Because Feeling Good is Wonderful!

It’s July already, can you imagine just how fast time passes? With a blink of an eye and just a whisper of a smoke, we are already in the middle of Year 2015! 

Today, I am going to write about many things here.Year 2015 has been really awesome, and I believe all these are my own doing, I vibrate them to come to me. There are plenty of opportunities along the way that have led me to where I am now, right now, feeling giddy, happy, empowered and plainly like I am on top of the world. Oh yeah, whatever you say, I truly believe that I am capable of doing anything at all. You ain’t gonna bring me down, NOPE. 

My swimming sessions have been paying off. I am not like super-model-slim, in fact I don’t want that kinda unhealthy body image. I wanted to be fit. Taking the first step to swimming after being idle for so long was difficult, but down the road, it is all worth it. I can see my body is toning, my clothes are getting looser; my complexion is better and I sleep so well. Really, I don’t really care what you say about swimming getting broad shoulders, I love my body, I love being fit and if you don’t exercise, seriously, you have no rights to tell me which sports I should do or should not. At the end of the day, I am the one exercising, and you being in the couch potato should just stick to your couch. Hehe! 

Oh, my passion is burning, as you all know, I love diving and I am in love with it. Thinking about it makes me really happy and suddenly there are just plenty of people and dive trips coming along my way all the time. This is so wonderful and I have managed to fit in 3 diving trips on this 2nd half of the year. I am confident that I am going to make wonderful friends along the way. And I truly absolutely believe that our trips are going to be wonderful, we are making good memories and yes, we are going to see something good during our diving trips! Something rare that’s worth every conversations in the future. And most importantly, we are going to be safe, happy and alive when we return homes as planned. 

I have also fully and truthfully come into terms with my sexuality. This is something I have been struggling and confusing myself for a long while. I truly believe that sexuality is fluid and if you put it strictly, it’s just a spectrum that society puts labels on because they don’t really have conclusive answers for the entire working of it. And I am so happy that I can now be honest to myself and my friends. And I am really grateful that there are people who accept me. While there are others who question about the entire sexuality concept, too bad for you all, you are missing half the fun! Whatever it is, I believe in love. True love. To me, it’s LOVE first. Other qualities such as skin color, gender and etc, come much much much later. So YAY to myself! This is good! 

I am feeling really wonderful, like I am not even kidding or faking it. There are secrets to this positive energy that I am feeling. There are things that I have been doing to improve my body, mind and soul. You might question about my methods, but honestly, it’s nothing harmful. These are just things that you and I have come across the internet for many many times and while you are skeptical about it, I am a firm believer. At the end of the day, look who’s complaining about bad day? Definitely not me. 

 I am never stingy with my knowledge so in the next few posts, I am going to list down things I do everyday. ;)

Busy Times

I have been lazy. I have been lazy to do anything especially drawing. The irony is that this is supposedly a DOODLE blog but here I am writing and writing even more. Should I just switch side and rename it to THE NONSENSE-WRITING blog.

June has been really busy for me. A lot of activities and tons of money flowing out from my pocket. I hope that it's all worth it in the end. I have so many dive trips lining up this year, I am really excited to be honest, so excited. I pray earnestly that everything will happen and end smoothly and that everyone including myself and all whom are travelling together will have happy memories!

I bought my own equipments! Now I have full set of diving equipment already, I am ready to explore further. Oceans, wait for me, I am coming for you.

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Also, I have been eating lotsa good foods, no wonder my belly just won't refuse to budge despite how many laps I swim per week. But these desserts are out there, so tempting, so delicious....waiting for me.....

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On the other note, the weather has been too hot lately. Just few weeks prior, it was raining cats and dogs around here. I am not sure if it's because I am getting more conscious about the weather, but it seems like it just keeps weirder, plus the facts global warming is freaking real and happening at an alarming rate despite what all the naysayer says. It's scary in a way, and it keeps me wondering if I will live long enough to see the world end. If it gets this warm I think I will just move to the islands. These warm weathers seem to be better when you are near the oceans, maybe I should, one day and get myself really dark and tan.

All in all, June has been a good month, and I just can't wait for all the coming trips!
Till then, hasta la vista baby!

All is Well and Getting Better.

I think it has been approximately four months with a lot of determinations, groans, whines, complaints, pain, tears and sweats to get to this point where I feel quite healthy, quite fit and generally satisfied and happy with how my body is. And I only hope that from now on, it gets better and better.

