drown in a pool in a resort in Kuching. From that moment onwards, I was not fond of going into pool or sea or anything that contains H2O. Finally, after years of not entering a swimming pool, I made a debut, by entering the bigger pool where I could barely step on the floor. It was quite scary and all sorts of images came floating in my mind. I forced myself to get deeper and deeper and finally, I was at the deepest corner of the pool! *applause* First day in the pool, I came back again the next day and this time to find myself getting too much of the sun and now having some rashes on my back which is soaking pain. 

It is interesting to find myself to be in a pool. It was a hard time for my friends to get me into a pool and the only way to get me in it, is to have someone I trust by my side who can save me if I were to be in trouble...

I find it relaxing to go for a swim but of course, tiring...

Anyway, I am still in fear of water although I have proven myself in the pool for 2 days now. I am still in the process of conquering this fear of mine which had stopped me from doing things that I wanted to do for the past years. 

And...finally, days are drawing near for my trip to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. But for now, its SOAR Advisor training camp this weekend~

Camping at Lambir

Date: 20th & 21st June 2008

Location: Lambir Hills National Park

...Approximately 31KM away from Miri...

It was not just a trip to hike into the jungle but also where we set up our tent for the night and brought mee-in-my-mug along with some peanut butter biscuits and not forgetting out box of Big Apple Donuts all the way from Kuching. Food was sufficient coz we brought liters of water and also a 1.5L A&W Root Beer. The back seat of the car was full with our bags and food and our sleeping bag and our pillow.

Estimated to reach Lambir around 9am but instead we checked in at 11am. Paid RM5 for the camp site each and another RM5 for the entrance to the jungle. We decided to head into the jungle first before setting up the tent, so as our second trip to Lambir (the first was with my mum), we target to reach the 2nd waterfall; Pantu Waterfall which is about 2.5KM from the HQ and roughly about 1 hour 25 minutes hike. 

...the bridge collapsed 2 weeks ago...

...the very high up stairs to Pantu Waterfall...

Our jaws were wide open as we looked at this stairs. We can barely see the end of the stairs. It was just so steep and high up all the way to nowhere. It was the only way to the waterfall, so we had no choice but to hike it.

...left: before climbing...

...right: after climbing...

Hike punya hike, we reached Pantu Waterfall in an hour *pecah record le!* It was a small waterfall though. The weather wasn't on our side and it was raining as we hike. So, enjoy ourselves with the cold water and took photos and off we go, feeling satisfied for making into the waterfall.

...Pantu Waterfall...

So back to the campsite and set up out tent and had a cold shower and later...we didn't know what else we could do. It was raining outside. Sleeping was the best option.

...and here's out tent...

...the odd and lonely one among the other tents behind...

Cooked dinner (maggie mee), had Big Apple Donut, played cards, read newspaper...and SLEEP. The floor was uneven so it was quite a pain on the back during our sleep. Woke up by the campers the next morning and went for a morning walk outside before getting into the jungle again.

After packing, we hiked back into the jungle straight to Latak Waterfall for a swim. The water was soooooo cold but it was fun. Berendam in the water for a long while. 

Had lunch at the canteen and off we go. Drove to Bekenu and had a short walk at the beach at 12pm! *imagine how hot the sun was* and later back home for a long afternoon nap.

It was my first camping experience and it was a great one.

Looking forward to more camping trips soon~

Steve Carell's Movie Bash

DR. SEUSS'S HORTON HEARS A WHO (2008)

One day, Horton the elephant hears a cry for help coming from a speck of dust. As it turns out, the speck of dust is the home to the Whos, who live in their city of Whoville. No one believes that anything could survive on the speck. Horton stands by the motto that, 'After all, a person is a speron, no matter how small'.

The animation was just brilliant. The storyline was hillarious. It was a full 88 minutes of giggling and laughing my head off. I wouldn't mind watching this film over and over again.

