he quoted me in his speech

26th January 2011, Rose-Hill, Mauritius

Up to a week ago this “Lead Green” project seemed like a joke with a bad punch line. The 20 bright individuals from all 4 corners of the world who were eager and enthusiastic to learn about Mother Nature and to make a difference were utterly disappointed. The initial perception was that we learn about sustainability in Mauritius, work with the local NGOs, conduct awareness workshops and return to our home countries with enough knowledge and experience to make a difference. We were promised that we would make an impact but the 20 undergraduates who were waiting, wanting to make an impact were left laughing at a badly told joke.

To convince ourselves that we were making the least bit of difference, we used the word ‘sustainable’ at every floating litter and open fire. We lost every desire to work and shifted our motivation to sun-tanning, partying, and more sun-tanning.

All of a sudden, the faintest hint of work creeps in. “Go to secondary schools and create an awareness campaign on sustainability” they told us in the strongest French-Mauritian accent. A project close to my heart it became, fuelled by my cheesy love for Nature and all things green as I was left in charge of the presentation.

The moon went to sleep and it was campaign day. I stood in front of 50 odd pinafore-clad girls feeling like I swallowed a jar of butterflies. In a house of 18 other interns who seemed like they did not really care nor took this awareness workshop seriously, no one but me knew how important and serious this presentation meant to me. It was a campaign created less than 24 hours ago, I was not at all prepared. What do I say? What if they ask me super-intelligent question and I can’t answer? Whats, hows and ohmygods ran through my mind, until the projector was turned on and all eyes were on me. My mind was blank and I just started talking, and talking, and talking. They laughed at my joke, which was a good sign. They weren’t responsive to my questions, not too good. They look like they are listening to me, thank god.

20 minutes later and it was the last slide, a warm round of applause and I ended my presentation with a great big smile, satisfied that I had just given the best presentation that I have ever given in my life. When it was activity time, the shy, reserved girls before me burst out of their shells and literally started to sing and dance. Their enthusiasm infectious and energy vibrated into our veins. It was the best day I had in Mauritius, knowing that I was able to share my passion and teach the kids about wonderful Mother Nature felt amazing enough, never have it occurred to me that I could actually inspire others to make a difference until 3 days later when Elodie messaged me.

“hi mei! i'm Elodie from the Queen Elizabeth college.Just want to thank you all guys for the great time we had together! we already started taking actions at school level and we're planning a cleaning day on friday during recess! thanks a lot guys. you had a great impact on us!!!”

Who knew a sloppy slide show crafted in mere hours could have had such a great impact. A gush of warmth, fuzziness, rainbows and butterflies of a good kind rushed through me upon opening this sweet, beautiful, simple message. Me? I made an impact? I actually inspired and motivated people to make a difference? I made a difference? This concept was new to my blood, it made me feel like a million rupees. The mere 2 hours we spent with the girls was so inspiring and motivating that it made the prior 30 days of bumming around seemed okay. I inspired people, and they motivated me to do more.

Lead Green finally lived up to its name, although this presentation was merely a side project, it embodies the spirit and essence of our stay. Sometimes the most ambitious of plans is just a dressing while the simpler effort sends the strongest message. All it takes is one little change to make a whole lot of difference. Inspiration and motivation comes side by side, hand in hand. To inspire, you have to be motivated, and when you are motivated, you are inspired. This is what Elodie and friends taught me today, a little reminder to keep motivated to inspire others, to keep my dedication and not to ever lose my drive.

en route

aiports are cold, lifeless, steel.


the people's life sedentary as they wait to embark on a journey away, or a journey back home.
mothers and fathers pushes through their tiredness as they watch their kids have fun in imaginary land,
businessmen waste not their precious time, happily sip beers by the bar, or work feverishly on their laptops,
the occasional lost lone traveller pushes by looking for Gate 15,
admiring the young students who catches beloved naps between transit.
and some,
some just seat and read,
some just seat and watch as time pass by,
all just sit and wait.

they think they are using precious time well,
but all do they are is just waiting, waiting.

airports are cold, lifeless, steels.

they call it prep work

if there is one thing i hate more than filling out forms,
its packing.

my god i hate packing.


the last time i attempted life as an alien, mum and dad picked, folded, packed and wrapped everything up for me and sent me on my way like I'm a christmas present for a nasty 5 year old brat. All I did was picked what I wanted to wear. But then again, they were the ones that decided that I go, they were the ones that arranged the flight tickets and everything else that had to be arranged. Like I'm a superstar and they my manager. 18 year old me was so relunctant to go that I immersed myself in work and avoided all the packing I can.

