Society, Ironic As It Could Get

  Few days ago, there I was having my lunch at my all-time favourite coffee shop in Dengkil. Food was great and sipping away a bowl of hot carrot soup concludes my appetite after a day's work-out. It was lunch hour and the whole place was packed with hungry folks. Seats were hence limited and everyone was practically having lunch with total strangers.

  I myself had to share out my table with a few other uncles. It was fine for mii though, considering the conversation had among-st those old folks giving mii somewhat entertainment throughout my meal. Shoving down another spoonful of rice, two men on the opposite side of my table started to make a move, leaving behind a neatly finished meal. Those empty seats stared at mii for a couple moments or so but not for long. Soon after, a couple in their mid 40's, well at least that's what they looked like to mii, came over looking for seats. Scanning about the whole area, they finally came to asking mii on the vacancy of those seats. And of course, a smile and a nod presented with them occupying those seats.

  Their food came and they were then eating and chatting in a Cantonese dialect. From my observation, they looked to be into the business line, and they looked not too happy with their seats at all.  Constantly keeping a lookout for empty tables, they made mii uncomfortable too by staring straight at the old folks beside them. Seems to mii they weren't too fond of sharing their seats with someone else. My instincts proved to be right as they soon took off to another unoccupied table behind them, and to make matters worst, it would seem to mii that they purposely left their bags and stuff on the empty seats around the table, proclaiming that they are not in the mood of sharing their table with anyone else. Inappropriate as it would seem, I could only look on in disgust.

  However still, those two empty seats were shortly occupied by another two more appreciating customers. Who they were then having their lunch whole-heartedly, grateful to have found a place to sit down and eat. All that happened in a matter of minutes. Though it may be of um-importance to many, to mii it greatly reflects the society that we are today. In life, there will be people who do not appreciate the things they have around them, be it family, friends, property or whatsoever. They take advantage of what others have, and thinking the world to be the one and only theirs. On the bright side, there are also people who appreciate things that they do have, knowing that to obtain something is to be of some task, and losing it is to be another mountain to climb.

  To mii, that scene really made mii think. All around us, there WILL BE people who are as described. Hence, it only takes a matter of time before we find out who our true friends are. In fact, that very person could be us ourselves! Be it or be it not, this society with tricks up its sleeves, it never fails to surprise us. We are all humans after all, with our own personalities, characters and stuff; the society as ironic as it ever is. But one thing's for sure, never underestimate the people around us, coz you'll never know that one day, you will be the one to get hurt in the end.

Signing off:
Nickel Low

Greyson Chance, Genius? Superstar?

  Sometime ago, about a year or two back then, Greyson Michael Chance, this name, it just flashed by my mind. A singer, a young boy, a future star. Well, few would have bet he'll make it big, even many compared him to the controversial Justin B. What awaits him in future many could yet predict, and now, his name flashes by my mind for the second time, and yes! A star is born! 

  With only 15 years of age, his music and voice stamps down his authorization on the music industry. Coming from Wichita Falls, Texas, US, he really has let his music speak for himself. To mii, his voice was most especially amazing. You'll listen to his music, and in disbelieve, you'll keep saying, 'He's 15! Only 15!'. Yes, he has one of the most powerful voices I've heard in a long time, coming from a young singer at his age, it really is amazing! Hence, he's one of my favourite singers of all time. Dump the age, dump those critics, and you'll get a simply perfect singer.

  Greyson Chance, inspired by no other than Lady Gaga herself, took his music to another level. What's more, he has no former vocal training, just 3years of piano lessons! And look, how far he has come today, taking to the world with his music and vocals. Here are a few of his specials, including my favourite, 'Unfriend You', and also Malaysian Top Hits on Fly FM, 'Waiting Outside The Lines'.

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  Greyson Chance indeed has a bright future ahead of him, being able to express whole-heartedly whenever he sings. Appearing many times on Malaysian Hitz Radio Station ~~ Fly FM during his visit to Malaysia for his Live Concert in 2012, he has shown the world he is ready to take on a bigger stage. And with a new song (an album maybe) in process; Greyson Chance, surprise mii!!!