EVAN ALMIGHTY (2007)

Evan Baxter is elected to Congress with his slogan 'Change The World'. God appears to him and commands him to build an ark. Tools and woods arrive in his yard and animals follow him in pairs. His beard and hair grows. He soon listens to God's command and builds the ark.

Modern day Noah in the 21st century. Love this movie to bits. Similar to a previous movie, Bruce Almighty. A 95 minutes film with a message across; Genesis 6:14. Hoping an almost similar movie in the future from Director Tom Shadyac.

GET SMART (2008)

A secret agent Max Smart, also known as Agent 86 for CONTROL is on a mission to fight KAOS with his partner, Agent 99. He was promoted to the field with Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson) where ultimately was the evil behind the evil.

Watched this in the cinema just 2 days after the release. Although there were only 6 people in the hall, it was a hilarious film and a great one. A 110 minutes filled with laughter. It was a hit in the box office in the US. This film was previously a television series back in 1965.

...

One thing in common from these three films, its STEVE CARELL! He's in all these films and he is one great and funny actor. Awaiting for more of his films!

Along the way in the airport

Time to hit the airport again on 18th June 2008, flight back to Miri at 7.15pm. I rarely had such late flight back to anywhere I go. It was a two weeks holiday in Kuching and finally when everyone is done with their exams and off for their holidays, I'm back to Miri...funny isn't it~

Left home after dad and Aaron came back and it was raining cats and dogs plus with the lightning and thunder here and there. Dad drove to 7th Mile for me to grab a 'tapau' 3 layer Teh-C-Peng. Reached the airport and checked in and later walked to the departure hall, waiting. There were many people there that night, especially the AirAsia flight to Johor Bharu. 

After bidding my family goodbye (will be seeing them in two weeks), I put my bags on the belt for scan, even my Big Apple Donut too, but to my surprise, the 2 boxes of donut got stuck at the belt and the security guards teased me, asking me to leave the donuts for them... *you wish~!* Waved goodbye to mum and walked down to Gate 1 and sat there. The rain stopped.

Decided to take out my camera and snapped some photos. Never actually took photo of Kuching International Airport.

...Gate 1...

The usual thing happens when you board AirAsia's flights. Lining up even when the plane just landed...The moment passengers saw the plane reaching the gate, everyone lined up at once. Well, traveling alone makes things easier - follow the crowd. 

Boarded the plane... some people are just plain stupid. There was a huge man in yellow shirt who came late and while we were all lining up to board, he jumped queue like nobody's business. He was so rude, but good thing, the lady in the counter told him to go back and queue up, but later he managed to board the plane even before I do!

I would normally sit next to the window on the right. Getting on the night flight, there would be nothing no see. But, the moon that night was so bright and beautiful. Lucky me, I was on the right side of the plane and the whole hour to Miri, the moon was just outside my window. How lovely~

The flight was bad - weather was bad - the plane was shaking all the way~ the moment it touched ground, I was about to throw up. Leaving my jacket in my luggage was a stupid idea. I was freaking frozen while waiting for my luggage. I rushed out from the arrival hall and met Catherine and off we go...

It was a great ride after all~

Camping

Will talk more about my weekend camping later...

p/s: bodyaching

So long and farewell, my HP~

My HP Compaq nx9010

My companion for 4 years since I started college in 2004 back in KL. Accompanied me in my job for 7 months and finally to Miri for a year.

Now, I'm leaving you behind in Kuching.

The one laptop which suffered as much as I did.
A keyboard change. A whole screen change. Intensive usage especially on Premier. My editing hardware for my final project for 2 continuous weeks. My desktop at work in a small wardrobe room. My TV in Lakeside for a semester...

So long and farewell, my HP.

Will see you when I get back to Kuching again...

Chicken Rice, Gossippings and Movie

Another day in Kuching, another day to hang out with the girls. Well, not girls to be exact, Adeline and I went out for lunch coz Jessica had something up suddenly that morning and Tiffany couldn't take her off coz she haven't complete her 2 weeks yet.

