The memories I had along my way as a dancer.

• the flowers bloomed during my presence in Istanbul. It was such a beautiful sight walking around the garden in front of the Blue Mosque.

• I made friends with the Yahya Kaptan Lisesi students who were my foster sister's schoolmates. We went trekking at 'kar tepe' which means 'snow hill'. It was a snow hill after all where I got to touch real snow for the first time there. I miss these guys so much.

• They are Buket, Duygu and Ezgi. Ezgi is my foster sister. They are all a year younger than I am but I look younger than them because of my size. They treat me like a sister regardless I am new to them. They are very protective towards me. I miss them very much.

• Here we are. Ezgi, Esra and I. Esra is Ezgi's best friend. We took this picture when we were spending time at Ezgi's parents' summer house in Masukiye. I really really love it there. I still remember the breeze, the view. Oh my. It was wonderful. I really really wish to be there again.

• I got really excited when it comes to the snow. It was my first time, by the way. I'll be back during the winter someday.

• Here is the Malaysian delegates with the mayor of Bekirpasa Municipal. We had a great time there because of their first class hospitality.

• My first experience representing Malaysia in Children's Folklore Festival Kocaeli, Turkiye. I had the best ever memories in Turkiye. With my foster family, the friendly Turkish, and the places. Everything and everyone were AWESOME. I cried so hard when I had to go back to Malaysia. I was 17 at that moment. I was supposed to sit for a public examination at the end of the year. Regardless of that, I continued dancing and only stopped a month before the exam. I managed to pass with flying colours and proved myself to the teachers and especially my parents who had been scolding me for not stopping dancing. I did it.

• Turkiye was the starting point of my life as a dancer in the international level. I found out that I enjoy communicating with people of different languages and cultures with which was why I chose TESL at the first place as my carrier. Dancing would always be my ticket socializing, communicating and exploring new culture. Somehow, I believe sharing cultures between the global community would be the best way to unite everyone in harmony. Peace. (^_^)

Kampung Morten - the heart of Malacca II

the view from the top - u may think it's a real house.

isn't it amazing.

you can even find this kind of view in some epic Malaysian film

the man in red is the best tourist guide ever while the man on the right is the gifted carpenter who made all those replicas.

explaining on the masterpiece.

a friend of mine, Nurhidayah Rosli taking a close look at the replica. She is an architecture student in UiTM, Shah Alam.

this is the work place of the carpenter

one of the replicas still in the making process

this is the Limas house- you can see the details

a view from the side upper part of the house

Kampung Morten - the heart of Malacca

Hey guys. Apa khabar? Well that means how are you in Bahasa Malaysia? :) I've not updated my blog for a couple of weeks and it is a very long time I must say. So, as you can see, I've posted some photos of a traditional Malaysian house. For your information, the kampung house is called as 'Rumah Melaka' - the Malaccan kampung house.

If you watch carefully at the photos, would you believe me if I tell you that the house is a replica. The carpenter who made the replica is a very simple man who is really good at doing the details. I was amazed the first time looking at it and still am amazed looking at the photos. The details you can see at all parts of the house are the exact details you can find in the real house.

If you wish to see the hand made Malaccan kampung house in reality. You can always come to Kampung MORTEN in Melaka. It is a very famous tourist spot and the place has been preserved by the government and the residents for a long time especially after it was renowned as the 'World heritage site' by the UNESCO. You don't have to worry about the people for they are very friendly people and trust me, they will be enlightened by your presence there, in Kampung Morten.

Culture is not a barrier.

In Culture centre, Busan. [with Key and Hansen]
Singing Arirang before we ended our last performance in Andong.
That's me in yellow receiving a bouquet of flowers from the Andong Municipal on behalf of the Malaysians.
Our norms. Bowing everytime we finished a performance.
A photo with all the L.O and staffs who took really good care of us. That was our last performance in Andong. We cried a lot.

