Le talented brother

 I have mentioned in my previous post that I have two younger brothers. Today, my post is about the first younger brother, Advinus. This brother of mine is weird, mean and talks fast. He eats a lot but never got fat. He has many friends due to his friendly nature, a complete opposite of my second younger brother, Bennydict. My second brother is the quiet one. He doesn’t talk a lot and have poor social skills.  It is very hard to make him talk. You can say million things; he will only reply with a few words. That irritates my parents a lot but I guess that is just how he is. However, these two have one thing in common; they like to yell at my younger sister which for me (and I guess for all of you too) is a very bad thing. If I were there when they yelled at her, I would yell at them back even though my sister would yell back at them too. Due to the influence of her two brothers, my sister has become rough and boyish. She should have a female role model so that she could become a fine lady (like me). But I am away from home most of the time *Worry TT.TT.

                Anyway, back to Advinus. I tell you this kid is one talented brat. Not that I am jealous of him (well, a bit) but he is talented in drawings. I guess it all started from me. I like watching Animes and reading Manga a lot (you can see some of my Anime DVD collection in my previous post) since I was young (not that I’m already old). Because I liked how beautiful the characters were, I started buying drawing blocks and drew them. I got addicted to drawing and writing stories when I was in high school because I have friends whom I could exchange my works with. After some time, I started to develop my own character styles and didn’t copy Animes’ characters anymore. Instead, I created my own story and characters. My brother got exposed to my works and was influenced. He started watching Animes and reading Manga. I remember we fought a lot over the TV remote control because our favourite Animes were aired on different channels. We even hide the remote controls. Haha. Those days.

                So during the holiday, I looked into some of his drawings. I searched under the bed, in the cupboard and under the cupboard for he hides them very well. Nevertheless, I found them slipped under the piles of his books. I took pictures of some of his drawings without considering myself violating his terms and conditions. LOL. His drawing styles change from time to time so you’ll see that his drawings differ from one another in the pictures that I’ll show you. And I think he’s also influenced by my styles because I can see the similarities. Anyway, I edited those pictures so that they have better lighting and easier for all of you to see. However, I didn’t do any changes to these pictures, just the lighting. Oh, I also cropped them. But that's it. So you can be sure that these pictures are the pictures of my brother’s original drawings. No Photoshop.  Oh, by the way; he uses the pen name Lent Cross. That is why in some of the drawings, it is written ‘By: Lent Cross’. Enjoy :). 

Not bad eh..

My fav.

Another fav of mine.

He even makes his own comic!

This is my drawing when I was in Form 5. He keeps them together with his drawings. For inspiration and reference I guess. Gosh. It has been so long since I last produced a drawing of my own. 




* Love ya brother and I wish only the best in life for you. God bless you.



We have come to the end of today's post. I hope you enjoy my brother's work. Feel free to leave comments and feedbacks. Good day people.

First Coffee Talk

Hi everyone.

         How are you all? Me?I'm doing all fine (wearing a big smile and aching heart). Anyway, the end is always the starting point of something new, something better. This I can promise.
       
         Anyway, I am in my homeland! Oh, how I miss Borneo. It's Kaamatan season but I don't think that I will be celebrating it. I have not been celebrating it for years because my family thinks that it is a pagan festival. Well, to tell you the truth, it used to be. But nowadays most Borneans celebrate Kaamatan because it is their identity. The animistic rituals are no longer practiced. A lot associates Kaamatan with drinking alcoholic beverages including the famous local 'tapai'; which I don't really agree. It is not like that. I remember meeting this one uncle some time ago, he is the boss of someone I dear. He offered me a drink but I rejected politely because I just didn't feel like adding alcohol into my diet(hoho). Then he said; 'Ongko tulun Dusun ko ti' which means 'you are not a real Dusun'. As if drinking is in the blood of the Kadus people. I do drink but rarely. When I say rarely, it means once or twice a year, a half glass to a  full glass each time. That's it. I managed to smile before him but deep in my heart, I felt very uneasy. You can't say that I am not a Dusun just because I don't drink much. I drink for the purpose of drinking, like coke and tea and etc. Not to get drunk. However, we happened to get along really well.

    I am just so glad that I have finished my third semester. Now, another 5 semesters to go. Maigaddd.....lamanya....By the time I finish my degree, I will be 24 and we're in the open market now. No more guaranteed posting. Bila la buli ada kerja tetap, bila lagi mau kawin, bila lagi mau ada family sendiri. Things are really messy for me now. But you know what they say about God's plan; if He brings you to it, He will bring you through it. I'm holding to that. 

