Penang

Flowers at the Penang Botnaical Gardens

The first day was definitely a rough start to what I was hoping to be the calm before the storm (the new job).  However, homophobic guys and monkeys prevented me from enjoying my first day.  Just some guys I met in the airport were a little mean to me.  Then the monkeys chased while I was alone the forest of the Botanical Gardens.  It was the greatest start to a trip, but it got much better after that first day.  

Shop house along the street.  Shop houses cover the streets all throughout Georgetown.

I stayed in two places in Penang, in Georgetown in the city centre and in Batu Ferrinngi on the beach.  It was nice to move a little on the trip to get a different sense of the whole island.  I loved the city, it had so many of those shop houses, and they were gorgeous!  Bright colours, paint chipping away and such a rustic old town feel.  It was amazing.  Georgetown was nice because it was a city, so you got all the conveniences of a city but it’s not nearly as busy as Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.  There was also a lot of little tourist things to see.  I had a blast walking around the city for a couple days and taking it all in. 

The beach at Batu Ferrinngi

When I got to Batu Ferrinngi, it was to sit and relax on the beach.  I spent one day walking around and checking out the area, and also going to the Toy Museum.  The second day, I spent the whole day on the beach.   It was nice to just sit out there and enjoy my books, music and the sun.  

Sunset at batu Ferrinngi

This trip was super nice too because I met a few interesting people along the way.  I met a girl, Christine, from Germany who was on a German cruise.  But she was just walking around because she didn’t want to do the tours that were offered.  We were kind of following each other because we both lost.  We got to talking and she sounded super cool, we exchanged emails and she was off on her cruise.  I also met a cool local, Abus, has traveled around and he works in the health department for government.  I don’t know what he does exactly, but it involves driving around.  He was super cool and we hung out a few nights. 

Spider-Man at the Toy Museum.  This is the biggest Toy Museum in the world.

Buddhist temple in Penang.  Biggest Buddhist temple in Malaysia.

Penang is a wonderful, quiet, quaint, and rustic place. It is a small island so getting around is super easy and the food is amazing!  I love the food!  If you ever find yourself in West Malaysia, head to Penang you will not regret it! 

Recent obsessions: Monster Factory

Hello Boys and Girls!  It is time for another wonderful segement of RECENT OBSESSIONS! 

This time on RECENT OBSESSIONS we will be featuring Monster Factory!

Monster Factory is a wonderful place where monsters are made!  I love those little monsters!

The reason that these guys have become a recent obsession however, was their Buddy Contest.  This contest was participants send in their address' and then there was going to be a bunch of people around the world selected to house Buddy for a week or two.  Jenn and I both entered, she of course won.  

Buddy!  He likes to travel!

Losing didn't bring me down!  I am so excited to have Buddy with us soon!  Jenn is seventh on the list of people who Buddy will be staying with.  He is going to be well traveled once he reaches Singapore. 

After entering the Buddy Contest I continued to visit the Monster Facotry website almost daily and everytime I found something new.  Like for instance, one of the Colin monsters is featured wearing a hoodie by the Clothing Experiment Brand and when I went to that their website, who was modeling some of their sweatshirts?  Well I think it was Andrew from Songs to Wear Pants to!  

There are also cool videos and awesome monsters to see at the amazing Monster Factory!

I love those guys!  Thanks for being a RECENT OBSESSION!!!!!

Colin!  He wears a hoodie!

 

Recent obsessions: Mark Zuckerberg/Facebook

Time Magazine - Person of the Year 2010 - Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg, as we all know is the creator of Facebook.  Facebook is that wonderful website that we all visit at least twenty times a day.  Who isn't addicted?

Facebook has changed how interact with each other and how we interact on the internet.  I believe that Facebook has changed the world.  The creator, Mark Zuckerberg, was honoured with Person of the Year 2010, by People Magazine (see picture above).

Yeah Facebook!

I became fascinated with Zuckerberg when I saw the movie: Social Network.  I think it is crazy that a few guys (very computer-tech-savy guys) came up with the most viewed website in the world, in a dorm room!  It is absolutely amazing!  Regardless of drama that revolves around the creation of Facebook, it is amazing how much of it has changed 500 million people's lives.

I remember when I was in university (as if it was so long ago), when I first heard about Facebook.  I signed up and it was great!  I even remember getting mad when I heard that they were going to allow high school students to be on Facebook.  That is how recent all of this was!  Amazing!

