My Personal Favourite Photos of 2011

These are some of my favourite images that i took over a period of One year time in 2011. Due to a discount offered by Photobook Malaysia through Groupon.com.my, which cost only RM48 for a 40pages of photobook + RM12 for delivery charges, i have made a spontaneous decision to compiled them in a photobook. I have always wanted to print out my images and keep it, i find this is a perfect opportunity for me to do so. Thus, i did it!

It’s quite a Journey when i flash back my Photography’s Adventures. Buying a DSLR on December 2010 is the First Big step towards some amazing photos making opportunity. I was so eager to buy it at first due the HK trip that i went during Jan 2011, so that i can take some nice photos ma.. 

I was caught up with photography when i started to use a camera phone in University, then the passion was intensify greatly after a Photography Workshop in a Cam in Cameron. I waited gruesomely and researched tremendously before i finally get my hand on a DSLR! After much funding of course!

Photography has given me a lot of pleasure and a new mean of expressing myself. It is part of my life now. Thank God for his grace and mercy that i will be able to own a camera and capture the wonders created by HIM! Hope i can continue to make more quality photographs.

These images are taken with DSLR, Compact Point & Shoot camera as well as Film too.

Hope Yall Enjoy it!

The Hard Cover is very well made.

The Binding is nicely done too..

I’m very pleased with the print quality and the paper quality as well. The images are sharp and the color is perfect!

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Hong Kong Trip – Day 4

Today is a day jam packed full with lot of places to visit! I think we walk like 30km in a day! Haha..

Well, the main attraction that we visited is as below:

1) The Golden Flower Square in Wan Chai

2) Stanley

3) Causeway Bay

4) Admiralty

Fasten your seat belt and get ready for the Journey!!

We woke up quite late so we have our Brunch at 標记烧猪王 (Piu Kei Rosted Pig King XD) Restaurant. It’s just somewhere near the neighborhood where we stayed in Tseun Wan. They serve some very nice Roasted Dishes.

I have always hear great things about the Roasted Goose Rice before i came to HK. So how can i miss it here?! I ordered Roasted Goose Drumstick Rice that cost me HKD58!! It’s around RM25! I guess it’s the most expensive Roasted Dish i had! But it is worth it? You bet! Look at the next pictures!

Oh my Gosh… Even though it’s just plain rice with the infamous Roasted Goose.. Top with the Sour sweet sauce that came with it.. It tastes Fantabulous! The texture of the meat is just like the Hybrid of Duck and Lamb! Superb! It’s quite a large drumstick and the rice served is more than adequate for two starving man! Worth it or not?? Oh hell yeah!!

I wonder why i couldn’t find this Roasted Goose in Malaysia. We only have Roasted Duck to the closest. I will certainly miss it a lot! Oh my… I’m missing it now already!

Shin Yi ordered Wantan Mee. Nothing special on the soup or mee.. but the Wantan taste quite good with big prawn in it!

Chinese Sausages!

After finish our Brunch, we heard towards Tsim Sha Tsui to get on the Star Ferry. On the way there, we saw this group of people quarreling very loud in the middle of the street as if someone’s killed! Look at the White Hoodie lady pointing at the lady who doesn’t seems to care? She is scolding her like hell! The cleaning lady joined the fight as well. I think it has something to do with that lady in dark shirt stealing something off the shop. That’s why i heard that they are threatening to call the police. It’s quite a scene i would say.

The entrance to The Star Ferry.

The Star Ferry can take you to two pier. One towards Wan Chai and another route is toward the Central. We took the Tsim Sha Tsui-Wan Chai route. Refer to the map below:

The waiting area. It kinda reminds me of Penang Ferry Pier as well.

The Interior of the Ferry and people getting out.

This is how the Ferry looks like.

Once the Ferry docked at the Harbor, just some very short walking distance and we came across this very symbolic statue – The Golden Bauhinia.

The Golden Bauhinia Square (Chinese: 金紫荊廣場) is an open area in North Wan Chai, Hong Kong. The square was named after the giant statue of a golden Bauhinia blakeana at the centre of the area, situated outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the ceremonies for the handover of Hong Kong and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was held in July 1997. A flag-raising ceremony is held every day at 8:00am. It is considered a tourist attraction.