I have always loved swimming than any other on-ground sports/activities. I love the water. It's like my natural element, something I can't explain except that I feel very much belonged in it. Maybe in my past life I was a marine live, a dolphin perhaps? I do wish so.

Going back to what I was saying, yeah I love swimming but I lost touch with it since I entered high school. I no longer swam regularly and naturally my body size increased horizontally so fast before I could even react. For years, I had been fighting with it by controlling my diet to no avail. And together with my slowing metabolism, all these fats were winning the war. I was depressed for a long while. I know it was such a stupid thing to be depressed about but I wasn't feeling confident of myself. I couldn't fit into my pants and shirts any more. The worst was, I couldn't enjoy what I love - diving. I was always tired after one simple dive and if there was current, however small, I tired out so easily that I always felt like I was going to die somehow.

Then, something happened in my life. That was it, the trigger! I thought to myself like screw it, nobody is going to take care of you if you don't do it yourself. And the first thing that I needed to change was to stop being a couch potato! (Also the fact that I am working with a 45-years-old manager who looks like he is only in his 30s because he exercises regularly kinda motivates me a lot...) On top of all that, I have somehow and miraculously ended up in the fast food industry, which means I literally cannot avoid processed food these days when product development is part of job scope... If I don't start exercising, just imagine how horizontal I would be. So that's how I have ended up swimming almost daily these days, always pushing myself to the limit each time with the hope that I could swim laps without really stopping in the future.

It has been five months now and before I even thought about it, I can now swim longer and longer and longer, without any rest! And also, I am starting to see the transformation, like how most of shirts and pants are becoming really loose and the muscles are starting to show. I am less tired, sleep better and the best thing is that I don't feel so guilty during those days when I eat a little bit more than usual.

This realization of course makes me extremely happy. I know a lot of people will tell you like you have to incorporate certain exercises to build your strength or that swimming will give you broad shoulders... Tell you what, screw them. Pick a sports you like regardless what the others say, because it's so much easier to motivate yourself to exercise when you pick a sports you really enjoy, make it a habit to do it consistently and reap the benefits later.

And most importantly, take that first step.

Something You Love.

Hello. I am back.

Time passes away so cruelly and so quickly, isn't it? Half of year 2015 has already ticked away. And what have you been doing? Have you found yourself? Meaning of love? Happiness? Have you been spending enough time with people who matter? Have you been walking to your dreams? Or are you running away from them?

These questions I have been asking the same of myself and I found myself at a roadblock. How do we define happiness really? How do we define love? Everyone has their own definitions to these abstract concepts, what's yours and what's mine anyways? To some, it's money; to another, it's food; to me though, I think it's really diving.

I liked diving, a lot. It's not until now however, that I realize just how much I am really really in love with it. I guess the feeling comes along because I hang out with the right company; and I am so glad despite the circumstances, I have decided to continue pursuing this hobby and now it has turned into a full-blown passion which I absolutely enjoy to the max. This crazy obsession of mine, may cause a lot of money but spending on something you really love; like a joy in your heart is something you can't really put a value on. How can you measure memories, laughter and friendship that you gain along the way with monetary values? At the end of the day, as long as I don't come back with huge debt and still have sufficient in my account to survive the months, all is well.

So the next time you see me going around diving, give me a high five! Because you know, I am doing something I really love, and I hope that whatever that you may doing in life, you have something or someone you love with you, just so that if life never happens the way you want or it starts throwing you lemons, you know where to get the best lemonade done and enjoy it.



I just came back from Redang Island again! And I finally took my Advanced Course, yahoo!

March Vacation 2015

 

 Hello! I have returned from my vacation! I had a rather fun and interesting trip. I have always been in a diver's club that I joined through a forum and after many missed chances, I finally got to join them for this small dive trip and needless to say, it was very fun! I met new people with the same passion and learned many great tips from them, since they are all very experienced. ;) We were in Redang Island, Malaysia. As far as I know, the dive sites there aren't as well known as many other beautiful islands around Peninsular Malaysia, it turned out to be a rather relaxing dive trip after all, mainly because we were lodging in Redang Laguna Resort and with its all-in-package and wonderful services! Seriously, if you are visiting, check Redang Laguna Resort, the prices you are paying may be slightly higher as compared to the others but the services, the peace and ease of mind are worth every penny of yours. 

