My Written Thoughts

I finally got my songs posted on Spotify ! Amid recording three songs at a studio with a band in 2012, I also embarked on a solo venture, recording six of my own songs over the span of a decade (2010–2020). Only four of them made it into my mini-album (EP), which I appropriately named Decade . The other two didn’t make the cut. One is a rap song (Dunia), which didn’t quite fit with a rock album, and the other (Ketiadaanmu) borrowed too heavily from another song, so it wasn’t exactly original. The rest, however, are 100% me. All of these songs were uploaded to YouTube many years ago, but that was about it. People discovered them, listened to them, and soon forgot about them. I thought to myself, “I have professionally recorded songs, why let them gather dust?” And that’s how the Spotify idea was born. It turns out Spotify isn’t like YouTube, where users can freely upload content. As one of today’s most prominent music platforms, Spotify only allows distributors to add music to its libr...

  My office mates and I went to Shanghai last week. It was the annual budget meeting cum staff retreat, and this time, they decided to go to China! I was thrilled because I had never set foot in China before. It was Monday, 24 November 2025. We flew with Shanghai Air, and the flight took five hours. Once we landed at Pudong Airport, a huge tour bus took us on a one-hour ride to the city center and dropped us off at the Broadway Mansions Hotel. The hotel was a really old building, but the upkeep made it look modern while retaining some of its historic charm. The doormen and bellmen wore Al Capone-style uniforms with trench coats and hats, keeping the old-time vibe alive. We checked in on the fifth floor, which had an okay view, but once we settled in, Aliff and I immediately went out to explore. While the board members and MCs proceeded with the budget meeting, it was free and easy for most of the secretariat. Aliff and I set out with the sole goal of finding a new SIM card for him....

 To Israel supporters who keep shouting "October 7th" : Palestinians have been killed, expelled, and occupied for decades before Hamas even existed. Before October 7th: Deir Yassin (1948) : over 100 villagers massacred. Sabra and Shatila (1982) : thousands of refugees slaughtered. Gaza 2008, 2014, 2021 :  entire families bombed while the world stayed silent. And here’s more: Haifa Attacks : 1937-1939 Jerusalem Incidents : 1936-1939 Haifa Market Bombing : 1938 Balad al-Shaykh Massacre : 1947 Haifa Bombings : 1939 Haifa Oil Refinery Massacre : 1947 Abbasiya (al-‘Abbasiyya) Attack : 1947 Al-Khisas Massacre : 1947 Bab al-Amud (Damascus Gate) Bombing : 1947 Jerusalem Bombings : 1947 Sheikh Bureik Attack : 1947–1948 Jaffa Attacks : 1948 Khan Yunis Massacre : 1956 Jerusalem Conflict : 1967 Sabra and Shatila Massacre : 1982 Al-Aqsa Massacre : 1990 Ibrahimi Mosque Massacre : 1994 Jenin Refugee Camp : 2002 Gaza Conflict : 2012 Gaza Conflict : 2014 Gaza Massacre (Great March of Return) ...

 My orange cat has a crooked tail. Nobody knows how it happened. Maybe she was born that way, maybe it was an old injury. But the funny thing is, she doesn’t act like anything’s wrong with her. She runs, climbs, hunts lizards. To her, the crooked tail is just part of life. One evening, I was sitting at the computer, scrolling through old vlogs I’d made. Back then, I used to record everything. Grocery runs, playground trips, even the most ordinary days. Looking at those clips, I realized something. I wasn’t filming because the world wanted to see. I was filming because I wanted to remember. The crooked tail reminded me of that. Life doesn’t always turn out straight and polished. Sometimes it bends, sometimes it breaks. But just like my cat, we keep moving, keep living, keep finding joy in everyday life. Now when I hold my camera, I don’t think about “Is this exciting enough?” I think about “Will this moment matter to me one day?” Because maybe the stories worth keeping aren’...

