Much more than Cup Noodles

Many things happened this year. There were inspiring stories, there were unfortunate ones. The one major that has been circulating this time around is the Japan Earthquake Tsunami Incident. On the 11March2011, The fourth largest Earthquake ever measured hit japan off the northern coast of the island. If one blow wasn't enough, came in a 13ft wave tsunami that swept away cars, ships, homes and even family ties. Apparently two blows was not enough, because next came the third strike of radiation leak from a major nuclear plant, biggest nuclear accident since Chernobyl.

To illustrate how devastating the incident was, Death toll is close to 11,500, number of missing people is close to 16,500 and Financial damange of 235billion. (information correct up to 31March2011)

Imagine the dire state they are in at thie moment. Cities swept to the ground, shortage of food and supplies, Fear of uncertainty and trauma of loss would be enough to demotivate the country to its knees. It was so bad that even a cup noodle is enough to bring much comfort to survivors. I heard that the nissin cup noodle factory aims to produce more cup noodles during this difficult period to supply the demand from food shortage.

What happened in Japan could happen in any other country on earth. This cave of darkness bears a ray of light that came in a form of support and aid from hundreds of countries and thousands of organisations. It is an inspiring humane story that made the world realise that no man is an island, not even for a country that is comprised of 3000+ islands.

Those are the things that lingered in my thought as i walked pass the Japan Tsunami Relief Booth set up by Malaysian Red Crescent on my way to lunch. For those who are unfamiliar with this concept, it is a booth set up to collect relief fund to aid Japan following a series of unfortunate events.

While having my lonely lunch, I can't help but to think about the people there and the surge of negative feelings that befell them. While i am heartbroken over my recent failed relationship, they are there battling with everyday fear wondering if they can even survive past the day. I guess its not difficult to guess who is having a shittier day.

So, I figured there are people out there who needs hope more than me. Thinking of their situation, my tens of thousand dollar debt that is chaining my life seem so small and powerless now. So, I decided to donate some fund to them. After all, its a small amount that i could do without. I just hope that this small amount brings much hope to those who needs it.

I couldn't help it, but i wondered how many cup noodles could they benefit from this small amount. I'd imagine it would be enough to feed three or four family for a day. Its not so much of the feeding that brought a smile, but the hope i believe it will provide. And for the remaining of the day, I smiled once again, an act i've never been able to do sincerely ever since the breakdown of my relationship months ago.

*Sidenote: While writing this, I found out my keyboard had a stain of water drop. Was it tears? I guess its only manly not admit it was."

Malaysia 3rd Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Festival

On the 18-19th of March, I was at the Putrajaya hot air balloon festival.

For those who are not familiar, Putrajaya hot air balloon is a yearly event where hot air balloons from all over the world gather in one place to be exhibited to be public, an event photographers would be most interested in. This year marks the third time this event has took place in Malaysia.

The main attractions would be the hot air balloons. The interesting ones were the upside down balloons,  there is the animal zoo hot air balloon, and the most epic of all had to be Darth Vader hot air balloon. When it was getting inflated from the ground, everyone had their cameras looked to the sight of Darth Vader balloon. It was so epic that spectator were humming to the tune of the Darth Vader theme song.

Other than the balloons, there were other minor attraction, such as clowns, the tall pirate, airplane rides, night fireworks and all. There was also an extreme sport section where booths were set up for people there to experience wall climbing, archery, orbing, biking, paintball and the likes.

Speaking of extreme sports, I was there throughout Saturday and Sunday to help out for the paintball booth. You see, a bunch of us paintball enthusiast decided to get together and set up a target range for people to shoot some paintball, and at the same time to expose the public all about paintball and the thrill it brings.

Throughout the 2days, I was tasked with a couple of different roles:
- Front Desk Reception
- Field Marshall
- Marketing / Flyer Distributor
- Equipment Guy

All in all, It was a successful event, one in which i learn a lot. Here are some photos

 

*Disclaimer: None of the firearms displayed above are real. They are for display purpose only.

My old friend, Its been a long time.

Below is an imaginary conversation between the author and his blog:

Me: Hi 3POINT8. Its been a long time haven't it?

3.8: Where have you been? You haven't been blogging for 2 years, you haven't visited for months, and you left without a word.

Me: Yea, sorry about that. I shouldn't have done that. I should have at least bid farewell, shouldn't I?

3.8: You should. So, what happened?

