Me, Myself & I

I read Zaidi recent blog entry and tried the personality test myself...... The result kinda creepy coz I can say, it has 95% truth in it esp No. 2, 4 & 9 hehehe... btw, i'm surprise Zaidi is a romantic type of person coz after being labelled cold-hearted by 'someone' heheheh.. and YT, I read your result as well... very mature katanya hehe

MY RESULT

1. Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

2. The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true.

3. Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

4. The seriousness of your love:

You like to flirt and behave seductively. The opposite sex finds this very attractive, and that's why you'll always have admirers hanging off your arms. But how serious are you about choosing someone to be in a relationship with?

5. Your views on education

Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

6. The right job for you:

You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don't focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success.

7. How do you view success:

You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.

8. What are you most afraid of:

You are afraid of having no one to rely on in times of trouble. You don't ever want to be unable to take care of yourself. Independence is important to you.

9. Who is your true self:

You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.

Another Day, Another Long Journey

Day 2 (25 Oct 2008) - Airport, Transit, Layover & Boat Ride

Today we had to wake up at 6am for our flight to Berau at 7.15am. Fortunately all our luggage and boarding pass had been taken care of by the driver. So, we don't need to be at the airport so early then. We arrived at Tarakan Airport almost 7am and that not consider late here (nothing really moving fast here). We knew & prepared that we'll be having another long day to get to our final destination i.e Maratua Island Resort.

The ATR 42/300 by Trigana Air

Kalimarau Aiport, Berau

We flew by Trigana Air with their very old, small & uncomfortable ATR 42/300 plane. It was the only airline that operates that route. So, from Tarakan we have to make a 5 minutes stopover at Tanjung Selor Airport before heading to Berau (Kalimarau Airport). The flight took about 30 minutes and arrived Berau almost 8am. The resort arranged a pick up for us to the jetty BUT we have to wait until 1pm (coz waiting for another 2 guests that flew from Balikpapan) for the boat to Maratua Island. So, we kinda had a loyover at Berau town which surprisingly is quite clean compared to our very own Semporna town. As expected, there's noting much we can do there except hang out at the hotel's cafe. We almost finished reading our book while waiting for the boat and I only brought 1 book to read.

Berau town and Jetty to the Island

The layover made us quite restless and can't wait to get to the islands. Finally after lunch we were heading to Maratua Island Resort. It was a 3-hour boat ride to get there and I already felt exhausted waiting and waiting and waiting... I need the beach now!!!! The boat ride was quite interesting in some parts. The scenery was ok and we had the chance to see dolphin swimming beside and in front of the boat... The close encounter of seeing the dolphin jumping and swimming in our very own eyes is priceless....

Dolphins swimming along the boat

We arrived at the Resort almost 5pm and by then we already exhausted with the journey. We booked the water chalet and it was really tranquilizing but the furnishing was somewhat flimsy and quite a turn off. We had a rest for the day and excited to start diving tomorrow...

Finally, The Maratua Paradise Island Resort

Blogging Continue....

Hi everyone, it has been months since I last post any entry here... It had been a hectic few months for me from moving to KL, renovation of my house, moving to the new house and waiting for Streamyx line to get connected etc etc etc.. and the laziness to blog as well (maybe I can called it writer's block heheh).

So, I have to start back from somewhere, no?? First, I'll finish up my entry about Sangalaki trip and share with you guys the interesting things that I've experience there.... Til then

On Our Way There

Day 1 (24 Oct 2008) - Tarakan Surprise

Today we (me & Alie) started our journey to Sangalaki for our long awaited diving trip. The journey will be very taxing coz it requires a stopover and a few means of transportation along the way. We already expect the worst.

We started our journey by taking a ferry from Tawau to Tarakan. Tawau port was somewhat horrible and smelly coz it's very near to the wet market. We felt like we were in Indonesia already hehe. The ferry supposed to leave at 11am but as usual, it delayed until 12pm. The journey to Tarakan took three and a half hours and it felt like forever hehe. One thing about travelling by ferry to Tarakan is that the Indonesian immigration officer will hold our passport. Even we felt suspicious still we had to surrender our passport to him. Thank god, we got it back at the immigration office there.