I went to Andong, Korea last year for a maskdance festival. It was grand. Such a big festival. I was really excited because Korea has always been the number one country I seriously want to go. The Korean wave was one of the reasons besides their heart-wrenching dramas. One thing that worries most of my groupmates were language barrier.

I wasn't that worry because I've prepared myself with normally conversed lines and I've trained myself watching Korean dramas. So, I can just guess what they say through their expressions and tones. I was right when we were in Korea. Language is not much of a barrier. As long as we want to communicate, there will will always be the universal language which is the sign and body language. As dancers, we were really good at it.

We found lots of different culture when we were there. How open Koreans are when it deals with sex. Their eco-friendly toilet system which uses less water. How they preserve their nature. How friendly they are towards their guests. Their healthy eating habits and their pleasant manners.

One thing that I can share about them is. If you are being really good to them, they will treat you million times better. I am confident because I've experienced it not once but a couple of time with different people. One of them is the manager who was incharged of the Dokdo Island booth.

I was taking care of the Malaysian booth with Abg Aman and Abg Bear. Our booth was side by side with the Dokdo Island booth. People were just passing by. They just looked but they didn't stop. I guess they were rushing. That's why they couldn't stop. I was a bit bored. So, I took out my book and practiced singing Arirang with Asdi, my fellow goupmates. I taught him how to sing it. We were singing. Suddenly one of the men sang together with us. That was memorable. After we finished, they applauded us. I remembered one of them saying 'chalanda' which I knew it means great( Korean dramas' effect). There were all smiles and impressed facial expressions.

They felt appreciated seeing people who appreciates their culture. They were really nice. I would never be able to delete the memory from my brain. When I was in Korea, I thought that I was at home. Never for once I felt homesick. Every memory that I have about Korea are just good memories.

A 'Wau Bulan' Video for the viewers

I made this video for you dear readers. I really really hope that you will understand more on the 'Wau Bulan' and get the message. It is my pleasure.:)

The Legend of Wau Bulan

Dear readers. How are you? Im sorry for keeping the next post for too long. I've been busy with my schedule and it is really sad seeing my juniors(The Asasians of 2010-2011) graduated. Some might continue pursuing TeSL but some are NOT. Well, it's alright. Let's move on to our Wau Bulan.:)

Today, I am going to tell you the legend behind the 'Wau Bulan'. One of the Malaysian official kites. The Wau Bulan is not merely a traditional Malay kite for it has it's own mystical story to be told.

The Wau Bulan's name takes place after the shape of the moon. The tail of the Wau is the reason behind this because it resembles a crescent. The 'Wau Bulan' is known for its easy handling and stability during strong winds.

The origin of the Wau Bulan has been said during the days of the Sriwijaya Empire, where according to legend, a young prince named 'Dewa Muda' utilised the usage of the Wau by mapping out the districts he had conquered on it. He will then display the 'Wau' to his people.

It started where he would first go deep into a cave to meditate and experience spiritual premonitions before setting off to war. When he is ready to leave the cave, he usually emerges with a wire frame of what was believed to be the wire frame of a 'Wau Bulan'.

The fine patterns of flowers and leaves were said to have symbolised the districts he had successfully conquered. Therefore, everytime he returns from a battle, the flowers and leaf patterns on his Wau will continue to grow. It symbolises the strength of his empire, much to the pride and delight of his people.

Apart from that, according to fabled beliefs, it is said that 'Dewa Muda' had a spiritual link to his wau. some believed that he had gained special spiritual guidance by flying up to the heavens on his 'Wau Bulan' and cultivated a spiritual relationship with the inhabitants of another world.

Today, the 'Wau Bulan' present in the modern society has evolved with a more up to date look compared to its original design.The upper and lower part of the Wau increased in length compared to the originally rounded shape. Where else, the busur(string) attached to the head of the Wau emits a coarser sound compared to the softer sounds made by the wau Bulan in yesteryears.

