My Goals for My 9 Months Break

2 months has passed since i completed my Form 6 course and I'm still waiting for my STPM results, which is also known to be the Higher School Certificate.Results should be out by the first week of March, but that doesnt mean I will start University then too..

Public Universities in Malaysia only start in September, which gives us 9 months to do nothing or everything. I choose the latter. Post SPM holidays was regretful to me, not to mention, my high school life was partly regretful because I did not take up everything I could. I regret not joining the debate team, i regret not doing public speaking, regret this, regret that. Not having to learn such skills or abilities has caused me to miss a few kick starts in my life. I screwed my interview to be able to be part of an exchange student program. Truly regretful..

Regret is all in my mind, some do say that we should not regret because it was the past, I rather say regret helps us to learn to do better next time, and a guide to set our benchmark to improve ourselves, which is what I have already done.

Many of us who completed form 6 take this 9 months break as a time to relax, some is to gain lots of money, and there are some who actually enrolled into private colleges early to get their degree faster. Im not chasing the world with the crowd, nor wasting my time. I believe this 9 months is essential for me to improve myself physically and mentally.

My aim is to try to take up different jobs to grasp knowledge of different fields. I could end up as the Jack of all trades, masters of none. But no, having little knowledge of something is still better than nothing. These little experiences are my building blocks, and I just have to put them together properly. Of course, I will still have a main skill, but its good to know a bit of everything..

There was a time when I was in Genting Highlands and I attempted the Rock Wall. I did not complete it. It was maybe because I was afraid of heights, or afraid to take risks, afraid to push myself to discover what I can actually do. So now, I change. I want to try as much as I can. Early this year I wanted to take on the Rock Wall again, but sadly it's no more available in Genting Highlands. Perhaps I can outrun it next time, but it will remain as a memory for me to keep trying in other things, for example, Paintball..

Paintball is a really fun but painful experience. You can get bruises for months, can bleed for days and have scars for years. But why cant I take up the challenge? Why am I afraid? Because I do not want to regret again, I decide I will take up the challenge. I will be going for paintball in March and I do hope that it will be a great experience.

Some ask me, why you dont want to earn money to sustain myself. I came up with this theory. Now im still living under my parents roof, I dont have to pay for rent, no car to pay or petrol to pay. So I decide to use the little money I make from temporary part time jobs for leisure, trying new things and travelling. If I hold all my activities till I graduate from University (If I do), I dont think I will have the chance to try new and different things.. When I have a degree, my career will be fixed based on that degree. Its like having a plane ticket to Singapore, and trying to use the same ticket to go to USA, no it wont work. So this is the time I try different jobs, no matter how the pay is.

Recently, I worked in a call center for about a month, which I stopped to work full time doing a production business with a friend, where I make videos and get paid for it. Soon I hope to try to take on F&B and sales in Machines. I'm hoping to also join another friend of mine to help his uncles business by being a photographer.

At the same time, I also am brushing up my guitar by playing for church. I started doing push ups daily at home, going for jogs and also started dance classes. I am also starting to learn mandarin from my friends, which I find essential because the Chinese language is the most spoken language in the world, followed by English. Oh, and I'm reading more these days.. :)

I am hoping that these 9 months of learning will be very fruitful to me. I hope many others also make good time of their breaks.

Like it? Subscribe to The BOAT or follow me on Twitter @andriantam
Im open to comments, do comment.. thx.. =)

Degradement of our Future Generation

Today in the local newspaper, they mentioned about how smart phones and tablets have begun to widen the communication gaps in our society. I totally agree about it because from what I observe, they are all not exactly enjoying themselves nor feeling happy. Firstly, I am thankful to be in a group of friends who know how to prioritise and put a fine line between socialising for real and socialising virtually. We spend most of our time meeting up, going for sports, laser tag, bowling and just anything. Ask us, Angry Birds? no way..

Teenagers and young adults being glued to technology is bad, but whats worse is that children aged from 4 to 12 years old have already become addicted to such virtual realities. With no doubt, you can see at least a kid holding an iPad 2 or a Galaxy Tab in a restaurant, sometimes each kid in that family has one, and none communicate with each other. Firstly, the effect is that the family relationship can be broken. When the kids grow older, they can be rebellious to their parents because they don't realise the importance of family ties and treat parents like a friend or a stranger. Moral values will fade among our society as children did not get the proper guidance since young. Parents have depended too much on technology, hoping that it can take over the roles of parenting.

Speaking of parenting, maids have also become childrens new mother. I have a friend of my parents, who once told them that they regret having a maid because their own children look away from them. They prefer to get a hug from the maid and not to the people who gave birth to them.

In the future, the standard of education too may drop drastically. Many give excuses saying that these tablets are essential for learning because it's interactive, but I strongly disagree. Real education still comes from books as its information is much more dense and accurate compared to a graphic. If the children of today do not practice reading, the percentage of youths who cannot read and write in the future may increase as their minds will just be flashed with pictures and graphics that are unexplainable. Teenagers in the future will have a lower self esteem, be timid, have low self confidence and will not be able to present themselves well.

To be honest, I myself was a very timid person before. I never had enough confidence to approach someone   or to talk in front of the camera and because of that, I failed in an interview to be part of an exchange student program. It was a very regretful scene and i do not want that to happen again, especially when i apply for a job or to a university. A friend of mine helped me spark my fire, to be confident in speaking in public and to start conversations with anyone, including youths and the elderly. Being able to speak to people of different age groups has helped me open up my mind to the world, finding out its differences and realising the diversity  of everything in life.