Lunch was always the hardest thing to decide, so we ended up at Chicking Eating House at Petanak. Later, we went over to meet Tiffany at her workplace where she bought Adeline a small be-early birthday cake with my share as well. Hah~! It has been ages since we celebrated each others' birthdays...

Well, me with my camera, there goes some photos we took...

...not from Mac this time, from my Nikon D40...

...loving the cars behind me...

...

something that amazed me

a toy gun which looks so real
need to assemble the parts to make it into a shot gun
comes with plastic bullets

...photo courtesy from Tiffany Nakita...

So wanted to get it but that was the last one in the store. Never mind, will get it sometime soon. Adeline and I later went for a movie at Star where we ended up watching 'The Happening'. All I can say about this movie is that it is very weird and scientifically unexplainable and I wanted to puke seeing the suicides causing me only ate half my popcorns...What can I say, it's M. Night Shyamalan's film~

After the one hour plus movie, we decided to go home.
That'll be another 2 weeks again before meeting the girls up in Kuching.

...rarely seen the moon like this in Kuching...

A Crappy Week

Wasn't expecting a holiday like this:

1. Having fever, flu and cough

2. Stuck at home with the home PC and my HP laptop to reformat and reinstall

3. Exploring MAC where it leads me nowhere

4. Stuck with my External Hard Disc problems

Hah~! It's okay, it was a crappy week but what can I say, I'm in Kuching, back in my hometown, enjoying myself, or let's say reformatting my own brain to start another chapter in my book... *so dramatic*

Out of all the crappiness, at least there were some good things happening in between. Meeting up with my friends, the old school friends were just 'the best time' to relax and chill and gossiping around for hours. It was a whole day off from all the 'chips and wires' (Chia, 2008) which screwed me badly for days.

Other than hanging out with old friends, received two important calls which I was hoping to receive for a long time now.

1. Interview for John Curtin Leadership Academy

2. Volunteering for Rainforest World Music Festival

No.1:

After a long nagging and number of screaming on my face from my 'dear' *being very sarcastic* lecturer, I filled up the formed and submitted to the University Life a week before the due date. The part, 'I Kill YOU!' (Raj, 2008) had me into a shock and a sincere gratitude here I give to you, 'Thank you, my dear lecturer.' Finally, after waiting for a couple of weeks, the call came and my interviewed is scheduled to next Thursday...

No.2:

Had been wanting to either volunteer or go for RWMF since Form 5 where Habana Sun Club came to my school and performed. It didn't went well for years and I missed last year's volunteering by a month! So this year was no exception. I submitted the form like on the 3rd January 2008 and had been waiting for the call since forever. Finally, got the call and was called for a meeting this Sunday. YESH!!! I'm still waiting and hoping Catherine and Jessica made it as well... Can't Wait!!!!!

Internal marks for MCI 101 came out and got quite shocked to see how 'LOW' the marks are. What can I say? It was a weird time attending a class where I actually took the more more advance units before taking the most basic unit...Screw it lah, as long as I pass.

Ohya, my Diploma certificate is still P.E.N.D.I.N.G! C'monlah~! Promised to send to me like 2 weeks after the convocation ceremony but now...it's a month plus already! I need my cert, you slow, idiotic people working in the office! ...ahem... sorry bout that but I'm seriously pissed here... Worst part of all, they actually asked me to go to KL, specifically to take the certificate coz they are worried if the cert gets lost on the way to me coz they don't want to reprint another if that were to happen coz...obviously, they are LAZY! sigh~

Few more days left before I leave for Miri again...

...very bad economic situation now...

Just the FOUR of Us...

I find that it is very common to have a group of 8 people in a 'gang'. Most of my friends used to have a group of friends numbered to 8 in a group. So, I started counting my group of friends back in Secondary School and yeah~, there were 8 of us!

