Habitat for Humanity KL Blog

Click the picture & check out my first post for Habitat for Humanity KL...

Picture Tag

OMG!! OMG!! Alina tagged me!! This is so awesome!!

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1. Answer the questions below, do a Google Image search with your answer, take a picture from the first page of results, and do it with minimal words of explanation

2. Tag 5 other people to do the same once you’ve finished answering every question.
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1. The age you'll be on your next birthday:


24 - Jack Bauer is a Highlander. That's why he never dies. You'll have to crop off his head.

2. A place you'd like to travel to:


New York City, because people tell me that's the place to learn film making. I would also love to meet David Letterman...

3. Your favourite place:


I took a while to think about it... And the soccer field is my favourite place to be - so many things I can say about what the beautiful game does to me....

4. Your favourite food:



Definitely definitely home cooked food - mom, dad, myself... it works...

5. Your favourite pet:
A DUCK!! Okay, I don't really have a favourite pet...

6. Your favourite colour combination:

Red, black & white.

7. Your favourite piece of clothing:

T-shirt!! Especially a one that has WIFI receptivity...

8. Your all-time favourite song:

More Than Words, because that's 1 song I can sing well with the guitar.

9. Your favourite TV show:

The Office!! That's what she said... =)

10. First name of your significant other/crush:

May.

11. The town in which you live:



Kay Ell.. Kay Ell... that's what she said... I mean, Alina. That's what she said on her blog...

12. Your screen name/nickname:

Nobody is the nickname I use when I play DOTA, because when I die, I taunt my opponent by saying "Who did you pawn? What? Nobody?"... Lame I know. But that's how I keep my dignity (that's what she said).

13. Your first job: Tuition Teacher - no interesting picture on that one. Trust me.

14. Your dream job:

Film maker... and also...


A singer songwriter... Trying to convince my brother to form a band.


And yes, a politician too. I think I can juggle 3 jobs...

15. A bad habit you have:

Cause Misunderstanding. But I don't think it's my fault. Sometimes people can't see or understand the ball...

16. Your worst fear:


Getting lost... Like in the series, Lost. They are seriously lost. And unless they want to stop earning the big bucks, they'll have to remain lost. Like... forever....


17. The one thing you'd like to do before you die:



Punch a whale... IN THE FACE!!.

Ok I took too long to finish this post, but I think it's a worthwhile read.

I tag: Josephine Kang, and ok, I don't think anyone else reads my blog....

John Mayer Has A TV Show

Man, I can't guarantee this site won't turn into a John Mayer fan-site...

JB Log 9

Definitely 1 of my favourites of being a videographer - entering a convention in Suntec, Singapore, as media. It feels great.

Tagged

Instructions:

Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag 8 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged.

1. What is your pet's name?
Don't have a pet.

2. What is your most favorite thing to do?
Soccer.

3. Three things you plan to do before you die.
1. Raise a family.
2. Start & run a youth centre.
3. Be a rich & famous film-maker.

4. If you have a close close close close friend since childhood who loves to take away whatever you like, including guys/girls, and he/she always wins, will you still consider him/her your friend?
Who came up with this dumb question?

5. If you can have 1 dream to come true, what would it be?
To do all the things I listed on question 3.

6. Do you believe you can survive without money?
No

7. What are you afraid to lose the most?
My limbs.

8. If you win $1 million, what would you do?
Get married, start a production company, make a movie.

9. If you can choose a place for retirement, where would it be?
Heaven.

10. List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you.
Josephine - great smile, sincere, responsible.

11. What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?
Can sing, adores me, loves God.

12. Which type of person do you hate the most?
Radio DJs. They play the dumbest songs these days...

13. What is your ambition?
Film-maker

14. What is the best thing that can happen to you?
To get flithy rich.

15. What do you think is the most important thing in your life?
God

16. If you have to choose between career and family, which will you choose?
Family

17. If you have a chance, which part of your character you would like to change?
Critical-ness?

18. Who is the person that you can share all your problems with?
May.

19. A song that tells the story of your life?
In Repair by John Mayer.

20. If u were to have God's Power, what would you do?
I'll... I'll... sing....

JB Log 8: Quick Updates

Ahhh, if only the work atmosphrere is as beautiful as the weather in JB. No raining for the past few days here, which is suppose to be really good news for us. But that 21 videos in 2 weeks task is really taking a toll on my motivation. Yesterday we managed to finish 3 videos, but the first one took me 4 hours to complete.... The task is really overwhelming, so every video seems hard to do. I doubt we can meet the mark. So yea, kind of hoping that it'll rain...

Yet another cool experience - attending a press conference!! That was last Friday. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of ntv7 is really amazing, & humbling (cause of their high-tech stuff). These reporters really take their jobs seriously. Hope we'll one day become as professional as they are.

Cruelty found in Danga World Petting Zoo!!Haha!! Can you believe that the mouse had been in there for about 9 hours at the time of this picture? We didn't stay long enough to witness the kill. Probably the snake got eaten by the mouse (mighty mouse!!).

