Hands Percussion

Watching the award-winning Hands Percussion performance in KL PAC was really an eye-opening opportunity for me. It was Hands Percussion's 15th Anniversary celebration and it organized a street parade,   bazaar and free concert performance throughout the day on 16th Dec.  As I was rushing to meet a report deadline, I was only able to join its concert in the evening.  It was raining and I was having doubt about going for the concert.  Eventually, I gave in to my desire to attend it.

It was the right decision to go to the concert!!  It was the first time I attended an outdoor concert while it was raining.  The organizer even prepared plastic raincoat for us.  There are quite a number of photographers there.  Due to the rain, I was running late and got lost between Mahameru and Kuching Highway.  Fortunately, the performance was delayed till 9.30pm.  On top of that, I was lucky enough to get a seat on the front row!!!!  I was meant to be at the concert ~ that's my thought throughout the evening!

I thoroughly enjoyed Hands Percussion performance.  The choreography was impressive.  It's not only about playing Chinese traditional drums, but other musical instruments such as bells and gamelan were also incorporated.  And there were some dancing and acrobatic too.  This is my first Hands Percussion performance and it will not be the last.  Hands Percussion won me over that evening.

There were many school students that came from Kuantan, Johor and other states that came in school buses who attended the celebration from morning till night. If they can come so far away from other states to support this event, I have no reason to be absent since I am only 45-mins drive away from KL PAC.

An excellent performance, Hands Percussion.  Bravo!!!!  A standing ovation to all of you who performed spectacularly that evening!

Bed & Breakfast

More & more backpackers hostel and B&B are established in Melaka's Jonker & Temple Street area. And this is good as they make accommodation in the touristy part of Melaka town affordable!

This is a mural taken from one of the budget accommodation. It is located just in front of the Jonker Walk stage where karaoke session is held on every weekend. But wonder if one can sleep through the loud noise coming from the speakers?

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Heineken staged a fake classical music concert at the same time as a crucial Real Madrid vs. AC Milan game on October 21, there was no chance that any real soccer fan would be there…except if their girlfriends, professors and bosses convinced them (by any means necessary) to attend.

What happens next is sheer hilarity, and a nice example of a high-budget guerrilla marketing campaign from Heineken. Suffice to say that more than 1,100 soccer fans got swindled, 1.5 million people saw their reactions on live TV, and Heineken received five million visitors to the site devoted to the event — and a great deal of news coverage for their troubles.

Watch the video here!

My World Tuesday - A Dying Profession

This man is making paper dolls for prayers in Taoism traditions. These paper dolls are usually burnt after prayers for deities or in funeral services.

This man told me that his own children are not keen to learn the art of this craft from him. He will have no one to pass on his skills. I find his craft requires lotsa detail work. Wonder if he would be keen to teach his art to school children. I think it would be fortunate for children to learn this craft from him. Check out his beautiful pieces of work.

This posting is my participation for My World Tuesday's meme. For more photo of lives around the world, check out the link to the portal!

Malaysia Ink

This is an interesting frontage of a tatoo shop in my hometown, Melaka.

If you have seen the Miami Ink, LA Ink & London Ink programmes on Discovery Travel & Living, you would understand why the owner wrote 'Malaysia Ink'. The mentioned programmes featured tatoo shops in the respective cities.

Tattoo is getting more and more popular among our young adults. I have seen many adorning tatoos on various places on their bodies. The bold ones even have huge, colourful ones done in an artistic manner all over one arm!

Tattoos used to be associated with vice or gansterism. Not any more. People view it as a form of art. A gym mate of mine went to get a beautiful, colorful, big tattoo with the name of her son done on her back. It certainly looks good on her. It's brave of her to go through the pain to get the tattoo done!

But some people may not perceive tattoo in an artistic manner. I still recall when I was passing through Hong Kong Immigration from Shenzhen, the Immigration officer gave my arm; that was adorned with a sticker tattoo in the form of a beautiful butterfly; a long, hard stare before stamping on my passport and let me passed through! My boss said I shouldn't have had the tattoo on! I found that incident funny coz the tattoo was just a beautiful little butterfly! Not a huge dragon, that would easily be associated with vice!

Do you have a tattoo? If you were to get a tattoo, what design would you go for?

Magic Mirror

We went to a musical play called Magic Mirror in the Genting Highlands on Thursday nite. It was an impressive performance, from the quality of music, vocal, costumes, backdrop, lighting......I was bowled over! I have not been to many traditional costumes play. This one will have a lasting impression on my memory! For more of my photos taken during the play, please visit: USJ.com Photography thread.

