Spring sunrise

It's that time of semester again where the final semester design project is about to due and when sleeping at 6am in the morning is a norm.  Sigh.. Not a happy semester, that I can tell you.  This week (including last Friday) was so stressful, and losing a dear dear friend does not help either.  Rebekah, really really miss you my friend, may you rest in peace as this is my final goodbye as I move on in life.


"Rebekah,

As memories came flooding in, Rebekah, you were more than just a good friend, you were like a little sister to me.  I remember the times when we brought you to school in the morning before you could even drive.  We were always greeted by you smiles and cheerful but sleepy “good mornings”.  I remember the good times we had in secondary school and especially when we were serving in the Wesley Youth Service.  When we went on our different path in life, I am glad we still met up when we were back in Sibu.  With your cheerful and cheerful smile.  I remember me, always messing up your hair just to disturb you and getting scolded by my mum.  Those were such great memories. The loss of a great friend is hard to bear, the loss of someone close is heart-breaking. 

Rebekah, though you were physically weak, you were one of the strongest and most passionate people I ever knew.  You brought smiles and happiness into so many people’s live.  Through music, friends, and even church.  Your life was a testimony for all who knew you.  Through all these sadness, I still thank God for a friend and a sister like you.  You will be deeply missed and will always be remembered.  Rebekah, thanks for being you. Thanks for being my friend. And as I can’t fly back to say goodbye, my heart is praying for you and your family.  See you in Heaven soon my friend.

Aaron C"

As I walked back this morning, and as the sun began to rise, I somehow felt it within me that God was telling me how wonderful and important life is.  Looking at the sky, I thought to myself: "God is indeed very creative and wonderful."  Even when stuff gets tough, I know my God is there for me.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  So as I go off to bed, let me share with you what beauty I saw this morning. 

It is as if God is telling me: "Have a great day.." so I would like to wish everyone:

"Have a Great day!"

What the Cold brings....

The cold has taught me one thing.  And that thing is to never complain that the weather is hot and maybe in the future to never complain that it is cold. If you ask me now if I miss home, I will tell you: "YES! I MISS HOME!!" I miss home because I miss heat. Imagine being in a fridge the whole day and you won't be able to get out for the next 3 months and it only gets colder day by day.  But the good thing is, you get to enjoy hot drinks like hot chocolate or a hot cup of Chocolate Irish-Cream Mocha and you really appreciate it.  It tastes better during the cold.  Some free time before I start my revision for my first exam here in Melbourne, so I looked back to some old pictures from my college years.  One thing for sure, I have stopped (for the time being) from asking myself why am I doing architecture and why I want to become an architect.  I realised that the reason most of us do it because of passion.  Trust me, if there is no passion, you won't make yourself suffer for more than 4 years in Uni then your lifetime as an architect when you graduate.

My reasons into why I think I am in architecture:
1. We are given/shown the world.

And instead of just appreciating and live in it, we want to contribute to it.  We want to create something more meaningful and beautiful to contribute to society.  They say architects are gods, I say bulls**t.

We are merely imitators of what God already created and we gain inspiration from the nature around us.  We grasp it and we try to understand it and then we create the buildings people live in.  You say you don't need architects because engineers can also design, I say, if you like living in a box, good on ya!

 2. Because we are not into saving lives.
But we are interested in letting people begin new lives. Architecture does not only concern the aesthetics of the external but also the internal.  We all need a place to live, to find shelter and to start a family.  Don't tell me you want to start a family on an open field.

We do not just design boxes, if we do design boxes, we design it with style and with thoughtfulness. Of how it fits with the character of those who dwell or work there.  We are not doctors, but we are also concerned on how people live and how our designs will affect them.

3. Its a journey.
No one ever says the road to a career is easy.  So why is architecture any different?  We get to see the world through books and through travelling to places.  Architecture has shown me that the world is so big and tell me how much I haven't seen.  Its not about the money, I would rather be working on site than in a big stuffy office.  I rather be free than being in a cage with four walls.

