Looking Back - Heathrow

I was feeling kinda lost when I reach Abu Dhabi. I tried walking around, going through the directories, study the flight time and gates, and I got tired of trying not to look lost. I am lost anyway, so I just sat down at the back row. The place was really small and compact. After I sat there for an hour, it's time to go.

I was realise I was quite reluctant to fly again. Probably because of the long hours and the boring moments travelling alone. At this point I was really tired. When I got onto the plane I got excited again. It never fail to amuse me looking out of the window during take off. Then the tiredness hits me again and I tried to sleep but I knew I wouldn't be able to.

Finally I reached London. The landing was delayed due to heavy mist in the area and we had to fly in circles for 30 minutes. The airport was quite packed. The customs were quite strict with a few people. I lined up for my turn for at least an hour. They asked me a few questions which I was too tired to remember, and then directed me to the medical office.

I was ready for this, already took my chest X-ray before I came here. When it was almost my turn, I panicked when I couldn't find the X-ray result in my hand luggage. Oh well, it took me another 45 minutes to convince the doctors that I'm well enough.

And it was in the doctor's office where I met a friend and he's from Malaysia as well. Then on, we collect our luggage, asked for directions, and bought ourselves bus tickets. He was heading to Oxford. At the bus station, it took another 2 hours I think, because the bus was delayed. But finally, I'm on my way to University of Hertfordshire. Finally.

Looking Back - Etihad

I was still looking out of the window. This is it. I'm off. There's no turning back anymore now.

It was amazing to be on a plane. I've always looked up to the skies and told myself, one day I'm gonna be in there. And I got my wish. One thing I disliked was the pressure. My ears hurt slightly and it gets irritating. I fumbled my hands with the controller and it still won't come off.. The stubborn thing.. I gave up and I pressed the buttons on the controller anyway, while it's stuck to the side of the seat. There was games, movies, music, news, documentary, and a few other tools.

I listened to music to help me with the pressure that's building up in my ear and it works. After a few songs, I got adventurous a bit and looked at the movie section. But to my disappointment, this screen that I got is problematic. It lags when I watch movie, and it auto-restarts when I listen to music. I finally gave up and ended up resting.

I did not sleep through the whole flight. Then they started serving food. I ordered lamb and some kinda weird rice. It was really delicious. They serve appetisers, main course, dessert, and tea. Then I rested again. And the food came again. I guess it was tea time. I've lost track of time throughout the whole flight. The food came quite often and I tried my best to finish everything till the last meal.

It seems like forever till they announced we're landing in Abu Dhabi. It's going to be a 2 hours transit so it's not going to be that bad. And here I am, in a foreign country. Abu Dhabi.

Looking Back - Farewell Malaysia

Let's start from the beginning.

I was at the airport and I never felt so blur and blank before. There wasn't anything running through my head. I look straight ahead and couldn't believe I would be leaving in such a short notice and time. Like what I said, took the Visa in the morning when I saw it was ready, collect my flight ticket, attended my grandma's funeral, and to the airport.

It was time for me to leave and I walked like a robot. I didn't know what to do but just do what I had to do. I walked down the escalator and wave as I go along. All I thought about was, am I late for the flight? I'm going off already. I can't believe it. Am I doing things right? Is anyone staring at me? Weird.

I was in the plane already the next thing. I made myself comfortable. I sat at the right side of the plane, aisle seat. There was a screen in front of me, a controller beside my seat, arm rest, pouch with magazine, adjustable leg rest, and a pull down platform for your foods or drinks.

I was blur. I tried pressing buttons on the controller but nothing happened. I tried removing it from the seat by pulling it but it didn't budge. I kicked down the leg rest, okay I've figured this leg rest out, it's comfortable but what about the screen? I poked and nudged the screen but it's still showing the Etihad sreensaver. I must've looked like a fool to the guy beside me. No matter. I settled down at last.

Everytime the guy beside me, an Arabian dude I think, did something I'll try my best to take a look at what he's doing while brushing or playing with my hair or something just to be natural. I tried looking out the window when the plane's about to take off. It was really cool imagining and thinking how an object this huge lift off.. The plane moved and I was as excited as a baby who haven't learn how to walk yet, but was placed on a cradle.

When the plane lifted off, I watched as I left Malaysia.

Time's Running.. And Fast

Hey guys! Sorry for not posting for so long already. It's been really busy nowadays. 1500 words report, 800 words SWAIN, Cover letter + CV, animatics & storyboard, and a showreel. All within this week. It's madness I tell you. But I've got it all almost covered. Trying not to stress myself because it's bad to stress myself when I'm so far away from home.

Things will be okay I hope when this week's over. Been raining a lot here lately. Gloomy skies. 4pm and it's already like 8pm in Malaysia. Cold as always. I've been in the room most of the time nowadays trying to get things done.

Anyway, here's what I cooked for lunch.


Fettucini and sliced sausages in chicken soup! It is very nice and very filling. Haha. Easy to cook too. K gotta get back to work!

The Workload

Ok I know this might sound crazy but it's true. And it is by my decision that I shall do this and never regret. I shall be strong and confident no matter the situation and I must be calm.

A final project, coming up with a short clip of at least 2 minutes long. Maximum of 3 person per group. Due next year, May 2009. I decided to do it alone.

Yes I know it's crazy. I heard how Vincent made it through the course doing the finals alone. He told me about the hard times through out the years and the amount of work to do. Seeing him reminds of The One Academy and he still sounds like me tutor. He was telling me how to manage my time and how important it is, the endless amount of work, the depression during winter.. it was cruel I tell you!

But I told myself I want to do this on my own.

Wait.. on my own? Nooooooooooooooo!

Currently, I have a reflective cycle report to do on my previous project which would be "Oh Non!", a SWAIN to realise my own strength and weaknesses, cover letter and CV, 6000 words degree essay, and animatics in a week's time for my finals. I wish myself luck..

Just Thoughts

Animation. A series of drawing that comes to life.

What's the difference between a real life motion picture compared to a mere.. what you call.. Animation? If I'm not mistaken. Pardon my ignorance upon such a lowly form of art, but I see no point at all in imitating a real movie, filled with the finest, best quality of photography that moves in sheer perfection.

Photography. I agree with you that what we see are indeed the finest, best, and perfect in every way.. in the eyes of men. It is exactly as you say. We animators, on the other hand, do not merely imitate such movements as you see through the lens of a camera. To do that, I would agree with you that there is indeed no point at all. Animations is a work of art. We tend to show and exaggerate what we, as men, do not fully realise the nature in our own movements. No one person walks the same as another. A walk, is like our fingerprint, unique.

We as animators tend to animate our characters beyond perfection compared to motion pictures. Beyond perfection in our own ways. Creating the impossible that no men can do under a camera lens. If this is, as you claimed, a lowly form of art, then I am overjoyed knowing that arts is much more than meets the eye. After all, I am merely just an artist.

Let's take a walk and I'll tell you more about the wonders of what we are doing. We're living in a world different from others. We're special.. and it's our responsibility to show the world that everything in the world is not just.. a world.

It's art.

Welcome to my life.