This time around, I avoided all the packing I can again, or so mum noted. Everytime she said its time to pack, I had people to have drinks with or Vinyls to stick on my room wall. At least my room looks cool now!

Until the (mid)night before, I avoid till I cannot avoid no more, I had to pick, fold, pack and wrap everything up on my own, and they stand and watch. Heck dad didn't even peep at my bag. Like I've downgraded from superstar to the superstar's assistant with no self respect.

Serves me right for having an itchy butt and legs that cannot stay where they are eh? I arranged and payed for everything on my own. Who knew international arrangements requires so much work. heh. heh. At least dad was kind enough to sponsor me a (really good) camera :)

People keep asking me if im excited to be going, and all i can say is "no rasa". I picked the wrong time to go, but they say no matter which planes crashes and what boat capsized, life has to go on. So i went on with mine, though filled with guilt, and relunctancy that i did not forsee.

oh by the way, if you didnt know yet, im en route to Mauritius! :)

Adventures of Gunung Ledang

Once upon a time, i visited the puteri on Gunung Ledang.
And These are the pictures.

The End.

Suku Surpise!

T'was suppose to be a heartwarming story about a pack of 6, adventuring into the land of Gunung Suku. A much needed and long overdue moutain getaway it was, for me at least. Beads of sweat rolling down my chin one at a time; hands swipping at my arms, feet and face every few minutes (we confidently forgot aoubt insect repellent). It was bound to be a heroic tale as we slayed deeper into steep lands, with the harmonious symphony of birds singing in the backgroud, sound of our thumping hearts in our ears, and the rustling leave under our feet serenading us. It was really all that and more! for the first hour of the trek at least. Just when the going was getting tough, the tough stopped, abruptly. Our 4 hours escapade to the peak was cut short when one of us was not well. and i was just starting to rejoice in the pains and glory of a neglected hobby.

We stopped for mountain made Portobello Mushroom Pasta and sausages. Yes, they really do spoil us.

Are you joking!? You guys drove all the way to Camerons for an abandoned trek? You must be asking. But no... no no no no no. That, my friend is where you are wrong! Little did we know Suku had lost of little suprises planted for us along our leisurely way down. Pleasant surprises and mindbaffling discoveries. Its amazing what you can uncover with an observant eye.


The first surprise Suku prepared for us was this beautiful, lonesome fungly mushroom. It closed slightly when we touched it, and closed again when we touched it more. I wanted see how it look like completely closed but they boo-ed at my idea. :( the mushroom looks plenty yummy though! imagine that cooked with fresh greens, chicken croutons and glazed in honey mustard dressing... yum!

Gary the snail lazily welcomed us after that! slowly, slimy but surely, with that beautiful and unique shell of his, he smiled at us. *shall resist thinking of Gary as an escargot!*
We saw Buddha on the way down. Tucked discreetly, comfortably by a tree. What do you see?

Curiosity got the better of us when the number of add yellow balls scattered on the ground seem to increase. first there were only one or two on the way, then yellow and green balls were like everywhere. It looked like it just rained balls and the air was lemony fresh after that. Who would have guessed that those yellow balls WERE lemons! I didnt even know Malaysia had lemon trees. We spotted the lemon tree. Now we know, the lesson of the story? Malaysia has lemon trees!this was like the best discovery of all! Remember those red little seeds we find on the ground and use to keep for fun during like primary school? "Siang Si Dou" we used to call it in mandarin. This brought back sweet childhood memories when we found it. It was something I play with growing up but never bothered to ask where it came from or how it looked like. We found the seeds raw, still in its little coccon, the red shell still soft and premature. Milk ozzes out when we break the skin. I was very excited to find this, wouldnt you?


More mushrooms looking yummy on the way down,

and last but not least, a very baffling discovery. We found the fruit, we found the tree, we dont know what on earth is this supposed to be. Its definately not a lemon, its not furry/orange enough to be a peach, its not guava-ey enough to be well, a guava. Another dissection of the fruit revealed purple flesh. definately not a dragon fruit. Any ideas?