Architecture is an unending journey in life.  Some architects even work and enjoying their work till their death.  Their dedication like no other.  These are the men I admire.  They been through up and down but they died being remembered till centuries later.  Their works became inspirations to young designers like me.  Their works lives centuries after centuries.

But with all that, I love what I am doing because I have the passion in what I am doing.  Its not always about fame, fortune and riches.  Heck! Its not about any of those.  Its about realising your dreams, your happiness and you life's work.  I like this quote by Mother Theresa:

Now, time to stop questioning why you are in your course, but be glad you are in it and make the best out of it.  Don't blame your parents, don't blame society... Just have passion and you can make it some day.

Feeling like a seed....

Thinking about it, I sometimes feel like a seed.  Destined to grow and become something some day.  The only problem is like a seed, you won't know where you will be sowed, you won't know where you land and you won't know if you would survived or ever serve a  purpose.  Sometimes, you will feel like you are insignificant even though people tells you that you are talented.  Discontentment and disbelief runs in our veins.  Sometimes, you just feel that you are losing your mind.  Uncertain and paranoid about the things that are happening around you.  Hopeless, just like a seed waiting to be sown.  On hard earth or soft fertile soil..... I want to be the one who lands on soft fertile soil, where life can be simple and all decisions already made.  But the more you wish, the more you won't get what you want.  Destined but worried, Given but discontent..... Oh lord, this is the day I need you the most.....

A Cruise on the Mighty Rejang River....

When I first heard about this cruise, I was thinking to myself, must be some speedboat ride down the Rejang river, go stay in some longhouse or hotel in the small towns, chill a few days then back again. Skeptical, I know but that is how is it when you hear about these things in a small town. "Aiya, won't last one la.", " Too expensive. Why want to spend such money?"... Yep, these are the basics complaints Sibu Foo Chows will say.

But, I soon realize that this was no joke when I decided to go on a walkabout in town during the Gawai holidays and try to take some good photos. Somehow, I lack the mood to take photos ever since I got back. But, I found my subject. The "Pandaw", the Cruise which will take tourist on a tour of the Mighty Rejang river. Okay, for those who don't know, the Rejang River is the longest river in Sarawak.

Day 1: Sibu. Transfer from Sibu airport and aboard the RV Orient Pandaw in the bustling city port set close to the local markets and temples. Free time to explore the town on foot with its attractive streets of old Chinese shop houses; redolent of Malacca or Penang but without the tourists. From here the fast express boats depart for the interior.

Day 2: Kanowit. Cast off at dawn and proceed up the mighty Rajang. Morning stop to visit rattan workshops. Here the river is still wide and full of shipping. At the river station of Kanowit we visit the Brooke Raj Fort Emma, of wooden construction and amazingly surviving intact after 150 years. Explore deeper inland by long boat up the Kanowit River and voluntary jungle trek back to the Pandaw moored at Kanowit.

Day 3: Kapit. Morning walk through Kapit; the last major administrative post on the Rajang River dating from the days of the White Rajahs. Visit of the Teresang Market, full of intriguing fresh jungle products and a fascinating mixture of people. It also offers a variety of local 'kuih' (cakes), the Chinese temple and Fort Silvia, originally called Kapit Ford. In the afternoon, visit of the handicraft and tattoo museum and then continue to a traditional Longhouse. We will experience the traditional “miring” (goodwill) ceremony, taste the "tuak" (local rice wine) and will be able to witness the 'ngajat' (Iban warrior dance) and perhaps take part in it.

Day 4: The Baleh River. Just above Kapit we turn up the main tributary of the Rajang, the Batang Baleh navigable for a Pandaw for another day's sail. We will cruise through the most narrow and scenic part of the journey, through the deep jungle we will see forgotten and modern longhouse and rice fields on the hills. Logging is strictly controlled by the Sarawak government, who has a strict replanting program. We will visit a logging camp and stop overnight at Nagamujong village with its long house, school, clinic and church. We will also see loading points for coal coming from mines deep in the jungle.