Surprisingly, Tarakan port was comparatively much more organize than Tawau port and we were quite impress. Since we had to overnight in Tarakan, we took a cab to the most luxurious hotel in Tarakan i.e Belmont Swiss Hotel. The hotel was good for the rate that we paid and we need luxury after the long ferry ride. After that, we took the opportunity to 'jalan-jalan' around Tarakan town and headed for our late lunch. I had my 'a must' dish when I go to Indonesia i.e Ayam Penyet. In my opinion, Tarakan town was better looking than Tawau town and it's surprisingly clean.

After lunch, we did some window shopping at Tarakan Mall and again surprisingly I bought some t-shirts and shorts in Tarakan. Never in my life I imagined that I'll shop in a small town as Tarakan. Surprisingly, the t-shirts and shorts selection & quality there was quite good. Since I didn't change much Rupiah, I have to limit my spending, I might buy more if I had more Rupiah with me at that time hehe.

We slept early today coz we need to catch an early flight at 7am to Berau tomorrow. I'll continue on our second day journey later on.....

D Day

Today is going to be a busy day for me coz the mover will come and pack all my stuffs back to KL. Time to say good bye to Sabah... so sad............... then i have to sort out all the outstanding work in the office (coz i was on vacation for the past 10 days). After that, a trip to Telekom to close my account here. Another mission of mine today is going to MDTCA to report on the ferry incident (this will take some time, i guess). I'll tell u guys about it in my later entry. Then maybe a visit to Police triffic to pay my saman hehehe.

Since it's time to 'Bye, Bye' Sabah, i feel akwardly sad coz there are so much memory/friendship/companion/activities that i'll miss and i'll cherish every bit of it.... thanxs to everyone for the memory...

By the way, my Sangalaki diving trip was sooo amazingly spontaneous and adventurous and i'll post the entire entry about it when i can somewhat settle down in kl next week. I think i'll be in a semi nomadic mode for the whole of November coz my house is just now ready to move in yet. So, i'll be staying at Allie's and Irwan's house temporarily.

Need to get ready for the mover now.. I'll miss Sabah!!!!!!!!!

Moving & Holiday

This week I was so busy regrouping all my stuffs for the mover to pack it come Nov 3rd. It was kinda hectic with the office work and planing for my holiday in Sangalaki tomorrow. Thank God everything almost settled and running quite smoothly so far.

Come to think of it, I can't wait for all this things to end coz then it'll settle me down. Now, it's too much to think and do at one time. Moving location was never fun and I really wish there are any easier way to do it.

Whatever it is, I'm going for my diving trip in Sangalaki starting from 24 Oct until 1 Nov. I really need time to unwind and explore the underwater and this is the best time to do it coz too much going onfor me right now (both professionally & personally). Since I'll be at a very remote islands, I'll definitely won't get any disturbance coz there'll be no signal of whatsoever communication on the islands. So, it's time for beach, sun and sea again......... RELAX MODE!!!!

Note : See you guys when I come back from Sangalaki.....

Mataking.. the diving

Diving in Mataking is always amazing coz I love all the macro life. The feeling of seeing and spotting macro life in the wild (under the sea) is always indescribable. I really enjoyed the last dive that I did there. Plus, this time around it's only two of us (Neo & me) dive in the deep until 43 meters to find what we wanna see. It was so amazing.

Crab Eye Goby

Seeing any goby fish would make anyone jump overjoy (at least for me). The last dive there, I got to spot red fire goby, crab eye goby arrow goby etc etc etc.. which I'm not sure what type of goby they belong to.

Red Fire Goby

Another amazing macro life at Mataking is pygmy seahorse. I really love seeing it hanging on at sea gorgonians. I spotted the pinkish and yellowish one. It was really amazing. Unfortunately, I missed to spot another rare find i.e Pontoh pygmy seahorse which is very rare and hard to find. Neo found it the day before I dive with him at Mataking. I wish I can see it.. hopefully next time.

Pygmy Seahorse

Pontoh Pygmy Seahorse

Now, I have new favourite fish i.e filefish. I found it very interesting coz of it's unconventional beauty. So, frog fish will come second now heheh. I really wish someday I can afford to have the advance underwater camera to capture all those moment and creature underwater. It'll cost me at least RM10k, so it'll have to wait for now...