The sculpture, a gilded flower bauhinia, is 6 meters high. The major part is composed of a bauhinia on a base of red granite pillar on a pyramid.

The sculpture is deemed an important symbol for the Hong Kong people after reunification. On the second day of Chinese New Year and National Day of the People’s Republic of China, the square is lighted up by a firework show.

(Taken from Wikipedia)

To be honest… It is not a very beautiful statue.. kekez..

Well… after some shutter frenzy at The Golden Bauhinia Square, we went on exploring the place and head towards the exchange square in Central.

We walked along the Flemming Road, passed Wan Chai MTR and stop at a Tram station in Johnston Road.

It’s really cool taking a ride on this over 100 years young tram! It’s a double stories tram, very slim and tall which makes me kinda worried that i will fall somehow.. haha.. silly me! Just pay HKD 2 and you are good to go!

This is a pedestrian bridge in the central.. and yes.. it’s really wide and lots of people walking on it! Everywhere in the Central is busy!

Some protests is going on in front of a building. I think it has something to do with the Economic crisis or Hong Kong finances. They are able to do it openly with a loud hailer and drumming..  Best part is Police are there to protect and watch over them. You would never see this in Malaysia. They will probably be shot to death if they are in Malaysia.

Police watching over the protesters. How i wish Malaysia could be like that.

It took us awhile to finally reach the exchange square – Bus Terminus 1&2 where you can take buses to many destinations. It is kinda like a Bus Central. We took the bus 6X which would lead us to our next destination – Stanley! The signboard above shows you the different buses that you could take to the destination you wish.

It’s around 2:20p.m now.

Yes, you read it right.. We are heading towards Stanley Prison! Haha.. It’s what Stanley is famous for anyway.. But we are not going to visit the prison, we are not allowed to even if we like to!

It’s quite a journey travelling to Stanley from Central.. It took us almost an hour! We had some rest during the journey. We reached there around 3:10p.m.

It’s a small and quiet town. Not much cars and people around. Definitely nothing like that frenzies in central that we encounter an hour ago.

A short walk and we came across this Pacific Coffee and decided to have some drinks after a long journey to recharge.

A very nice and cozy environment that i really like. Somewhat like Starbucks i would say.

I ordered “Strawberry Banana” that cost HKD34. Weird combination that i have never tasted before, but it tastes quite nice. Shin yi ordered a cup of coffee. One thing i really about cafes in Hong Kong is that they provide Free Internet Access with computer, not just WiFi access. We spent almost an hour there surfing the net! Looks like we really can’t be separated with the cyber world…

It’s 4p.m checked.

After recharging ourselves.. we begin our quest to explore the place We took a walk to Stanley Market.

There are a lot of art work found there, and a lot of souvenir and many different things.

Feeling the Zen! Hee…

The Stanley Waterfront is a beautiful place. I like it being small and quiet.

This is the photo that i made it as my Photobook cover

There are some pubs and lounge along the Stanley Main Street. The items are quite expensive, hence i skip.

Night view of Stanley WaterFront.

I walk into an alley which seems to be the pathway to a park.

It’s getting very dark there already and i was walking alone, so i decided to just turn back.. Plus my starving stomach is calling on me! So i began my venture to search for food!

It was quite late already at around 8p.m, and most of the shops are closed! I’m really starving by then! Luckily after some walk around the corners of the streets, i found this New Star Restaurant with literally only me Alone there!

The menu have hundreds of dishes to choose from.. I always love beef so i ordered this Beef Vege Noodle.. And oh my… It’s really really very Delicious!! I still dream of it every now and then! The tender succulent beef, perfectly cook sauce, crunchy deep fried noodle and fresh vege just make the dish irresistible! I also ordered a Pineapple Punch, it’s just basically carbonated drink with pineapple in it. The drink doesn’t really go well with the dish. Both of them cost HKD 36 and HKD 20. Expensive but worth the price!

Having a meal in HK is generally quite expensive compared to Malaysia. But although they are expensive, the portion served is always large enough! In some cases, it might even be too large that one couldn’t finish it on his/her own!

After enjoying myself with a very satisfying meal.. I left Stanley and head towards Causeway Bay by bus. Somehow, i felt that going back take much faster time! Perhaps due to the bus that moved in a crazy speed!

The Time Square building in Causeway Bay.