          I will be going back to my beloved hometown; Ranau tomorrow. I can't wait to see my mom, Ms. Precious and my brother; Benny now that I've seen my dad and Inus. 

     

Miss Precious a.k.a Bernadette Jauni a.k.a Iddith a.k.a Senradit a.k.a Benradit dan semua yang sewaktu dengannya..

She can be weird sometimes....

 

but she will always be my little sister. Arrr..womanly tears *wipe wipe

Le Bennydict Jauni a.k.a Benny, Ben, Ombong(hahahaha)..but he'll always be 'Adi' to me.

 

Advinus Jauni a.k.a Inus a.k.a Vinut

   

Well, he has always been weird.

    

Notice the dog at the back, its name is Kurut.

These are old pictures actually. But you know what, I'll take pictures during my two weeks stay at my hometown and will upload them. Until next time *most probably after two weeks. With love, bye.

May is Kaamatan month!

Paddy to be harvested on harvest season. Photo is by me so credit to me !

     Hi all. It's May and for the Sabahans, you know what this particular month is famous for-KAAMATAN! So what is Kaamatan, you may ask me. Well, it's an annual cultural event of the KadazanDusuns(Kadus) people as well as several other ethnics in Sabah since time immemorial.  The word Kaamatan is derived from the root word 'tomot', a Kadus term for 'harvest'. So basically Kaamatan is Harvest Festival. 'In it's deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a manifestation of Creator and Creation relationship, as well as Inter-Creations relationship'-Wiki. The influence of the Christian missionaries during the 20th century had resulted in Christianity rising to prominence among the native Sabahans especially among the Kadus, Murut and Lundayeh people. Thus, Kaamatan is no longer associated with the traditional Kaamatan animistic rituals. However, a small minority still practices them. 

2012 State Level Unduk Ngadau

    Unduk Ngadau is like the phenomenal event every time Kaamatan is celebrated each year. It is a manifestation to the deep sense of respect and admiration the Kadus people have for the legendary Huninodun. Every year, most districts in Sabah would hold Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant to choose a representative to represent their districts to the state level Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant which would be held at KadazanDusun Cultural Association (KDCA) in Penampang.

   

     However, many critiques have voiced out their opinion that Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant has become just another vain beauty pageant. Blogger Jesse Jeremy Joy wrote in his post entitled 'Unduk Ngadau : Beauty or Cause?' that Nadira Ilana, a Sabahan filmmaker told him that 'the Unduk Ngadau is meant to embody the spirit of Huminodun whereby she represents kindness, wisdom, humility, generosity, selflessness and those origins of her beauty'. These days, Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant is more focused on the concept of physical 'beauty'. According to Jesse, Nadira expressed her concern about the growing number of 'pageants' that only focus on women's physical appearances. 'There's wisdom, values and attributes behind it that the contestants should manifest', Jesse said. The legend behind Unduk Ngadau is what makes this pageant a unique one. The contestants should strive to show their inner beauty instead of flaunting their so called physical natural beauty because the body will change as time passes by but the charisma and wisdom one embody will remain. 

* For further reading, visit Jesse Jeremy Joy's blog Jesse Joy - Unduk Ngadau : Beauty or Cause?

    Anyway, I simply want to share my opinion. I don't mean to say that the crowned Unduk Ngadaus don't deserve the title.  Now I would like to share to you some of the State Level Unduk Ngadau winners. 

Daphne M. Iking, 2003 State Level Unduk Ngadau. She represented Klang Valley.

Madelyne M. Nandu, 2005 State Level Unduk Ngadau. She represented Penampang district.

Joanna Sue Henley Rampas, 2007 State Level Unduk Ngadau.  She represented Tuaran district.

Botiza Arthur Disimond, 2011 State Level Unsuk Ngadau. Again, she's from Penampang.

Melinda Louis, 2012 State Level Unduk Ngadau. She  represented the Telupid district. 

     I know right. They are all gorgeous. Well physically that is. However, being the curious type of person, I've gone to the net and read articles about them. I've  also heard stories from friends who happened to know them. Nevertheless, good job Unduk Ngadaus. May all of you continue to be the ambassadors of our beloved 'Land Below the Wind', that you all are. 

That would be all for now people.

 Kotobian Tadau Tagayo Do Kaamatan (I am a Dusun by the way. That is why I say 'tagayo' instead of 'Tagazo'). Aramai tiii!!

*Photos found in Google.

