A Night of Festive Culture

I know I know.
I'm wayyyyyyyyyyy behind the date of posting this. 
Really sorry for that. 

So this Event is held in conjunction with Dean's List Award 2011 on
8pm 14 Dec' 2011
at Mahsa University College (Jalan University Campus) Auditorium.
And basically, the dress code is 'reminiscing in Ethnic, Cultural beauty.'

Christy, Hilda, & I were invited as the blogger of the night. Thanks a lot for the invitation, Christy and the organisers. Of course, we tried our best to fit into the 'dress code'. =D

 So I get to go earlier. Managed to see familiar faces there.. Those faces who greeted me warmth-ly when I just settled down here. The smiles from the bunch of pals in Environmental Health course =D Initially only get to know few of them but owing to similar background, most of them are from East, we's hanging around just fine.

 There are lots of things that I love about this event. 1st is the detailed decoration. I don't really get to see these sort of decoration. Reminds me of old school days where I used to study in a government(malay) school.

Light appetizer for the event is "Silat". Its a collective word for indigenous martial arts of Indonesian Archipelago and Malay Peninsula of Southeast ASIA. It's basically a form of Martial Art, where the one who practices this depict the "Art of Fighting". In a way, we can say that they're fighting in a graceful manner as it is very much appreciated as a form of art. Not many youngster can inherit/learn this these days. I'm glad that I'm able to witness it though I can't really understand the art of it but it's something that is priceless.

Next is of course, the opening speeches and the official launching of the event. Thumbs up to the graphic designer of the current event. I love the settings of the brochure, ticket, pass, background, theme, presentation. I love how they put in the vintage, grunge, floral, retro, old-school essences. Everything fits in nicely. A job well done to y'all..

One of the important part of the event, Dean list's Award. It's just overwhelming to see happy faces receiving certificate from happy face as well =) Seriously, the queue is quite long! I guess nothing is happier than receiving prizes especially when it's out of your own 'blood & sweat' hah!

Next thing I love about this event is the array of numerous performances. I was fed with eye-candies throughout the night with beautiful performances.
1st up to give a core eye-opening is Indian dance.
They performed "Kollattam" or the stick dance. It is one of the most popular dances of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Kolattam is derived from Kol (a small stick) and Attam (play). It is also called as Kolannalu or Kolkolannalu. Kolattam dance is a combination of rhythmic movements, songs and music and is performed during local village festivals. This dance is known by different names in different states of India. The stick is the main rhythmic provider.

Having performances only, I bet not just me that the brain would get over-saturated. They have "Lucky-Draw session" every few performances. Just nice to let us rest and have a go to enjoy tailor-made performances for the audiences..

Datun Julud or Hornbill Dance is a traditional dance from Sarawak. The dance is from Kenyah tribe from Kabupaten, Balungan, Kutai Berau and Pasir. The dance was traditionally performed to greet returning warriors, as well as to mark the end of the rice harvest season. It is believed to celebrate happiness and gratitude.
The male dancer, Leonard is dressed as a warrior to depict the returning of warrior whilst the female dancer, Louisiana hold feather fans of hornbill feathers, moves up and down gracefully to depict the hornbill in flight.

Two men with one bass guitar and one acoustic guitar - Instrumental Performance.Though its only a bass and acoustic guitar, they managed to pull the show off with some classic yet reminiscing songs. Familiar faces, aren't they? Yep they're contestants from Mahsa Idol 2011 too (;

Next up, is the 'community anthem' performance by (from left): Danniel, Henry, Melvina, Faezah. Basically they're doing easy-to-sing songs. And most of the song are what we used to and have always been listening to.