Mosquitos have been appearing in our room lately. We suspect 1 of our housemates are breeding them.

Ok, off to more video shoots now. Can't wait to get that new teammate ~~ where are you??

Earth Hour 2008

JB Log 7: Series of Unfortunate Events

I was really, really pumped for the week. I genuinely felt that as we carried our luggage up to the service apartment. It didn't take long for my motivation to be completely swept away.

1st: MAGGOTS!!

We found maggots on the floor, chewing on the eggs I carelessly left there. The smell wasn't too bad, but cleaning up was really hard. They keep popping out of the carpet!! While I was using tissues to clear off maggot by maggot, Joseph was smart enough to google our way of this mess: BOILING HOT WATER. Still, it took us several hours before the situation was resolved, because we couldn't find the electric kettle... Ewww, DISGUSTING!! Oh I kept 2 dead maggots. Anyone wants to test themselves for fear factor?

2nd: TOO MUCH WORK!!

I was hoping to personally say a big thank you to my boss for giving us that 1 week break, but only managed to smile as he rushed for a meeting. He called later, surprising us with an almost unbelievable task - make 21 videos in 2 weeks!! That's crazy!! But Joe & I are determinded to make it happen. We have these yellow stick-ons that will help us keep track of our everyday work schedule. We still don't have a board, so the cupboard will have to do for now.


3rd: Almost useless footage

We immediately got to work as soon as the instructions were given. First stop would be Danga Beach Clubs. I had to do the commentary this time, as my weak wrist won't allow me to carry the video camera. Took me a while to get into the groove, but I did it. I was so proud of myself that I even camwhored a bit (just a bit). I was very excited about editing the footage too. But there was NO AUDIO!! NOOOO!!! Somehow the wireless mic didn't work, so all my live commentary is now gone. & so is my confidence. Will have to do several re-shoots & a lot of editing tomorrow night.

4th: I still don't have a bed!!

I finally have a proper mattress. The dude who delivered the bedframe said we could install it ourselves, so we spared him the trouble. To our dismay, we found out that there were no screws provided!! Can't install bedframe!! By the way, the bedframe is not a new 1!! No idea when the guy will come & claim the frame back. Might be here in the room forever. Like the dead maggots under the carpet.

So tonight I go sleep on a frameless bed, hoping that the maggots won't come alive & eat me in my sleep (eat joseph, please!!) & wishing for a better tomorrow. ZZzzzz....

JB Log 6

In my previous post I had a wishlist. Turns out we got way better - 1 week holiday!! That's right!! No need to leave KL for the entire week - how amazing is that? Can spend time with family & loved ones...

Ok let me share with you another highlight of mine. Last Friday, while we were covering the Landmark IT Mall Computer Fair, I approached a girl (with name card & everything) in view of recruiting her into our video crew. It was a real breakthrough for me, as I had been having this fear of approaching unknown pretty girls. I shouldn't have this fear - afterall, I'm going to be a big-time director.

I got down her email, & in case she doesn't reply emails we do know where she works (& studies). The plan is to meet up with her, get to know her personally, try her out in several video shoots, then only determine how or if we want to integrate her into our video crew. I'm excited about it. She seems excited about it too, so let's hope this works out well.

JB Log 5

It's our fifth week here in JB. We have descended from a high - big apartment, covering events, meeting people - to a very low, low. We now live & work in a room that is infested with dustmites. We thought we killed them all last week, but they live to fight another day. Joseph's going to bring his lampberger next week & we're so going to nuke this place!! ITCHY!!

Nowhere else to hang our clothes... so the room smells like wet laundry.

We finally got the table we needed to work like normal people, but it somehow slipped people's minds that chairs and tables normally come in pairs. And guess what? I still don't have a bed!!

mattress with brick-like pillows

The weather isn't helping too. It's been raining for the entire week here in JB. And when it rains in JB, it rains the whole day. & because we live by the sea (I think), the rain smells like a dirty toilet!! The only good side about it is that we don't have to go out for videoshoots. I miss covering events - hanging out with the press, free pass to events, meeting new people. But it seems that March is a dry season for events. We figure it's due to CNY & General Elections...

Joe lying comfortably on his queen-sized bed, watching a movie

Wishlist for next week:

1. Get my bed!!

2. Events to cover.

3. NUKE to KILL all dustmites.

4. New teammate on crew!! Girl!!

5. No rain!!

JB Log 4

Yesterday our boss finally took time to see the room he put us in for himself. We sounded our troubles to him - well, we basically really really REALLY really wanted to move back to our previous apartment. But I suppose a clean room, an extra bed with clean sheets & good pillows, powerful aircon, & proper work furniture will have to do for the next 3 months - till we get our proper office & apartment.

So we spent last night & this morning cleaning our room with our boss' powerful vacuum cleaner.

& we found out what caused us to itch for the past 2 days - dustmites. It was really disgusting!!

Now our room looks like this.

Drying the bed sheet using 3 chairs. & here's a look on our working condition.

