19 to 20.

Oh well, in another 4 days I would be officially 20. 20 years even younger. Sometimes the 'old' does make it sound kind of not so nice to hear. But anyway, yes I'm going to be 20. No more 1- already. Time to move on with 2-. That means that I was on planet earth for the pass 20 years and still counting on till now. Not bad. Still got much to be accomplished, achieve, fulfill etc etc etc. A little interview with myself, interviewer was I and audience was me. Lolz.

So how do you feel now that you're about to be 20 years old?

- Well, nothing much can be said cause things are just going on as usual. The feeling of being 20 is that it feels a bit special. That you would have juniors and you're the senior in certain areas. Not quite a bad feeling actually.

What are your plans now since you're 20?

- What are my plans? Would study back again eventually. Study something I like. Cause the diploma I obtained, well coming to know that it's everything's on theory and nothing on technical and if I were to go back to that day I enroll I should had chose Broadcasting instead of Media Studies. But being the me, I would not want to fuss around changing course so I just completed the course. At least I got a diploma. So now is just to find a uni that have a degree which I can continue with and at the same time does technical stuffs. Not going to make the same mistake that I did. Besides studies, life's going to be much the same. Nothing in particular. I think. *Shrugs*

Another 365 days more till you're 21. 21 is where the real freedom comes most people say, what are you planning to do when you're at that age?

- Basically, I'm still going to be in the same house which I'm currently staying in, at the most would be able to join in the general voting thingy I guess. Otherwise at the moment I can't think what would I be planning to do. Perhaps already on a date? *Laughs*

What do you hope your friends would give you on your birthday?

- Not much hope should be put on that, or else I would have myself being let down. Whatever they want to give, just give. It's the heart that counts. Don't mind having DVD- movie as a present though. Haha.

Not planning to have a Big Party?

- I'm not so keen to have a party. More or less is that I dislike doing the clean up job after the party. But then I do have in mind to have a party when I'm 21. If so happen I'm still around and not overseas.

Any last things you want to add on before we end our interview session?

- Nothing much that I want to add. Life's still going to be going on as usual for me. At least some bloopers for sure would happen here and there. That's going to be a memory that I can think of anytime. Just wish me all the best in life, and also my walk with God. Cheers...

Believe-it-or-Not!

"Welcome to today's episode of Joel's Believe-it-or-Not, I am your host Joel and I will bring you through things, events that you have not seen or known before. It's up to you to Believe-it-or-Not. First stop, thinking that a typical Chinese guy who is known for being quite shy is going to remain unknown and silent for the rest of his life. But you're wrong because this guy bring surprises and also adds fun to the atmosphere. So take a look at this..."

"Pretty cool clips don't you think so? Just to know that this guy took some time to gather his guts in order to do what you've seen just now. We're going to take a break and will be back after the commercial for Joel's Believe-it-or-Not. Stay tuned." *Breaks for commercial*

*During commercial* Birthdays... Thinking what gifts to give to your friends? Why not ask them what they want, what they dream of having. You can fulfill their dream. One caller on the line said he dreams to have a soprano saxophone and don't mind if a hundred people share to buy him just one present which is the saxophone. And his birthday is just almost a week away. (You get what I mean) So go to your nearest music shop and get him one! =D

"Welcome back to Joel's Believe-it-or-Not, a place where you can know what happened to just this one guy which is Joel. Weird things going on he has. This next story that he shares is going to be awkward but true. Believe-it-or-Not."

Just recently not so long ago, just had quite an embarrassing moment. While bathing, already cleaned my hair with the shampoo. Then after that I wanted to wash my face with the face cleanser. Awkward thing is that I'm not sleepy or whatsoever, I'm still awake. and so... Don't know how on earth that I squeezed the face cleanser than my hand went to my head, split second I came to my senses on what am I doing. Shoot... Crappy.... How come is on my head when it's supposed to be on the face. Oh well, too bad for me. Don't know what happened anyway. Can't figure out how can I be that clumsy for once since this is my very first time doing so. Not on purpose for sure. Sighs... What a day to remember.