One of the most anticipated one, with bigger than usual troup is none other than the Chinese Fan Dance. This dance was developed during the Han dynasty. The art of Chinese Fan Dance conveys the hue, extravagance, and splendor of the Chinese culture and is mesmerised by spectators all over the world. This dance highlights delicate movements with constantly changing rhythm, which is dynamic and graceful. It is a classical fan dance as it is based on simple classical chinese body movements, allowing the dance to be soft and flowing continuously. Chinese believe Chinese Fan Dance tells stories with its unique visual beauty. I love the fact that it is not solely performed by Chinese. Good to have other races to learn our culture too (;

My favourite! of all, is of course the stage play. As my brain is on the way getting over-saturated.. I would never expect this stage play to be tttttttthhhhhhhhhhaaaatttt Good! I love the casts, the plot, the story, the background, materials used. I can really see the efforts being put into this to make it a great one. Double thumbs up to everyone who involved. I can see some raw talents there.

Basically, its a story about a man who forgets about his friends and family when he succeeded. He is proud, rude, and harsh. Until everything is vanished from his life one by one, he realised that he didn't treasure and appreciate them as they should. And it's a lesson learnt. (Just a rough idea)

Following, a performance combining Sabah and Sarawak tribe dances like Warrior dance, Sumazao Dance, etc. It's great to see them wear different outfit from different tribe. Rare opportunity to see. Eye-opener for me to see these in Mahsa University College ;)

 Another mesmerising performance accompanied by good vocals. Great indulgence in their singing :)

Seriously, their attire caught my attention. I thought only guys are wearing it. But I came to learn more about Zapin Dance through their performance. Zapin is a dance form originate in Malay-populated provinces. It is believed to be introduced by Arab, Muslim missionaries form Middle East in fourteenth century. In old days, only males are allowed to perform; females are included nowadays. It is used to be performed exclusively for religious ceremonies but through the years it has become a form of traditional entertainment, hence participation of female dancers is allowed. usually it is accompanied by traditional music ensemble.

Closing of the event, we have a long runway for showcasting different costume and attire for Chinese, Malay, Indian, and East Malaysians' different tribe.

A job well done to the committee members and ALL who are involved!

Now now, how can any event end w/o a BIG GROUP PHOTO?

Overall, it was a good event. I mean REALLY GOOD EVENT. My eyes were fed with so many beautiful performances. I'm sorry for this entry to lack so many of the details but am trying to not make this post looked so wordy. Thanks for the invitation, awesome seats reservations for us-bloggers to take nice photos. It was a good experience. We hope to see the 2012 one soon! Good luck for your future undertakings, talented Allied Health Practitioners =D =D =D

"New Year's Eve" Movie

Well, it's been some time since I really went for a movie that I want to. Went alone watching this, thinking that the year is ending and Xmas is coming, I should watch something relative to these. So, it was a last minute decision to change from "You're the Apple of My Eye" to "New Year's Eve".

Why I chosed to watch this movie?

- Because there's sooooooo many starts inside, and it looks glam & interesting. Went in without any expectations at all.

Review:

Overall, I would give this movie a yes. Of course, I've read reviews online and most of them expected more and most didn't think this movie worth the value. Despite all this, I think the efforts should be appreciated. Ermm, what the director wanted to convey, is conveyed. I liked it. I think it's simple, just like a Saturday Night movie at home kinda movie. Feels comfortable, not with complicated plot and it really feels what it should be felt like the 31st Dec!!! =)

I laughed, almost shed tears, appreciate this movie throughout the 117 minutes. I thought, it's speaking to me , I love the words that they said. It's really about love, hope, forgiveness, 2nd chances, and fresh starts. Promises, Love, unexpectants, Some hillarious part inside are .. tickling .. =)

It's a good one, to me. Go watch! :) 

New Year's Eve celebrates love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts, in the intertwining stories told amidst the pulse and promise of New York City on the most dazzling night of the year. -- (C) Warner Bros

Channel of Blessings

So here I am sharing this to all of you :)
Each year, we'd be having a new year resolution and all that. I'm never really into it honestly speaking. hahaha I feel so bad for telling the truth!! Well, the point is that though I'm also doing a 'new year resolution' but I never really achieve it and so I came to a conclusion that it's pointless. And I've actually deleted the thought of setting it annually.