Mark Zuckerberg - Facebook Icons

I think Zuckerberg made a good decision in not selling Facebook and staying on as CEO.  He got to take control of Facebook and make it into what it is today. 


 Thanks Zuckerberg for being a recent obsession! 

Recent obsessions: James Franco

James Franco

Everyone keeps talking about the many "faces" of James Franco.  He has dabbled in acting, writing, directing, modeling and learning.  He is currently enrolled at four universities for different graduate subjects and his assistant makes sure he gets sleep and eats.

The Actor, The Student

The reason for this recent obsession, is his ability to be able to do so many things at once. RESPECT!  Acting alone is a full time job, when you are filming and so is university when you are taking a full course load.  Franco pushes that envelope further too: he is doing three or four.  All at different universities!  Not to say that it is quality over quantity but he is not doing a half bad job.  His more serious roles as an actor (Milk, Howl, and 127 Hours) were amazing.  I haven't seen 127 Hours yet, but I have heard nothing but great reviews.

The Artist, The Writer

I also think he is fascinating.  There is little shadow of doubt looming around his sexual orientation.  He does not push this doubt away or deny anything; James Franco embraces the doubt.  I love it!  However it gets him even more attention than he is already getting.  I think it is very "forward-thinking" of him to allow to public to know fully know the "true" James Franco.

(I don't remember what the one on the left is), The Soap Opera Actor

James Franco: I respect you for doing so many "activities" and you fascinate me.  I can't wait to see the other projects he will be a part of.  I am very excited to watch his career unfold. 

(Something I can't remember), The Face

All pictures taken from New York Magazine article, titled "Is james Franco for Real?"

Recent obsessions: Ukulele

A recent obsession of mine has been playing my ukulele.  Jenn got it for me about a year ago and I haven't really playing it at least at home in Vancouver.  However while being unemployed in Singapore, I have been able to start consistently practicing. The inspiration to play everyday came from another amazing House of Ten entry (the link will take you right to the entry I am referring to).  I discovered Jerry Sienfield's wonderful way of getting good at something: practice everyday and mark it on a calender. 

I have wanted to play ukulele ever since I first step on Hawaiian soil back in 1997 for the first time.  I fell in love with the chill, hang loose attitude that Hawaii encompasses.  And the ukulele has always been a representation of that outlook.

I am proud to say that I still suck, but at least I don't suck as bad as when I first started! Improvement is the first step to being awesome!

Here is a video of a wonderful man playing a wonderful song on his ukulele:

Here is another wonder player of the ukulele:

She is actually playing for the Bushman Music Ukulele Video Contest, which anyone in the world can join.  I hope to one be able to feel like I am good enough to enter this contest.  Not win, oh no... just feel I am worthy of entering would be awesome!

P.S. I know my link colour sucks, but blogger design template is still not working yet so I am not able to change the colour, SORRY!

Recent obsessions: Welcome!

Welcome to Recent Obsessions! 

These segments will include people or stuff I have recently becomed obsessed with.  It will describe how and why I feel a obsession about that person or thing.  Hopefully there will also be pictures included.

Be ready for such obsessions:
***Drum roll please***
- Mark Zuckerberg
- James Franco
- Ukulele

These obsessions may also include music! Yeah music!

I don't know if this will be a weekly thing, but who knows!  We will see how much stuff I get obsessed about!
Hope you like these segments!  Best wishes!

Art Gallery!

The Cow that greeted us when we entered the Art Gallery

Last week the girls and I went to the ART GALLERY!  Janette was definitely the encouragement for this outing.  There was a Japanese artist who Janette really likes and so we went during their free hours on Friday. 

Paint: dripping

The art gallery was in this old building and the rooms were full of art from different artists.  The building reminded me of a castle without the bricks.  It’s layout was around a courtyard in the middle. The rooms were confusing and there was no continuity to the building layout.  

Janette in a pink doorway

The art was fantastic!  It was fun to feel cultural for an afternoon. 

Walter

 

Emma admiring the artwork

 After the art gallery we met up with the boys for some Friday night drinks and food!  We down to Clarke Quay.  When we arrived, it was still happy hour at some places so we stopped for some drinks.  They boys met us at The Clinic.  The Clinic is a bar that serves shots in IV bags and in syringes.  We just got some beer.  We walked around Clarke Quay and then headed home.  It was a fun Friday night! 

The girls!  At the Clinic