 

Now let's talk about diving! We dived with Laguna Dive Centre and since it belongs with the resort, they have big boats! I love going out to the ocean with big boats to dive because there will be ample of spaces for us to get into the gears, small ones are just plain comfortable with tons of punching around. The underwater world is ok, beautiful but not impressive as others I have been to before. 

Overall, it has been a good trip, so unforgettable that I am returning there very soon again. 

Legend of Korra, I Pick You! [Part 2]

The grand finale of Legend of Korra was aired on 20th December 2014, and one month later, there’s still a lot of buzz going around in fandom. Die-hard, obsessed, addicted and amazed fans like me will probably remember the magical moments for a very long time. I have mentioned this plenty of times and I don’t think I will ever tire out saying this over and over – Legend of Korra is a marvelous animated TV series. And the relationship between Korra and Asami is truly a great writing. There has never been a better queer representation on children’s TV than LOK, in fact it delivers far better than many other adult movies or TV series with similar theme. 

What I like most is the positive representation of woman, and not only the young ones; even the old ladies are as powerful and play as important roles as the men in the series. And then there is the blossoming friendship between Korra and Asami that slowly and subtly develops into something more; something more romantic and along the way, they have already fallen in love before they even know about it. 

I believe that a lot of people are crazy over this development because it feels real, true and strong and more so, it’s relatable to many queer people out there. Unlike heterosexual people who can openly start flirting when they find someone whom they are at least/midly attracted to; many queer people begin differently unless the person you are attracted to has already made known of his/her orientation. In many cases, it begins like Korrasami; first as good friends and along the way, they may or may not discover that they are actually attracted to each other more than just friends and then fall in love even without being together or in a relationship. 

 How do I know? As a person who strongly believes that LOVE is just love and sexuality is just as fluid, I may have or may have not experienced the same thing. :) 

Mostly, I believe Korrasami is also an accurate portrayal of true love. I know that attraction or infatuation do happen at first sight; but falling in love is another matter altogether; that takes a lot of time and effort and even then there is still a risk of it not even working out in the end. And I don’t believe that you have to be in relationship to make it happen. Like Korrasami, they know they are good friends, heck they are probably aware of being attracted to each other in one or two ways, but it is not until 3-4 years and multiple life-threatening adventures later that they realize that perhaps, their attraction never stops and has been falling in love unknowingly. In the end, when the relationship begins, we see two mature people who have already fallen in love with each other, coming together and making the decision to journey and explore their future lives together; not just – “Let’s get together and see if we fall in love or not” relationship. And that to me, is beautiful. 

Love can come in many forms. Gone are those days where true love comes in the form of Prince Charming saving damsel in distress; or witty, humorous bad boys courting an impossibly rich and unapproachable girls and then fall in love just because someone saves the day. It’s time to show the future generations that love can happen anywhere when you least expect it. Sometimes, it develops like Korrasami; or it takes a long time; or it takes multiple separations and failed relationships to finally come around with the one; or it happens later in your lives; or it happens with not the prince charming you have always dreamt of; or and or and or….. And very also very importantly, platonic friendship do exist between males and females and that just because you hang out with another person of opposite sexes, you are sleeping together, no. 

To the creators, supportive staffs, and all the people behind this awesome series, thank you for pushing the boundaries to portray Korrasami. May this be the defining series for all the positive changes to come in all children’s television. 

 And thank you to all my readers for bearing with my obsession with Korrasami.

Actually, there are also a lot of many other things to love about LOK in total like its brilliant and detailed animation; its deep yet relevant theme in each season and so many more! It's a really good TV series.

My Year 2014

It’s time of the year again; to celebrate and welcome another brand new year; to write resolutions that we know that we will never be able to fulfill… So unless you have done everything that you have set for yourself, then here’s a pat to your shoulder from me to you...Congratulation! Now go on and write more resolutions! As for me, I can’t even remember if I have made any resolutions for year 2014 but one thing I know for sure that it has been an interesting ride!

Looking back at what I did in Year 2013, which I have written it here… I couldn’t help to cringe at my own ridiculousness because apart from getting my diving license, what I have achieved in that year has been so insignificant; but I guess I wouldn’t know better at that time. I take it as a good sign though, that I could laugh at my old self for being so childish because it means that I have grown out of it, and probably become wiser now than I was before. And to make sure that I get a good laugh of my own absurdity on every end of another year, I am going to attempt in writing down what I have done before departing to another brand journey ahead.