Day 5: Pelagus Rapids. Return down the Baleh to rejoin the Rajang and proceed another 40 km towards the Pelagus Rapids. This section of the river is incredibly beautiful with thousands of islands, reefs and shoals. Navigation here can be difficult depending on water levels and it may be necessary to transfer to long boats to continue our journey. Full day at Pelagus resort, designed in the longhouse style, is overlooking the famous Pelagus rapids. There will be opportunity to trek in and around the resort through the primary rainforest so rich in fauna and flora, otherwise inaccessible to the casual visitors. We will take lunch at the resort and in the afternoon further possibilities to trek in the area or to relax at the resort's own swimming pool.

Day 6: Song. Cruising downstream the Rajang River and we will stop in the early morning to visit a rubber plantation. Then continue to Song, a small river station between Kanowit and Kapit. We stop here to make a boat trip up the Katibas River and the opportunity to trek part of the way back to Song. Continue downstream through evening.

Day 7: Sarikai. In the morning a quick stop at the pineapple island to get a taste of the famous Sarikai pineapple. Then continue with the boat to Sarikai. Explore the village on your own, with the possibility of visiting the mosque, market and to buy the famous pak cheng (herbal soup). Afternoon visit the Sebangkoi deer farm, and stop at a longhouse with pepper plantation.

Day 8: Thanjung Manis. We now enter the Rajang delta area with its rich agricultural life. Stop at a Malay village to visit the famous Songkat weaving workshop. It counts the royal family and Sultan of Brunei amongst their costumers.

Day 9: Sibu. Dock in Sibu early morning and disembark. Transfer to the airport for you onward journey.

So that was the iterenary. So guess how much it cost... Come on guess...
For 8 days 9 nights, this cruise will cost you, depending on their choice of the 30 cabins, between US$5,000 and US$3,255. Pricey man.... RM 10000 min for a cruise down the river. Anyone interested?? So what about the service? What will you expect? 5 star gourmet? Room service? Lets see... From their web, *click*, it is to start on July the 1st. And to think they have 1st class service lined up for the passengers to come, well, lets just say I saw it differently..

Still looking for people to work for the ship....... HAHA....

What about food?

Lets just say, I hope this poor little guy is not on the menu.

I am happy to say I will be in Sibu on the 1st of July to witness the openning or the launching of the Cruise. Rumour has it that it is fully booked for a year. Hopefully it is so. Sibu needs tourist income to help out with the economic woes.

For those who are wondering what I have been up to since I got home? Well, I am doing my industrial training in an architecture firm called "Kumpulan Design". Don't let the entrance fool you. The office I work in is very nice. The people are nice as well. Well, 1 month plus to go...

Going to enjoy every minute of it.

Think positive and everything around you will be positive.

The moments of time.....

Finally, I got the weekend to myself. No major assignments due next week and on top of that, its a 4 day weekend for me. 2 days of rest then another 2 days to work. Yes, this is the perfect weekend for me. Week 7 just ended, signifying that I survived half of semester 5 already. And although it seems like it is slowing down, it will pick up in week 9. Oh, Happy times. Well, I got myself a new "girlfriend" again. If you read the post I written in the past, then yes, you know that this girlfriend is no human being, she is my studio work. This time, we are allowed to design anything but that something must help rejuvenate Ipoh in a way. Well, I will be thinking of her day and night again. HAHA. Must make sure she turns out to be the best. Not planning to stress over studio this sem. Must design with a happy and clear heart.

We, like an old town hold secrets of our own.
With a history to most which is unknown.
But its the secrets which makes us who we are.
Makes us unique and maybe a hint of mystery.
But maybe its not the secrets.
Maybe its the moments.
Moments in which shapes us.
Just like shaping glass.
It takes time and patience.
It takes heat and pressure to mold glass.
Just like humans.
It takes time and pressure to shape a man.