Malays have long carried a fear, the idea that the Chinese will one day take over the country. Traumatized by the 13th May incident and with politicians further amplifying the notion during every election season, this belief became deeply rooted. It is repeated in family conversations, passed down through generations, and used as a convenient tool to divide Malaysians. But when we examine this narrative closely, it does not hold up. It is not reality. It is strategy. Let’s debunk it. Malaysia’s Parliament has 222 seats. To amend the Constitution or make any major changes, a government would need two thirds, which is 148 seats. In the 2018 general election, Pakatan Harapan, with DAP included, won 113. In 2022, they won 82. Both numbers were far short of 148. And no Chinese-majority party has ever, in the history of Malaysia, controlled Parliament on its own. The only way to form government has always been through coalitions that include Malay-led parties. Beyond numbers, the Constitutio...

Although I no longer post weekly vlogs, I still pick up the camera every now and then. I want to share how vlogging helped me grow socially and rebuild my confidence. For most of my life, I’ve been introverted. Crowds and social situations made me anxious, and I often felt like I didn’t quite fit in. Over the years, those feelings grew heavier, to the point where my confidence took a real hit. Speaking in front of people — or even being in a busy room — could trigger panic, sweating, and an overwhelming urge to escape. Then in 2018, I stumbled into vlogging. At first, it was just an experiment — a way to push myself into discomfort. I set myself a 50-vlog challenge, and by the time I hit my 50th, I realized I loved it. I kept going for years, posting regularly until 2023, when I slowed down. What I didn’t expect was the transformation. Vlogging forced me to step outside my shell, to speak up, and to share my voice openly. Over time, my confidence came back stronger than ever. Speaking ...

For months, I’ve been pondering whether or not I should start promoting products on TikTok as a TikTok Affiliate. On one hand, I already have a catalog of original content that I create on TikTok. On the other hand, promoting products on the platform could turn into a side hustle, helping me bring in some extra income. The only question that remains is this: If I start doing affiliate marketing on TikTok, will it betray my followers and viewers? Imagine being in their shoes. You go on TikTok to watch your favorite creators doing their thing, but instead of seeing creative content, you start seeing them promote skincare and household products. That would be disappointing, to say the least. I asked my family and friends about it, and they all said the same thing: In this day and age, everyone could use some extra money, and it makes perfect sense to seize such an opportunity. Not everyone is eligible to become a TikTok Affiliate, though. You need at least 1,000 followers to unlock the ...

The idea of vlogging resonated with me for quite some time before I finally created my first vlog in April 2018. I was inspired by creators like Casey Neistat and Ryan Taylor. When I entered the YouTube space, I had one goal: to grow my channel to 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. These are the benchmarks required to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which grants creators the opportunity to monetize their channels and potentially earn money. For me, it’s not about the money, but rather proving to myself that I can do it—having something to strive for. The truth is, reaching this level is far from easy. Without the drive, passion, skills, and patience, it would be impossible. Countless creators have tried and failed. So, achieving this milestone would be an honor; it would mean that I’m truly worthy. It took me roughly three years of weekly vlogging to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program, unlocking monetization features and earning money from ads. It took another...

Jake Paul is a polarizing figure. Known for his antics as a YouTuber, his time as a Disney star, and his even more controversial career as a boxer, Paul has become a lightning rod for both fans and critics alike. Seven years ago, Joe Weller jumpstarted YouTube boxing—a platform where YouTubers with beef settle things in the ring. Two of the biggest YouTubers in America, Logan Paul and his brother Jake, accepted the challenge of YouTube bigshots from the UK: KSI and his brother, Deji. After winning his fight with Deji, Jake's boxing career took on a life of its own. He elevated the crossover genre, taking on MMA fighters, retired boxers, and even a former NBA player. The thing is, Jake put in the work and won every single fight, with a few knockouts as the cherry on top. You’d think MMA fighters would have the upper hand in a boxing match against an amateur boxer like Jake, but the reality is that boxing is a whole different art. A world champion MMA fighter would excel in an MMA ca...