It’s crowded with people in every corner of the streets!

City Cab anybody?

I find it interesting or rather funny that they hung these dry fishes in the middle of the street up high in front of their shop.

I just couldn’t resist to take a photo of this.

I take my own paste and slowly walk through each alley and corner of the streets to immerse myself into the culture and life of the locals.

That a very long queue of people waiting for bus!

I came across this Peterson Road which is famous with lots of Well known brand shops.

I bought a stick of Cow Inner parts that cost me HKD 8. Yummy! You can see this kind of stalls all around HK and they are really delicious! I love it!

HK police.. Seen them often in HK Dramas but not in real life XD

I’m done in Causeway Bay, look at the time, hmmm.. seems still early so i decided to stop at another place by MRT before heading back.

So i decided to stop at Admiralty – 金钟. Hmm… Where should i go? Which direction should i take?

With no particular place in mind to visit, i just walked around near the station.

There’s not much thing to see in Admiralty actually.. Just some big tall sky scrapper. I just snap some photos around the Harcout Garden right when i exit the station. People are getting a lot less in this part of town compared to Causeway Bay just now. So i decided to call it a day and head back.

Oh, i had some nice Mahjong session with Shin Yi and her granparents! I lost HKD2! Haha.. Enjoyed it

Today is a trip where i really stroll along the streets a lot! Most of the time i’m on the walk! And i really like it especially wandering around the town alone, at my own paste, took my own sweet time enjoying the surrounding and not bothering or worrying on anything. Observing and getting a sense of how HK life is… This is what i preferred.

A Summary of my itinerary on Day 4:

(This is exactly what i wrote on that day)

Day 4

1. Brunch in “piu kei” – Roast Goose Drumstick Rice (HKD58) ! Yummy….
2. Travel to Tsim Sha Tsui – Star Ferry – Wan Chai (The Golden Bauhinia Square)
3. Walk all the way down Flemming Rd – pass Wan Chai Mtr – stop at a Tram Stop in Johnston Rd
4. Took a tram to Central – stop at a station near Prince Bldg – walk to exchage square – Bus Terminus 1 & 2
5. Took Bus 6X to Stanley (2.20p.m) – Stanley Bus Terminus(3.10p.m) – Pacific Coffee
6. Strawberry Banana(HKD 34) – Online til 4pm (LOL) – walk around stanley market
7. Went stanley water front take lots of photos– went up a mini temple (forgotten its name) – walk along Stanley main street and  took photoS again..kakaz. – Stanley plaza – back to Stanley street to makan(New Star Restaurant – choi yun ngau yok chau min + Pineapple punch HKD36+HKD20 Delicious!! )
8. *Took a bus up to Causeway Bay – from Leighton Rd walk to Time Square – Walk to Sogo – Causeway Plaza 1 – percival street – Sino Plaza –Gloucester Rd – World Trade Centre – Fashion Walk – Peterson Street (Bought a  stick of Cow Inner part: Ngau Chap HKD8 Yummyy!!!!) – Causeway bay MTR Station
9. Stop at Admiralty – Harcout Garden – Snap snap around the Garden – Feel like nothig much to see at nite – so go back station and Balik rumah.
10. Have Mahjong session wif Shin yi’s granparents!! Naice! Lost 2dollars! Haha…

Total Expenses of the Day: HKD 122  (~RM60)

(Exclusive of transport fees)

Acts – Chapter 1

I can imagine it’s a very emotional time for all the apostles and those who are with Jesus from the beginning at the time like this. Being risen from the dead and spoke to them, then arises to heaven again. All the while they have their leader – Jesus with them, instructing them with HIS wisdom, showing vision and direction. Now that Jesus are no longer with them in an earthly manner, i’m sure it’s kinda different to adapt and requires stronger spiritual strength to continue as now they have to go on their on and take on the responsibility and authority to reach the world.

What speaks out to me most is this:

 ⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Of course none of us today can be the actual witness of Jesus in HIS present days, but this apply to all of us now as HE has mandated the authority upon us to speak for and of HIM with the provision of Holy Spirit and with HIS strength that we are to go to the “ends of the earth” to share HIS works and words! This is the very last message/instruction HE commanded before ascending to heaven. This indicate the significance of the message and the responsibility that we disciples are to carry nowadays.

