Dull things so far.

It's been dull, there has been little to do. My mind wanders, my thoughts leave me stranded.

I can't wait until next week though, should be busier, because it's NATCOMP week, marching band all over again~

Also can't wait to get back to college. That place actually keeps my lameness in check. Now I'm like going full lame-berserk.

So, I guess I'll call it a day.

I guess I'll also have to mention that I am in love...

Kampar.

So last weekend I made a trip to Kampar in Perak. Since my friends can't come visit me, I'll go pay them a visit instead, haha.

Departing from KL Sentral, it was my 1st time on the ETS, the local version of a "bullet train", because it is "very fast". But to be fair, the train was on time, so it's still good.

Kampar, a town not too far off from Sitiawan, became the bustling town it is today ever since UTAR existed. You can definitely smell teen spirit here, the newer side of town is a college oriented town.

How so you may ask. Well here's one way to elaborate:

Once my friends came to pick me up and we ventured down town, I begin to notice a lot of the stores around cater for what's trending among our generation, specifically the Chinese group. Also, you go to what seems to be rows and rows of terrace houses, only to find out that once you've entered, it really looks more like condominiums from the inside.

So Friday evening, I reached to my destination, a 3-storey house within this grandly named area, Imperial. Went out to have dinner soon enough after checking into Jia Xun's little crib. So pasta for the 1st night, but what I enjoy is catching up with the bunch, this old gang of the 5 of us ex-classmates. As always, it felt like it was eternity the last time we met.

Saturday was the attraction, we went to Gua Tempurung, only about 10 minutes drive away from where we are. We departed in the morning and began our hike at around 10am. The hike took us through the enigmatic cave, that for the most part of my life I've only heard and never have been, until now. The climb upwards proof to be taxing on this unpractised body. But the fun part was when we had to travel back out through the streams within the cave. At some points we had to get down to all fours and let the water reach our necks. Quite the thrill given that all of us were badly equipped for the whole thing, having only 2 torch lights to share and all of us not even wearing shoes, haha. By the time we were done, it was already noon time. We headed out to Ipoh later to chill about and buy stuff. And the day passed so quickly, just when you begin to have fun.

Come Sunday morning and I had a invitation from Daniel whom I got to know from NS, and we met up for most of the morning for a chat and a follow-up. Easily a year and half since we met, so yeah, lots to say, yet to finish. Later in the afternoon we went to visit another friend across the street, Huey Pei. Although not that close back in high school, it's still nice to catch up with her. Unfortunately we took a little too long to chat, and I nearly missed the train back home, haha. Thankfully Shin Yun was a steady driver. Soon enough I was back home, and it all left me wanting more of it.

Reflecting on what just happened the past 2 days on the train back just made me realise how lonely sometimes I can be here in college, no one knows you like your own high school friends I guess. Also worth a mention is the food: it's good and CHEAP. In addition, the slow pacing of things there in Kampar relieved me of that constant pressure you get here in the Klang Valley. Once I arrived KL Sentral, I had the loneliest dinner in awhile... Not that I haven't had dinner by myself before, but it's just that, after days of having your heart so full and contented, only to have it removed so suddenly... Maybe you can call it a vacuum effect. I miss you guys in Kampar already...

Thought in the late of night.

I'm not one to enjoy the situation; In times like this I abstain.

Love is giving and lust is stealing; With little control I will be disdained.

One day I will receive resolution, known things I shall not taint.

As I taste the fruits of fasting, Joy is there for me to attain.

Watching the sun rise.

It's not the prettiest sunrise I've seen in my life, but it's definitely my 1st time seeing the brightening of the day in KL as far as I can recall; I practically didn't sleep for a night. So how did a dinner lead to this chit chat marathon?

We had dinner at Uncle Jang's, a Korean diner specialising on Dak Galbi, a spicy chicken noodle dish. Consider it a 2nd post-concert celebration for the HELP concert along as a farewell dinner for the keyboardist from Sarawak, our dear friend Ricky.

Now Ricky is from Miri, and when we 1st met, I found to my delight he was actually a tubist from Chung Hwa Marching Band, a fellow marcher :D. Since then we went along well, since we had a similar background and something in common to chat.

Sadly he had to leave here after completing his foundation, since he has a family business waiting for him, and he's staying put in Sarawak after this. So after the dinner, me and him and a few others chose to find a spot and just chat the night away, it was nice. He turns out to be a very interesting guy, full of stories. Consider it heart to heart, I can feel the sense of warmth in the night. This is the first time I stayed awake past 3am without feeling one bit sleepy.

I'm gonna miss that guy.

Most uneventful semseter break yet.

No really, I'm telling you I actually have more active semester breaks in the past.

Ok, cousins are over, we're out for more eats, there is something to do...

But really I want to go meet some old friends, go back to band for a meet up.

I also miss drumming... And it's only been one week.

Dreamt about playing the concert all over again last night. Talk about withdrawal syndrome.

Ah well, more food later. I shall put on weight.

Cherishing roots.

So what has come to be the past month? Basically exams and assessments spread out throughout the whole month. I had a generally good time for the most part of it, if you exclude of course my horribly-done ensemble class, no thanks of course to me for being unable to work under pressure. But if not, it has been really good.

Semester break started 2 days ago, and scumbag brain decided to be extremely inspired to practice when I have nowhere to practice. Watching Tommy Igoe's instructional DVD all over again brought new perspectives to grooving.

Nan Hwa won the recent national symphonic wind band competition. I just got to know Junt came back to help again; I thought our contact with him grew kind of stale. Quote him this time, 'Play with your heart'. I could use that reminder. I look back to where I came from, the military band, renown to be a very technique-based form of a musical ensemble. After turning to the contemporary side, sad to say I subconsciously forgotten my roots.

But then it really isn't that different now I realised. In the end, both suppose to come from the heart. I once again long for my band days...

Technique? I got obsessed with it ever since form 4. Maybe it's time to change perspective.