This post is an aggregation of ideas I’ve got for the past few days for an update. I’ve been procrastinating because my cousin came down to stay with me for five days (hell yea that was FUN!) and was too tired to blog. The first thing I would want to say is that…
I am getting really euphoric about the trip because nothing beats bringing a brand new camera on some serious vacation photoshoot 
so yep, I’ll be very busy for the next 3 days and will probably make life like hell for my camera battery.
Negaraku! The Malaysia News Aggregator
I’ve promised NoktahHitam to write a short review about his awesome, new, unique, formidable and breath-taking project - Negaraku!
It’s takes a lot of time, effort, knowledge and resilience to hand-code a website that serves as a Malaysian news aggregator, summarising the latest news headlines in my country, collating registered Malaysian blog updates as well as displaying random Malaysian photos from Flickr.
I applaud his effort to keep the page clean, and most importantly, free of distracting, obstructive advertisements. Don’t judge me as a violent anti-ad person, but I really adore the clean, sleek and elegant look of the layout and it will definitely be very nice if NoktahHitam can keep it that way.
The Expand All and Collapse All buttons come really handy - in case you’re looking for a list of latest Malaysian news, you can use them to toggle the visibility of the list of smashing headlines. I’m surprised that he has also incorporated the Flickr feed featuring photos taken in Malaysia - not that it only adds more excitement to the visual aspect of the page, but reminds everyone that photography is part of what defines a country and it’s happenings. Not to forget his incorporation of the nifty and useful Lightview javascript in the site, which enables you to view photos and webpages alike in a box instead of being rudely redirected to another site (or worse, a popup!)
Although NoktahHitam reveals that he’ll be making future tweaks and adjustments to the site, I think that it’s already quite perfected, especially in terms of the layout and visual appearance. If you’re interested to add your blog to the blog feed over at Negaraku, you’ll have to contact the webmaster because I think for security reasons, he’s not allowing you to add your blog feed directly to the page.
*Note: In case you’re wondering what Negaraku means, it actually means My Country in Malay.
Happy Belated Birthday!
To Sophia! I’m sorry that I’m late, but I think you’re having a great time over in Singapore. Thank you so much for being such a responsible class rep for the past 2 years - you’re tops! Thanks for holding the class together like a heavy-duty industrial adhesive, as well as your interesting ways of organising class gatherings and outings.
I would want to wish Brandy a happy belated birthday as well! 
Sorry for the late wishes! I hope you’ll have a fantastic and fun-filled year ahead. Oh and wishing you a speedy recovery for your broken foot, I hope it’s healing fast!
Geeky…
Stumbled upon this photo a few days back on Flickr. If you have some basic knowledge in HTML (which I believe most of my regular visitors do), you’ll get the meaning behind getting this tattoo If it weren’t for my parents strong objection against getting myself inked (at a less visibile part of my body), I would have gone for this tattoo near my butt 
</body>
<butt>
It’s puzzling that why so many Asian parents (even the less conservative ones) have this stigma against people who’ve gotten themselves inked. Tattoo is a form of identity and self-awareness, a type of body-art, just like how people pierce their ears to wear earrings. Given the social stigma, if I’m really getting this tattoo in the future, I’ll reduce it’s font size to fineprint teehee.
hua.. Check out abdusfauzi’s latest...
14 responses to I couldn’t find a title for this. Period.
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May 31st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
lol. You seem to go to Genting quite often. And well, everyone around me is getting DSLR’s. Haha, I’m sticking to my consumer grade yet. Wait till I’m overly tempted and of course, when my passion goes over the limit, you’ll see me ravaging shops with DSLR’s. Haha.
The tattoo. At first, I thought it was just a photoshop edit. Haha. Well, no matter what the tattoo portrays, it will always give a wild impression. That’s its greatest flaw. Not considering one anytime, though. I’m the obedient, timid type. Haha. lol.
Check out jason’s last blog post: Singing Competition
May 31st, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I’d have the , thank you
Thanks for the introduction to Negaraku. I hope anyone who came across this would like the idea of News Aggregation.
