University Life Post Again!

In the blink of eye, I had been stayed in the campus almost 3 weeks. Seriously, times waited for no man. Life must go on no matter how tough it’s.

Here’s the summary of university life. Yes, that’s university life post again! #uumlifepost #universitylife #phdjourney 

1. Eating Out

a) Richiamo Coffee

Next dorm room neighbor took me to Richiamo Coffee at Varsity Mall, UUM since I was not realized it had been started operating *investigation spirit*

“It is like the Starbucks outlet”

“But the price is cheaper than starbucks”

“At least we can afford from the student perspective”

“It serves the decent coffee and chocolate drinks”

“The environment is very comfortable”

These were what I heard from my next dorm room neighbor. All the reviews were not bad. Once again, it confirmed my decision to have the quiet coffee session with her. 

 I heard this coffee brand's outlet was the first in Malaysia and it focused in the university market segment

Ordinary cake and coffee order counter. But the cakes were not available temporarily at that time.  

Quite satisfied with the ambiance-wooden chairs, quirky stools & decorations. The giant ladies wall picture (i.e Raja Ilya) was the spokesperson of Richiamo Coffee according to the waitress

Trying their chocolate cookies, quite rich the chocolate and the cookies so crunchy 

 There were my left and right side dorm room neighbors. I ordered cold hazelnut chocolate while the left side neighbor had hot chocolate. 

Cold hazelnut chocolate pretty decent and I don't mind to revisit again. Having hazelnut coffee was so fulfilling as I didn't necessarily took the dinner anymore. 

b) Nasi Lemak Stall Along the Way to UUM

An Indian friend of mine brought me there for few times. It's one of the best nasi lemak I have tried in my entire life. And it's RM 1.20 per packet. 

Honestly, I didn't fancy about RM 3.00 or more than that nasi lemak in the restaurant. Those nasi lemak were not aromatic and flavorful like what I had in the nasi lemak stall. 

Besides nasi lemak, it had wide varieties of kueh 

this was one of my favorite. Salty, little spicy sambal and aroma of the rice were the perfect combination. 

Serunding pulut, that was highly recommended by the Indian friend. It was available in Peninsular Malaysia. Serunding actually liked the chicken floss. Tasted spicy and crunchy. 

c) Watery Char Koay Teow

It was at Changloon, near to KFC. 

I heard from a Sarawakian friend that it offered decent char koay teow. So I brought friend over there to try it.  

Really nothing to shout about the char keoy teow (RM 3.50) except it was so watery (not what I get used to eat). Char keoy teow was in very small portion and Tauge had strong uncooked smells. 

2. Hidden Gem UUM

After that, right side dorm room neighbor brought me to one of the hidden gem UUM, Puncak Vista whereby to see the whole UUM in panorama. 

It was near to University Inn area and needed to climb the steep and narrow staircases to reach there. 

After 10 minutes, we reached there and greeted by the 2 things: above rest area. The rest area was a nice place to chill though created my dismay as fulled with rubbish  

The second thing was the little views. It surely nice views if the grasses were being cut. In short, Puncak Vista was not well-maintained.  

3. Foods 

I had discovered few foods in the university and some of them had became my favorite foods. 

 This was chicken roll in Arabic Supermarket (RM 3.00). The Arabic Supermarket owner further told me it was made by the Arab students that stayed in Maybank Residential Halls.

It tasted salty and spicy, not suit me. But the fillings, curry vegetables were in generous amount 

Recently I was so crazy about Subaidah's Ayam Bawang/Onion Chicken and had it for every lunch meals. 

Once in a while, I loved to have the heavy breakfast like this though oily

Buying Farm Fresh double expresso recommended by the left side dorm room neighbor. But I not liked it as bitter. Since I didn't kept it in the fridge, it had gone bad the next day afternoon

4. Entertainment

I was so hooked into a Hong Kong TVB drama titled "Between Love & Desire"(完美叛侣）couple weeks ago. This drama was centered on the competitive environments of the law firm. Office politics, gossiping, self-benefit issues, dog eat dog affairs were thoroughly reflected in this drama. 

Seriously, it reminded me how cruel the real world. Around 2 years lived in my own world for completing my thesis caused me forgot the real world, real life and real human beings. Not interacting with the human beings especially the workforce make me felt like everyone in this world is the good man. I had zero judgement and evaluation for the human beings that approached me. 