Yes, it is messed up. Our backs are aching really badly right now. We didn't get our tables, nor did we get our extra bed, in spite of the best efforts of the HR girl. So overall, it's been a shitty day. Our shit is emotional & all, but we still put in our best efforts in producing videos. Hopefully the boss & our sponsors will see our desire to do our best for them, & respond by giving us the best living & working environment possible.

JB Log 3

Warning!! Horrific pictures ahead!!

You remember the new place we were given to live & work in? Well, I took some pictures, from the 4 corners of the room. These pictures have in no way been editted or manipulated. It's raw!! Are you ready?





Yup that's it... We still managed to produce 1 video on Friday, but boy it wasn't pleasant.

JB Log 2 - Funny Scenes

Haha, as if he was repairing a real car...

Maybe that's why motorcyclists wear a leather jacket...

JB Log 1

Yesterday I got a suprising request from a friend to update my blog. I don't have any friends, & most of them don't read my blog (when bloggers say that, it's a small hint of request for readers to leave comments. I'm sincere however, but that goes to show that I'm just talking to myself now. Tragic....). But anyway, I wanted to write about my videography expeditions in JB anyway. In fact, Joseph & I have been messing around with the idea of starting a personal vlog on our life here. We still can't agree on a name, so don't know if that will ever become reality.

So anyway, Joseph & I landed a videography job in JB. Yes, our namecards do say "VIDEOGRAPHER". Our task is to produce videos on the happenings in the Iskandar Development Region, South Johor. Basically, we're vloggers lah. Paid ones. The website that bears our mark is www.iskandar.com.my. That would give you an idea on what we do here.

It's been about 3 weeks now, & everything is starting to fall into place. Not very nicely, but we'll play the cards we're dealt with (Joseph's quote) & produce the best videos for our company. The first thing that was provided for us is an apartment in Danga View Apartments. It's a very nice 3-room apartment, but Joseph is everyday awaken to the sound of Muslim prayers. It has microwave, washing machine...

But just as we were about to get comfortable with 2 of us OWNING the whole apartment, our boss asks us to move in with 4 other people. Worst part is that we have to share 1 room!! How crappy is that?! From a big apartment to sharing a room? We're going to sleep, eat, & do work in that small rectangle!! GOSH!! How sucky is that?

There's a lifeline though. The original plan was to provide us with an apartment cum office in Danga Walk (office lots). And that can only be realised if we manage to get more people to work together with us. So, if you do anybody who lives in JB, loves to be on & off camera, has a great personality & enjoys working in a team, let me know at joashchan@gmail.com.

I'm actually blogging in the car, parked outside Festive Street Mall, using their free WIFI (ya, we still don't have internet connection - sad right?). And we're hungry, so I think I'll just leave the rest for another time. Come back soon.

A Professional Vlogger I Am

After 6 jobless months & a 2-month long interview process, I'm finally here in Johor Bahru as a professional vlogger. That's right, a hired, paid, salary-earning vlogger. I'm now a part of a company that runs a video-based website. Why JB? Well, it's because we're covering the Iskandar Development Region (IDR), a government initiative for economical growth in the state of Johor.

With me I brought a bag of clothes, 2 amatuer video cameras, & Joseph Teng. Haha, yup. We're the pilot crew of this project & thank God I'm working with someone good. I'll reveal the website at a later stage, for the simple reason that we haven't really got any work done. We've only been here 5 days, the company is at its' beginning stages so we don't really have much to work with.

We have an apartment provided for us, which is nice. But we're still waiting on things like internet connection (I'm blogging from a cyber cafe). There's no car, so we have to go on foot for food, internet, groceries, & events in Danga Bay. It's good exercise, but I'm really hoping that we'll get a car soon. Living & eating in Danga Bay is slightly off our budget at the current moment. The apartment has microwave oven & an electrical kettle, so we sometimes cook maggi. But that's no way to live. & gosh there aren't any mamaks nearby!!

Anyway, in spite of it all, I'm pretty excited about the future. It's one of my dream jobs. Only downside is staying away from my family & loved ones. I miss them a lot (going back next Friday!! YAY!!).

Pictures coming up.

My First Rock Concert

Tonight will my first time attending a rock concert. The other concert I attended was hardly rock, it was Lee Hom. Now, it's SWITCHFOOT!! I believe they are one of those bands that would turn up a gear in concert, rather than just play like the album. Hope they won't disappoint, cause my hopes are high up!! And I'm sacrificing a lot - I don't really like to stand for 4 whole hours & buying overpriced mineral water.

But you know, the main factor that caused me to want to go to their concert is their podcasts on YouTube. I really really really want to meet the guy behind all those videos. This guy is having 1 of my dream jobs!! To follow a bunch of rockers & just document their every move, make videos for the world to see... Wow. I hope to get a picture & even do an interview with him. Who knows? He might even be nice enough to bring me backstage!! I won't bring my video camera (in fear of being taken /stolen away from me), but I'll take May's digital camera.

Should be fun.