(what started to be a personal project end up being useful to others… (i hope!) )
June 1st, 2008 at 3:01 am
My parents did not take well that I have more than two piercings, so I can imagine blood pressure rates hitting the next planet over if I express to them any sentiment of wanting to be inked.
The body-butt idea for a tattoo is bloody funny! It’ll be even funnier if you have on the back of your thighs. Or disturbing. Whatevs. LOL!
Personally, if I would get a tattoo *looks around to see if parents are looking around shoulder*, I would get one at the back of my neck. What of, I’m not sure. =P A rainbow, maybe, or maybe a bird? Or a tree? I haven’t pinned it down yet, but I know that it’s something I will design myself. =P
Check out Id’s last blog post: Late Night Conversations.
June 1st, 2008 at 3:02 am
Oh dear, I was meant to write “It’ll be even funnier if you have on the back of your thighs.” I think the comments ate that up. My bad.
Check out Id’s last blog post: Late Night Conversations.
June 1st, 2008 at 8:41 am
My parents are weird, because my mom actually asked me whether I wanted to get a piercing or two if I’ve ever thought about it, and even expressed her willingness to sponsor the piercings. Wow, I must say that I’m… amused! But when it comes to inking myself, my parents have a strong solid stand against it.
Getting a tattoo that is designed by yourself will be awesome! It’s not like everyone are good enough to bring their own designs to real life… through body art!
A rainbow will be nice for you, or even that parrot on your Photoblog
June 1st, 2008 at 8:46 am
@jason
Yea I’ve been going there since I was a toddler and my family has been travelling there at least once every year since then. I reckon that we’ve been there at least 30 times in my whole life!
I didn’t even notice you’re using a consumer-grade camera! I thought you’re a dSLR user as well, given the quality of your photos
I guess the biggest thing about getting a dSLR is financial commitment because I’ve realised that besides getting just the lenses and the camera body itself, I have to be willing to splurge on accessories (like filters, cleaning kits, LCD protector, camera bag, tripods etc).
Same here! I initially thought someone just passed it off as a Photoshopped photo, but by closer inspection, it’s for real! I’m also the obedient, timid type, which probably explains why most of my friends have all gotten piericings and tattoos while I have none of them.
@NoktahHitam
You’re welcome! It’s my pleasure (as well as the responsibility as a Malaysian blogger) to feature your news aggregator on my blog. I’m grateful that you actually bring a personal, private project to such a level - it isn’t easy!
June 1st, 2008 at 11:39 pm
oh, no teddy, dont! It’s waaaay too geeky.
and, and and…
OMFFG!!!! you got yourself a DSLR? wow wow wow. I’m sooooo looking forward to see your amazing photos at genting!
Check out Aisyah’s last blog post: 5 Things
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:06 am
Just now I visited negarku.net, I really like the concept of getting all the news from Malaysia’s paper. It is like everything under one roof. Save time.
Most of the conservative parent really dislike tattoo. To them, tattoo = bad person. Maybe you’re right, you can have fineprint tattoo. HeHe..
Hope you enjoy your trip to Genting Highland.
Will be waiting for more pictures from your new alpha200
Check out hp84’s last blog post: Convocation Part 3
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
ROFL. That is an amazing tattoo. So g33ky, but I love it. I want a g33k tattoo of some sort. Maybe on my foot? haha. IDK. An idea. I’ve been brainstorming my next ideal tattoo though.
My parents flipped when I got the first tattoo on my ankle. I’ve already brought up the idea about getting another, but they don’t really seem to care anymore. Guess they’ve finally realized that I’m that age now. lol.
Thanks so much for the belated Birthday wishes! Means a lot to me.
Check out Brandy’s last blog post: Recap
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
hope you are having/had fun on your trip! What day is it?
Yuck. I’ve seen nice tattoos, but that is not attractive. Geeky yes, art, no.