Hopefully, the judgement and evaluation skills for human beings will gradually improve in the future. Not sure how many lessons that I gained to sharpen such skills?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

This 2 months, July and August was the semester break of the university. I thought no bus will be operated. Luckily, this long semester break university provided the shuttle bus which allowed me to go to Changloon for grocery shopping. Grocery shopping became the necessity especially buying fruits. Otherwise, I needed to spend on taxi fares again. Thank Buddha, the life in the semester break not so tough. At least satisfied the facilities . 

I ended this post with one of my favorite song 

Carry on till tomorrow, there's no reason to look back

Carry on, carry on, carry on- regardless how hard life ahead of me, this song always being my greatest motivator

Phd Journey Shines Brighter When It's Dark

Phd journey was not all sunshine. It had ups and downs.

The downs could be the supervisor had no time to read the writing, waiting days or even weeks for the feedbacks, struggling in writing, meeting other Phd friends that often against my own values.

At this time, I felt like walking in the extreme dark valleys alone.  I’m not sure when the dark valleys will come to an end. At this time, I was so eager to see the lights, which symbolized hope.

Last week, something happened unexpectedly-a light that suddenly appeared in the Phd journey.

I went to attend an international academic conference at Kuala Lumpur Convention Center for article presentation.  #estcon2016 #iclm2016

To be honest, I had the trouble in presentation. I seriously lacked of confidence and talking in the public. But I didn’t work hard on that matter. I just let it be.

The international academic conference lasted for three days (15-17 August 2016).

During the few hours before the closing ceremony, I was informed by the organizer about the winner of the best paper awards.

Part of me chose not to believe this good news. I thought my awful presentation skill definitely disqualified for the best paper awards.

The organizer once again confirmed with me the presentation skill was not related to the best paper awards. I was overwhelmed with worries. “Am I good enough to entitle the best paper awards?”

When more people told me I won the best paper awards, I started to believe it.  Needless to say, nervous severely attacked me while receiving the awards on the stage.

with the Vice Chancellor and the Minister of Science & Technology 

 all the winners of the best paper awards.

On the way back to the university, I was still very surprised. And delighted at the same times with the best paper certificate in both hands.

This best paper certificate really cheered me up. It was a form of happiness in the Phd journey.

On that night my tears streamed down when lying on the bed. I had the good cry before sleeping.

All of a sudden, the dark valleys that I had been walked through in the past few months did not seemed very dark at all. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Here were some pictures about the international academic conference. Basically about meeting the people. 

 All of us were Phd candidates 

another Phd candidate, academic staff of the university and me

All came from organizational behavior and human resource background Phd candidates 

Standing for lunch was good for digestion 

morning and afternoon break-cookies, coffee or tea

 It's the best among the other lunch boxes

Western lunch box. I remembered I ever asked the waiter "isn't got rice" for western lunch. Quickly grabbed it when it got rice.  I was the rice tong 

Cameron Highland Visit

Update on **13-14 August 2016**

I travelled to Kuala Lumpur for few days for attending an international conference. Before that, I adjourned to Cameron Highland for relaxing and rejuvenating my body and souls.

1. Getting to Cameron Highland

 So, once arriving KLIA 2/LCCT, I chose taking bus to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS)-RM 10.00. The bus ticket could buy from any above ticket counters 

 Here's the bus on 10.30am. I met up with Rosamond for going to Cameron Highland

 TBS always crowded

 TBS Teratai food court practiced prepaid card system. So, I reload RM 20 for prepaid card before ordering foods

 Rosamond and me shared with each other 

 While waiting the Cameron Highland's bus, Rosamond lectured about the right way of wearing boyfriend jean-rolled up the lower part higher and higher 

The bus didn't depart punctual (late for 15 minutes). But at least better than the Pudu Terminal Bus that always late for 1 hour. So pissed off when recalled it. 

After 4 hours +++, we reached Tanah Rata, Cameron Highland. Soon, there was few tour agencies approached us by introducing several tour packages at the terminal bus. 