Year 2014 has been an intriguing ride. For starter, I have read more than 100 books in this year alone! The exact number is actually 106 as of today and if you ask me how do I even know? I have a google sheet specifically to list down all the books I have finished for the year. I must thank my nifty little Kobo Mini for being ever so efficient and convenient. With Kobo Mini, I can bring my books everywhere and can easily steal some time indulging in some wonderful stories anytime, anywhere. And more than ever, I find myself falling in love more and more with books. I have literally turned myself into a book nerd and I don’t regret every second of it. There’s something very therapeutic about reading. It literally opens up your mind, changes your perspectives and teaches you to be more compassionate towards many things in life. And for the coming new year, I hope to come across with more inspiring books that will teach me more things about life itself.

Next, I need to talk about diving in Sipadan. This is one of my most memorable highlights in this year and I believe that it will be in my mind for a very long time. I had always known that we humans are really tiny in the face of nature and after spending 5 days 4 nights around the beautiful islands in West Malaysia, I finally had the chance to see it for myself, just how tiny and unsubstantial our lives are. We are just part of something so huge that many of us are so absorbed in our own self-importance that we forget to pause and think about others. We forget that there are billions of other living things in this world, sharing the same planet and sustaining the entire ecosystem together with us and with our stuck up, ignorant and selfish attitude, we forget that if we don’t protect these living things, they will vanish, the balance will be tipped off and what’s left would be our own extinction. We forget that this planet is shared, we are just one tiny part of it and who gives us the right to claim this Earth as our own and destroy the nature. The beauty of Sipadan islands and the lives around them have humbled me. And if Sipadan is only one itsy-bitsy beautiful thing of this planet, I wonder what else I could discover out there. Will we ever have the time to discover all the magnificent secrets of this world before it perishes due to our negligence? I wonder…

Year 2014 has also taught me to love myself better. For a while I was stuck in a miserable bond, I thought I was doing a favor by sacrificing my own happiness only to find out in the end that a toxic relationship is only going to end up badly and hurting both sides. I should have made the decision to walk away when I could but I did not have the courage to do so. Out of this unpleasant experience, I have learned that your heart knows what you really want and when it is trying to tell you something, you better listen to it. There is also nothing wrong or selfish with self love, you can love yourself without being selfish or arrogant or self absorbed. The difference is only a fine line apart yet distinguishable. And in life, sometimes you have to make that decision for yourself, even if it seems cruel and heartless to the others but when it’s done for the sake of your own love to yourself, you need to do it regardless what the others say or think. You owe that love to yourself, not love from others but the love that comes from you to your ownself. And when you start loving yourself, you will find wonders of what you can accomplish and achieve.

Another thing Year 2014 has given me is quality friendship which I am really grateful for. It’s really important to surround yourself with like-minded friends and people who can truly accept you for who you really are. It is such a blessing that I have found these people whom I can talk about anything in this world and even better that we share many of the same views, beliefs and principles together. And much thanks to this bunch of crazy friends, I have come to learn to accept myself better and be comfortable in my own skin. Out of these 365 days, we have talked about how shallow and close minded a lot of people are when their reasons in going against certain issues don’t even make sense. And we talk about how easily most people are being led by the media or the society they are in that they can’t even think rationally for themselves. While I admit that we are not perfect ourselves or even self righteousness, we accept our flaws, analyze and discuss over many dumbfounded issue that have plaguing our planet. We examine why some groups of people are thinking this way; why do they close up their minds; why do they have to do this and that and at the end of the heated discussions, we all laugh all over about them and vow never to be like them in the future. There are some interesting issues that we have been discussing among us that I would really like to share with the rest… but with these 1000 words essay right here, I will have to put them in another post.

Overall, Year 2014 has taught me many things, plenty of self discoveries and lessons. It's essentially a very good year. I mean what's so bad in a year that many of my OTP(s) come true! What do I hope for the new year? New discoveries, new adventures, good people, good friendship and lotsa love. :)

Happy New Year! :)

In Summary:
1. I changed job, yeah like it's exciting.
2. I read more than 100 books in a year.
3. I visited Sipadan Island and dived there.
4. I made a conscious decision for the sake of my happiness and walked away from things which have been toxic to me.
5. Of course I love my family and friends.
6. Korrasami and so many other of my OTPs come true!
7. Thank you Year 2014. :)