"And so we have it. Believe-it-or-Not. Thanks for watching and reading this episode's of Joel's Believe-it-or-Not. See you on the next episode, I'm Joel your host. Good bye" *Fades away*

Read On.

Well, I actually do not know whether I should post this up. Anyway guess I just put on a little bit thicker face. So just read on to know what's up.....

I have to admit that I, I..... I like, enjoy (can I say love? Think not.) watching both the High School Musical series. The dance and the songs there they are just coolly done, choreographed and so on. So what's so "malu" about it? Well, to me as what I think. This show probably is for a younger audience. And I am too old for it? I thought so. But then I just ignore it. I downloaded both of the series and also the soundtracks. Ok, ok... I know it's illegal but then I'll will try to buy the original one later. When I save enough money for that.

After watching it, it does have some effect on me which is making me want to follow them dance. I'm still aware of being sane so I did not give in to those "dancing bones" of mine. Heh. I just have to make myself to just enjoy the soundtracks. That's all and nothing else, otherwise it's not so me. Not so Joel Yap. Sighs... That's me, having too much thoughts once in awhile (which ain't that good all the time for sure).

What else can I say but to just recommend for those people who likes seeing or doing it which is dancing, singing etc. Watch it. And I'd guess you'd want to try or follow those dance steps. Lolz.....

Penang Trip.

Here you go. At last the post about the Penang Trip. More known as the Youth Leaders Retreat. There were 20 of us in total. 3 batches of cars, each going on different time. It has been quite sometime since I last went Penang. Most of the time would be on the highway abut 2 hours or so. But to Penang it took like 4 hours plus. Phew, what a journey indeed. What more can I do in the car besides talking? Mostly is just snoozing along the journey, to at least get my sleep in case when reach Penang we would have much fun but lack sleep. 2 cars on the first batch started journey in the morning about 10am or so, stopped by Ipoh to have lunch. Met up with Ps. Clement there, had this Yong Tau Foo with noodles. Ordered other food as well but then there were leftovers. I was filled to the max. Is like everyone ask me to finish up the leftovers. I tried..... But can't finish them all.

After that we headed supposedly to go buy the famous salted chicken there. But due to the low amount of chicken they have and there were few customers who ordered (which the amount is more than one) and to be able to buy it, there's a price of needing to wait for about 25 mins. Can't afford to wait that long. Then off we go in continuation of our journey to Penang. One car got themselves lost and went the other way (which was heading back to KL) eventually they managed to get back on track. The bridge was pretty jammed up with cars because there was an accident involving about 4 cars I think. Seasons has changed, as far as I can remember, I don't remember that Penang bridge is ever that jam before. The amount of cars just added. Anyway, after crossing the bridge, went over to a petrol station to wait for the person to give the keys to the condo and off we went to the condo.

At last after a long journey we reached the condo. Which still looks quite new. Guess is more like a resting place for retired people or people just buy the house to live in during the holidays. We went to the condo, found where's the place, checked out the place and sorted out who should sleep where etc. The place was nice, quiet (when the fact was the peacefulness is going to be interrupted by our ever-active-enthusiastic group of people) in the end we did being told or should I say shouted by one of the occupants of the condo to keep our volumes down. Too bad for that. So we chilled out while waiting for the others to arrive. 2nd batch of cars arrived which left KL in the afternoon then off we went for our dinner, in total there were 16 of us that time. Dinner was good, except some weird looking pig's something which I don't know what is that but it tasted like beancurd. The pics below shows you what sort of food we had. More like a glimpse only. Not the whole picture. Hehe.

After that did nothing much, just went to the night market along Batu Feringgi. Some bought some cheap DVD that cost RM4 each. Not bad value as compared to KL. After that we head back to the condo and chat all the way, played catch the phrase, some played cards and went to sleep. That ends our first day. 2nd day, in the morning, went somewhere for breakfast, had a large amount of toast bread, guess ordered too much. And off we went to do some shopping at gurney plaza while some went to minister to Doreen's relative. I bought myself another pair of Nike goalie gloves for RM47. Original price was RM77 but had 40% discount which wasn't that bad. So now adding to my collection and also usage I have about 5 pairs of gloves in total. Haha. Got Umbro, Adidas, Puma plus now Nike brand. Not bad eh? But then got a few comments saying I just buy too many of them. Oh well.....

