From Writing Fiction to Non Fiction

Comics, novels and movies have been friends of mine after school and inspired me somehow to write stories. I also used to write diary when I was a kid, people said it's a good start to be familiar with writing and it's a good way to enrich your ideas on writing and I used to be inspired by those novels and started write a stories, poems, even songs lyric. I did enjoy writing poems and songs, I read and sang mine and people appreciated it. 

Besides writing, I used to draw to illustrate the stories I wrote. Then once I know digital drawing, I then transfer my story ideas into digital animation, although it was not as easy as manual, digital drawing and animation are more practical. I then started to love watching animated TV show and movies, mostly the 3D animated and tried to learn creating 3D image and animation which was apparently not as simple as it looks. However, apart from drawing, writing stories were still exciting for me
 
But, when I started my new role as a student at university, it changed my life. I got stuck writing an article, proposal, thesis or any other such academic manuscript composing words by combining other quotes is totally different kind of thing I could not write anything I want, because there is a rule there: 'your words are weak without quotes' 

I have a lot of ideas, but when it turns to convert them into written form (especially academic writing) it takes a long time for me to finally type something on a blank page. Start writing on a blank page is a huge struggle for me. Blank Page, it is kind of mountain to climb; Grammar, Vocabularies and Structures are such big rocks to jump over. I am not too sure that it's a proper analogy of writing process, but that's what I am thinking. The closer I am to finish my writing, it's like the more exited I am to reach the top of the mountain.

My ideas will be nothing without previous related literature stick on them. And now I am struggling with google, libraries, journals, e-books, databases to find what people call 'related literature' 
that now I call 'Literature Adventure', those quotes such jewelries to make my writing more beautiful and powerful thus can impress the readers. Otherwise, my Ideas are just invaluable words or even just a Blank Page.

Hostels in Bangkok, Thailand (Review)

Hostels are one of the most favorite accommodation types for solo travelers, as it practical and affordable. I've just come back from my first solo travel in Bangkok, Thailand. I chose to stay in a hostel as I spent most of my time outside and merely used accommodation to sleep and store my stuff. Initially, I was actually quite skeptical about staying in a hostel because we don't have enough private space and security. Below is my review about the hostels I stayed in:

1. GN Luxury Hostel
Address: 78, 9 Ratchaprarop Rd, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

This hostel located in the city center of Bangkok, Thailand. It is around 13 minutes' walking distance from Victory Monument. But if you carry a number of languages/bangs, I recommend you to take a taxi/grab. This hostel was surprisingly convenient and clean. It has a lift to reach all floors. My room is in level 3, so I didn't need to climb the stairs.

Hostel Lobby with a cafe on the left side

Common Room

Lift

The room for 8 persons

The bed with LCD TV

Shared bathrooms are available on every floor

1. Yellow Mango Hostel

Address: 68 49 Phetchaburi 7 Alley, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

This is the second hostel that I stayed in. It is located near Phetchburi Street Food stalls, BTS Ratchathewi, Mosque and Muslim restaurants. This location is ideal for Muslim visitors, but of course, any visitors would love to stay around this location, especially those who love shopping as it is a walking distance to Platinum and Pratunam clothing market. Ok, back to the Yellow Mango hostel, this hostel is more homie comparing to GN Luxury hostel, as it has a pantry with a fridge and a microwave. It also provides a coin washing machine, but without a dryer, so you have to dry your clothes manually at the rooftop. However, for room convenience, I still prefer the GN Luxury hostel. Yellow Mango doesn't have lift, so you have to climb the stairs because all the rooms are upstairs.  you also are not allowed to wear shoes or slippers upstairs, the owner has provided shoe shelf under the stairs for visitors.

The room for 6 persons

Shared bathroom available on every floor

Bed with a small storage box

Rooftop

Pantry where you can have a meal and do laundry

Hostel cafe that sells home-made ice cream

So, ya that's it for now. Sure I will post more once I stay in another hostel :)

Getting around Brunei with Public Transports

In Brunei Darussalam, there are only a few public transports available, as most locals drive their own cars to navigate this small country. But if you are planning to visit and explore Brunei by public transports, you have these three options:

1. Dart
If you are familiar and convenient getting around by Grab/Uber, then Dart is for you. It is a local transportation network that works exactly like Grab. So, make sure to download the apps on your smartphone before you reach this country.

Dart, Brunei transportation Network

2. Minibus
Brunei minibus is quite hard to find. Most people need to spend more than 30 minutes to wait for the bus. So if you are in a rush, I don't recommend you to take this bus.

Brunei Minibus

3. Water Taxi 
This transportation only takes you around places near the river and it cost at least B$ 1 per person.

Gadong Night Market: Culinary Heaven in Brunei

Gadong Night Market, Brunei

It is quite unfair to traveling somewhere without trying the local food. Besides visiting the attractions, most travelers would not leave the sites before sitting in a local food court or restaurant. Last month, I traveled with my colleagues to Bandar Seri Begawan, capital of Brunei Darussalam.
A night before leaving the country, we went to this market which open from 3 to 10 pm. It took us like an hour to finally decide what to eat because there were so many choices and they all were looked and smelled good.

