Every Accomplishment Starts With A Decision To Try

As seen through all my social media sites (follow if you've not! hehe) I've been doing more outdoor activities than usual. And yes, I know I've been rambling a lot about it, but I'm excited! I'm happy to be able to do all these things. I have a long story to support my over excitement, but this time, I will spare you with a minimized version.

You know that famous story about an overweight girl who got teased, decided she had enough, did something about it, and one day appeared completely different, completely fit? You've probably heard many versions of it about various people, but yeah, I am one of those, except I'm not completely fit...yet. My excitement and joy for venturing into these activities comes from the reason that I couldn't do it before and that this is all new to me. Okay, perhaps physically, even though I was overweight then, I could've done it, but because mentally I was self-conscious and insecure, shooting myself down before even trying, I wouldn't even have attempted anything. With a massive worry about my body and a huge fear of being shamed for not being able to surpass something because of my weight, I didn't even want to try.  Which is why now, being probably the fittest in my life physically and mentally, I am charged and fired up to do everything. Like giving water to a long thirsty child... I've still a long way to go, though! There's a goal to reach by the end of this year! 

Anyway...

I've climbed Bukit Tabur several times recently. I've been up the west route a couple of times and the east only once, each time with different, very wonderful individuals.

Because the pictures were taken with my phone instead of my dSLR, I didn't thought I'd want to share them, thus they've been tucked away in my folders unseen. But ahh, finally decided why not..so here's some pictures.

Round one with Isaac, Annaliese, and Moh up the West route. It had been a long time since I climbed Tabur (a year ago, I think) , so round one was a swell refreshment.

The second time was up to Tabur East instead, and with Isaac, Nadia, Din, and Philippe. 

East Tabur is definitely more challenging than the more popular West- there was much more climbing to do!

The view up there, however, made all the scratches, mosquito bites, and sweat well worth it. 

The third time to Tabur was to the West once again, this time with Stephen, Tim, and Philippe.

When I told Stephen the day before that we were going to climb, he said he didn't have any shoes. He wanted to go up with flip-flops, but went barefooted instead. Insane! Just so you know, the rocks up there are not particularly skin-friendly; they will gladly leave their mark on you. Major respect to him. He has become an inspiration to hike barefoot, haha! If Stephen could do it, I can too, I chanted in my head when I went shoeless.

We also went for a little dip in the pond after the hike. The very nice Tim took some pictures underwater with his GoPro. Check out his trave blog! It's written in German, but ayyy, there's many pictures to view.

 I can honestly say hiking/trekking is probably my new favourite thing to do. I'm very glad to have made the decision to venture into it despite having people say it's too hard. The feeling of accomplishment after completing a hike/climb/trek is highly addictive.

Alright, I'll try to tune my excitement down a notch.
But oh! Tomorrow's another day of hiking! haha!

Love, AngelKein

Stepping Out of Comfort Zone and Into Waterfalls

When I was younger, I used to go on many outdoor adventures with my parents: camping, hiking, river rafting, canoeing, you name it. It's been a long time since then, though, and I've not done much outdoor activities for the past few years! I've missed them so much, but I pushed them aside with petty excuses like i don't have friends who want to go on adventures with me and i don't know where to go. I made a wonderful friend a few weeks ago and told him those same excuses in which he replied well, make new friends, find new places, do something about it, and I did.

The past few weeks were great; I met some people who share the same interest in outdoors activities as I do  and I went on some pretty amazing adventures with them. I've crawled up steep mountains, walked through leech infested grounds, scarred my legs terribly against sharp rocks, hiked barefooted, and jumped into who-knows-what crowded ponds, but it has all been great fun and I'm absolutely glad to have stepped out of my usual zone of comfort.

Yesterday, I went on a hike through Ampang Falls with Nadia, Philippe, and his girlfriend. It turned out to be a longer hike than expected- about 4 hours! There were three amazing waterfalls along the whole hike in which we stopped to jump into and climbed on. Through 3/4 of the whole thing, I just went barefooted because my shoes were more of a nuisance than help, but now I'm left with cuts and bruises on my legs. All cool though! Beautiful nature, wonderful company, hilarious conversations- a day well spent, I must say!

My spidey pal.

Snake skin casually dangling on a branch; no biggie.

