tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60631221226570467622024-03-13T12:38:17.479+08:00La Pari-Pari LangkawiThe blog of our journey towards bringing our 20-room, mid-range boutique resort in Langkawi, Malaysia to life.Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-67110360365116376402011-11-16T17:28:00.000+08:002011-11-16T17:28:44.760+08:00In Her Own Words: Poet Alina Rastam at La Pari-PariEarlier we sent out <a href="http://laparipari.blogspot.com/2011/11/showcase-your-creativity.html">a request for Malaysian-based artists to showcase their creations </a>at La Pari-Pari's retail space. The first to answer our call is Alina Rastam, a Malaysian poet who has published two volumes of her poetry - <i>Diver</i> and <i>All The Beloveds</i>. Her books will be available at our shop when we open in January.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeKJZCM17hln3yAf_mvQJz8dLjpqt2xYZQDdnY4AK62uHitX9f_XcQMD4Yv6ABcCKGaknmaoIsjDdEEr7QmkSMv57dSckq_VPuqdM4BBvwVVp7qEemCMtqPJfKlCL6QGFRjFjtYvMLT1s/s1600/DiverCvr_RGB_sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeKJZCM17hln3yAf_mvQJz8dLjpqt2xYZQDdnY4AK62uHitX9f_XcQMD4Yv6ABcCKGaknmaoIsjDdEEr7QmkSMv57dSckq_VPuqdM4BBvwVVp7qEemCMtqPJfKlCL6QGFRjFjtYvMLT1s/s320/DiverCvr_RGB_sml.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diver, by Alina Rastam, which incidentally <br />
features a cover shot taken at Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We're still looking for more work to populate our shelves, so if you have something you think may be suitable, <a href="http://laparipari.blogspot.com/2011/11/showcase-your-creativity.html">do let us know</a>. <br />
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Here Alina talks about her work, her journey with her own poetry and from where she draws her inspiration.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What made you take the self-publishing route for your collections? </b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I did contact some publishers when I was working on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Diver</i>, but found that no one is really interested in publishing poetry. So I realised that if I wanted to get my work out, I would have to self-publish. And yes, I would definitely be open to going the more traditional route in future – self-publishing is costly and involves a lot of hard work! - but I don’t see the situation changing soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Still, there are benefits to self-publishing: I was able to be involved with the production of my books at every level and was present when the books were ‘born’ at the printers’ etc. I learnt a lot from the process and am really grateful to have had these experiences. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2. There's this popular notion that poets tend to be people who daydream a lot and sit by lakes and seashores thinking of their work. How far or close to the truth is this for you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t have a routine – the poetry comes when it comes. I’ve done many different kinds of writing in my career – newspaper reporting, book reviews, opinion pieces, lectures and talks – and I’ve found that whereas with my articles and analytical pieces, I can determine when I want to write, with poetry I have to pretty much be led by the poetry. Sometimes I don’t write any poetry for months. Sometimes I write two poems in a week. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The process of writing poetry, for me, involves working with processes that go on in the subconscious or unconscious self. With the analytical pieces, I can marshall together my facts and arguments and write them when I want to as the process is mostly an intellectual one. Poetry involves going much deeper, into realms of feeling, desire, dreams, realms that exist beyond the mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Which is not to say that writing poetry is just about throwing all your feelings on paper. Anyone can throw lines on a page, but good poetry works on many levels, so that you get intellectual integrity as well as emotional resonance. Good poetry also requires a high level of control of language and mastery of technique. You need to make sure the sound and visual elements of the poem add to and support your overall vision of the poem as a whole, rather than clashing with it. Some people like to use unconventional punctuation or startling imagery but without a real reason for doing so, but then the work is just sensational and without depth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So for me, poetry requires a lot of technical and intellectual work but because my poetry draws on subconscious processes, I must be led by it in terms of when and what I write. Often, I write nothing for months and am just busy living life – but then a poem needs to be written, and once I’ve written it, I see that even though I’ve been running around attending to the demands of life, some part of me has been integrating the experiences I’ve had and making meaning out of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3. As a poet, what do you think is the role poetry plays in the spectrum of creative fiction, in terms of what readers get out of it versus reading a short story or a novel, for example.