The versatility of Limau Kasturi..

          I have a new obsession these few days. Eating 'limau kasturi' with salt. My aunt is worried about my new obsession because I am acting like a pregnant lady. In my culture, usually pregnant ladies have weird craving especially for sour food. Limau kasturi is totally sour and basically, it is used for cooking NOT snacking. Hahaha. Still, I found pleasure in eating it.

          I found out other ways how to snack on the limau kasturi too. Mak Cu said when she was much younger, she usually ate 'limau kasturi with asam boi'. I tried and I love it. The saltiness of the asam boi blends well with the 'sourness of the limau kasturi'. Yumms!

          I guess I develop this weird wantings because I don't know what to do during the leisure hour. I think I get a sudden crave for pineapple. Aaaa. Pineapple with a pinch of salt over it is awesome because it has its own sweetness and a bit of sourness along the saltiness of the salt. I guess it is my day today because there is a night market here in my neighbourhood. Well, they sell fruits and of course, pineapple. :)

          This craving is caused by the hot weather in Malaysia. After the cold wind from China passed through Malaysia, there is no more cool wind during the day especially in cities.

I love food. :)  

Marriage...

          My mother told me just now that so it is true that when a child is young, she is a mother's daughter but she has grown up, she is the father's daughter. Hello and assalamualaikum everyone. I am Adelin and I am the owner of this blog. :) Today I'd like to share a story about my family's view on marriage.

          I am the only girl in my family as well as the eldest among my siblings. My mother always reminds me that my due date to get marry is on 2016 when I am 25 years old. She even said that 25 is already late to get married. She prefer to have me get married earlier than that. She often tell me stories about her friends who got married late. She said that it is a loss of years because when you are 40, you just got 2 children who are under 6 years old. I guess it has something to do with fertility and age. That is why most Asian women prefer to get married at an early age. My mother also mentioned about the mood. Women who are successful and still not married tend to think that they can live without men. Thus, the thought of marriage slowly disappears as they achieve more and more success.

          That was how my mother look at marriage. I always told her that I am going to get married when I'm rich. I know that if I were to stick to that, marriage seem to be impossible for me because there is no way I am going to be rich anytime soon. Honestly, I am ready for it mentally but not physically. I still don't have financial support because I still have another 1 semester to go and I still need to look for jobs with consistent income. I don't want to burden my husband-to-be because I have my own needs and I don't want to completely depend on him to get everything that I need. I think he can die because of that. Haha. However, according to Islam, a wife is to depend completely on her husband and be loyal to him. I agree but perhaps due to the new era nowadays where women work, I don't think it is a problem if the wife wants to work in order to help the husband with the family's financial.  
         
          Alhamdulillah. I have a stable boyfriend at the moment. It has been a year and a half since we decided to be an item. Actually, in Islam they don't allow this kind of relationship. Being a couple without any knot. But, I can't help myself from falling in love with someone. It has something to do with the hormone. I don't know how but I have thoughts of settling down with him when we first know each other. I just knew that he is the one for me. I love him and I want to live the rest of my life with him till Jannah. I hope that Allah S.W.T will make things easier for us to be husband and wife soon. Insyallah.

          I am glad that both my parents have presented green light for our relationship. And now my mother kept on asking when my boyfriend's family would come for 'merisik'. :)

Alhamdulillah. May Allah bless our relationship.

I love you baby.

Another 3days before Pre-Practicum

Hello everyone!
I've been away for quite a long time. It seems that the blog is quite dusty like an abandoned blog.
Last year or perhaps 2 years ago was the last time I posted an entry.
My life has changed since I stopped joining Prisma Seni actively.
Having a boyfriend actually strengthen the decision.
I've already completed my 6th semester in UiTM.
Now I'm waiting for practicum which will start in mid-July.
I still do not know which school I'd be sent to. Who would be my supervior? And etc.
I hope that I'll be able to do well for my practicum because it will be the benchmark for my future.
Whether I am qualified to be an English teacher or not. That's the question.
Other than practicum, I am also excited about my AE. AE is an abbreviation of Academic Exercise.
It is our version of thesis. I have a year to work on my thesis. If I can complete my AE by the due date, I wouldn't be able to graduate. That's harsh. As much as I want to be a student forever, I don't want to extend the semester because of unfinished AE.
I just hope that I am going to do well. Good luck Delin! Give your best, alright! :)

My Accidental 'masterpieces'

Hello everyone. Today I would like to share my paints or shall I say as drawings which I just knew the potentials I have last Sunday. These paints are originally mine and they came out naturally without any force from my brain. I had the first three drawings when I was in INTEC library UiTM for a program. I got bored and I simply open Paint and I paint.. ! Enjoy looking at these masterpieces of mine..^^

The First Three drawings.

The third one came out to be my favourite at this stage and I drew more when I got home in Baiduri. It has become my guilty-pleasure. 

My Second Attempt

I was surprised myself with the sixth drawing. My housemates aka my best friends challenged me to draw our pictures. The five of us.

This is how it turns to be. Not bad I must say. I grew more excited but I stopped for the day knowing my limit as a student.

The Second Day (Third Attempt)

An unfortunate event folding the life of a mother with her two children. Losing his wealthy husband who leaves behind unlimited wealth doesn't appeal to her like how she really needs her husband by her side. The children misses their 'father's laughter, love and care. A big mansion and hectres of land do not comply to the three of them. The man of the house owns his grave on his own land under the tree of his age. The family visits every day of the year. The grief takes hundreds of years to heal as he means a lot to the family. 

A Javanese Princess. with the theme 'Letting Go'. The princess has let the bird she found, hurt and cared for it for a very long time till the bird has finally fully cured. She realised that it was time to let go of it. She learnt not to be selfish. Though the pain took a long period of time to heal, she accept it even if it is the hard way.

What if the predator is smaller than the pray?

What if the world is upside down?

Would we be able to cope immediately?

It is going to be confusing after all.

Well, that's 10 already. I believe there will be more to come. Till then. Now, I need to take my bath and study for tomorrow's Principle of Assessment and Evaluation test. Thank you for visiting my blog. :)

Sisters For Life, M-1-1-4

Sisters for LIFE M-1-1-4

               It has been a really long time since I last updated this blog. I think it was in the early of 2011 and after that, due to circumstances, I couldn't update. Anyhow, here, I am back with more more interesting experience about the Malaysian culture. For everyone. The animated picture above was produced by me using PAINT. The program 1 Citizen generated my boredom into something very productive such as this. I did not know I have the potential till this morning.

                 The picture shows 5 characters, Lydia, Diana, Gloria, Ethel and Adelin. They live in the same house through out their degree program in Shah Alam. Coming from different background and ethnicity, they adapt themselves with each other with the sake of their friendship. Lydia is an Orang ulu, Diana, an Iban girl, Gloria, a Bidayuh, Ethel, a sino-kadazan and Adelin a Malay-Javanese. It is very interesting because they get to learn each others' language and learn each other's culture. 

                  Religion is also not an excuse for them to live happily together. Being the only Muslim, Adelin had no problem practising her solat and other task demanded by Islam. Their give and take spirit makes it smooth with minimal problems. Adelin, being the only peninsular girl is able to understand and speak 'Melayu Sarawak' and that makes people around mistaken her as a Bornean as well. She is used to be having a Sabahan asking where is her hometown in Sabah. Her Bornean facial features actually contribute to this factor. As a matter of fact, she enjoyed the misunderstandings very much.

                  

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.

~(^_^)~