Just yesterday, Adeline, Jessica and I went out for lunch since we last met each other like 4-5 months ago. Everyone is back for their holidays. After lunch, we paid Tiffany a visit at her work place at Tun Jugah and spent 3 hours gossiping!!!

We had a sudden thought about our 'gang' back when we were in Form 1 to Form 5. There were 8 of us; namely Tiffany, Jessica, Adeline, Tracy, Cindy, Benedine, Sharon and myself. We were close pals especially when we got involved with Young Christian Students (YCS) and back when we were classmates. But, as time passed, things started to change. Sharon went with another group of friends after Form 3 and later after Form 5, Benedine went to London to further her studies and I lost contact with Cindy. Tracy was here and there and now, there were 4.

Hah~! The last 4 left were still hanging out with each other, especially when I am back home in Kuching because I am the only one with a car to drive the other 3 around. We four went our separate ways after Form 5; Adeline continued Form 6 and now doing Engineering in UNIMAS, Jessica continued Matrix and completed Diploma in Engineering and will be continuing her degree very soon, Tiffany did her Diploma in Tourism Management and now pursuing degree in Bussiness and as for myself, I went straight to KL for my diploma right after Form 5.

Eventhough we are in our own directions in life now, during the holidays, we are back being 'the bunch of crazy girls in school'.

These photos will explain how crazy we girls can get when we meet...




...one out of 4 shots from each effects...
taken at After Three



...exploring all the effects we can find in the laptop...
taken at Speed Hobby Shop *Tiffany worked there*


I think having a set of all of us is enough to create a massive havoc!

'Untitled'

I got 'saman' on my first day doing No.1!

I love doing No.2 although sometimes it just wears me off...

I hate doing No.3 that's how I ended up with that photo.

~What a holiday~

Down Memory Land; Semester 2 in Curtin

2nd semester in Curtin if over, which means, one more year and I'm done with my Degree. 

p/s: This post is going to be a very long post...

My 2nd semester started the day I arrived in Miri on the 19th February 2008 after a long 3 months holiday in Kuching. After rotting myself off, finally I get to work on things which were pending since forever *smile*. I was very looking forward to going back Miri because I moved! - from Lakeside Apartment to Lot 3946. It took me a whole afternoon to clean up my room and the house.

...my room before the clean up...

First activity I did was the Human Life Service talk at SMK Bakong along with Petrus, Ansovinus, Angeline and Melvin with Aunt Dorothy. I volunteered in the talk where we had to drive about an hour to the school and met a lot of students. It was a great one, though~!

...the team for SMK Bakong...

The classes started on the 25th February 2008. I took four units this semester:

1. FTV 233 Advertising and Music Video

2. FTV 222 Documentary Workshop

3. MCI 101 Research and Research Presentation

4. Consumer Behavior 102

I was in classes with first year, second year and final year students. It was a very complicated situation where people often asked which year I was and I will answer... 'I'm not sure. Maybe first year, maybe second year, I have no idea.'

2nd week of study was quite a busy one for me. I helped out in the Foundation Orientation as a CV! for the whole week. First day was FORMAL! I soon became the photographer after I took lots of pictures on the first day. Anyhow, it was a great week; getting to knowmore people, working with SOARs, taking tons of photos... O-Nite was a BLAST! Love it to bits. Well, I didn't even go for my own O-Nite last semester. Was the official photographer for Student Council for O-Nite and guess what, I took like 600 photos just one night!

...the group of SOARs for Sem 1, 2008...

...SOARs and CV!s...

It was back to assignments, projects and of course, the weekly classes. Met a lot of people here and there. It was the moment where we all knew will happen. Presentation of our treatments for our production project and of course, to find your team members to work with! It was a hell of a moment to wait and see whose treatments are chosen for all four productions this semester.

To cut to the chase...

