Mortal Life and After life

I have always put up the brightest side of me in front of everybody.. perhaps it's time to reflect what i really want in life, and start living a life i have always dream of, before time runs out in this mortal life.

As a Leo, i'm naturally an adventurer.. there are a list of activities to do before the end of my life - a bucket list.. i want to travel the world, dive into deep ocean, hike mountains around the globe, do bungee jump, jump off an airplane - sky diving! go for a work and travel, learn a complete different language, camp in the jungle, build my own house (not literally of course), start my own business, perform by a street etc..

As a buddhist, I believe in life after death, i believe the existence of 18 hell realms and also the heaven, not forgetting also reincarnation. So it's said that one is experiencing certain events in present lifetime, which is a consequence of your past life, which is also known as karma.

And because of this, i always tell myself, no matter what happens, as long as i've tried my best, whether the journey is good or bad, it must somehow relate to my past life. And in this life, let's try to do more good things than bad.

Things may happened unexpectedly, people come and go.. Some may just be a 'visitor', some may linger slightly longer in life. But 1 thing is that, no matter young or old, rich or poor, when the time comes, everyone have to call an end and leave this mortal life. And if we're lucky we'll have enough good deeds to get us a ticket to heaven.. And by then, it is stated that one will realize, whatever that happens in mortal life, is absolutely not important..

I hope i can flip to the end and take a peek in this story of my life, like a book.. but certainly i can't. So i guess i'll just live life at its best, and see what awaits for me in future and at the end... One thing for sure, no matter what happens, stay happy. As afterall, the actual, real life, starts after death.

Living in present

Things have changed, i feel that i've changed too. Change for the better of course. I've  always wished to find someone who belongs with me, with the one person, gives me strength to face my fears, comforts me when i'm feeling down, makes me feel secured just being with me. I think that one person has appeared in my life and It's a wonderful feeling that i've never experienced before. The maturity of it, together we see far ahead into the future and we chat about great things that we could accomplish.

Living in my current present, treasuring every moment.. Just makes me happy. As the person read this poem to me, titled "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley...
 

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

 - William Ernest Henley

As quoted in many movies, the last two rows strike out the most to me. It's true that nobody will be able to tell you what to do if you really don't want to. Ultimately, the decision falls back on oneself. So the importance of it? My views are.. know what you want in life, never give up looking for it, be thankful to those who share their opinions (regardless their views are aligned or not with yours), make your own decision, be happy and leave no regrets. I truly appreciate for god has fated for our paths to have come across.

Sometimes, it's scary to know that your prayers are answered. Now is up to you to pursue after it, and make it happen.

So..share with me, what do you think of the poem Invictus, and what have you derived from it.. Any other poems that you have come across and would like to share it here is much appreciated! :)

My tag line of the day: Live today, as if there's no tomorrow.

Mt. Kinabalu Hike/New Cover

6/5/13 - Blackout Day.. (Okay I gave the term myself). Why is it today a black day? I'm sure you can find the details over the internet in regards to Malaysia's GE13 which was held yesterday. Either any party who has won, I hope they will fulfill their promise to the people. And It's saddening to see that the EC wasn't as clean as it should be *disappointment*.

Alright, i'll try not to talk about politics. Let's just stick to my daily life journal ya. :)

So.. I've been wanting to blog about this.. I've finally made it to Mount Kinabalu!!! *YAY* So happy that I did it~~!!! The view on top was awesomely breath-taking!  Malaysia has such beautiful places, and many more that I've still yet to explore. ^.^

There were 2 different trails to hike up to Mt. KK, the simple and shorter route - Timpohon trial (6KM), and the relatively difficult and slightly longer route - Mesilau Trail (8KM). I'm proud that me and a group of great people, which makes up a total of 18 beginner hikers, bravely challenged Mesilau trail to hike up from the gate to Laban Rata and taking Timpohon trail to hike down.

After experiencing both trails, I highly recommend hikers that have not go through Mesilau, please DO TRY OUT MESILAU TRAIL!!! It's just sooooo beautiful and tranquil that you'll fall in love with it.

The terrain wasn't that bad to hike up to Mt. KK for both trails, by comparison to the Mt. Nuang hike that I went (Mt. Nuang is the highest point in Selangor State), the trails were properly maintained, whereas Mt. Nuang, the route was muddy and slippery when it rains. Sections of it are hard to climb and no ropes or wooden handles can be found at these sections at Mt. Nuang.

For Mt. KK, environmental factors play a huge part that makes it tough to climb - high altitude (climbers are advised to take altitude sickness pills; get a proper consultation from pharmacist or doctor), cold and thinned air (makes it hard to breathe), streams of water can be found during rainfall (it was raining 90% of the time while we hike!) etc.

Okay, let's see.. so here are the photos!

The view from Kinabalu Park HQ

Mesilau Gate (about an hour drive from Kinabalu Park HQ)

And the hiking begins!

Impressed with the fitness level that the guides and porters have. Each of them carried at least 30kg of baggage weight!

Pitcher plants (Nepenthes sp.) are easily spotted along the trail

Weird-looking moss spotted everywhere

Three tiny pitcher plants

It was drizzling on and off during our hike

Come across several rivers and waterfalls. This is 1 of it.

Not forgetting to take more macro shots. :p

Walking on Kipuyut hanging-bridge

Carol trying to "catch" the mist

Another stream that we have crossed

Berries (don't know what is this plant though)

First clear view of Mt. Kinabalu's peak

We're above the clouds!

Over-looking KK city

2nd Day - The hike from Laban Rata to the Low's Peak (2.7KM)

We started hiking at 2am. It was too dark then, and I only managed to take few photos when it gets brighter.

 

Rested here for a while to see the sunrise (kinda cloudy to actually see the sun)

KM8.0

The moon is still visible

The famous point at KM8.0 - Looks familiar??

And.. Yes, if you haven't guessed it correctly already.. It's the picture printed behind the old RM1 note :)

My panda look (had only 10 hrs of sleep for the past 3 days.. looked like a zombie here. =.=")

Continue hiking upwards

Last 100m to Low's Peak - very steep and dangerous here.

Sun rising

Pee-ka-boo!

 

I called this the Gorilla's head - at KM8.6

 

I was so close to the peak (100m away), it was 7.15am when I reached the KM8.6. And the guides demanded us to start hiking down due to time constrain (check out time is 10am at Laban Rata hostel. According to the guides, extra charges for the room per hour is RM100). But anyway, I was happy I've been able to made it to 8.6KM for a beginner. And no regrets for picking the Mesilau trail as well.

 

 

It's truly a great experience, and all of us left Mt. KK with heavy hearted. I felt as if I left my soul behind, the beauty of Mt. KK, certainly can't be expressed by words. You'll need to hike up to find  out, and witness how majestic and captivating it is. I'll definitely go there again~ :)

 

 

Okay, to end my post, I shall share a new cover that I've just did earlier today, "Love the way you lie (part 2)" by Rihanna ft. Eminem.