In verse 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” It says that Jesus will come back one day, hence we have to take account of what we do here.

In conjunction with Mark Chapter 13:33-35.

³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ³⁴ It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. ³⁵ Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning.

For a year or so, this message of GO and Spread the Words have come to me strongly repeating again and again. God had reveal a lot to me for the past year and through all this readings and occurrences, it reaffirms me that God really wanted me to Go Out and Do His Work!

Acts – Chapter 2

In this chapter, The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled his promise stated in chapter 1:5 “ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” They were filled with spirit and are able to speak in different languages that is not of their mother tongue.

² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

People at that moment were confused of what was happening and thought that they are drunk. Peter stood up as the leader among the apostles and speaks to the multitude of people array of messages. He spoke about David prophesied that Jesus Christ is both the Lord and Messiah.

Peter also began his sermon preaching to the people and proving to them that the one whom they have sent to be crucified on the cruel cross is the Lord their God!

They people there are extremely moved by the message and Three thousands were saved and baptized on that very day! Amazing! I’m sure God is just right in the midst of their presence and giving Peter the wisdom and courage to speak to the people who have single-handedly gave up Jesus on the cross not long ago.. and the words are so powerful that they are greatly touched and regret on their doing that few thousands soul are added into the Kingdom of God on the same day! It must be a magnificent sight and occasion to be in.

I believe that God will grant the same strength to those who wholeheartedly wanted to glorify the Lord, who are eager to proclaim His name and make Him famous! God has never left me alone in my quest of serving him. He is always there for me when things seems to be impossible, He always has surprises up in His sleeves. God is a commander that will not let His own soldiers go to the war unarmed, unprotected, left them alone and devour by the enemies.

I was particularly drawn into verse 25 – 28 on what David has spoke about himself towards the Lord:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me. 
   Because he is at my right hand, 
   I will not be shaken. 
²⁶ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; 
   my body also will rest in hope, 
²⁷ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, 
   you will not let your holy one see decay. 
²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life; 
   you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

David always has God in his heart and he think of HIM always, and he knew that the Lord is just right beside him that nothing could have shaken him, nothing to be feared. Because of that, he is always glad, rejoices and praise the Lord for it. David knew dear to his heart that God will grant him or those who kept their path holy eternal life that they will rest in hope, not being thrown into the fire of hell. The Lord our God shows us the way, the life and the truth, HE fills us with Joy just by HIS presence alone!

# I wish to learn from David, on his attitude towards the Lord, and how he dearly have God in Him, how he trust the Lord and gave his life to HIM!

Hong Kong – Day 3

Well, Halo to Day 3! Our plan is slightly changed as Shin yi’s Grandparents want to bring us along for breakfast – Dim Sum and meet his friends as well, which is perhaps one of my most memorable Breakfast ever!  Today Itinerary is very simple, two places:

1) Ngong Ping 360 in Lantau Island (Tai Yu Shan)

&

2) Tai-O Village.

This is because it’s quite a journey to travel from Tsuen Wan to there and there are quite some activities to explore as well.

This “good” granddaughter carrying her grandfather across the road.. hee XD Shin yi really loves her grandparents and vice versa as well, i can see that through how they interact. No surprise as her grandparents are indeed quite adorable! We fetched a taxi and went to Tsim Sha Tsui where we will be having Dim Sum breakfast there.

Let me tell you… The Dim Sum was Awesome!! Shin Yi’s Granpa orders TONS of very Delicious and Interesting food! They are simply mouthwatering! I’m the only “Young Guy” over there, so as expected i will have to eat more! So satisfying! Haha… Guess what.. The whole meal cost approximately 700 Ringgit Malaysia!! I’ve never had that expensive meal before in my lifetime!

After that Sumptuous breakfast, we begin our journey travelling to Lantau Island. Above is one of the MTR station which looks really grand and big.. Even better than Penang “International” Air Port XD

Hong Kong Seven Eleven with lots of product i’ve never seen before.

When we are preparing ourselves to HK, Shin Yi told me that it will be just as cold as Genting Highland, so a simple jacket will do. Oh my… when i was there it was SoO Cold! That is the coldest time in HK and that year it marked the Coldest Record – around 5′c – 6′c. So i bought myself a Sweater to keep me warm! It cost me HKD304 (~RM120).