Scribbled Filefish

Anyway, diving with Neo is always enjoyable with the underwater acrobatic, fighting and running hehehe.. It was very interesting to have fun while diving as well....

Mataking... the last time

Mataking!!!! what can I say. It's like my diving playground. I really love going there coz it's kinda isolated islands bordering the Philippines. You can literally throw a stone to the Philippines coz it's really at the sea border.

I think that will be the last time i dived in Mataking before I transfer to KL for good by next month. I hope I can come back for their Xmas and New Year party. I always feel at home in Mataking coz almost all the staffs know me by name maybe coz I went there so often and I befriended some of the dive crews esp Neo. Also at that time there were not many guest on the islands and I felt like I had the islands all to myself hehe

Neo & Me

This trip was somewhat special for me coz I did the things that I never did or taking it for granted before. Apart from diving, me & Neo walked and explored the Mataking Kecil Islands (the twin islands to Mataking Besar). The Mataking Kecil was deserted and I really enjoy the walked, moment and environment there. On the second day, we kayak to Mataking Kecil coz it's high tide and the I really enjoyed the kayaking experience albeit it's kinda far and rough. I wish I can build a house there hehe. After kayaking, i swam naked in the sea for 30 minutes coz there's nobody there at all and even if there are people watching, they'll be too far to see us hehe. I just feel like wanna blend in with the nature and that was the best time, the right moment and environment to do it.


The last day was kinda sad coz I'm leaving the Islands and don't know when I can come back there again. I really enjoyed all the memories from Mataking and all the staffs said good bye to me and wished me good luck. They really hope to see me during the Xmas and New Year party.
I'll always miss the experiences and thanxs to Neo coz he's the one who made all the experiences most memorable and special.....

Note : The rest of the photos can be viewed in my facebook.

Sangalaki Confirmed

Finally Allie confirmed with me for the Sangalaki Diving Trip. So, we are set to go and see mantas by the end of this month i.e from 24 Oct until 31 Oct.

It'll be a very hectic time and month for me coz I need to arrange the ferry to Tarakan, return flight Tarakan-Berau, hotel in Tarakan and be there on time for the boat transfer to Maratua Islands. In the mean time, I'll be busy with my transfer as well. I need to sort all this things out as soon as possible with little time that I have.

I feel that I have so little time left to arrange everything including the ever increasing workloads in the office at the moment due to instability/volatility of market scenario. Then, for the whole of next week, I'll be in KL doing the familiarization for the new job. I just don't wanna think anything right now and just do what I could.

The schedule as follows;
10-12 Oct - diving at Mataking
13-19 Oct - work, work, work in KL
20-21 Oct - work, work work in KK
22- 23 Oct - back in Tawau to sort everything out
24-31 Oct - diving at Sangalaki.

Despite all these things, I still enjoying life to the fullest....

Aidilfitri @ Seremban

It's Raya time again and as usual I celebrated Aidilfitri at my parents in Seremban. There's nothing much going on and Raya is not really a big thing for us, I guess. One of my sister and brother don't even have baju raya. Whatever it is, we're happy to see each other during this festive holiday. All of us are back this time around except my oldest brother who can't get a leave (he's working in Abu Dhabi tho')... Here are some of my family Raya pictures...

Sit at sofa from left : Adah, Mak, Ayah & Angah
Sit on the floor from left : Imi, Yan and Adi

And there's me in this picture..

Eidul Fitri

To all Muslim and my blog readers, I'm wishing you a very Happy Eidul Fitri and have a safe journey back to your hometown and back. For those who are not celebrating, just enjoy the long festive holiday.

Transfer

I just got the letter for my transfer to KL and I really hate that it finally come. To make matter worst, the effective date is 1 October 2008... Who the hell are working on 1 October 2008????????? coz it's Eidul Fitri... I don't care coz I know that I'm not going to report duty on that day...

I'm kinda sad leaving Sabah coz I felt that it's my hometown, boleh?? heheh.. The feeling here is totally different from the Peninsula and I'll miss my regular diving at nice dive sites here esp in Mataking. I'll definitely will miss a lot of things here but life goes on. I believe there's always something good ahead that I don't see now.