Picture taken by Nadia :)

Just a leech making a meal out of me, it's all cool.

There will definitely be more adventures to come; spiderweb is growing.

Love, AngelKein

Changing The Layout 2013 (x2)

In the beginning of the year, I had already changed my blog layout. I wasn't very pleased with it, but it was a much needed change from the previous one which was all black and white. However, the red layout had become an eye sore I could no longer bare, thus another alteration. I think much of it has to do with the fact that I've perhaps..grown..and am no longer the girl I was at that layout. Alright! I'm not going to get too philosophical with this.

The red layout: RIP January 2013- May 2013.

I really like the .gif header at the top of this current new layout, and also enjoy the decrease in red everywhere. It's much simpler this time and I'm happy with simplicity. 

Welcoming...the nature layout? Because if you look closely at the header, the fonts are actually made of sunrise, beach, trees, and waters. 

I know, it's quite silly to name my layout, but I thought since I do change my blog's skin quite often, might as well name have a name for each one.

There are still a few more details to be added into this nature layout, but hmmm, I'm still contemplating on it. But, so far, so good. This new template is stirring my enthusiasm to blog more. Hooray for this excitement!

Love, AngelKein

Flowers to Flowers, Nests to Nests

Every day, I have things in my mind to spill out. I get on my laptop, open up blogger's dashboard, prepare to type in paragraphs of musings, do it, and then erase it. Much of my mind usually do not make it up online; I either think they're too personal or too irrelevant for anyone to waste their minutes on so they don't appear at all. And also, time and time again, I keep turning my back on publishing anything because I think my writing is not well composed enough to be shown, so yeap, I don't. But off with worries today because I feel the need to speak my mind.

There are some people in this lovely earth we breathe on who've walked themselves into an emotionless realm where they can flutter from one flower to another without a flinch of feeling. In case you're unsure what I mean by flowers, I mean people, people who fly from one person to another, whether in relationships, friendships, or sex (oooh, i said it). And I'm not that bothered by it really, not anymore, at least, because I've long accepted that every person has their own mind and method of living, and I'm okay with it.

But I'm fascinated, intrigued, confused, appalled.

I'm generally a very emotional person, more tamed and mellowed down compared to my younger self, but generally...still the same. I put up a wall that seem too high to get pass, but there's a hidden button somewhere that can easily lower that wall down. I no longer open myself up so freely like I used to, but I still regretfully do. I get attached easily, as modern terms would put it. So when I hear of and meet people who tell me they no longer feel, that flying from one nest to another has become an emotionless act for them, I am staggered.

I, to a certain extent, look up to these people. They must not get hurt very much if they can shut off their feelings towards people. But then again, they must have gotten really hurt in a period of their life before the shut off. It is a mixed feeling of respect and sadness; I admire them because I have attempt to shut myself off from people emotionally and have failed repeatedly, but I also feel sorry because whatever it was that pushed them into it must have been a great devastation.

But maybe some people are just generally uncaring. In that case, applauds.

It saddens me, though, because even though these people are restricted in feelings, they still touch my life and I feel for them, and I catch myself thinking about them, sometimes missing them, but I wonder whether I'm even a memory to them.

So many thems, I know. Apologies.

Love, AngelKein

On Turning 19

My birthday, 28th April, a sighing and , sometimes, smiling event. Every year when this date creeps up to me, I feel anxious. There's a fear built around it; I genuinely dread my birthday. The past few years I've told people I no longer care for the date, and that it was just another day, but honestly, they were just lies to mask my fear of this special day. It is the day I question my existence, the day friendships are examine, the day my life is dissected and studied. There is a huge discomfort built around this date.

But this year's was bearable, and I have my good friends to thank for.

Cake from mom.

Dinner with Jamie.

Smashies burger.

Red velvet cake from Jamie; long craving satisfied.

Birthday lunch with Mels and Mae.

Mae's stretchy skin.

Little chocolate pressies from Adrian and Boon Aun.

Birthday dinner with Amanda.

On being 19.. Not much has changed, and I don't think much will alter just from a level up in age. The shifts I will go through in living will not be because of my age, but of the experiences I decide to jump into and comfort zones I'm willing to step out of.

Love, AngelKein

Heart On Your Cheeks

Love, AngelKein