After shopping we went for our late lunch, which was like tea-time already. Can't eat much because still was filled with the morning's breakfast. Just ended up sharing the fruit ice-kacang. To me there's just too much fruits. Andrew's brother joined us with his wife since he's staying in Penang, it was raining that time. Nothing much can be done. Then we headed back to the condo. To have some rest while waiting for the last batch to arrive. They left KL in the afternoon. Some of us went for a swim at the pool while waiting for the last batch to arrive. We weren't allowed to bring balls in so nothing much to do but to swim around. While another group went to the beach and had captain ball there. At last the last batch arrived and we got out of the pool, head back tot he condo and bath. Mind you, with only 2 bathrooms it certainly takes quite sometime to wait till everyone get bathed. By the time it's settled it's more like supper time than dinner time. Lolz...

After supper-dinner, some of us wanted to go to the beach since we did not go, so we went while others went somewhere else and back to the condo. Went to the beached after that went to scout for food at almost 2am. I was already half dead so did not had anything but a nibble or 2 on the sting-ray. Back to the condo and off to bed. Sounds like time passes by super fast when we're just in the beginning of having fun, so last day, the day when we are to head back to KL. Too bad for that. Had a time of sharing then took a group picture. And some other pictures.

And so the fact was that since I started blogging, people saw my post and occasionally out of the blue will call me to write something on behalf of them. In a sort of like term that I write well. Ended up me writing a note on a guestbook to the owner of the place we stayed in. After that went for our last lunch in Penang but I notice I "have" a clinic there. Little did I know about that. Amazing it was.

After that is to our separate ways. Ps Mike and his wife going to stay back for about 3 days more and will stay at his friend's or relative's (can't remember) while HaiYen and some stayed back till evening (because they haven't enjoyed enough) which they reached back KL at midnight. Joyce's car and Agnes's car are the ones who went back second. Unc Vic wasn't feeling that well on the day before so he went back first. I sat in Joyce's car, plus driver 5 of us in the car.I sat in the middle, frankly it was not that all too comfortable but better to have a transport back than nothing. Butt was not so good feeling while legs do feel numb at times but being able to "tahan". Overall it was a worthwhile trip indeed. A retreat that generate the bond to a closer level, to know each other better.

For more pictures you can visit my picture gallery: joeltheyap.multiply.com

What I Enjoyed.

It seems that after I started work I get to "explore" more about food heaven and also other things. But then some comes with a price..... Which is I have to fork out my own finances in order to enjoy it. Sighs..... But then on the brighter side, it's an investment. I don't mind forking out some money once in awhile to eat something that I've never eaten before or go to a certain restaurant which is alien to me. And so, besides having the privilege to watch "Tunku" the musical for about 2 times for free, the musical turned out to be excellent for a local production. I nowadays get to go with my colleagues to places they've been, experienced the taste of the food there since they are pretty much particular about the service and taste. Try giving them bad service for once and you won't see them ever again coming to your restaurant.

Not only going out with my colleagues did I enjoyed the various food, sometimes when the client organizes an event and coincidentally have a lunch or dinner reception I get to enjoy the lunch or dinner reception. So far I had lunch at Shook- Starhill Gallery after a check presentation from YTL to WWF & RARE. Both are wildlife preservation bodies. So I had this chun-ted mushroom soup, though it tasted bitter but then it's like mushrooms grinded together because for normal mushroom after biting it there would be like a bitter taste at the end. Main course I had honey mustard chicken which was not bad while my colleague had dory fish with saffron sauce. And the dessert was chocolate cake & ice cream. Do not be fooled by the normal chocolate cake, it's really yummy when you taste it. With melted chocolate on the top, you see it you will drool for sure. There was an appetizier plate which is prawns in a bowl shaped cracker but didn't manage to take a pic of it. So the total meal costs how much? Well... It's RM 128, astounding food does come with astounding price. Don't you all agree?