There are only two states left in Malaysia that I haven't set foot in: Sabah and Kelantan. I recently got the chance to finally cross Sabah off that list. After six years without an organized company trip, they decided to bring it back in 2024. Initially, the plan was to go to Da Nang, Vietnam, but due to the ongoing "Cuti-cuti Malaysia" campaign, it would seem counterintuitive—and perhaps a bit hypocritical—for the Malaysian Association of Hotels, the country's most prominent hotel association, to orchestrate its staff trip overseas. We landed and stayed in Kota Kinabalu (KK). I must say, KK wasn't as busy as Kuching. There was less traffic, fewer people walking the streets, and I suspect the city is much smaller. We stayed at the Pacific Sutera Hotel, a five-star luxury hotel overlooking a beautiful harbor where ships and yachts come and go. This hotel was built on a man-made island, and the rooms were spacious enough for the three of us. While our bosses attend...

 Three days ago I shot a short video which had been in the planning a couple of days prior. Before that, I stumbled across a Tik Tok video that really caught my attention. I drew inspiration and information from that video and decided to make my own. So the project began. The video is about how the bank system works. I remember how a lot of people (including me) don't fully understand how banks make their money. The topic about banks is full of financial jargons that not only confuses the hell out of the general public, but also financial, economy and math students as well. Having seen a much easier way to understand this, I decided to make a video about it.  The plot is just a simple dialogue between a banker and 2 customers. It was my first time acting and I played all 3 characters. Thank God it turned out okay and not so amateurish. Shooting began at 10am and I finished editing the video at 3pm, all done in my son's room. As soon as I uploaded it to all social platforms, I ...

 All my life I’ve stayed true to the belief that credit cards are evil and debt is the number one enemy of the modern world. My sole principle was to avoid getting into any sort of debt. I grinned every time I see an innocent citizen wallowing in despair as they struggle through the vicious cycle of credit card debt. Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would eventually become that person. It all started when I was at an Aeon mall with my family in 2017. Right after buying some groceries at the supermarket, I went to one of the Aeon booths to apply for a new J-card (a card for collecting points). The employee offered a credit card application, but I declined. I told him I only wanted a new J-card. With my daughter in my arms, the dude helped fill-up the form for me. He started out by asking my name, address and so forth. As soon as these questions got a bit too personal, I started to realize that this is not just a J-card application. He was asking about the amou...

 For more than 10 years I have been romanticizing about doing a solo travel. This fantasy of mine almost became a reality in 2021 but then I decided to take that cross-country trip to the border of Thailand with my wife. Although that trip was highly memorable and fulfilling, my desire to travel alone remains a mission which is yet to be realized. I have never done a solo travel before. I imagine it to be more exciting if done in a foreign country. However, as it currently stands, my budget would only allow such an occasion to be done locally for now.  Through a lot of reading on the topic, travelling solo is known for causing positive changes to the mind, body and soul. The common advice from those who have done it is that although it might not be for everyone, we all should travel solo at least once in our lives. Sure, it has pros and cons. But it makes a person more independent and resourceful. You will learn to handle your finances better. You meet new people and actually ...

As the Palestine-Israel war reaches its second month since October 7th, 12,000 Palestinians have died. This time, the whole world sees the ongoing genocide and are protesting against it. One of which takes the form of boycott. Many countries are taking part in this large-scale boycott against a number of selected brands and corporations which are either American or believed to have some form of affiliation with Israel. One in particular, Mcdonald's. We are seeing the Mcdonald's boycott movement taking place not only in Malaysia, but in numerous other countries as well including Indonesia, America, England, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and many more. Although this movement is nothing new and that it comes and go, this time it was triggered by a statement given by Mcdonald's Israel on social media claiming that they provided over 40,000 free meals to the Israeli soldiers during the war. This did not sit well with just about every human who has a heart and opposes the ethnic cleansin...

It’s been quite some time since the last post. I admit I could have committed more on this blog but it is what it is. Let’s see. What updates do we have? Vlogging. After 5 years of vigorous weekly vlogging, I decided to slow down. I decided that consistency no longer applies to me. Now that my Youtube channel managed to cross 1,000 subscribers (31 December 2020) and 4,000 watch hours (24 September 2021), I see no other purpose to keep posting on a weekly basis. Reaching this level was a goal that I set right from the beginning and I know it’s a bit cliché to say this but it has never been about the money. It was about setting a milestone that I can aim for. Indeed, reaching this milestone may appear easy to some but for most of us, it is/was EXTREMELY difficult. To meet monetization requirements, one needs to gain a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. Both of which are nearly impossible to obtain if you do not have the passion, skills, and patience. It was a smart m...