But what if that man falls?
Then he will be like a sunken ship.
Buried in the depths of the seas.
Hoping to be rediscovered.
But man should not be rediscovered.
Instead, discover.
Discover the meaning of life.
Discover the mysteries that lies within.
Perseverance is needed to survive in this world.
Endure all pains that is shot to us.
Live the life that is meant to be.
Live the life that is meant to be,
Your moments in time.

~Aaron C~

Here are some pictures I might have missed out from my previous posts. Please enjoy....

Nostalgia...



*ring ring*


Ways of life..


A history.


As time passes.


Feel the heat.


Speed of night.


A monument with a history.


A monument which is controversial.

So far... Its been a relaxing weekend.... I feel myself rejuvenating from stress. How nice... How I wish now I had a glass of juice, sipping it with sand in between my toes with the one I love most beside me. But that is all a dream... Back to reality....

The forgotten memories....

He has enough of all this talk of moving on and getting on with his life. Its easier said than done. Lying on his bed, he keeps thinking of what he had done to deserve this. To deserve such coldness and hatred. His life is not perfect. Its never always up as many thinks but there are just some down times which he hides from the world. Its been so long since he broke up with the one he loved. But why can't he just move on? Why is he holding back with all the memories when he knows he can never get her back. He feels like a rose with all its petals thorn off from its stem. His soul is weak, his feelings fragile. On the outside, he seems so okay, but deep inside, he is just broken. Broken into so many pieces. Healing is hard, it takes time for the healing to begin, needless to say how long it will take for it to heal.

Looking back at his memories of himself and her, he wishes he could go back in time, to erase all these memories. No, he does not want to change it to make it better because he knows it will only hurt him the more. Problems will always arise. He just wants to forget. Erase all the memory of loving someone, erase all the fun memories of him and her, erase all those arguments they had. He feels bad of the things he said and the things she said to him. They were once so in love. Thinking about marriage and children and a future together. It is all lost now. Those words said are all pointless, meaningless.

He resorts to busying himself with life. To get away from the memories of him and her. But how can he? The memories keep haunting him when he tries to close his eyes at night, when is free from all work. He is running in circles. Every time he thinks he has overcome the obstacles of these problems, it keeps creeping back to his heart. It hurts, everyone know. Everyone seems to know. But he guesses they all don't know how he feels until they face it themselves.

Its a lesson and an experience he just have to go through. It might take years or months. Who knows. Maybe till he finds someone to love. He knows who love him most. He knows his family is there for him. He apologizes to his family for being like this. An emotional wreak. Who says guys are insensitive and emotionless?

Step by step he walks into darkness. But someone is pulling him out all the time. He is thankful to His heavenly father for loving him, for guiding him. But he is so rebellious, ignoring the lessons and the advices His Heavenly Father has sent to him. He tries to be strong, but he is not. So not strong. He can't continue on like this. He needs to get rid of his sinful and rebellious ways.

"Time to listen, Time to learn, Time to move on my son" His Heavenly Father calls out. "Its not love, if you can't let go of what you hold most dear"

He is going to try. Trying to be positive. He would like to apologize to the one he once loved for this one last time:" Sorry for the things said and done. No matter who is at fault. I just want to say I am sorry. Forgive me if you can. And may you have a great life. I'm sorry."

He is moving on. Walking into a brighter tomorrow. He is pursuing his bright future.

It is going to be bright...

By Aaron

p.s. Sorry for such an emo post. Just felt like writing it. :)

A thorny encounter

Well, here is my photographic inspiration of the day. Buy a rose, deconstruct every part of the rose, then arrange it on a white canvas and using my compact camera to snap a photo of it. Lame? I know. But its so pretty... Sorry girls. I know you want it, but it has been smashed and mixed with acrylic for my next "lame" holiday project. HAHA...

La inspiración del se levantó.

Delicados son los pétalos color de rosa que me dieron la inspiración. I so wanna learn Spanish.. Sounds so "intriga".

New blog....

I decided to start writing out my thoughts on http://acwlisachristian.blogspot.com. Don't ask why I started it. Just that I did. You don't have to read it if you don't want to. HAHA

Another Sibu Post!