Some protester’s banner found when we arrive at Tung Chung MTR Station.

The Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car. We chose the Crystal Cabin in which we can see through the bottom of the cable car as it is made of Glass. I would not recommend anyone to take that Crystal Cabin as it is more expensive and yet i don’t find it really interesting as well. Nothing much to see at the bottom, just some terrains and grass.

The Infamous  Tian Tan Buddha Statue.

Look how Small it is! XD

(Earn until become rich and buy Lamborghini!)

Write down your wish and hang it on the Magical Wishing Tree!

Which i don’t believe in

Some new statue displayed in front of the old statue XD

Cabins from different countries.

The Tian Tan Buddha Statue. A lot of fog and i couldn’t have a clear view on the face.

It’s quite an effort to climb up the Countless Stairs!

Current time: 5:10p.m

Coming rides: 5:15p.m

Next rides: 7:30a.m!!

After touring around and watched some shows in the Monkey theater which don’t really worth it as it is all computerized presentation, we decided to take a bus down to Tai O Village. 5:15p.m is the last bus down, so you would not want to be later than that.. We almost miss the bus as you can see on the time above.

It’s a very serene and quiet village unlike anything we’ve seen in the central Hong Kong which i really quite like it

When we are there it’s already quite late, so not much people around and most of the shop houses are closing.

They produces some nice sea products.

Very traditional local businesses can still be found here.

That really looks scarry!

Hongkie really loves to play Mahjong!

We met this very nice old man when we are looking for a toilet! haha.. He is so kind to show us where’s the toilet and where to find some food for our dinner. On the way walking to the “restaurant”, he told us a lot of stories about the village and its history as well. He is a retired English Teacher and loves to meet people/travelers from around the world. He talks to them and make friends with them. They send him post cards and news paper from all over the world. Cool right!

Time to take a bus back to Tung Chung Station.

We’ve just missed a bus, gotta wait another 36mins for another ride.

It’s definitely very cold out there!

I’ve never seen Watsons written in Mandarin before.. Kekez..

Oo.. South Africa’s Abalone anybody??

On the way back we stop by a restaurant where Shin yi had a bowl of Sesame Seed Paste just like the pic shown above. Not very tasty to be honest.

So here we end our Third day

EXPENSES OF THE DAY

1. Jacket  HKD 304
2. Mentos  HKD 8.20
3. Ngong Ping Crystal Cabin Ticket  HKD 118
4. Monkey theater  HKD 36
5. Dinner in Tai O Village  HKD 20
6. Reload Octopus Card  HKD 100
7. Miscellaneous HKD 32

Total Expenses: HKD 618.2  (~RM247)

Renewal of Passport in just ONE hour!!

I really feel like i need to blog about this!

Ok ok… here the story goes:

Once upon a time on 4 Jan 2012, far far away in a land call Kuala Lumpur… A Boy name Andrew wants to renew his passport which will be due on 10 August 2012 as he would like to apply for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa that is open for register on that very day as well. He did some research prior of renewing his passport a day before and found out that a machine/kiosk call KiPPas (Kios Pembaharuan Passport/Malaysian Passport Renewal Kiosk) can be used to renew the passport and avoid all those gruesome mental tiring queuing that will kill even the most healthy young man like me. 

Wangsa Maju Immigration Department

(Image taken from Google)

Upon his delight, he also found out that the nearest immigration office (Wangsa Maju Branch) from his hostel (which is around just 5mins away) also has that KiPPas Kiosk! Further research shows that the machine will operate from 8.30a.m to 4p.m, while some claim that it might be open earlier around 7.30a.m. So he take a good time in the middle and plan to go at 8a.m.

To his dismay, when he woke up in the morning it was already 8.20a.m! Haha… Reluctantly woke up from his bed, prepared himself and off him go to the Wangsa Maju Immigration Office at 9a.m. When he reached there, there was already a Sea of People queuing outside the gate. With much excitement and anticipation, he search for the KiPPas Kiosk. The envelope needed for the Kiosk application is no where to be found around it, and a sign instructed that it is to be taken at Counter 1…. Which literally HUNDREDS of people queuing  behind it. =.=

Just to give you some rough idea of how it looks like.. The people was actually more than this with a lot more people standing around!