This furry little fellow welcomed us on the way up. Looks like one big impressive caterpillar don't it? ITS NOT! its actually a combo of many many tiny furry caterpillars. uncountable.

So thats about it folks! It took us too long to get back down because of all the ohhings and ahhing and picture taking. Can't really tell you much about the Suku as a mountain until the next time we head up again. Its suppose to be good though, with mossy goodness and all.

free falling

remember my skydiving post?

well this is it, the epic video of me free falling off a plane to go with it.

watch, and salivate.



my bro had nothing to say coz he paid for eveything and well, you can hardly see him in the vid.
hey its not my fault! :P

Los Angeles, California!

LA was our third stop during our not-so-grand west-american tour. we stayed in downtown LA, and walked around discovering nothing much but a very quiet town. People in their power suits talking on their phones, fast food joints lined the streets, and Mexicans in flourescent orange jackets surveying the traffic.

nothing eye-popping really. I spotted some buildings filmed in movies, a very pathetic looking Pershing's Square, the Staples Center got my brother all excited..

Staples Center- where all the sports games, and Micheal Jackson's funeral was held

but the one thing about this places that attracted me was the quaint little ancient, deserted, antique theaters and hotels. I love how these theaters screamed the era of black and white films, and Audrey Hepburn, when movies were called "pictures" and women dressed up in their freshly curled hair and fiery red lipstick, men in their handsome 3-piece.... Closed down it may be, but beautifully preserved..

the Los Angeles Theater- with the last movie sign still intact.

the innards of the LA theater if im not mistaken

a very antique Hotel Clark

one train ride up and we were at Hollywood,
home of more movie theaters that brings back that whiff of nostalgia, though these very old theaters are still busy with screenings......

The El Capitan Theater that also somehow houses a Disney store

The Pantages Theater showing old films

and of course, Hollywood was home of THE Grauman's Chinese Theater.
you know those movie premiers with the red carpet and the movie casts and the paparazi asking them about the movies? and sometimes they go on all fours putting their hands in cement? apparently this is where they do it. VERY impressive theater. they even have guided tours to visit the inside. LOL

Grauman's Chinese Theater- super tourist area.

the inside. its so big play hide and seek also can go missing.

the floor damn nice lo. you can see people going around looking for their fav stars hand and foot print. This theater's been around since Marilyn Monroe's time. and err, i went there 2 days after the Wolverine movie premier. spot the stolen diamond in this pic!


tinseltown was also home of the Hollywood sign *duh!*
street perfomers,


and of course, the star lined streets that is the Walk of Fame.

The simpsons, Victoria's Secret's Angels, and even Kermit the Frog have a star!

My dream and only dream when I left for the US was to visit DISNEYLAND, a very important number on my 100thingstodobeforeidie list.... but, i settled for Universal Studios instead, even though Disneyland was close by. All because the brother happily went to Orlando and played at the LARGEST Disneyland and Universal Studios AND Seaworld without me! didnt want to do Disneyland twice, he said. fine, i said. We didnt manage to try all the rides but i was damn excited taking photos with the mascotts!

We didnt have time to try all the rides but The Universal Studio tours were pretty cool. They took us backstage and around the actual movie sets and locations and explained how a tiny pond was filmed as a big sea. Movie magic is damn tricky i tell you! smart, but sneaky!
outside Universal studios was like a little street with shopping and eating called the Universal Walk. its like Universal studio's very own township, without the house.



Funniest thing that happened was we say this Guy with long brown hair and beard dressed like Jesus. but, he wasnt a street perfomer, he just walks around acting and looking like Jesus. 3 days later, we were watching TV and TMZ was reporting about this weird Jesus guy in LA! haha.

and there was this weird crazy guy with his pants down to his crotch (no underpants), walked around with his hands up so his belly is exposed and talking some crazy language. he was like semi flashing us.

Los Angeles might seem like a very posh and hip place, but ironically it has some of the cheapest shopping. And, beyond the tourist traps and camera flash, it was another dodgy area with weird shops selling stripper paraphernalia/more weird stuff, and policeman summoning girls that were parading their bra's and panties.

Nothing much around LA i suppose, but it was quiet exciting to learn about how movies are made and it was very fun spotting the places I've seen on TV in person. And watching movies and being able to say "I've been there!" is so rewarding, in a way. i suppose. :)

watch out for day four in Los Angeles, the wonderful Santa Monica!