The problem with tattoos is that they’re very pertinent. The problems with this:
you may decide in a few years you no longer like the tattoo
your employer may decide they don’t like your tattoo
your SO may decide they don’t like your tattoo
you get old and fat and your tattoo looks like shit
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I’m left speechless with your photo. The clouds are majesty yet eerie in a way. I don’t think I would be able to name a picture like that either. You are lucky you are able to go on a short trip in this time… I’m still stuck at home. HOME… and the weather has been gloomy and raining constantly in the past two weeks, so no camping
I definitely admire that you can do reviews for other’s sites!! I don’t think I’m a good reviewer in general, I wouldn’t be able to notice too much so I would probably give one of the worst reviews. But you have a sharp eye, you can see through a lot of things!! ^_^
Heheh, great times when there’s joyous celebration like birthdays! Mine just passed on Sunday… sad to say but I feel another year older. *sigh* the big 2-3 is hitting me hahaha j/k.
Hahaha… that is totally geeky… hahaha, you have such a great sense of humor… & heheehheh, that really made me laugh. If I were to get a tattoo, it would totally not be of html… man, if you ever switched professions or hobbies, you wouldn’t be able to rid yourself of that.
Anyways… sorry for the late comment in coming, but I hope you had a great trip! Actually, I know you had a great trip… hehe, I can’t wait to see some of your new pictures!
Check out Destiny’s last blog post: The Children Of Huang Shi
June 6th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
The photo is actually photoshopped
I’ve bumped up the contrast and greyscaled the image for the scary, imposing look. And I’ve isolated the structure from the sky, darkened it to create this silhouette effect. Sorry to hear about the bad weather, it’s quite crappy over here too! The weatherman said that the next two months will be the driest ones for the year of 2008, but so far we have heavy rains (and even flash floods!) almost every other day!
I’m not a good reviewer either! I’m bad at doing things logically since I would prefer to follow my heart instead of succumbing to my brain… not a very typical male behavior, but heck, at least letting my heart leading me to somewhere instead of nothing. I will probably over-emphasise what’s good and overlook what’s bad, but I’m happy to brighten up someone’s day if a review will make it happen
Happy belated birthday to you, I’m sorry that I missed the chance to wish you a happy birthday in that day itself! I hope you’re having a lot of fun, and may you have a wonderful and fruitful year agead!
p/s: Don’t worry about late comments! Just comment when you feel like it - don’t feel compelled to leave one if you really have nothing to say. It’s not a comment anymore if people are forced to write it, right? Take care!
June 4th, 2008 at 2:06 am
wow! cant wait to see ur photos!!
June 6th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
@Aisyah
Haha yea it’s a little over the edge, but it’s pretty cool! And yeap I’ve finally got a dSLR for myself, and I’ll be busy snapping photos for the next few weeks (until I run out of ideas or get bored with it, whichever that comes first, heh)
@hp84
Yea, precisely! I love the way NH called it a ‘News Aggregaor’ - well, it perfectly suits it’s function and purpose! Even less conservative parents will look at people who’ve inked themselves as bad influence, because in Asian culture, having yourself inked means establishing a connection with some gangs or mafia rings.
@Brandy
Actually having a tattoo on your ankle is a very considerate and thoughtful move, because first of all you wouldn’t upset everyone since it’s kind of hidden in your shoes and socks, and it’s not the most painful part of the body to get inked, haha! My parents told me that they’ll be fine if I pierce myself at acceptable places (which literally means my ear ONLY, and no where else, like my lips, nose, tongue etc), but they’ll chase me out of the house if I ever get myself inked. Oh great…
@Lissy
Tattoos are meant to be permanent, so people who go to get themselves inked are always warne with this - they could not remove it whenever they feel like it! And tatto removal is painful, costly and troublesome. The best way out is having a temporary one (which usually involves a plastic sheet with design drawn on it and pasted on your skin). Oh and yes when your body changes dramatically, the tattoo will be ruined!!!
Thank you! My trip will be from Sunday to Tuesday
@saffa
I will be posting them soon, so stay tuned!