Gearbox and Meatball soup

Light meals and fruits 

Chicken and Beef Barbeque

Simple Okonomiyaki Recipe

Batter ingredients:

- 1/4 Cabbage (chop it into thin slices)

- A handful of skinless shrimps (optional)

- 1 egg

- 1/2 cup of flour

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 1/2 glass of water (mix with dashi or bonito flakes)

Toppings:

- Okonomiyaki sauce

- Sunny side-up egg (optional)

- Mayonnaise

- Bonito flakes

- Seaweed flakes (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients 

2. Preheat a pan and add a tablespoon of vegetable oil. 

3. Pour the mixed ingredients and form it like a pancake about 1 inch thick.

4. Wait about 3-5 minutes, then flip the pancake. It should be lightly brown.

5. While waiting for the other side to be cooked, add okonomiyaki sauce on the pancake and spread it evenly.

6. Place the sunny-side-up egg, squeeze mayonnaise over the pancake, sprinkle bonito and seaweed flakes.

7. Transfer the pancake to a plate, then serve.

Notes: If your mixture looks too much for one pan, you can cook the batter mixture in a half and a half or depends on the size you wish to make. 

Happy cooking :)

10 Most Inspiring Quotes about Gratitude

1. "Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." Eckhart Tolle
2. "If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get." Frank A. Clark
3. "Life is not about having more. It's about feeling more for whatever you have." Rizki Israeni Nur
4. "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them." John F. Kennedy
5. “Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” Alphonse Karr
6. "Gratitude also opens your eyes to the limitless potential of the universe, while dissatisfaction closes your eyes to it." Stephen Richards
7. “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” Epicurus
8. “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Eckhart Tolle
9. “You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.” Kahlil Gibran
10. “I was complaining that I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet.” Confucius

5 random Books that unexpectedly have Changed my LIfe

Talking about self-help books, I normally search for its review or rating before buying or reading it. Often times I seek the books from popular authors like Tony Robbins, Steven Covey, Malcolm Gladwell, or Dale Carnegie. The following books come from none of the authors mentioned above, which I coincidentally read, yet have transformed my life for the better.

1. 18 Minutes (Peter Bregman)
I grabbed this book randomly in my campus library without any intention to read it thoroughly. I was so bored at that time and didn't know what to do. So I simply read the first page and didn't realize continue reading it till the end of the first chapter. This book is so engaging that it kept me reading it the next days till the last page. I caught myself laughing in every chapter. The author sprinkles humor and metaphor in every chapter that I can easily relate to my own life experiences. He also ends each chapter with a short message to wrap up the chapter. Each chapter only consists of view pages that take like 18 minutes to read. It's a good chunk of valuable information, which eventually has enlightened my heart and my mind.

2. How Life Works (Andrew Matthews)
This book refines 'the law of attraction theory' in a practical way. I watched Byrne's the Secret movie a long time ago, and it affected the way I see myself and the world surround me. I began to implement it as what the message implies. But as time goes by, I still end up with a miserable life. View months ago, I found this 'Matthews's book', again, in the library. I initially did not interested to read the whole pages once I discovered he talks about 'law of attraction'. But since I have nothing better to do, I started to scan the pages randomly, only to spot the caricatures illustrated by the author. I began to spot some information that is apparently missing in any 'law attraction' books I've ever read. It eventually leads me to read the books completely. This book has given me the answer to why my life is still miserable despite having known the Secret of Life.

3. The 5 Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die (John Izzo)
"When you are young, 60 years seems like an eternity. But after you have lived it, you realize it is but a moment. We believe we have forever, but soon we realize this is not so." This is one of my favorite quotes from the book that hits me. This book tells me wise massages of a happy and fulfilling life from 200 elders whom the author interviewed. I grabbed this book from the library shelf, simply because it's thin. It only took me view days to finish it. Yet, it unpredictably has given me a long term positive effect. As I read this book, I felt likewise grandparents were sitting next to me, telling stories and pouring me advise. It was so engaging that brought me to tears.

4. The Power of Your Subconscious Mind (Joseph Murphy)
This is another book I grabbed from the library. I solely borrowed this book to find out if there's any content I can cite for my research report. However, as I go through page by page. I found so many profound explanations about how our mind works, which in turn, changed the way I see myself and others.

5. Play Your Brain (Anette Prehn & Kjeld Fredens)
Besides picking books randomly from the library, I occasionally buy random books at a bookstore, just like this one. I have read many books and articles about the human brain. But this book seems quite unique, as it associates the brain uses with the piano. However, it took like more than a year sitting on my desk without even reading it. Until I found a moment where I felt confused about my life purpose. I picked this book and coincidentally open chapter with the title 'Values'. I started reading the chapter, and it guided me to discover my core values. I did all the exercises the book told me to do and didn't believe what I found. I now have a determination about things that I want and should do in my life.

One important thing, how these 5 books have given me a sustainable positive impact, I took notes on every point that I found really valuable for me, and highlight the most valuable on my notes. I read it any related part whenever negative thoughts come to mind, and it heals me. As I read it over and over, I feel like my old negative thinking patterns have been banished gradually.
I believe, there are many other great books that you might have read. Nonetheless, so many people admit that they have reading great books, and yet still find themselves with the old undesired life patterns. Why is that?
Well, our habit is formed by repetition throughout the life we have gone through, so if we want to change the old pattern, we also have to change it with something that we do repeatedly to replace/bury the old one.
Let me wrap up by quoting one example from Matthews' book:
Fred has lived for 20 years on junk food and soft drinks. He overweight & exhausted. Then he discovers a book that says "what you put in your mouth matters." He then eats some fruit and vegetable for 4 days.
After 4 days, Fred says, "I feel no better & I'm always hungry!" Fred goes back to junk food. As almost everyone knows, 4 days of salad is good to start, but it can't reverse 20 years of junk! It is the same with our thinking.