Great Music Video - KISS

One of the phenomenal Korean video clips riding (or in a way creating) the Korean wave is a song by 3 member Korean girl group, K.I.S.S - 'Because I'm A Girl'.

Created back in 2002, this song is rather sad, but however, the music video is done in a very unique way, turning it into a rather touching clip.

Just like the lyrics, the video shows about a building relationship to be broken... but the twist is towards the end of it, where the guy sacrificed his career & love for the girl by donating his eyes to her, and for her to live on well. This shows the strong love & the big heart of the guy for the girl.

This music video is falls in the rather typical imaginary-romance of 'beautiful love' Asian pop music is known of. However, its bold storyline has created a big fanbase, and I'm sure has touched the hearts of many.

To one extend, the song itself has been translated to a few different languages - with the more notable ones in Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese & Tagalog.

There is also an English version by Jini, one of the original members of the band.


Orignial Korean Version


Mandarin Version

Inspiring Destination: Langkawi

I have always been in love with Pulau Langkawi, or Langkawi Island, since my first trip many years ago. And ever since, I've returned to the island every once a year, simply to enjoy nature at its best.

Every turn & corner on the island is like a postcard view - from paddy fields, hills, sunsets, and waterfalls. The island is really best enjoyed with a car, which can be rented at affordable rates.



Owned by state of Kedah, Langkawi is strategically located in between the Andaman Sea & the Strats Of Malacca, and just 2 hours from Penang by boat. There are also flights from KL & Singapore.

And just like the rest of the beaches and islands at the Andaman Sea, Langkawi too has its white sandy beaches - the popular Pantai Cenang famous for its long stretch of white sand & water sports, plus beautiful sunsets (I fully recommend a walk during sunset here & even a swim); the upmarket Tanjung Rhu Beach which houses the big resorts or the lesser known Pantai Tengah & Pantai Kok (more quiet, but still very beautiful).



The yatchs & boats along the island also gives a beautiful sea view. One of them is at the Telaga Harbour Park, which is the parking area for the yatchs/ boats. It also houses a few fine dining restaurants.



Locals are involved in farming, but there is a growing number of people involved in the tourism industry which has been improving, ever since it has been promoted since the lates 80s/ early 90s. Many tourists shops selling local souvenirs & crafts can be spotted at Pantai Cenang and even in Kuah town.

The town is more of like the business centre - with banks, shopping centres & local businesses. Many duty free shops are also available here with relatively cheap chocolates & liquor (as Langkawi is a tax-free zone).

There is also a growing number of batik workshops on the island, as it begins to become popular with tourists. It is here that I managed to meet with a local artist & his family, who does beautiful batik paintings with local themes - of both Langkawi & Malaysia. Though deaf, he is very humble, and his skills can be seen from his artworks.

Just like the artist, most people of Langkawi are rather friendly, and most are willing to strike a conversation with you... adding to the beauty of the island.

Ever since Langkawi has been opened up for tourism, there has been quite a number of resorts & man-made visiting places popping up. One of the recent additions to Langkawi island is the cable car, which goes all the way to the top of Gunung Machinchang, giving visitors a good view of the island.



Another part where I saw a good view of the island is from the top of the Seven Wells (Telaga Tujuh). This however require a climb of over hundred steep steps. But upon reaching the top, there is that sense of achievement... And visitors can chill out swimming on the top!



If you have more time, then I would suggest the island hopping trips where the tour guides will bring you to the nearby islands - Pulau Payar, Pulau Singa Besar, Pulau Tuba, Pulau Dayang Bunting & Pulau Beras Basah. This trip was very refreshing, and I managed to swim at the fresh cool water of the lake at Pulau Dayang Bunting, watch eagles at the eagles sanctuary and even go snorkeling & diving. The waters are clear blue!



Together with its 99 other 'magical' islands, Langkawi gives a tourist everything they can bargain for. A good 4 days will enable you to see Langkawi in full, but of course, if you have more time, you could simply spend weeks here... And as for me, I'll definitely be back again to the island for its beautiful scenic nature, shopping & warm people :)



Cheap Offers To Langkawi!

Inspiring Book: Dream High by Conway Stone

Author Conway Stone is a dreamer entrepreneur who has made dreams come true. And he hopes to share it with everyone to achieve their dreams too in this book of his.

This step by step book is similar to lots of other motivational books about making it big, but written in a very humble approach. Unlike other books which may sound rather arrogant and be a put off to some, Conway's writing style of humility will appeal to a wider audience.

He shows that he is just like any other average person who has realised his dreams.

These dreams need not be very big dreams, but instead dreams that everyone is capable of achieving with vision & proper planning (eg. leading a happy comfortable retirement). That is the key message he seems to drive.