~(^_^)~

The Koreans enjoying the 'Wau Bulan'

Day 2- Practising the Wau Bulan

Selamat Sejahtera para pembaca. :) That is Good day dear readers in Bahasa Malaysia. Now, it is the second day the Koreans learn how to dance 'Wau Bulan'. Compared to the first day where they had a 'culture shock', they are being more anticipated on the second day. They are more confident and not afraid to ask even though, not everyone of them has the proficiency in English. Yes, some of them are still shy but, they did ask questions.

They had a lecture in the morning and they seemed very tired sitting still in the library Intec lecture hall non-stop for about 4 to 5 hours. One by one got out of the lecture hall stretching their body. They need to stretch. Therefore, before they had their tea, we had another session practising the 'Wau Bulan' in Tesl Square. So that they will not get totally worn out because there will be more activities to come.

They were excited right after they were informed that they will be doing the 'Wau Bulan'. As an instructor, I did not have to do as much work as yesterday to persuade them to try. Today, they do it because they want to. I am so proud with their improvement from day to day.

One thing that I am amazed with them is their courage to ask questions whenever they don't know. They are not shy when it comes to asking questions. We should learn that from them..~

~(^_^)~

The Koreans enjoying the 'Wau Bulan'

Day 1- Practising the Wau Bulan

Greeting dear readers. For this post, I am going to do a 'follow up' on the Korean's activities learning the 'Wau Bulan'. After teaching them how to sing the 'Wau Bulan' song, the committees and I taught them how to dance the 'Wau Bulan'. The movement is a fusion of 'Dikir Barat' and traditional 'Malay dance'. It was difficult for me to do the choreography because they were in a big group. But, nothing is impossible. These are some of the progress by the Korean from day 2.

On the first day, the Koreans find it difficult to follow because they are still adapting to the 'English language' as the medium of communication. There was difficulties in instructing them at first. It was because they were tired of their long journey in the plane and lack of sleep. Somehow, they still try and learn despite of their fatigue.

We had our first session in the Angsana Hall but when it stopped raining we continue the session in tthe Tesl Square. There were not many students in the Tesl Square because it was a Sunday.

I am glad they enjoy their first session and some of them managed to memorize the 'Wau Bulan'. They are amazing.

~(^_^)~

A Whole New Experience with WAU BULAN..:)

Good Evening readers! Today's post is going to be a bit different with the previous post about the 'Wau Bulan'. I decided to share my experience teaching the Koreans how to sing and dance the 'Wau Bulan' in this post. It was an unforgettable experience for the Koreans and myself. :)

On the 15th until 21stJanuary2011, the Faculty of Education UiTM Shah Alam conducted a 'Student Exchange Program' in collaboration with the 'Kyung Hee University' from South Korea. The faculty acted as the host while the Koreans were the participants. There were 24 Korean students and 2 of their professors. I was one of the student committees appointed for the program. I held the responsibility of conducting cultural activities for I have wide e

xperience in traditional dance and Malay culture.

My job was to teach a local traditional dance to the Koreans. I chose the 'Wau Bulan' for it has a catchy and lively melody. Besides, everybody(the committees and UiTM students) know the song. So, they will be able

to sing and dance along to the 'Wau Bulan'. Here, I am going to showyou the progress of the teaching from the start till the end.

• Sunday, January 16th 2011

Session 1

On the welcoming day, which is Sunday, I got the dancers from Prisma Seni to perform the Wau Bulan for the Koreans.

That was was a short yet sweet introduction to them.

These are the

dancers. They were wearing the One Malaysia costumes.

Some of the Korean students who voluntered

to try the 'Wau Bulan' with the dancers.

These are the reactions we got from the Koreans.

They were excited to see the 'Wau Bulan'.

Session 2

We had the 2nd session after lunch where

it was the turn for the COMMITTEES to demonstrate

the 'Wau Bulan' to the Koreans.

Session 3

After that, we first taught them how to sing the 'Wau Bulan'song. We show the lyrics on the slide and taught them the melody. It took quite a while to teach them the pronunciation. Apart from that, everything was alright.

~(^_^)~