When I reflect.

Ever seen a picture and you just can't stop staring at it? I did. Many times. The thing is I really love collecting pictures (I usually download them from the internet. Hohoho) One picture can tell many stories and most of the times; these stories stir something deep inside me. Sometimes they bring back memories and sometimes they just touch my heart. So today I want to share some pictures that really touch me but before that, be informed that I did not take these pictures. I don't own them. Most of them are courtesy of Google. Some I downloaded from inspiring Facebook pages as well as from other websites. So don't spread to others that I claim ownership of these photos. Peace :). So these are the photos..

Okay so you may wonder, "Why this picture?". Remember when I say 'sometimes they bring back memories'? This picture brings my childhood memories back. It reminds me of my grandpa. My aki. I don't remember much about my aki but one thing for sure, he was the best grandpa. I did not get the chance to see my fraternal grandpa so my aki was the only grandpa I knew.  I remember him hesitating to touch my younger brother when he was small as if he was afraid he might hurt him. I remember his calloused hand stroking my brother's head. I remember his tired and old face. I also remember the time when he started falling sick. That was when he seemed not to recognize me anymore. It has been 12 years aki. I really miss you.

Notice one of the mom's/dad's legs? I can't help but notice how happy the puppy is walking beside its mom/dad despite her/his imperfection. Many of us forget how little things can either hurt or make someone happy. The moment when you refuse to walk side by side with your mom/dad because you are ashamed by her/his appearance, she/he is hurt. You may not tell or show that you are ashamed but she/he knows. The moment you give her/him a hug  or do small thing for her/him, she/he is happy. Life is not about finding other people to be in your life. Instead, it is about appreciating those who are already given to you despite their imperfection because those are the people you need in your life.They're given to you by God. Don't take them for granted because He can take them back.

 The moment when you give someone a chance to experience life from you point of view. But most of the times, they never appreciate the chance. When that time comes, walk away.

 At one point, two people can fall for each other. Maybe temporarily, maybe at a wrong time, maybe too late, or maybe forever.

This particular is one of my favs. Babies' innocence always make me smile. When I say babies, I mean all babies. Note that the pup is also a baby. Both are curious. I bet it was the first time they meet each other.

Talking about FAITH.

To all girls.

The caption tells it all. You can always inspire other people. Don't wait for other people to inspire you.

Sometimes you just know when you had enough.

One of the most beautiful pictures ever taken. You see love and courage in  this picture. Simply breathtaking. Sometimes, it is a wonder how animals show love more than human. Here we are claiming ourselves as the most gifted creation of God but we know some of us are incapable of loving. They spread hatred instead of love. They tell sadness instead of happiness. They utter lies instead of the truth. If that is the story, then how gifted are we?

I guess ten pictures are more than enough for today. We walk through life and reflect ourselves. Often do we look at life from the same point of view but changing point of view won't hurt.

True Love

It has been quite some time since I last updated this blog of mine. I am still new so I don't know much about blogging. I don't know how to make my blog interesting nor do I know how to attract people to see and follow my blog. Hoho..

        Anyway, I just want to share to my two followers about the current book that I am reading. It is one of the Chicken Soup series. I tell you, Chicken Soup books are the best inspirational books ever. The books share many motivating stories which are more like bibliotheraphies. 

         This one particular story is one of my favourites. It is one of those stories that move something inside you, you know. So here it is..

        

         ' Moses Mendelssohn, the grandfather of the well-known German composer, was far from being handsome. long with a rather short stature, he had a grotesque hunchback.

           

          One day, he visited a merchant in Hamburg who had a lovely daughter named Frumtje. Moses fell hopelessly in love with her. But Frumtje was repulsed by his misshapen appearance.

         When it came  time for him to leave, Moses gathered his courage and climbed the stairs to her room to take one last opportunity to speak with her. She was a vision of heavenly beauty, but caused him deep sadness by her refusal to look at him. After several attempts at conversation, Moses shyly asked,

         " Do you believe marriages are made in heaven?"

         " Yes," she answered, still looking at the floor. " And do you?"

        " Yes I do," he replied. " You see, in heaven at the birth if each boy, the Lord announces which girl he will marry. When I was born, my future bride was pointed out to me. Then the lord added, " But your wife will be humpbacked"

         "Right then and there I called out, 'Oh Lord, a humpbacked woman would be a tragedy. Please, Lord, give me the hump and let her be beautiful.'"