2011 has been Quite A Year for me =) Met so many challenges, people, things, opportunities, the goods and the bads... It's quite unbelievable in a way. Of course, it's a year that I've changed a lot, and learnt a lot. Definitely, am a better listener now. I chosed to care for people in a way that I don't usually do. I've been telling people that I'm not very expressive of what I usually want, esp physically. Of course, it's more comfortable for me to use words to express myself. Though I think I'm not that good either in words hahaha.
I'm sorry for confusing you guys!!! But it's really a thought from deep down so why not?

2011, I decided to be different. I decided to be a CHANNEL OF BLESSINGS for people around me. Well, it was an inspiration from Jaeson's blog about 365 days of love. I feel I would be very blissful if someone really blesses me and I thought why not?

2011 is coming to almost an end. The year has really be crazzzzzyyyyyyyyyyy!
I really can't describe it in words how crazy it is but it is! hahahahahaa
So here, I'm expressing what I really am feeling right now that I'm very happy blessing you guys giving you guys warmth, love, ear to listen, shoulder to learn on, your needs, your fav stuff, and etc ... It's been good really blessing someone whole-heartedly. I'm blessed blissfully in return and nothing beats the joy I had after becoming a channel to all. It has been good, and like I always said, God is Good all the timmmeeee! He's just awesome in His own way, isn't it?

It's a GREAT leap of faith for me to get over my faults, my pessimism, my ego, my pride, my thoughts on what would others think ... But I always remembered that we're seen bare in front of Him (metaphor) and He already knew what I am and He would be glad if I would MAKE.A.DIFFERENCE. And this kept me going all this while.

I love the people in my life, whether you're just passing by, but you're still, my passenger of life. And it's really great having you guys on board ;)

Reaching the End of the Year

21 Nov 2011 : MS Practical Model (Cohort 5, mrng session)
21 Nov 2011 : DTC, UM Cultural Night (7pm)
23 Nov 2011: Christian Fellowship 2.30pm *postponed
23 Nov 2011: Church-wide prayer meeting 8.30pm
25 Nov 2011: Neuro theory final 10-11am
25 Nov 2011: Cell Group 8pm
26 Nov 2011: Church 5pm
27 Nov 2011: Work (half-day)
29 Nov 2011: Assessmeng & Reasoning 12.09pm
30 Nov 2011: CF P&W
2nd Dec 2011: CG
3rd Dec 2011: Sat Night Church Service
5th Dec 2011: Neuro Assignment submission by 4pm
5th Dec 2011: Y2S1 eat-out buffet deal with Cohort
6th Dec 2011: 2nd year 2nd semester
6th Dec 2011: Dec baby pressie
7th Dec 2011: sushi making day
7th Dec 2011: CF
9th Dec 2011: CG Joint Bday celebration
10-11th Dec 2011: CG Sem Trip
11th Dec 2011: EC Swim
13 Dec 2011: inter-UM Swim Competition
19-31 Dec 2011: Semester break
19-21 Dec 2011: Melacca trip
24 Dec 2011: What if... Concert
25 Dec 2011: Church mrng service
25 Dec 2011: BBQ Lunch at boss' place
25 Dec 2011: Xmas Open House @ Kota Kemuning
31 Dec 2011: Year-end church service =3
3rd Jan-27 Jan : 3rd clinical posting

Love & Relationships

"In the beginning, we didn't really know each other. Now you've seen the best of me and the worst of me and you still adore me. That's real love."

 The truth is, women today need men more than ever. They just need men in different ways. Men can provide special support that can assist women in coping with the new stresses of modern life, but most women don't know how to get this support or to appreciate it properly when it is available. With a greater awareness of her needs, a woman can begin to appreciate what she is getting and focus less on what she is not getting. With a more realistic vision of what is possible rather than the Hollywood fantasy of a man who fulfills her every wish, she is better able to appreciate his efforts and not take for granted all the things her partner already does provide.