2. What Tours We Used?

The tour agency that collaborated with the bus company. So the passengers might get the tour service and bus tickets at the same times. Some even included with budget hotels. 一条龙服务

We ended up selected this one. We signed up CS Travel and Tours' half day country side tour (RM 26.50 per adult, exclude entrance fees). We needed to catch the afternoon bus back to Kuala Lumpur 

In fact, it had 6 types of tours: 

1. Half Day Country Side Tour (RM 26.50 per adult, exclude entrance fees)

2. Half Day Agro Delight Tour (RM 65.00 per adult)

3. Half Day Mossy Forest Discovery (RM 50.00 per adult)

4. Half Day Highland's Sunrise Discovery (RM 60.00 per adult)

5. Full Day Highland's Discovery (RM 80.00 per adult, include entrance fees)

6. Full Day Amazing Rafflesia Discovery (RM 90.00 per adult, include entrance fees)

Half day tour usually started from 8.45am until 2.15pm (4 hours duration). 

It's better to spend 3 days 2 nights in Cameron Highland if wished to truly enjoyed at there. Mine one is too rush! I felt I only spend few hours exploring Cameron Highland while the rest of the times inside the bus.  

Reviews of CS Travel & Tours

"Terrible Experience with the Lady in the Office but Helpful Tour Guide"

1. The lady in the office didn't mention it's extreme difficult to get the taxi from the sightseeing points back to Tanah Rata town area although we had told her we must back to Tanah Rata before 1pm. She only told us tour guide will arrange for us. If they told us earlier, we can have the better planning rather than rushing and worried here and there. 

2. The tour bus late 15 minutes to pick us. After picking us, the tour guide, Mr Ranjit Singh needed to drove further to take other tour members. We totally wasted 1 hour in picking other people. So, the country side tour officially started on 10.00 am. Don't trust the tour brochures that said the tour will begin on 8.45 am. 

3. However, then we luckily back to Tanah Rata successfully for catching the bus due to the help of Mr. Ranjit Singh. He tried to help us when he learned that we failed to get any taxi to send us back to Tanah Rata. The taxi drivers in the Tanah Rata were not willing to drive to Brinchang since the roads were jammed on Sunday. At the end, we used the school bus back to bee farm and from the bee farm took taxi back to Tanah Rata (after Mr. Ranjit Singh negotiated with his colleagues). 

4. Besides that, Mr Ranjit Singh was the polite, responsible and calm tour guide. He introduced himself before the tour started. He explained each the sightseeing points clearly. He gave enough times for us to enjoy each sightseeing points. He even looked for the tour members that were back to the tour bus lately. He managed to solve our problems calmly. 

3. Where to Stay?

We stayed at Heaven Hill Hotel, no. 56,57, Persiaran Camellia 3, Tanah Rata, 39000 Cameron Highlands, Pahang Darul Makmur. It only left 1 single bed room (1 night RM 100).  Both of us shared the bed. 

Since we went there on Saturday, thus most of the budget hotels were fully occupied. The price surely pricey if the rooms were available. 

 What made me angry was the hotel didn't provide any towels and toiletries (e.g toothbrushes, toothpaste). The toilet paper was there after I demanded during check in process

You see, the ceiling fan casing was gone! Luckily we didn't use the ceiling fan since the room temperature was cool enough 

Moreover, the pillow and the mattress felt hard. A bit pain on my back and neck area after sleeping for few hours. So, I wake up easily instead of sleeping like a baby throughout the whole night. 

Besides that, the reception staff was disappear all the times. It created the inconvenience for the guests like us that requested for WIFI password and the taxi numbers. I observed other guests also disappointed with the missing actions of the reception staff.

One statement describe this hotel experience "Not Worth the Money"

However, one thing that deserved a mention was the location of this hotel was very strategic (i.e in the town center). Once I out from the hotel, I could see lots of foods establishment nearby. 

4. Dining Options in Cameron Highland

a) Restaurant Ferm Nyonya

 Went to Restaurant Ferm Nyonya as suggested by the ticket counter staff. This steamboat restaurant received the good reviews from others too according to the ticket counter staff 

It's a good suggestion too to have steamboat dinner when in Cameron Highland. You know, cool weather often shouted for steamboat because the hot soup warmed up the body

 This girl really excited and happy when seeing the foods 

Mixed soup (i.e chicken and tomyam soups) with RM 24 per head (include all the food items like in the picture above). The tomyam soup was better than the chicken soup as more thick, aroma and flavor. 