Me: Short Story, Career. Long story; I've found an area of life that i felt should be established at this time. As a result, most of time has been devoted to my career, including our time together. Besides, the starting of a career really does sap the energy out of someone. There is so much to learn, so much to explore.

3.8: I see... So, why come back now?

Me: Honestly I don't know. Cruel as it may sound, but I've thought of abandoning you totally, and really, its the logical thing to do considering i may not come back again after today. I mean really! There are so many factors that deter me from visiting you. Bad internet connection, low motivation, no time, no ideas, you name it.

3.8: Excuses! Those are excuses. If you wanted to pay a visit, you would. So, why come back now?

Me: Why return now? I don't know. Maybe you held so much of my past memories that i felt would be a waste if left just like that. Maybe its because i need a platform to hold my memories, my life, and the perfect candidate is still you.

3.8: So, I'm just a tool?

Me: .......... In a way, yea.

3.8: You ungrateful brat!

Me: Sorry. Why not see it this way. You've been dead. Treat this coming as a resurrection point. I'm offering a chance for you to be alive again. Would you like to take that chance?

3.8: Gee.... I don't know. I felt so used. Whats the point anyway?

Me: You see, writing is still my passion. There is much i want to tell the whole world, but i thought others might judge it as uninteresting, mundane. But you, you never judged my writing. For that, i am grateful. Through you, i can post what I feel like posting. Plus thats what you are good at, thats what you like to do, ain't it?

3.8: If you put that way......... Thats true.

Me: Then lets work together then. I'll come up with ideas, and you could hold these ideas as an open vault. Interesting in working together again?

3.8: Sure. After all, there is little i can do to defy you. The only person who can overwrite you are owners of blogger, which you have admit, seldom interfere with small blogs like me. Alrite, Sure. Let's do this!

Me: But this time, i want to do things differently. Its no longer for the public. Let's make this more personal, shall we?

3.8: Alrite. I trust you. You lead, I'll follow.


*And hence the blog 3POINT8 was reborn with one post. The author misses his blog so much so he could see his blog in his dreams night after night. For a long time, he couldn't confront his own blog fearing he had nothing to write, fearing that he won't be a regular blogger as before. Today he decided to walk closer to his shadow, and found out that a huge shadow do shrink upon confrontation. And so, the author decides to start blogging once again. Today is only one post, It is unsure if the author decides to continue with another posting.

[Back story sounds nice and all, right? If only this is true to the author's real life relationships.]

Reunion of Greatness

In my naive years of 2001, a young trainee teacher handed me a small note in which I kept with me for the next four year until high school graduation. In the note wrote a quote found in the movie 'Patch Adams'.

Though it wasn't mouthed by the Patch Adams himself, it was nevertheless a quote found in the movie Patch Adams. It was from this quote that I draw strength and inspiration in times of doubt. In a way, the quote was my life jacket. Many times upon the brink of giving up, it was this quote that adds a slight push reminding myself to persevere just abit longer. Often times, all it takes is a slight push to get me through tough times.

I could very well turn out to be a different person, caged in paralyzing dark dungeon of hopelessness had not for this quote. You could say that my high school life was indebted to this quote if it was capable of seeking payment in return. Sometimes it does make me wonder how much more motivation I could draw from the man himself if this short quote could motivate me this much

I'd imagine this quote is a mere waterdrop of greatness compared to what Patch Adams has done for the society. Now that i'm a grown up, a simple quote no longer fulfills my hunger for inspiration. Considering all greatness requires inspiration, I shall be on the look out for more. That is why I wish to meet Patch Adams, and 23 other inspiring figure in the Gathering of Great Minds. It is now my desire to attend this event.

By the way, if you are wondering, this is the quote that got me through high school:
"You're focusing on the problem. If you focus on the problem, you can't see the solution. Never focus on the problem!"

I feel this post would be incomplete without a real-life quote from the legendary Patch Adams himself.
"In Russia most of the hospitals don't have any pain medicine, they don't have any money. So if you're with kids with cancer, they can have metastases to the bone; which some say is the worst pain a human can experience. So a mother can be in a room with a child who hasn't stopped screaming in five months. ...85% of the time I walk in there as a clown they'll stop screaming."

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Note: This is a contest entry Cybermate's Dungeon to win TWO Season Passes to The Gathering Of Great Minds worth RM988 each!
(For this contest, contestant are required to write an entry about The Gathering Of Great Minds and why you are excited to meet Patch Adams in person.)