Whatever it is, I'm prepared to transfer even though the job that I'll do won't be so interesting (in my opinion and observation from outside). Who knows that I might enjoy the new job with the new environment... we'll see......

Another thing, I'll be going back for my Eidul Fitri holiday tomorrow for a week. I hope can meet up some of you guys for breaking fast and/or during Raya... see ya!!!

Sangalaki Update

I really hope I can go for the trip but now it looks like I might have to postpone it. It's all because Allie really wanna join me to Sangalaki but she can't confirm it until 6 October 2008. We planned to go from 24-31 Oct 2008. I hope she can make it this October if not we might have to postpone it until 14 November 2008 or even worst until July or August next year.

This time I have to accommodate her coz she did that for me during our Similan Islands/Andaman Sea liveaboard couple of years back. It's my turn to return her favour hehehehe. By the way, it's way much better to have a partner for diving trip than going alone, no? and she is always been a good company to have while travelling.

I hope the Resort can hold our reservation until 6 October, if not we'll lose our deposit of RM800 each. I already communicated with them and I hope everything will go smoothly. Now, I just have to wait and pray that Allie can make it for the Sangalaki trip this October.

New Look

It's time to change for a new look again coz my hair getting longer and flatter. I don't really like my hair now. Since I was in KK last Tuesday, I went to my stylist and ask her opinion about what will be my new look. Long and flat hair doesn't suit me (coz it's time consuming to manage it) so I need to get back my curl....

Snip... snip...snip there goes my hair and came out the curl.... it took 4 tiring hours at the saloon to get everything done....

THE RESULT : My new look was slightly shorter to my liking... I can't wait for it to grow... but the curl was very nicely done hehehe

BEFORE

AFTER

Sangalaki Trip

I really hope that I can go for the trip even though there are few obstacles ahead. It's kinda road block but hopefully I'll get through it. First, booking an air ticket from the remote Indonesian airline is never easy. As I found out, there are two airlines service the Tarakan-Berau route i.e Kalstar and Trigana Air. Booking the ticket is one hell of problem for me. Kalstar still under maintenance and won't open their booking until further notice and Trigana Air still haven't reply my email (after 3 weeks) for the ticket. When I called them, they said they will only open booking for October 08 ONLY in October 08... How can I can plan??? As expected almost everything in Indonesia hardly ever efficient. I hope I can get confirm ticket by early next month.

Second, I think this the last chance for me to dive in Sangakali coz I'll be transferred to KL by year end. Then, it'll be so hassle for me to travel to East Kalimantan from KL. I really hope everything work out as what I planned coz time is running out and options are limited.

Third, Allie (my dive buddy) finally confirmed going with me last month but suddenly she can't commit again today. Whether she can make it or not, I'll still be going but I really wish you can make it Allie coz it has been a long time since we dive together, no?? and there is always happening things when we were on the road together, no?? I hope it won't be like Malapasqua altogether again when you bailed out at the eleventh hour hehehe.

Hopefully I can confirm and sort everything out by early October coz there will be so many things I need to sort out for my transfer as well. It's going to be one hell of busy October for me...... juz crossing my finger hoping things will go as plan...

The Zahir & Empty

I just finished reading The Zahir by Paulo Coelho. The book was somewhat like reading his self-written biography. I'm not so sure how far it is real but the story was quite interesting albeit a bit long winded.

I got another 3 books by Paulo Coelho but for now I'll start reading The Tenderness of Wolf by Stef Penney. It won 2006 Costa Book Of The Year. So far, the story is quite engaging and I like the details of the story. It gave life to the fiction. I don't know when I can finish the book but hopefully not too long hehehe.

Lately I felt somewhat empty and I don't really know why and what cause it. Perhaps too much things going in my life right now and too much transition lies ahead. I don't know whether I'm sad, happy, angry, frustrated etc... coz it's just EMPTY. I hope things will turn out ok when everything settle down. I need to get back ME.... I need to find ME again......coz emotionally I'm soo not myself right now.