Technology is essential in our life, but too much of something is never good. We always have to keep moderation in most things to have a balanced and a more rounded personality. It will be good to put that tablet down and start a real conversation with someone.

Like it? Subscribe to The BOAT or follow me on Twitter @andriantam
Im open to comments, do comment.. thx.. =)

Dragon in the Sky

Every year, I would take a stroll down Jonker Street as my dad gives his offerings in the temples nearby. Jonker Street is usually the same every year, but this time, for the year of the Water Dragon, there was really a Dragon in the sky.

Basically, a balloon maker which I notice every year at Jonker Street has successfully created a floating dragon by just using balloons, and it was an amazing scene.. It swayed in the sky, being anchored by more than 5 people, roaring over the sky of Malacca..

Not to miss out, The God of Prosperity! Maybe you should drop by Jonker Street to have a photo with him, and maybe you can be more prosperous.. =)

Have a Happy Chinese New Year and may the Water Dragon shower all of you with prosperity and good fortune.. =)

Like it? Subscribe to The BOAT or follow me on Twitter @andriantam
Im open to comments, do comment.. thx.. =)

The Genting Trip, and we didnt fall.. =P

Ever since my examinations ended, I was fully filled with energy to get out and travel, try new things or break boundaries. To tell you the truth, I never really tried taking a roller coaster in my life. It's maybe because I have a fear that I could not overcome, or i was just plain lazy. It was good to have friends with you who push you to try, supporting you, telling you that its just nothing..

In the end, I went onto a space shot and a small roller coaster and pirate ship for a start. The corkscrew was closed for maintenance so i didnt really try a much more extreme ride.

We stayed at Reuben's uncle's apartment which was an advantage for the trip. We had a 2 floor apartment which was just nice for the 8 of us. We could cook, play like no ones business and live comfortably together. We stayed at Ramin Apartments anyway, at Genting View Resort.

Its been awhile since I blogged, I hope to keep my webpage alive, filled with more adventures.. =)

Like it? Subscribe to The BOAT or follow me on Twitter @andriantam
Im open to comments, do comment.. thx.. =)

Shopping for Christmas

Christmas is coming in about a week and have you done shopping for your friends or loved ones? Well Christmas is all about sharing and offering. It doesn't always have to come as objects, but spending time with your family can also be a great Christmas gift, especially those who have family members form far away or those who may not be in good terms with one another.. Its time to mend the relationship between one another and bring joy to everyone.. =)

Well anyway, my parents decided to drop by The Curve today. Do you guys remember Yang I-Deun, the skillful piano player who is a mix of Korean-Portuguese-Armenian-French? I met him again today and this time he had a special slot with Khairil, a saxophonist, and the duo was just awesome. =) He did his usual routine, playing songs that you hear on air but modifying them into a much more creative art with a piano as his paint brush, and he also included some Christmas songs to get you in that Christmas mood.. (catch him on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-1pm, 2-3pm and 3-5pm at The Curve Grand Piano)

They just love the music.. =)

The Curve also has nice Christmas decor, well doesn't every shopping mall have? Well its just that I happen to drop by here so im just gonna show you whats in The Curve.

I'll be going to KL tomorrow with my friends to check out Berjaya Times Square and Bukit Bintang for some post exam partying and Christmas shopping. Do stay tuned for more updates from me.. =) 

Have a Blessed Christmas.. :)

If you need performers for an event or wedding, do contact;
Donnie G
donniejazzlatino@gmail.com
or
Youtube: donniejazzlatino

Like it? Subscribe to The BOAT or follow me on Twitter @andriantam
Im open to comments, do comment.. thx.. =)

ChromeHeart

What comes to your mind when you think of the name ChromeHeart? Well it seems to be something solid, right? At first I thought it was being cold hearted, having no feelings or just having a blunt character.

Rayan being scolded by his mom for not listening to her, but his mother has no choice to keep the secret.

This play was not about that. It portrayed the strong hearts of those who are in dilemma, and the sacrifices a person has to make to protect their love ones, or someone who is a key to the future. There is more to this play but I suggest you to go and see it for yourself. =)






This fantasy was made by the City Harvest Church KL, and this is their hardest production ever where sleepless nights were spent by the cast and those behind the scenes doing their best to project a message, bring entertainment and most importantly, doing this to praise Him. Being a fantasy, it takes more effort especially in the stage design and costumes compared to plays which setting is in daily life.

The birth of a Legend..

Rayan in his childhood days..

The city men enjoying their daily life..

When love kicks in.. 

The Archers.. 

The Wizard Assaygha taking down Lord Yeyphim..

This play repeats now (saturday 17th December at 5pm) and tomorrow morning (18th December 10am) so if you haven't had the chance to anticipate their performance, do drop by CHCKL.. =)

Like it? Subscribe to The BOAT or follow me on Twitter @andriantam
Im open to comments, do comment.. thx.. =)

Subang Rally 2011 | Change | A.RON Coex and SamSaw

*speechless* What do you think? =)

Like it? Subscribe to The BOAT or follow me on Twitter @andriantam
Im open to comments, do comment.. thx.. =)