Today marks the day that I realize I’m slowly dying. As I woke up for the 14,612 th time, the earth finished its 39 th rotation around the sun since I first opened my eyes on this world. I took my 194 millionth breath, then I rose up, took a shower and brushed my teeth for the 28,470 th time. I got dressed and combed my hair for the 13,238 th time. I walked along the hall and down to solid ground. I said good morning to my wife and kids for the 5,112 th time and all of a sudden, I was reminded that nothing was permanent. I sipped my 2,100 th cup of coffee and headed out to my car. I twisted the key for the 16,792 nd time and as I set out on a new adventure, I was hit with nice memories of past adventures now faded in time. As I parked my car, I take my 52 millionth step and I realized that as I take these steps, I’m not just counting up but I’m counting down as my remaining steps left to be taken slowly shrink. It’s in this moment that I realize that I’m slowly dying, folks....

Ever since my children were born, I’ve been having this innate fear of losing them. I’m not talking about death or them leaving the nest one day. I’m talking about the inevitable event where they start to grow apart from you as they transition into their teenage years. They will prioritize friends and adulthood over you and as a parent, this must be devastating. No more will they want to hug and cuddle with you as they used to when they were little. They would prefer to hang-out with their friends instead of spending time with you. Of course they would occasionally join you to the mall, grocery shopping and stuff but there will be this gap that we feel as the distance between us grows larger and larger over the years. Before you know it, they graduate school and leave the nest and you will ask yourself “how the hell did they grow up so fast?” My routine is to go to work, get home, have dinner with the family and close the day off with some coffee and Youtube alone in the guest room f...

  I bought the world's smallest and lightest full frame mirrorless camera, the Sony A7C about a year ago, on 16 August 2021. This camera was meant to be an upgrade to my Canon G7X MII which I use for vlogging. So here is my 1 year review of this camera. Well, not really a comprehensive review. Just my experience and opinion having used it for 1 whole year. A lot of people are divided with this camera. People complain a lot about it, especially the professionals. The truth is, professionals are not part of Sony's target market with this camera. Let's break it down.  The three most common sensor sizes with interchangeable lens system cameras are micro four thirds (small), APSC (medium) and full frame (large). Now, professionals will almost always go for full frame due to its large sensor which yields better quality, more detail, better low light capability and better bokeh (background blur) to name a few. Consumers, hobbyists and enthusiasts will typically avoid full frame an...

 What is a blog? More so, what is a vlog? I am fulfilled and satisfied after having produced a video every week for the last 4 years. It made me happy and boosted my confidence. But what is the endgame here? Where is the finish line and what would it look like? I sure love the journey but am genuinely curious as to where this is heading. When it comes to vlogging, I do have set goals which I strive for. My view on the art went from curious to passionate to obsessive and now, sustained and maintained. I’m not sure where this journey will take me but I’m pretty sure it evolves with time. There’s really no way to tell where we would end up, for better or worse. I learned a lot through this experience. I spent a lot as well. I invested in quality gear. I invested a lot of time into researching, shooting and editing. And none of these I regret. In fact I value this experience and I enjoy the whole process of making a video. These videos may sometimes seem boring and mundane, but to ...

It's been a while since I last wrote here. Where do I even start? My last entry to this site was in December 2020. A lot of stuff happened since then. I'll try to cover the notable ones that I can remember.  After more than 4 years of planning and anticipating, me and the family finally moved to the new house. Moving is not easy. And through my experience and a few others' as well, there's no amount of planning that can guarantee a problem-free transition. We had a few bumps here and there but overall, the whole process went kinda smooth. Although we moved in December last year, we still had to live at the old house throughout January and February 2022. Due to Covid, school semesters end in February the following year instead of the usual December. So we find ourselves spending our weekdays at the old house and only going back to the new house on weekends. During our stay here at the old house, we have to endure the absence of a washing machine, TV and beds. We all slee...