Kusut

That how I felt lately... My mind is soooo kusut coz too many things happening to me within these past few weeks until now. I just don't know what to do and some of the things I just have to accept it as it comes. I hope I'll get through everything no matter how hard it might/can be.

I just try to look at the positive side and I'm sure all the things happen for a reason. For whatever reason it is, I'm kinda suffering (mentally) right now. It's so hard to focus what's more important in this situation but I need to keep my focus for the best solution.

At some point in our life, there'll be a juncture. Whether I should cross or burn the bridge. In this case, I think I should just cross the bridge and by doing so I need to sort a lots of things. It'll be very taxing for me for a few months or maybe a year but I'm sure I'll get through it. By burning the brige, it'll gain nothing apart from short term personal satisfaction. Kusut!!!!!!!!!!! Kusut!!!!!!!! Kusut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eid Mubarak

To all Muslim, Eid Mubarak!!!!!


I hope we can achieve what we want during this fasting month. I will try to fast in every senses to respect the Holy month.

Diving At Last.......

Last weekend I got a chance to dive in Sipadan even though it's a peak season for divers. Thank God, I knew people here who can arrange for me to dive in Sipadan even it's kinda last minute coz most tourist have to wait for days to get a permit. Thank you guys!!!

I went and stay at Billabong Homestay in Mabul. It was not a fancy resort and provided only basic accommodation and food. Maybe I'm so used to travel in luxury and kinda not comfortable in that type of place BUT the divers/snorkelers that I met there was friendly and we became instant friends. Since I went there alone, so I just hang out with them through out the day.

Unfortunately I was sick with high fever and throat infection since last Thursday. I took an injection on Friday to ease the fever. Came Saturday I was still groggy but still decided to get in to the island but I didn't dive on Saturday just chill out on the beach with my new found friends there. Sunday, I still not very well but I don't care coz this was the last time I can go diving before the fasting month. So, I went for a 3 dives on Sunday (2 in Sipadan and 1 in Oil Rig).

Me and My Frog Fish

During my first dive, I have a slight problem to equalize but as experience diver, I just hang on and go on with it. After seeing how amazing the Barracuda Point, all the grogginess was gone. It was really amazing that day with school of barracuda dancing. I LOVE IT!!!!!! I saw white tip sharks sleeping under the big hard coral and that was amazing as well even though the sharks in Sipadan were much smaller than in Palau. The last dive, I saw one of my favourite fish i.e Frog Fish. I don't why but I really like to see frog fish maybe coz it has a limb (kind of). Overall, it was a good weekend dive trip even though I'm still kinda sick (not fully recover) until now heheheh.

Me and Scorpion Fish (i guess). It's a scorpion family type of fish

Thank you guys who made my weekend. I hope to see you guys again!!! esp to Maja & Anne Sofie (the danish girls), Jimmie the Swedish guy, Daniel the Swiss guy and Goh from Kuching. And to those helping me out to get the Sipadan diving permit, thank you sooo much. I hope to dive in Sipadan again after Aidilifitri... Oh ya, forgot to mention that I tried out my new Suunto D4 dive computer during my last dive and I'm happy with its performance.

Good As GOLD

Rafa officially become world No.1 today and perfectly fitting with his GOLD medal achievement in Olympic Beijing. It was long overdue and I'm so happy it finally been realized. He got a great year with Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Olympics and I hope he'll continue to win the US Open next week and the Aussie Open in January 09 to complete the Golden Grand Slam. CONGRATS RAFA!!!!!In the women draw, finally Elena Dementieva nailed the BIG one. She came sooo close three times (twice in Grand Slam and one at Sydney Olympic). I'm glad she finally win the GOLD medal and she'll always be my sentimental favourite.

And at last Malaysia won its first medal after 12 years albeit silver but it was a good achievement considering badminton might not be in 2016 Olympic. I hope we'll get our first gold in London 2012.

The host nation China now leading by a massive gold medal margin and incredibly they won the gold medal in variety of events including fencing and rowing (which is European dominant games). They definitely looks good for overall champion.
Anyway, the week belongs to RAFA the GOLD MEDAL CHAMPION and crowned No.1 in the world. VAMOS!!!!