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Interview with Fly FM

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Signing off:

Nickel Low

The Ship Of Time

The ship of time sails by,
Shipping the long unclear past,
Out of sight;
Leaving trails of memories behind,
Hidden among the ripples of the sea,
Under the sun-setting sky.

On deck lies,
Hopes and dreams of many,
Of the past,
Though some became realities,
While some just mere illusions;
As time passes by,
And the clock starts to chime,
In docks the anchor,
Ripping away those olden times.

The crew,
Working day and night,
Collecting every second,
Minutes and hours;
As the sea rocks,
And the wind howls,
Rumbling them old memories,
In their crates of thoughts.

Sailing till at world's end,
Reaching the border,
Of the past;
The cemetery of memories,
Filled with gloom,
Before it,
Stood the arch of time;
As graves were dug,
And memories buried,
Together with thoughts behold;
The time has passed,
Unable to last,
As the ship returns to shore.

As time moves on,
And on,
Leaving endless tracks behind;
Dreams and hopes,
May revive,
But would not last through life;
The ship of time,
Would always return,
Memories soon then be lost;
So,
Look into the future,
Live up the present,
And try to cast the past behind...

  This poem written on 22/07/2007, now re-edited and re-posted once again, was one of those fantasies of mine since a kid. Believing and imagining a ship carrying away all our past, all those memories, it has been on my mind for a very long time ago. And hence, this poem, to describe the unforgiving time, waiting for no man, and also those memories we tend to forget. All these, on deck a magical ship, bringing them to a special place known as, the past....



Signing off:
Nickel Low CJ

A Child Is Born!

Doctors rushing around,
Nurses scurrying in and out,
Of emergency rooms,
The doors flipped about;
In the wee hours,
Among the hospital crowd.

Operational tools were flung about,
Bags of blood ready no doubt;
Surgeons take deep breaths before stepping in,
To the room that determines life and death,
In between.

The young mother,
Filled with fear,
Despite being calmed by relatives,
Far and near;
Put to sleep by the surgeons,
And they soon got to work,
Without any hesitations.

As the hours tick by,
And the clock chimes to five;
The young father conquered by anxiety,
Tries many a time to return to reality;
Roaming those gloomy corridors was he,
Praying and chanting heartily.

Then,
Hear that,
A baby's cry,
The atmosphere suddenly,
Filled with joy;
Surgeons stepped out with their heads held high,
While the young couple with,
Tears in their eyes!

Perching birds start to chirp,
While the early sun starts to shine;
Heaven smiles down on the happy couple,
Signifying the beginning of a new life cycle,
Hence, when a child is born!

  This poem written in 09/07/2007 was one of my first early poems ever to surface, and from there on has help mii in my writing progress. This poem symbolizes the joy, anxiety and many other mixed emotions one can experience during child birth.

  And to focus more on the parents themselves, one could see no matter how contrasting things may be amongst couples, but when it comes to matters like these, the both share the same feelings, most importantly, the welcoming of a new-born into their happy family. Written based on the true experience of watching a couple in the midst of fighting for joy and happiness as a family, I would like to dedicate this poem to them.

  Though I don't know their whereabouts or how things have turned out to be for them, I wish them all the luck, as happiness, portrayed in their eyes when their child was born!



Signing out:
Nickel Low Chen Jie

Letting Go...

Let go,

The mother bird does, 

Of its little chicks; 

Spreading their wings,
They flew off into the dusk.

Let go,

Those dandelion petals,

Yellow and gold;

Floating through the winds,

Where they land, their story be told.

Let go,

Those beautiful nights,

You weren't to stay;

We know it's impossible,

What's there else to say.

Let go,

I pleaded with my heart,

My love towards you;

A hidden secret, 

An angel's touch.

I lied to myself what's worse,

I lied to you,

As now and then I regretted,

That I fell in love with you.

Your smile and laughter,

Beautiful in every way,

Forgive me please do, 

I just can't help falling for you.

All these years,

You've provided care and love,

How you've touched my heart,

I'm sorry I just couldn't resist.

Might as well hurt myself,

Just to see you smiling at me;

I don't wanna lose it all,

Please do stay, 

I'm begging on my knees.

My love then be it in secret,

May things be the way they are;

We weren't meant for,

I know it deep down,

My love hence be cast afar.