1st production (Sundrop Commercial)

Team members: Elizabeth Wee & Yapp Bit Ying

This production wasn't a tough one. It was only for a 30 seconds commercial. Further more, all we need are all the 7 products from Sundrop, a table and some props. But hell, this production wasn't a great one to work on.

...me and all the Sundrops...

2nd production (Sharp Shooter)

Team members: Jasmine Wong, Amy Chong & Stephanie Keh

The most relaxing but expensive production I ever worked in. For a 3 minutes documentary, we spent hundreds to get our subject back from Limbang. Shoots were done in two locations; the subject's house and the Archery Center in Bintang Plaza.

...the crews and Beatric...

3rd production (Old Newspaper)

Team members: Jasmine Wong, Amy Chong, Chai Ming Na & Khairul Anwar

A music video production approved by the recording company and we're doing it for Jason Lo! How cool is that! It was all about newspaper and my room was all covered up in newspaper! Rented and van for RM100 but later sold off our newspaper for RM75.

...in the newspaper'ed room...

4th production (Hezekiah's Rhythm)

Team members: Jasmine Wong, Amy Chong & Stephanie Keh

Another documentary in production. It was another great production to work on and to work with. Team members were great and we worked so good together; no arguments, no fights, no nothing~! It was such a musical production. Love it to bits and pieces.

...the crew and Hezekiah...

In between all the busyness, I made myself even more busy with other things. One of my personal project I worked on this semester was to be Student Council's official photographer/videographer for Curtin Sports Carnival 2008. Out of the four days event, I worked on the first and final days as two other photographers chipped in to help.

...my boss for SC photography...

I was also involved in the Foundation Graduation Ceremony on the 2nd May and the Degree Graduation Ceremony on the 9th May. Was involved with Juliana, Amy, Yuki, Adrienne and Elizabeth. It was great to see other people's graduation, at least I know how my graduation will be like in 2010 *smile*

...Elizabeth, Adrienne, Yuki, Karen, Amy...

Mum came to Miri for the holidays. Well, at least I get to have like 5 days away from everything, have mum cooked at home, bringing her around here and there and explore more places like Lambir and Bekenu!

...Cath, Karen, Mum at Bekenu Beach...

Well, bought myself a Sonic Gear speaker where I use to blast movies and music at home. Oh oh, and not forgetting, my most valuable item of the semester - my MACBOOKPRO!!! *woohoo!*

...my desk (MacBook Pro + Sonic Gear Speakers)...

List of Achievements this semester:

1. Photographer for Student Council

2. Director for 3 productions

3. Director of Photography for Major Production

4. Founded and President for AppleBox Pictures

5. Production Crew for 2 projects

6. Dean's List for MCI 112

7. 4 treatments accepted to be made into a film

8. Nominated for John Curtin Leadership Academy

9. Accepted for SOAR training

10. Graduated from Diploma

11. Interviewed by United Daily News

List of Failures this semester:

1. Muscle inflamation/Virus attack

2. Fever/Flu/Cough for a month

3. Taekwondo

4. Blood Donation

Well, in all the stresses and frustrations, at least I enjoyed this semester. 

Many ups and downs. Many anger and laugher.

It was all worth for the experience of a lifetime. 

...during Cath's birthday...

...CV! gathering...

...Lunch with Aunty Mary...

...workshop practice with Stephanie...

...my partner in crime, Jasmine for Proficiency Test...

...Amy, Stephanie, Jasmine, Karen...

...day out in Miri...

...Ladies' Nite at Balcony...

...Elizabeth and Karen on archery...

...the day I graduate from Diploma...

...the syok sendiri gang of Mass Comm...

...Jasmine, Stephanie, Karen...

ALL THE BEST TO US ALL FOR NEXT SEMESTER!

A MILLION THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, MY DEAR FRIENDS AT CURTIN FOR THE GREAT SEMESTER!

WILL SEE YOU ALL AGAIN SOON!

HAPPY HOLIDAY!