So today in conjuction with my other colleague's birthday, we went to an Italian Restaurant and had pasta for lunch. A set meal to be precise. I only manage to get a picture of the place but was too busy enjoying the food till I did not take a picture of it. So the beginning dish was a prawn dish, cooked with olive oil, marvellous food indeed (it costs RM19 for about 5 prawns?) but then with the garlic mixed together it certainly blends well. Next up is potato soup, it was tasty, though it looked like campbell soup (which is not) it tasted great. Certainly not from any canned soups for sure. Nest is the main dish which is spagheti Eligo (italian names are just weird which in the end I can't remember the name for it.) It has mushrooms, some black pepper, dried chilli on it. Tasted a bit spicy but wonderful. Guess it was cooked with olive oil. Had dessert which is some kind of custard looking dessert. I had mine and also ate my colleague's share. It has brown sugar on top which I think they make it burnt on purpose and it tasted just great. The shop is located at KL Plaza. Didn't get the name of the shop but I think I know how to get there. So my set lunch cost about RM23 (including 15% taxes). That place looks kind of hidden but then the furnishings there is like an artistic place though in overseas it maybe a poor man's house but here, it's artistic. Certainly good for dating spots if so happen if you all are on a date and don't know where to eat. Haha.

All these things are once in a lifetime sort of thing. Unless I get a full time job would I be able to go back to those places that I visited before. If not it's going to be once in a lifetime sort of thing. Though I had tried Nandos and it cost me about RM20+ which is quite stressful to my wallet but then it's just once and not again would I go back there for sure. Unless someone treat me. Next post going to be about the Youth Leader's Retreat in Penang. So sit tight and watch out as it's going to be quite a long post I guess since it's was a happening retreat with various exploration on glorious food in Penang. In short, stay tuned while I get my fingers busy typing that out. Cheers =D

Forever.

Hmm.... Seems like quite a lot of stuffs have been going through my mind.... Is a little bit bizarre. Not that I have aboslutely nothing to think about before butcome to think of it, it's those sort of when you get older you would have those sort of thoughts which you didn't even think of when you are young? Somthing like that.

So what's on my thoughts? Plentiful to type it all here. But thus far this thought kind of not to say freaks me off but it's more or less gives you goosebumps sort of feeling. Perhaps a little more extreme goosbumps. Can be to the extend lose your mind? Anyway, so what I'm posting today is about "Forever".

Of course everyone knows the definition of forever without a doubt. But can you picture forever? I went to Google and type down "forever". No proper picture that I find matches to the meaning of it. Besides the infinity sign. Want to imagine about it? Don't know how some of your imagination works but just try it as I describe (in terms of how I did). Just close your eyes or just focus your mind to think of forever. Example, if you're already dead; as for Christians for sure you would know you're going to heaven as for non-Christians, sad to say the fact is you're heading for hell. (not to be mean or anything but too bad, that's the fact). So imagine you're with God in heaven forever. No time, no 365 days a week, no hour, no second. Even if there is timekeeping but then in reality you're only left with your spirit. Body= flesh's gone. Can you you visualize forever?

If you get what I mean probably you can't figure out or probably be a little bit scared. Which is normal. With our "earthly" thoughts, in terms the things that are in reality and "spiritual". That makes me wonder at times, can I even live till 30 years old? Will there even be a year 2020 (to put it the closest for now). Because all the events, occurrences around the globe the signifies the coming of Christ. When would He come? I dunno, no one knows. Even the angels of God doesn't know. Are you prepared? That's a question to myself also to be a constant reminder. At times I think, I do have my dreams and ambitions when I'm on earth. I want to have a taste of how is it like to be a parent. To be an adult with a spouse and have a generation after me. Because I don't think (which is kind of a zero percent probability) that there's going to be marriage in heaven, nor will people give birth there.

Oh well, so what I do to have myself not in a hurry? By God's word of course. "Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straught. Prov 3:5-6" Sometimes, I think most of the time we have to put all or cares towards God. We can't handle in ourselves. We can't manage at all without His help. Only His plan works out best.