Yea, thanks to Benny's comment, I am gonna post something about the food in Sibu, meaning some of the traditional Foo Chow Food which can be found here. Been eating a lot during the holidays. Dang the delicious food cooked by mum and dad! It always get to me. I just can't resist. Besides that, I am eating double the amount of meals due to my relatives coming back from the U.S.A., Singapore and Kuching. But now I am back in K.L., I really miss everything in Sibu. Don't know why but I am feeling the blues this semester back in college. Yea, maybe its because of the tough semester I had last semester but it doesn't matter now. I just have to work and and go through with it. So back to food, gonna show some of the mouth watering food I managed to photographed back in Sibu. So first of all....

Breakfast food!

The breakfast dish you can't miss out on in Sibu is this dish. KAMPUA!!!!
But now-a-days, you can get kampua for breakfast, lunch and dinner.



However, Sibu laksa and a cup of Kopi-peng (ice coffee) is my favorite for breakfast


Or a plate of fried tomato sauce Kuey Tiaw.

Man Ngi or if directly translated into english, it is horse ears! No la, its not really horse ears. Its just foo chow baked sweet bread shaped (supposedly) like horse ears. Great to be eaten with a cup of coffee or Milo in the morning.


Stone oven baked Kompia


Jin Nung Mian (in foo chow). Don't know if this is it the right spelling.

Brunch, Lunch or Dinner....

Cha Zu Mian (direct translation- Fried Noodle soup)


Zhou Chai Hung Ngang (Rice noodle cooked in chicken broth and preserved vegetable). Fish or big prawns are optional. Normal one will only have shredded pork and maybe small prawns and spicy or non-spicy is optional.


This, when picked and fried is called Milieng (in Foo Chow) is a fern usually found in the forest. Great when fried with sambal belacan or just the normal Foo Chow cooking using Chinese red wine and garlic. *Sorry, didn't take photo of the cooked version.*

The red one is also melieng but which already grown leaves which can still be eaten but less tasty.

Snacks and tea time....

Rojak sotong

There are many more different type of food which can be found here but these are some of the things that I managed to take picture of. And most of the dishes I introduced here can be eaten for breakfast dinner or lunch but i arranged it in a way where my grandma will grade which meal it is for. So to respect her, this is how I will arrange it. HAHA.. Hope your tummy is rumbling & tumbling now because of these pictures. For those who are overseas, I know you all miss these food. Well, when we are back in Sibu next time, lets meet and go MAKAN!

More on Sibu soon~~~

P.s.: Sibu is known as Swan city because when the Foo Chows first migrated from China to Sibu, the Rajang river looked like a Swan, thus the river was named after the swan and Sibu was known as Swan city which is translated directly from the Foo Chow dialect.

That was a little something about Sibu... Hope you learned something...

Work Work Work!!

Yea yea... I know I haven't been updating or blogging much. And my excuse is:"People of the world, Aaron has abandoned his blog due to the fact that he has started working to complete his industrial training in an architect firm." Yes, the statement is true. I have started working at a firm called Kumpulan Design. However, even if it sounds so interesting, the verdict is that it is actually quite boring. My attitude has caused me to feel that I am wasting my time. "Me thinks me need to go back to college and improve and upgrade me skill so me can do more than colouring the plans or arranging files or being an office boy." But no matter what, I told myself that I have to at least complete 2 weeks of industrial training this holiday. La ti da....

Well, I would like to also in this post to call out to all those who love card making or craft stuff. My mum has officially started her blog and is promoting card making as a hobby and many other things which got to do with craft stuff. Check it out. The website is http://handmadecardsbylaura.blogspot.com. Do check it out. If you have any interest how we made it, you can either find me or just post a comment on the post in her blog ok? Have fun yea.

Here are some samples......

This is Aaron, signing off..... Wish me luck in my work.. Ciaoz

A story worth telling...