(Image taken from Google)

(Image taken from Google)

So he “pura-pura” stands in front at the row of  ”Senior Citizen” lane and “attack” the attendant once he saw the opportunity. Replied by the attendant: ” Sorry, the Kiosk here is no longer functioning“.. ???!!??! What??!! He took a look around the office, the people waiting and queuing is just…Amazingly A Lot!! The queue to take the number alone is extended a few miles away out the main gate! It will surely needs to take a few hours from queuing to completing the process. WAITING (crazily) is definitely what he hates most!

It looks something like this:

LOL… XD

(Image taken from Google)

On a second look, there’s a sign stuck on the glass door of that Kiosk indicated that it has been moved to another place call Kementerian Dalam Negeri, Wilayah Persekutuan located at Sri Hartamas. A Google Map and some instruction for direction is shown. Therefore, he decided to go there and try his luck on the KiPPas Kiosk hopefully found functioning there. He took the LebuhRaya DUKE (Duta-Ulu Kelang Highway) as he remember seeing the place – Sri Hartamas a numerous time when he traveled along that highway.

Just after around 15 minutes (at around 9.50a.m) of travelling on his nearly broken, old and pathetic motorbike, he found the intended place without much effort though there’s a small wrong turn at a junction which quickly to be realized and head on the correct direction.

(Obviously not taken by me)

(Sorry for the terrible image quality as it was taken from my crappy camera phone)

(Sorry for the terrible image quality as it was taken from my crappy camera phone)

It was a very big building, new, clean, organized, modern and very spacious as well. Very quickly he found the Kiosk. There are four machine altogether and very little people queuing there. Well, what you need to get the process done using the machine is:

1. ONE photocopy of your ID Card.
2. ONE copy of your passport size photo with Blue Background.
3. Your OLD passport.
4. Prepare a PEN (just in case none is provided and you do not need to beg around for one)
5. Money $$$ (RM100 = 2 years; RM300 = 5 years). You will be able to include your current remaining valid dates only if you apply for 5 years. For example my case: I applied on 4 JAN 2012 and my passport is Due 10 AUG 2012. My new Expired Date is 4 JUL 2017 instead of 4 Jan. That wouldn’t be the case if i only opt for 2 years.

NOTE: Only RM50 and RM100 note is accepted for the machine.

The process that he has gone through to complete the application using the machine:

1. Take an envelope specifically designed for the machine that can be found nearby.
2. Fill in your details on the envelope
3. Put your “ONE IC photocopy and ONE passport size photo” into the envelope
4. Proceed to the machine
5. Select Preferred Language
6. Insert “Old” passport – [1]
7. Insert IC -- [5]
8. Finger Print verification requested – [3]
9. Remove your Passport and IC
10. Verified your information
11. Affirm your height
12. Make payment by inserting either RM50 or RM100 Notes. – [4]
13. Put your “Old Passport” into the envelope that you have prepared earlier along with the photo and copy of IC.
14. Insert the envelope into the machine. — [2]
15. Print the receipt out
16. DONE!

It looks like a lot of steps, but trust me.. It took him just 5mins to queue for the machine and another 5mins to complete the process with the machine! It’s effortless! There’s also a very friendly, cheerful and helpful officer stationed there to assist ordinary folks like me! It should be Applauded for their Excellent and Attentive services which is RARE in Government Service (unfortunately).

(Sorry for the terrible image quality as it was taken from my crappy camera phone)

The receipt shows that the process is completed at 10.01a.m which is just around 10mins since he walked into the building! Impressive! There’s an instruction on the receipt that the applicant has to be back ONE hour (which is 10.59a.m as indicated) later to request for a queuing number. YES! You read me right! It’s ONLY after ONE hour!!

Upon waiting, he drove his “Pathetic” motorbike out and took his breakfast nearby at a very modern style Mamak Restaurant. While enjoying his “Roti Telur + Roti Kosong, a glass of Teh Tarik Panas and some American Football match on ESPN“, the time past so fast that it was 10.49a.m already. After he paid the bill, off he went back to the Complex.

After he did his important “business” in the very clean toilet, he went and take the queuing number at the dedicated counter 29 (it was 11.01a.m). To his surprise, after only a few minutes of patiently sitting and waiting, his number was called! And within a few Magical Seconds of just verifying finger prints and signature, the New and Fresh passport is being handed to him!! The Whole Waiting and Getting the passport is NOT more than 15Mins!! The Clock ticked at only 11.13a.m when he looked at his phone!