For more information of this play, please go to:

• Portraying a deity
• Catch the Magic Mirror on the hill
• Magic Mirror - The Musical
• Magic Mirror - Synopsis of the Play is available here.

I have also recorded a video of two playful characters in this play. You can view them introducing themselves and their roles here.

Art Theraphy in Youth Camp

Last weekend I spent my time usefully by helping out at a Youth Camp in the Maha Karuna Buddhist Association in Subang 2. A friend who organized this camp has invited me to share with the students on public speaking (where I am active in).

I had the chance to meet another fellow trainer, Sis. Mee Yuen, who introduced the students to art theraphy. It was a very enlightening session. Through the art activity, one gets to learn more about one's characters and qualities. It was a very wonderful opportunity for me to be exposed to such session. And working with the youth was really fun and inspiring.

In the future, I hope there would be more opportunities like this for me to work with youths. The youths whom I met last weekend were very competitive, fun-loving and musically inclined students. Hope they would grow to be responsible and wonderful adults.

Above are photos taken during the art theraphy session.

Journey Into The Minds

World Mental Health Day is observed on Oct 10 every year. In conjunction with this, many activities are being held locally to promote mental health and create awareness about it.

Mental health has been neglected for far too long. It is crucial to the overall well-being of individuals & societies. A friend of mine used to work for the Malaysia Mental Health Association (MMHA). Through her organization and activities, we have been educated on what is mental health, and how unaware our society about this and the lack of mental health services. In fact MMHA is organizing a 4.5km Walk (with the theme "A Good Walk, A Heathy Mind")this Sunday at PJ. My friends and I have signed up to join this event. Sacrifice a little bit of sleep for a healthy body and mind!

By chance, yesterday I came about an exhibition held at the KL Central Market Annexe Gallery's Journey Into The Minds ~ 1st Malaysian "Art in Psychiatry" Exhibition, presented by the Department Of Psychological Medicine, Faculty Of Medicine, University Of Malaya. On exhibit were art theraphy works done by caregivers & patients of various psychiatry rehabilitation centres in Malaysia. There was not much of publicity on this event. I was glad I was at the right place, at the right time, to view the art pieces. Some of the pieces are rather impressive! See them for yourself here.

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Graphical Dimension

What do you think of this graphical collage? Capture this at Sunway Pyramid. I like the way the large photos are arranged, from small to large and it gave the wall a 3-dimensional depth. Brilliant arrangement!

Meanwhile, I would like to share with you this song by Daniel Powter - Bad Day. Like the lyric and the MV of this song. Hope you have a wonderful Thursday!




Bad Day
by Daniel Powter

Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to gray
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on

You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee you go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces every time
And I don't need no carryin' on

Because you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Will you need a blue sky holiday?
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on

You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day

(Oooh.. a holiday..)

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong

(yeah...)

So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Parable of the Mustard Seed

Attended a concert organised by the National University of Malaysia's Buddhist Fellowship on Sunday evening. One of the performances was on the Parable of the Mustard Seed.

As the story goes, Buddha told the story of the grieving mother - Kisa Gotami, and the mustard seed. Kisa Gotami lost her only son, she took his body to the Buddha to find a cure. The Buddha asked her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a family that had never experience a death. When Kisa Gotami was unable to find such a house in her village, she realised that death was common to all, and she could not be selfish in her grief. Death must come to everyone sooner or later. But if ones learns the truth of dying, one can live and die in happiness.

More of this story can be read here.

Have you heard of this story?

Theme Day: March 08 - Graffiti or Street Art

Just give him the paints
Let him go to it
and discover his own soul.
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I read this somewhere and think it fits this post perfectly. What do you think this person is trying to tell us through his work of art?

There are currently 144 blogs participating in this theme day, come join us celebrate the creativity of street art in each of this city!

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by U R us, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Traditional Chinese Puppet Opera

Last night I saw the temple next to my Mom's house in Melaka was having a traditional Chinese Puppet Opera performance. This performance is held in conjunction with the temple deities celebration. The last time I saw this puppet opera was ages ago. Such performance is almost in extinction. Not many young people understand them. So with great joy I went to watch it and manage to capture some photos to share here.

Have you seen any puppet show? Have you seen one like this?

Art of Mehndi

Mehndi is the art of applying henna paste on the body. It is usually drawn on hands or feet of Indian brides. The design is only temporary and may last for more than 10 days.

Have you experienced being mehndi-ed?