One day I decided to quit...
quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit
my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good
care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on
the bamboo." He said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots". "I would not quit on the bamboo.
I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others."
He said.
"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me.
"You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. Never, Never, Never Give up. For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.
Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great the Lord is!
Heavens door open this morning, God asked me... My CHILD... what can I do for you?" and I said "Daddy please protect and bless the one reading this story.

P.s.: Darren, the bamboo in this story, its not Y.C.

Sedie, Stühle, Chaises, Chaises..... CHAIRS!!!! ARGHHHHHH!!!

*BIG SIGH!* Finally, I finished my model, my drawings and my presentation board for my Studio 1 Assignment 2 and submitted it today. What a relief! However, the nightmare is not yet over for I have one more assignment due this week and also a 3 days 2 night camp at Kuala Selangor so I won't be updating till most probably next week or until I get back on Sunday. I shall or is it I will?.. guarantee that there will be plenty of photos from the camp. (ITS THE FIRST LAMESVILLE CAMPING TRIP) OK, back to the post on the assignment 2.

Basically, I haven't been sleeping well since the day I came back to K.L. about 2 weeks ago because of this assignment. Studio work should be fun but somehow, just somehow, time made it hellish for most of us taking the subject. For the second assignment, we had to create a resting furniture. Meaning- we have to design and create a furniture which is ergonomic, aesthetic and functional. And we have to design it to fit our body proportions that is why I had to measure and draw myself *click*. Interesting isn't it? Well, after the coming back from the CNY holidays, I had to show something to my lecturer, a mock model to represent something I will be doing for the next two weeks. Somehow, he liked the idea of me making a paper chair. Yes, if it were life-size, it will be made of paper. Sounds interesting right?

The Drawings of me...



My mock model..

Yes, yes. It is in fact a very interesting concept using paper to make a furniture piece. Without knowing it, I went with what my lecturer wanted. Problems started a week before submission like certain design issues. Almost wanted to abandon the design but a friend, by the name of Daphne a.k.a. the Princess said this to me and I quote:"Design is all about passion, cannot give up one. Must try." My gosh... Even my lecturer stood with what she said. SO it was back to the drawing board for me and finally came up with this.

My initial idea for a paper chair....(final model)

Taking Daphne's advice, I decided to play around with it and I got a few very Interesting and out of this world furniture.. For comfort, I am only guessing that it is ok. HAHA... It's art..

The multi-position chair



Office chair



Just a chair, then I upgraded it into my favorite chair....



The scorpion chair... Which is actually a reading chair.. HAHA.. With lights.

So thank you Daphne, for the inspiring advice. Thanks to that passion, I know am sacrificing my health for not sleeping well. *Whew* Oh well, I want a bright future mah.. Sacrifice looo.... SO fast forwarding to the night before submission day which is what, Last night.. I stayed up doing my final drawings. So basically in the past 48 hours, me only got 3 hours of sleep. Oh well.

Submitting the assignment.

Well, submitting the thing is stressful too. My gosh, had to rush home 2 times because the College computers couldn't read my files which contains my presentation board. Everyone was rushing to meet the deadline. People like me were running up and down, in and out of the building to get things done. At 1p.m. the tutors/lecturers came and see our progress. Admiring some of the models and commenting on some. Basically Mr. Edward was interested with most of the Lamesville furniture. 2 hours later, things calmed down and the sound of camera shutters begun.

Huei Liq's bed ("Looks like underwater", Sherman)




Sherman's futuristic chair (look at the reflection of the clouds, Nice right?)




Hau Yee's multi-functional chair (Look at the detailing.)





Daphne's DE-SPLENDOR (Garden Chair)





Darren's unique chair to fit his favorite pose *CLICK*




Wai Sie's Concrete furniture (Looks very sculptural)





And Finally, mine... See, It looks like a scorpion..


Adding the finishing touches.



Models all stacked up and ready to be submitted.








Why the sudden emo-ness???

I dunno.. It has been a long long week... Need rest... Ciaoz... See you after my camp...