        Then Frumthe looked up into his eyes and was stirred by some deep memory. She reached out and gave Mendelssohn her hand and later became his devoted wife. '

        
                                                                     That's love :)

Le Demore's Animes

     After a long weekend, I finally came back and I would like to talk about my addiction (laughs softly). What addiction? Well, it's more of a hobby actually. It is ANIME! I've always liked to watch anime. I am sure that most people know what anime is; it is the abbreviated pronunciation of animation in Japanese. So basically, anime is a style of animation originating in Japan. There are many famous anime production studios in Japan(Studio Ghibli , Studio Gallop, Sunrise , Gonzo, Gainax  and more). When I was little, I only watched them on TV but since I am currently studying away from home, I would usually just go the DVD stores and buy the animes I like(if I have money la..). In Penang, you can get anime DVDs at a very low and affordable price at Popular Bookstores and Artist Gallery DVD Stores nearest to you. I have been here in Penang for almost three years now and I have collected quite a number of anime DVDs ^_^..Weee~

These are among the anime DVDs I have in my collection. If any of them went missing, I would probably be crying for days(if not weeks)..haa. I love them all @_@

These three are my all time favorites! (i) Speed Grapher by Gonzo studio 'follows the exploits of former war photographer Tatsumi Saiga, who investigates a secret fetish club for the ultra-wealthy Roppongi Club'-Wiki. While doing his mission, he meets the club's 'goddess' , Kagura and so their journey begins. (ii) Originally written by Nobuhiro Watsuki, the Studio Gallop's 1996 classic release; Rurouni Kenshin  is a story about the former blood-thirst assassin 'Hitokari Battosai', Kenshin Himura who became a wanderer after participating in the Bakumatsu War. He wanders the countryside of Japan offering protection to those in need and aid to the Japanese Government from  the enemies who intend to destroy the Meiji Era as atonement for the murders he once committed. (iii) Trinity Blood by Gonzo studio tells about the '....on-going cold war between the Vatican, the human government, and the 'New Human Empire', the government of the vampiric Methuselah. Fighting on the Vatican's side is Abel Nightroad, a Crusnic-a vampire that feeds on vampires.'-Wiki

Studio Ghibli has produced many interesting and high-quality anime movies. One of them is this one- From Up On Poppy Hill. It is about a group of teens who look to save their school's clubhouse, Quartier Latin from the wrecking ball fro the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. While in the process of saving the clubhouse, many things happen whereby the two main characters in this story, Umi Matsuzaki and Shun Kazama, learn to love and sacrifice. They also learn about trust and friendship and how history should be preserved instead of being forgotten.   

     Hatorubi no Mori e or The Light of a Firefly Forest by Brain's Case studio is originally written by Yuki Midorikawa. It is about a young girl named Hotaru and her friendship with Gin, a spirit who she meets at the age of six in a mountain forest near her grandfather's country home. Hotaru learns that Gin cannot be touched by a human or he would disappear forever. They become friends until Hotaru is in high school when a tragedy happens.

       Some people have the typical assumption that animes are only meant for small kids. I remember my dad saying that anime is meaningless and buying anime DVDs wastes money. Sometimes, I do spend quite a lot to buy them but when you like something, spending some money on it won't hurt. One must know when he can afford and cannot afford to buy it. People must also know that there are animes for small children as well as for mature viewers; the same thing goes with cartoons. It is a person's typical mind that says they are only for small children. The animes above aren't for small children because the plots are rather hard to understand. One has to pay attention to the dialogues and sequence of events of these animes in order to fully understand them because there are many messages that are conveyed indirectly. So, regardless of whatever other people's opinions are, I'm sticking to this 'addiction' of mine. I will add more anime DVDs in my collection and I will watch all of them until bosan but I don't think I will ever get bored....

A bit to the sentimental side

'Penghujung Cintaku' ; this one particular Indonesian song is one of my favorites. I first heard this song about a year ago when my brother played it on his phone and I instantly fell in love with it. It talks about love (of course), loyalty and the sincere willingness to devote into a marriage commitment. I have an open mind about relationships. I mean, at one point, two people can fall for each other. Maybe temporarily, maybe at a wrong time, maybe too late, or maybe forever. To be fully seen by somebody, then, be loved anyhow is one of the most amazing experience one can have. Some would end up marrying each other while some would just stay together because love is like that; it is unconditional. It's a free world; we are free to demonstrate love the way we want to(but of course things aren't the same for everybody). You can even create your own vows for your relationship. However, nothing could replace the old 'to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part'  . It is this string of words that truly binds two souls as man and wife.