This book will serve a wide audience because of his approach that can touch not only big dreamers & entrepreneurs, but any other individual who wants a happy fulfilling life. And this is the magic behind his book :)

Movies Review Blog

Movies are really fun (& to one large extend, inspiring) as we get to see a different world, without having to be physically there, or to be through what the characters experience.

It could be a past period story, a present fiction, or even something in the future.

Movies allow us to see beyond our lives, and be brought into the many different lives of others - like the soldiers in war, a President's life, a gypsy's world. The list goes on, even more so if it is an animation (like the most recent I watch, into a bee's hive, or into the under water world, etc).

What I like most is the mind is able to expand and ideas & imagination flow while watching movies. These could be direct ideas, or indirect, which may pop up in the near future. There are times too I watch movies for the pure relaxation. Somehow or rather, whenever I watch a movie, I get a lil inspired thereafter.

To capture all movies that I watch, I've created a review blog - Movies Review Blog.

These are movies that I watch during leisure, and includes all types of movies - inspiring or less.

Only the most inspiring movies (& the meaningful ones) will be reviewed on this blog - ensuring this blog remains truly inspiring :)

Starlight

Last week would be a witness whereby a star shares her light - that is when Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Malaysia's pop princess visited heart-transplant recoveree, Hui Yee at the hospital.

Hui Yee first announced her intention to meet her idol, and when the news got to Siti, she did like a true Star - giving Hui Yee a very memorable moment.

It is admirable of such a huge star, most probably South East Asia's biggest, to be humble enough to grant the request of her fan... but that is Siti, and that is why people just love her.

Siti's story is most admirable. Coming from a humble background, her career has been a great success. Her fanbase is solid, with a huge following of fans in Malaysia and regionally, especially in Indonesia. Even the Singaporeans recognise her. Siti has bagged many awards, being the singer with most awards in the Malaysian Book of Records.

Siti's Malaysian girl image, plus her strong vocals is one of the reasons for such a huge success. However, the most unique thing about Siti is her Star personality - her good PR & her still remaining humble despite her success. This is very relevant in her interviews, which puts her at most ease, but which might have made most people in 'self-defence' moments.



*Siti's interview - you can see how Siti 'brushes' difficult questions, with still a smiling face :) (See at 03:19)

And here's a video of the singer's first big hit. Over the years, Siti has transformed herself from a young new-commer to such a well-respected, well-mannered Star.

Age Is No Barrier

Age normally 'defines' someone. True enough, the older someone is, normally, he/she has more experience, and to some extend, wiser.

Saying that, we should also not be disillusioned by age... This thought came recently, when I was talking to a younger person, and I was surprised to be able to draw some ideas from the conversation.

Take a look at some of the examples in the world - Facebook, Google, Dell - these people started global companies, whilst still relatively young. Mark, from Facebook, is born only in 1984.

Look around you, and you will notice young entrepreneurs making their mark. Some have done it much better than their peers despite their high stable incomes. Some has even bettered their counterparts who have been in business for many years. These people have crossed the mark of being young means 'I don't know much'. Instead, they took the challenge to learn & be sharp in their decisions, making right choices.

Saying that, another point to note, is that age too should not be a barrier entry to living our dreams. Though wiser, there may be some that may sometimes feel less secured and capable at times. This mindset has to be changed, if they are to live a fulfilled life.

Sure, wondering into the unknown seems uncertain, but with what you know, and what you will learn along the way, plus lots of passion & drive, age is not a barrier here.

Another part of age not being a barrier is when we see the more matured folks doing extraordinary stunts - though some could be simple ones like jogging - which is perfectly fine, in fact very good indeed. Some don't look their age as they have all the mind and spirit in them, living a good healthy life.

So going back, age is relative. Being older or younger is not better, nor is it worse.

Inspiring Book: The Tipping Point

This bestseller talks on how epidemics & phenomenas in the world are created - from medical epidemics up to psychological-behavioral ones (eg. increase in suicides, decrease in crime rates, etc) and more interestingly on how big brands make it big... simply by the word-of-mouth.

The loads of examples all leads to show one thing - the point when something (or anything) can become 'big'. That is what is the tipping point. Part of the reason is the 'cool' factor people associate with.

In between, Malcolm also shows some other interesting theory like the 'Broken Window' - which describes how one broken window can affect the whole road of houses to eventually have the same. I would like to put it as another term - maybe 'Bright Window'. Like when one shop is beautifully renovated, the rest in the road will eventually follow suit, turning some roads far beyond recognition (for the better). He also talks on the 21 days ritual and turning that into habit.

A little hard to read as there seems like no ends of examples at times, however, this book is a must read for marketers who has big visions, and for others who would like to know how the world works. Though the author doesn't particularly conclude what really works, his insights to his vast knowledge is still well worth the input. My conclusion falls back that to have a tipping point, you need to make it 'cool' :)