Can you believe it??! Applying for Passport or Renewing it used to take DAYS to process! Then shrink down to few hours… and now just merely ONE hour! Isn’t it Amazing?! The officers was very friendly, cheerful, attentive, helpful, efficient and professional! The place was new, clean, organized, spacious and modern! Nearby are a lot of shop houses where you could spend your waiting time enjoying a meal or just some window shop! My experience of Renewing my Passport couldn’t be any more pleasant than THIS! I was thoroughly Satisfied and Smile all the way back to my hostel! (Obviously that boy is Yours Truly la! XD)

Therefore i HIGHLY recommend anybody who plans to renew or even to register for a new passport to go to the Kementerian Dalam Negeri Kompleks, Wilayah Persekutuan at Sri Hartamas. Of course provided that you are in KL. If not, do look for that KiPPas Kiosk at  your respective State Immigration Office.

Cheers for a Good Day!!

The After-Effect of Plan11 (Reaffirming God’s Calling)

During 31st Aug – 3 Sep, i went to a conference in Port Dickson organized by Malaysian Center for Global Missions (MCGM) which is The Plan11 Conference held once every two years!

It is a mission oriented conference where there are some full packed of programs ready to help stretch our Vision for God, Stretch our Heart for People and Stretch our Capacity to bring forth His work. Many practicing missionaries from various fields are there to help inspire the new generation and ignite the passion within.

In short, i must say that this conference is indeed an eye-opening exposure for me where i’m being exposed to various opportunities and some real missionary stories as well. I’ve contact with these wonderful people personally, listening to their hardship as well as their reverence for God.

This conference do really inspire, encourage and motivate me to DO something! Stop Procrastinating and Just Do It!! God uses this conference to reaffirm His calling upon me.

Before this, many people thought that by doing mission, we have to go either Africa, Zimbabwe or some remote countries and the end of the world!! It is certainly not now… God has given me a Heart for Malaysia. I love Malaysia as what it is, I love the People of Malaysia, I love my Family and i love my Friends.

I used to think like how the other thousands of Malaysian think, where we long to leave this country as soon as possible and migrate to U.S, U.K or some other places. But God share His vision with me of how Unique Malaysia is to Him, How important and How much HE cares for Malaysia! Malaysia alone is a Giant Mission Field and there a plenty of opportunities lying all over Malaysia to carry out HIS work, we just have to open our eyes and heart to look for them. And thanks GOD….that HE has open up my eyes to see this.

I used to condemn the Over-Flowing of Foreigners into our country especially when i witness it myself in Central Market – Pude area where the Mind-boggling numbers of foreigners trigger my repulsive nature against it. I’m not against the foreigners themselves.. I’m against the poor policy and control of government in handling the amount of foreigners in.

Again, God envisioned me that all this is part of HIS Master Plan and HIS wisdom reflects through this so call “Poor Policy” that i used to think. When i think carefully and more thoroughly, i’m just amazed in how GOD can actually work through situation where we think it’s against us… Look at the amount of foreigners again! How many of them are reached? How many of them have heard the Good News?? God has already help to lessen our burden by bringing them in instead of us going out to the end of the world to carry out HIS mission. We have Filipino, Bangladeshi, Nepalese, Siamese, Burmese, Myanmar, Middle Eastern, Indonesian, African, Malawian, so on and so forth.. You name it and they are here!! God brings all of them here!! 

God brings them to Malaysia for a reason, because Malaysia is an Unique and very strategic place to  DO HIS work! Malaysia has actually quite a strong support of Christian community and Missionary works. We are a country that is economically and politically stable and are consider well to do. Most importantly, we are also a place that has Freedom of Worship! Unlike some other places where mission is or even praising God is strictly prohibited, it may be a matter of prosecution and works like these has to be carried out underground.

# I’m thrilled and are eager to unveil more of God’s plan in-store for Malaysia.. I’m excited to hop on this journey with the Lord and see how God would steer us towards HIS direction in bringing the nation back to HIM and celebrate victory with Him! I pray and i envision the day to come… God Bless this Nation. Amen.