When she learns to appreciate what a man already offers, a woman holds the key to asking for more in small reasonable increments to get the support she needs and deserves. This is not only a formula for success, but it is also what real love is about.

The above quoted citation from John Gray's book, makes him realise something important. He went into richer understanding of lasting love with the help of his wife of the above statement. Love is not a fantasy of perfection in which our every need is met, but sharing a life together, striving to meet each other's needs as best as we can. Forgiving our partners for their mistakes and accepting their limitations can be just as fulfilling as appreciating their many gifts and successes. Just as it was difficult for her to live with a man who didn't always measure up to her expectations, it was challenging as well for John to accept that he couldn't and did not provide everything his wife's fantasy of a perfect relationship.

Just as women need to let go of expecting men to be perfect, men need to let go of expecting women to think men are perfect. Together, we learnt that our life doesn't have to be perfect for us to connect and support each other. Real Love does not demand perfection but actually embraces imperfection. Sharing this kind of love enriches all aspects of our lives and brings increasing fulfillment.

Intimate and truly loving relationships make up the fabric of a fulfilling life. The relentless demands in our lives to have more, go faster, and do better can distract us from this simple truth. The social changes that have expanded our freedoms have also created the need for new ways to keep harmony in our most intimate relationships.

Credits to : John Gray in Why Mars and Venus Collide

LOVE
Question to ponder: What are the qualities of true love?
Laban replied, "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter's bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work." And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wide. Laban gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. Jacob lay with Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. An he worked for Laban for another seven years. [Genesis 29:26-30]

Properly understood, love between a woman and a man is both a feeling and a commitment. It is a feeling of desire and devotion that draws two people together. It is a commitment to remain together no matter what happens to the feelings. True commitment, however, should enhance people's feelings for one another. Jacob demonstrated passion and commitment in agreeing to work another seven years for the woman he loved, despite the fact that he's been tricked into marrying Leah. Jacob counted the additional years as immaterial compared to the value of his love for Rachel. Our culture often mistakes strong feelings, or even lust, for love, but Bible reminds you that love is sealed by an act of commitment and faithfulness.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

[1 Corinthians 13:4-7]

LOYALTY

Question to ponder: How is loyalty an expression of true friendship?

At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, but Ruth clung to her. "Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her." But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." [Ruth 1:14-16]

Ruth's loyalty and commitment to her mother-in-law went beyond their cultural expectations. The two women had become friends. True friendship is characterised by loyalty, no matter what happens around you. There is a vast difference between knowing someone well and being a true friend. The greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty, being available to help in times of distress or personal struggle. Too many people - and relatives! - are fair-weather friends. They stick around when the relationship benefits them, and they leave when they're not getting anything out of it. Think about your friends, and consider your loyalty to them. What can you do to become more loyal? True loyalty passes the test of adversity and brings a divine moment into the life of your friend.

Love never gives up,

 never loses faith,

 is always hopeful, 

and 

endures through every circumstance.

[1 Corinthians 13:7]

Simple & Logical theory:

Out of love, loyalty, passion which is the most important in a relationship?  Loyalty and trust. These two surpasses everything. When a couple breaks up, it doesn't mean that they do not love each other. It's plainly because they don't trust each other that much compared to the beginning, and they're not anymore loyal. Love is still there. Some time you do wonder, why a couple who loved each other never end up together? It is because of the lackage of Trust, Loyalty, and Understanding in the person and the relationship / commitment they hold on to.

It's a non-bias passage. I hope it doesn't turn out to be offensive or sarcastic. It's just really something that I really really really want to share from the bottom of my heart...

I know its a slight unusual to relate Love & Loyalty. 

Next one would be a post about Marriage =D 

- Jasmine Pang-

18 Nov 2011