Let go,

Just let it go.....

Thx to Teoh Siu Yin for this wonderful piece of idea to keep mii writing! XD

Signing off:

Nickel Low

I Love Taiwan : Final Episode

Mr. J's Diner

  They do say, to keep the best for last. Our last day in Taiwan was indeed, quite a memorable one, well at least for mii yes, I loved this day the most. Our day started off by visiting Sun Yatt Sen Memorial Hall. Once again, the architecture of the building really amazed us. But not only that, the history that place holds was even more amusing. Sun Yatt Sen, whom he, the founder of The Republic of China, also know as the Father of The Nation in China, a great leader in the modern days of China, together Taiwan with it.

Sun Yatt Sen

  There, we enjoyed the sculptures, arts and history that the place holds. And most importantly, we admired the spirits of the loyal guards in Sun Yatt Sen Memorial Hall. It was an experience not to be missed!

Guards of the memorial.

  Soon after, we then carried out what that was planned yesterday for our friend, Mei Kim's birthday. We acted as if we were lost through the streets of Taiwan, unable to find a shop that we planned to go to. And we soon came upon this shop which she wanted to go most, Berry Berry COBO. Just by its name, you could imagine sweets, cakes, toffees and all kinds of good sweet stuff. Indeed it was, a buffet on all kinds of cakes, sweets, snacks and many more other delights!

  We planned it all with Mei Kim's Taiwan friend, and when her friend arrived, Mei Kim was shell-shocked. Yes tears of joy, happiness, gratefulness, however you want to describe it, it was on her face, simply priceless! Happy Birthday Mei Kim!

Mei Kim's b'day!

Tears of joy XD

  Back on the food track, yes, cakes of all flavours, it certainly tempts you on having piece after piece. Besides those sweet stuff, the were western foods as well. Do try the salad, it is superb! Drinks of all kinds were provided as well, certainly it was a buffet fit for its price. Only $300 (RM30) per person, and you can have all that goody stuff in your tummy! But do take note, they have a time limit for dining of 90minutes. So once you've paid, make sure you start gobbling. XD

Cakes of all tastes!

  Later that day, we splitted into a few groups, where some wanted to re-visit Shih Lin Night Market, some wanted to go home and rest, and another of my friend decided to embark on a trip to Taiwanese No.1 Male Pop star, Jay Chou's Restaurant!

  I was tempted to go as well, but I chose Shih Lin instead to buy some of my souvenirs back home. Credits to him that I managed to get pictures of the restaurant. According to him, the atmosphere was superb. Food was great and the prices were quite reasonable. What attracts customers most is the old piano, used in the making of the film 'Secret' a few years back. That I can tell you, even if I wasn't there that day, I could feel the magic it possesses, just by looking at the photos taken there.

The piano in the movie 'Secret'.

  It would be lucky to meet Jay Chou himself there, the owner of the restaurant, but it just wasn't my friend's day. Nevertheless, being a huge Jay Chou fan and being able to be in a place where your idol frequents there is already satisfying enough.

We Love Taiwan!

  Later that night, we visited 7-11 for the last time to stock up some foods to be brought back to Malaysia. We will really miss 7-11 in Taiwan, as most of our memories and chats rose from such a simple and convenient place. Oh yes, do try the Jumbo 'Liang Mian' (Cold Mee), it is good! Beer there is also very cheap, sold at only RM3.2 per can. And for the last time, we walked back, heavy hearted to our motel. Time passed by so very quickly, but we were glad, memories we made and bonds solidified once again.

Try the Jumbo 'Liang Mian', its quite good.

  The next morning, we took the bus back to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. There, we took a few more pictures and soon, we were once again boarding the plane, this time back to Malaysia. I was really happy to gain such experience, and I really thank all my friends for this wonderful memory.

Last day, memories lasting forever!

Back to Malaysia!

Thx to Candy, Pauline, JJ, JenBoon, HanChuan, MeiKim, MeiYee, SiuYin, Welly and Ooi for all this. Hope to see you all in 3rd year soon!!! ^-^

Some photos courtesy of Candy and Mei Yee.

Taipei 101

Some photos courtesy from Candy Lee and Mei Yee. ^-^


Signing off from Taiwan:
Nickel Low