Trip to Canada #3

I just watched Life of Pi. To me it was just interesting to watch a movie set mostly on the Pacific Ocean while flying above it. 

By the way, the view of the ocean down below is something. It is vast just like I mention it in my book, Under the Sea. Looking down below makes me feel really small and insignificant.

The view outside were also breathtaking. 

Hey it is sunrise!

Above the clouds

Four more hours to go!

As of now, we are almost flying over the United States.

I just performed the usual biological function, had hot tea and snacks, freshened up myself and walked around.

The ladies had noodles and coffee

I think I am gonna sleep for a while or read the national geography book.

Signing off, 4.37a.m, U.S.A

Trip to Canada #4

Two more hours to go.

Now I get myself prepared. Did some housekeeping. Get myself more peanuts for days to come. And waiting for breakfast. 

Emm...I wonder what's inside..

Lovely breakfast!

Miza snap photo overlooking Canadian wilderness

Seriously dude, it is a huge country.

Signing off 7.25am, Canada airspace.

Trip to Canada #2

The flight was a little bit delayed but it was no big deal for me.

As usual I opted for the aisle as I like to move around and not fixed at my place most of the time. 

The look and feel inside

The fornt of where I am seating.

I like the small compartment where we can put our little needy stuff like our glasses, usb cable and phone. 

The inflight entertainment is just ok. Movies are so-so, the music collection sucks though. 

As you can see from the photo above, I opted for Jurassic World. I always enjoyed the movie. I also watched Sex in the City. When I was seriously out of option, I listened to classical. Bantai sajalah. 

The best part is the eating part.

Here is my moslem meal pack

In case you were wondering..

It was not too bad. I got a Haagen Dasz ice-cream too!

I snacked a lot - Ruffles potato chips, peanuts, crackers and lots and lots of juices and ice water. I was thirsty all the time.

The toilet is ok but it was not too clean. I put on lotion provided, few times. I walked around too (and grab handful pack of peanuts along the way!).

Passed by Japan

Over the Pacific

At the time I was writing this, we were flying above the Pacific.

I wished for my usual cup of hot milo, the dim of my ikea uplighter warm lights, on my bed lying FLAT and with my family beside me. Usually it is Redza haha.

Signing off, 11th Oct (and soon gonna be 11th October again).

Trip to Canada #1

And so it begins my journey.

First up, I woke up at 3.30a.m.

Then had breakfast before my family came and picked me up. All my mum, brother and sister sent me off.

One for the album

My wife too!

The flight was about 3 hours 22 minutes to Hong Kong. I had a nice breakfast inflight with  karipap made by my wife. I slept for a while after watching 3 episodes of Modern Family while laughing my head off.

Upon arrival at Hong Kong, I turned on the free wifi and here I am, online and all set. 

We perform prayers at the Prayer Room.

Prayer Room from outside

The inside of the prayer room. Nice and spacious

With prayer mats

A nice ablution place.

Here is the airport

Another view

Had a hot chocolate. Check out the price!

Cathay Pacific fleet

I used the time wisely to journal about this experience.

My favourite photo!

Hope to write more soon.

Signing off 2.55pm, 

Hong Kong.

My writing journey : 24H Trip to Singapore (Draft for training purposes)

It has been awhile since my last posting.

On Saturday 22nd August 2014, I embarked in this 24 hours so-called trip down under (Singapore). Right after work, I hurried to catch the Aeroline bus and arrived Singapore around midnight. I took a cab to the Plush Pods hostel. Yes, back-packing style :P

The Aeroline travel was quite good. Good food, ample time for stop-over rest and prayers.

The Plush Pods was not too bad. It was just my first time staying in a hostel so it was kind of uncomfortable. But again it was not too bad. The price was reasonable. I paid RM75 for an overnight stay.

My little bed-cubicle

The hostel was convenient because it was just 2-3 minutes walking to the workshop venue the next day -  Heritage Place at Tan Quee Lan St.

The workshop title-details

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Right after the workshop ends, I had lunch at Nandos Bugis Junction which was just few minutes away. Then, I rushed to the MRT station to catch a train bound to KL at 4:00pm Arrived home around midnight.

I boarded the First Class KTMB train and it was all so exciting! I remembered how much fun it was many years ago.

The only frustrating thing was I had high expectations of the train. When I went in the coach, it was not as first class as I expected.

Some of the seats are have mechanical problems, torned fabrics and shown obvious signs of wear and tear.

Overview of First Class coach

Not too glamorous but good enough for me

But, I love trains and decided that these should not spoil the journey.

And as expected, the journey was not only exciting but very nostalgic. It was amazing that the scenic panaroma looked the same throughout these years. I spent my whole daylight time to enjoy the view. It did not matter whether it was someone's backyard, wild bushes, old shophouses. It was meaningful to me. I wished I am good in watercolours so that I can put visually on paper.

Mostly palm oil plantation along the way

A calming river flow

Then the food trolley came and I was very excited. For unknown reasons, I love food served on moving public transportantion! Be it on airplane, trains or express bus. Having served and dine while in motion is cool.

I bought a pack of meehoon goreng, a banana cake and iced milo. They tasted quite good. While having my meal, I remembered how my mum served as ayam goreng rempah on our way to Singapore, I can still taste how nice it was.

Later, to entertain myself, I went for a walk to other coaches. I m and to the toilet. Very exciting indeed. The toilet looked the same throughout these years.

I had fun throughout the journey.

I arrived around 11pm and an hour later arrived at home, served with goodies from my wife!

home-cooked karipap daging and hot tea

Writing tips : Beating Writer's Block

Writing tips : Beating Writer's Block

If you are experiencing Writer's Block, it is totally OK. Do not panic. Some people don't even believe it exist.

Whatever it is, here are some suggestions for you to overcome WB compiled from various sources.

1. Don't take it too hard!

Anna Quindlin once wrote, "People have writer's block not because they can't write, but because they despair of writing eloquently." We are our worst critic, one of my writing teacher said. Turn your critical brain off. We can always edit the writing later.

2. Time off

If you experience WB, perhaps it is time for the ideas to gestate. Give yourself time to rest, gather new experience, new ideas from other activities. As for me, I would just take a walk, play with my kids, paint and visit the social media!

3. Scheduling

Graham Greene wrote 500 words every morning and has published 30 books. If you are up to it, set out time to write and just completely ignore WB. When your body shows writing at the same time and place daily, perhaps your mind will too eventually.

4. Multiple Projects

Try to switch back and forth from one project to another. I work on many stuff and just leave it when I was stuck. I know it sounds a bit ambitious but most of the time it works for me. The only thing I dislike about it is we may stretch ourselves thin doing lots of things all about the same time.

5. Redecorate

In the movie Batman & Robin, Poison Ivy, played by Uma Thurman once uttered, "Let's redecorate!" when she wanted to set up her lair. Taking cue from this, sometimes I re-do my writing / creative stations. The work that we do suppose to be fun and the space is suppose to be a place we look forward to being in.

6. Exercising

I am not talking about physical exercise as I do not want to preach what I do not practice! What is meant here is writing exercise. Such can loosen up the blocked mind and get us to write anything. Some of those may not be good but perhaps one day it might be useful!

7. Study

Study how other writers overcome their WB.

8. Intrinsic Motivation

Ask yourself what are your writing and why. Is it pure passion or obligation? If you feel most about your writing, it will makes your happy and perhaps your readers will too. You passion will not only sustain but drive you through your WB.

End of article.