Ice honey lemon (RM 3.00). The lady boss said the honey was came from fresh honey, Cameron Highland. Nothing special for me as it tasted ordinary honey in supermarket  

Overall, the services was quite good. The staff checked our soup from times to times and added more water to prevent the saltiness of the tomyam soup. So attentive, we didn't wasted our time to ask for soup refilled. 

Restaurant Ferm Nyonya

78A-D, Persiaran Camellia 4, 

39000 Bandar Baru Tanah Rata

Cameron Highlands, Pahang

Tel: 05-4915891, 05-4914891

b) Jasmine Restaurant

While we passed by the CS Travel and Tours, we noticed this Holland theme restaurant (next to CS Travel and Tours). Rosamond desperately wanted to try and I agreed too. 

Obviously with Holland flags

The owner that used to own the restaurant in the Holland but he back to his home country, Malaysia 

The fried rice was pretty delicious, with high dose of "wok hei". The grilled smoke duck was very tasty. The outer skin of the smoke duck was so crispy, crunchy, aromatic, flavorful and the inner side so juicy and tender. It even tastier when eat with the grilled sauce. I could say the duck was grilled to perfection. 

Grilled smoke duck warranted my next visit. 

But 1 thing I don't like was the attitudes of the owner. When I wished to confirm with the waiter (apparently was the owner that took the food orders) either this restaurant belonged to Dutch , the waiter/owner just replied "Hmmm" with unhappy facial expression. 

Other than that, the waiter (i.e the owner) indirect way recommended us to try the signature dish, smoke grilled duck by saying "everyone came here have the smoke grilled duck because it's the only 1 restaurant in Malaysia offered it. 

Perhaps he needed to brush on his hospitality and customer service skills. 

5. See and Do 

a) Butterfly Farm

Our first sightseeing point was Butterfly Farm at Chinese village, Brinchang. 

Rosamond and Mr Ranjit Singh (the tour guide). RM 7 per adult entrance fee of Butterfly Farm 

The main butterfly species in Butterfly Farm, Butterfly Brooke 

looked more closer 

looked horrible 

Don't know why in the Butterfly Farm able to see few snakes species

 Guinea pigs 

Not sure whether was paper flowers.

only 2 sunflowers but still appreciate it's beauty

cactus, cactus and cactus again!

b) Bee Farm

Our second sightseeing point was Bee Farm. It's free of charge. 

 Once entering, the staff promoted their own bee products. These so called bee products effective in curing constipation, asthma,sunburn, etc

 Walking underneath to see the bee hives. 

The bees all were inside the hives. 

Awwww, finally bought strawberry egg rolls. Can't forget it once I tasted it 5 years ago, which was given by undergraduate room mate. 

It only sold in Cameron Highland 

c) Sungai Palas Boh Tea Plantation

The third sightseeing point was Sungai Palas Boh Tea Plantation. Rosamond told me the view of tea plantation and the lime Boh tea were amazing. 

Unfortunately, we were in hurry back to Tanah Rata town for catching 1.45pm bus back to Kuala Lumpur. So, it's necessary for us to look for the taxi back to Tanah Rata town. I got no mood to explore this Boh Tea plantation anymore. 

On 12.30pm, we ended up taking a taxi back to Tanah Rata town that charged RM 35 due to the arrangement by Mr. Ranjit Singh. 

The only nice photo that I took in Boh Tea plantation 

Awesome views along the roads came together with the screaming sounds of the young & innocent kids when we go through the very narrow roads.  Both of us shared the bus with a large groups of primary schools students and teachers went to Bee Farm. The taxi driver waited us over there.

d) Tanah Rata view

Half an hour before departing to Kuala Lumpur, we managed to stroll around the Tanah Rata town area. It's the small town, with few rows of shophouses. 

20 minutes was good enough to spend on strolling. I noticed Tanah Rata had fulled with Malays and Indians. Mamak restaurant and Malay food stalls were mushrooming. 

 The market of Tanah Rata, all with Malay foods 

 Unique designs of the shophouses in Tanah Rata 

 "Ang Mo" tourists (literally means "White" tourists) could be seen in the every corner of the Tanah Rata. Thus, Starbucks must exist at there to fulfill their demands. 

Pine trees in Cameron Highland reminded me about Kundasang, Sabah. I missed Kundasang and Mount Kinabalu so much!

That's all my cameron highland visit. Hope you enjoy!