You-Want's Life

Iceland is a place where many would call an ‘Alien Planet’, given its majestic landscapes that look out of the world, and its co-existence of both glaciers and geothermal heat. This gorgeous island stands isolated in the far end of the world, but remains one of the most popularly visited countries (in normal pre-Covid climate). My trip there had included guided tours to hike not one but two glaciers, snorkel in a fissure and a boat tour in a glacier lagoon which beauty only took my breath away. These experiences were made incredibly informative by the guides, who had incredible work ethics especially when it comes to environmental protection. I remember learning about climate change and global warming in school, but getting to Iceland opened my eyes to witness these phenomena right before me. My horizon was widened when I had thought-provoking discussions with my guides on the unique Icelandic landscapes and the impact brought forward by geotourism. With no further ado, I would dissect...

Ever since my volunteering trip to rural Sabah in 2017, I have learned that there are kids out there with great potentials but not the privileges to explore them. I have met students who live so deep in the area that it takes them 2 hours to walk to their schools; and some who have only started going to school when they are 9 years old because their parents preferred for them to stay back and help with their farming chores. I felt SO lucky to have basic necessities like electricity supply, internet connection, transport arrangements to schools, and even the ability to read and write well. It hurts me seeing wasted potential in the younger generation, and I would like to extend a helping hand.   Seeing how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the entire nation both economically and socially, I dread to imagine the current situation in rural Sabah. Good for us, Charisma Movement has worked with 3 schools around Kota Marudu in Sabah, namely SK Temunda Salimandut, SK Sampa...

Did you know, even when sea turtle eggs are successfully incubated, it is estimated that only 1 out of 1000 babies would survive till adulthood?  My recent site visit to Rimbun Dahan Turtle Hatchery, Terengganu has opened my eyes to the fragility of sea turtles' survival. Sea turtle eggs are exposed to dangers of being poached by humans, hunted by monitor lizards, infested by fungi and maggots; when they hatch, babies might be attacked by predators such as foxes, crabs and sea birds on their way to the sea. Even when they reach the ocean, carnivorous fish and sea birds remain huge threats.  When my group was handed baby sea turtles to release, we got to let them race. I named mine 'Gomenasai', the Japanese word for 'Sorry', as an apology on behalf of humans to their kind. It's been way too long since humans started poaching sea turtle eggs and destroying their habitats and nesting grounds with pollution as well as coastal development. We were told that the best ...

Read previous episode:  WCP by CM Day 2 Part 1: Seeing Sea Turtles For The First Time   It was our second day on the East Coast of Malaysia! We spent our morning in Cherating, Pahang, learning much about sea turtles- a graceful yet highly endangered marine creature. The representatives of Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) , who had collaborated with Charisma Movement in facilitating our Wildlife Conservation Project, brought us to Rimbun Dahan Turtle Sanctuary after a scrumptious local lunch. Throughout our trip, our meals were arranged by TCS- we got to try some special delicacies from the East Coast including Terengganu's special  Nasi Dagang  (steamed glutinous rice served with fish curry),  keropok lekor  (fried fish cakes), fermented fish sauce and many more.     Rimbun Dahan Turtle Hatchery is popular locally for its long-term commitment in turtle conservation work. Siblings Along and Alang now manage the centre with the h...

So much time has passed and I have learnt so much in life. And I believe it reflects in the evolving style in my poetry. Yes, I still do poetry. It started back in December 2014, almost 4 years now. Poetry has been a sport-- jotting down the voices in my head to clear it; selling my struggles for a vague expression. Looking back at the journey I have made, I see so much more complexity in my poetry now. It used to go short and direct, giving a setting in merely a few lines long. Very simple use of words, very innocent kind of story-telling. I thank poetry, for it has been there when I thought the world has shut me out. It is like a canvas I know I can paint on without the concern of somebody judging me. I mean, people judge anyway, but I know it’s the only platform where I can express without having to feel scared. I have been through both beautiful sunrises and dark hours in life. I couldn’t help but letting most of my poetry describe how dark or depressed my inner personality had be...

I went to a park this afternoon, where I spent more than an hour reflecting all the ups and downs that have happened in my life for the past year. Yeap, I do contemplate a lot, for I am a highly sensitive and sentimental person. So much have happened. Be it something good, be it bad. All little details of my history have contributed in molding how I feel today, and what I aim to achieve next.   I think, it's been a lot to take in: exams, events, friendships etc. Two months before this, I was holding on to many somewhat hard issues which undeniably corrode my mental well-being. Well, this is starting to sound depressing. Let's not do it this way. I was thinking so much that time that the echoes of my own voices were extremely loud in my head. I couldn't sleep; I could hardly concentrate in class; I faked being happy. Stress level was for real. Finally ending my semester at school in July was a cure.   I have been spending a lot of personal time ever since, been back t...

Weeks ago, I came across a small coffee-table booklet full of insightful quotes praising the divinity of friendship. Reading the booklet has triggered me to reflect on my journey through building new bridges and witnessing how some of them destruct in the year (2017). I have to admit that it had been a really wonderful year for me, for I ventured on new experiences in various places and met interesting people of different back stories.   2017 was a year of meeting genuine friends who really showed that they care, and identifying a few who were just putting up their friendliness like a drama act. I truly appreciate the ones who stayed with me while I was going through hard moments in life, like when I was helplessly emotional, stressed out and almost lost the fight to peer pressure in school. I was lucky to have all these faces around me to provide advice on coping work-life balance and tone down my incorrigible competitiveness.   I believe that friends might...