‘The Thing’ #telukrubbiah

                Did you ever seen something white and flying in front of you? The feeling is totally different. I had several paranormal experiences when I was a teenager but I am not confident that those are real. This is the first surreal experience that I ever had.

                I was 18 at that time and was selected as one of the participants to join the first ever national service for 3 months in 2004. I was sent to Teluk Rubbiah camp. For the first month, we were required to stay in a camp of 10 people which consists of 5 bunk beds in one camp. My camp number was 25. There were over 250 participants in the same batch as mine and 90 over camps in the campsite. There was nothing really special in the first 3 weeks. I usually sleep on the top bunk of the bed.

                It all started on the 3^rd week. We were sent to forest to stay there for four days. I don’t remember which day precisely it happened. But, at that time, I had gotten used to the place. We made a temporary camp in the forest. That night I got jolted awake in the middle of the night. That was the first time ever I woke up in the middle of the night since we were in the forest. I looked around. Everyone in my camp was sleeping. I went to the nearby tree to pass urine. Then, I just closed my eyes and continue my sleep. My body was facing upwards. About a few minutes after I closed my eyes, I felt another jolt above me. I tried to open my eyes but failed this time. I can’t even move my body. That is the moment I started to panic. I knew something was wrong there. Anyhow, I tried to open my eyes with my force. When I was able to open my eyes, I saw something white in front of me. I looked like a person flying above me. My eyes went blank and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Without knowing, I started reciting my prayers inside my heart. I had no idea why it was flying above me. I forced myself to sit. I was finally able to sit up. ‘The Thing’ was not there. I was gone. I wanted to wake up my friends, but I didn’t dare to do it. Finally, I sat down facing my camp mates and eventually slept.

                When I woke up in the morning, there were blood stains on my white tshirt. I told my friends but they refused to believe me. After that incident, there were several years where I wouldn’t sleep with my front facing upwards.

Uniquely Singapore!

If you like us, when we only have a short time somewhere, you probably wanted to visit as much places as you can. That’s what we did when we went to Singapore for a night trip.

One of my friend said that the park in front of Marina Bay Sands is something that we shouldn't miss if we are there on Saturday night. The cool breeze welcomed us once we reached the river side park.

When we were walking around the park while mesmerized with the Marina Bay Sands structure, my wife spotted the river side cruise counter. And off we went to the waterfront, to find the tickets.

We had a little time look around while we waited for the tour boat to return to dock. This was a really intriguing area with colouful laser show, live bands and plenty of branded shops.

After we departed, we sailed upriver to Fullerton Hotel. It is a five star luxury hotel and is s grand it’s impossible to miss. *sigh* This is the type of hotel I would like to stay in. Sure someday.

Next, we saw the Esplanade - Theatres on the bay. During in daylight, we can see the structure of the building clearly. It is actually a glass building with aluminum shades.  Not for us, when we saw it in the night, we say it looks like the fruit that Malaysians love and hated by foreigners -  Durian!

Then, we cruised to Merlion Park - the Singapore’s mascot and icon. A place that you must go when visits Singapore.

I was quite surprised because I couldn’t find even small rubbish in the river. The river was well preserved. The old ware houses were repurposed to be a business center with large restaurants and night clubs. I admired the way they transformed a smelly river side to and business and entertainment hub.

#Note to myself: Must. Come. Back! 

Hitched!

On 7^th December 2014, I woke up in a state of nervousness, yet there was happiness because that day will be the most memorable day in my life. Wedding is always a nerve wracking experience. Mine was Indian marriage which was performed with great funfair. All people whether rich or poor want it to be a memorable occasion. My wedding day was the most joyous day of my life. Since then, I have learned that such moments do not happen all the time. It is important to enjoy them.

                 My wedding day was fulfilled with many emotional including happiness, sadness, excitement and fear. My wedding has been the most blissful moment in my life. It all happened very quickly, from the moment we engaged till the moment we walked around the sacred circle on our wedding day.

                My wedding filled with big moments like tying the three knots, emotional, hugs from friends and family and also the first kiss! But there are some moments on my wedding day that I can’t erase it from my memory.

                 I had not seen my wife in her nice glittering saree and had no clue what it would look like. I waited for her arrival on the stage of our wedding ballroom. The priest was keeps on disturbing my view towards the ballroom door with his huge body and the smoke from the sacred circle in front of me. Best part I remember is seeing the hotel ballroom open as I stood there, looking at her all dressed up for the first time. I thought "goddamn my wife is hot”. She wore a reddish pink saree.  When she was walking down the aisle, and suddenly I was only able to see her, and her face had a huge, stupid grin on it, just like mine did. I still can't tell you who was sitting by the aisle as she walked up it. It was all a blur except for her. She was looking like a glittering star that moment.

                On my wedding day, about two hours after the reception ended, my wife and I went to a photo studio to snap our portrait photo. While waiting for the photographer to get ready, we had been talking, catching up as we had a little time to talk in the day or two leading up to a wedding and suddenly there was a moment of silence. I was toying with my toe ring (Indian Hindu men wear toe rings, called Minji in Tamil, to signify their marital status like a wedding ring) and out of nowhere I said, "These are some of the greatest hours that a decent man could ever expect to have." My wife hugged me and said “I LOVE YOU” for the first time after we tie the knots.  That was the unforgettable and happiest day in my life.

P/S: Thanks my dear wife. 

The Lowest Place On Earth

                I'm not much of a traveler. I like my home. But since having passion with photography, I have felt myself begin to like the whole idea of a holiday. I wanted to go to places that not many people knew about it.  As a person who loves to go to exotic places, I often browse the net just to look for beautiful pictures from all over the world. There are no other images that I love than the images of The Dead Sea, a lifeless salt lake at the lowest point on earth.

                The first time I saw one of the photographs capturing a person doing meditation while floating on the surface of the sea! Wouldn’t that be great to be floating on the sea because I am not a good swimmer at all. I couldn’t help but thinking how it’d feel like to be really there.

                I have never been there, but I have browsed so many good things about that place.  Surprisingly enough, not many people of whom I’ve conversed with have actually ever heard about this place. Some know of Jordan but they know nothing about this salted heaven.

                The Dead Sea is made up of 33% salt, that’s ten times the normal amount found in the ocean. It is labeled the Dead Sea because nothing grows in it. Because of its salt content you can float in it with ease, read a newspaper, lift your legs and arms high out of the water, anything. Well, almost anything. The important thing about the Dead Sea is how much it has actually receded past a few years. Experts believe that within 30 years, unless something is done, it will no longer even exist. This would be awful, but since the water no longer flows from the Sea of Galilee and the droughts have stopped any rivers from the desert there is no way the Dead Sea is being naturally refilled. Before it receded, I wanted to soak myself in it. I fall in love with the simplicity and beauty of it so much that not even the night lights of Hong Kong the designer shops in Paris or seaside of Bali can tempt me with. Some people might favor Paris or Bali for its romantic atmosphere but it is the Dead Sea that really captures my heart all the time.

                I am still pondering about this Sea most of the time over this idea. My ‘Canon’ is waiting to capture you.

Someday, I’ll get there.