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As a genre, poetry works with brevity and concentration and as such facilitates the attainment of a high pitch of emotional intensity. Fiction – novels, short stories – have the space and length that poetry doesn’t as most poems are short (of course there are exceptions eg epic poems like the Iliad or the Aeneid). With a novel, the writer can be discursive, and can describe people, ideas and things at great length. You can have an entire chapter dedicated to the description of a person; or even to a part of a person or an animal (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Moby Dick</i>, for instance, has a whole chapter describing a whale’s penis!) <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Poetry, however, works with brevity, with concision and precision. In a novel, you can have ten or twenty extra words without them making a huge difference to the text – in a poem, because it is so short, every word counts. In fact, sometimes every <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">syllable</i> counts – think, for instance, of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">haiku</i> which is traditionally written in three lines of seventeen syllables. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">What this does is to enable the poet to create a very high level of emotional intensity in the reader. It’s hard for a novelist to do this, as having lot of words often diffuses emotions – you may feel a feeling - joy or melancholy or nostalgia, for example - for a longer time via a novel, but you will feel it less intensely. I’m not saying poetry is better than fiction, though: each genre works differently, and we have to choose whatever suits us best. It’s a matter of personal preference.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbvR65wY7rqx1IK9AnQqQShuDHTyxP02Fo8ii0la3iviLC9jn_Or4nT4q2pZ3850_C55dRM5YTB3FrWN8Cjl-vzCN4oOB9-GRb_hrVeLiBN_zbjmFM3N54j14jA37D3fEQpRolunPlxzg/s1600/ATB_cover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbvR65wY7rqx1IK9AnQqQShuDHTyxP02Fo8ii0la3iviLC9jn_Or4nT4q2pZ3850_C55dRM5YTB3FrWN8Cjl-vzCN4oOB9-GRb_hrVeLiBN_zbjmFM3N54j14jA37D3fEQpRolunPlxzg/s320/ATB_cover1.jpg" width="223" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">5. How do you feel <i>Diver</i> differs from <i>All The Beloveds</i> as collections? </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></b></div><!--EndFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I think <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beloveds </i>was the continuation of a process that started with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Diver. </i>I realised after writing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Diver </i>that the psychological and emotional process I had embarked on at that stage of my life, which found expression in and was the animating principle of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Diver</i>, had not ended: there were still things I needed to say and explore. So I started writing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beloveds</i>. In a sense, therefore, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beloveds</i> was the continuation of a process, but it also went in new directions, especially in terms of technique. I was teaching a course on experimental writing at Monash University while I was writing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beloveds</i> and some of what I covered in that course found its way into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beloveds</i> – see ‘The Glass Sea’ for example, which is clearly experimental.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>6. There is a strong, almost visceral thread of emotion in your poetry, and a lot of it seems very personal, almost memoir-like in a way. What was it like writing your pieces? </b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Poetry for me is a journey inward. I think many of us are distanced or completely cut off from the deep sources of life in us: from our own feelings, our yearnings, the deep hurts and pain that is part of being human and that all of us have. What we often don’t realise is that when numb ourselves to all those ‘bad’ feelings, and focus on our external achievements so that we don’t have to face them, we also lose the capacity to feel the ‘good’ feelings: the joy, the love, the passion of life. So we end up in a wasteland: physically alive, but dead inside. T.S. Eliot’s poem of that name dealt with this issue at one level: how can you bring life back to those for whom the springs of life have gone dry? There is also the story of The Fisher King in the Arthurian legends – a King who has an un-healable wound and whose land was a wasteland, where the rivers have dried up and the ground is barren and the people starving. Eliot was referring to this story in his poem; and both Eliot’s poem and this story talk about a condition of psychological and spiritual deadness that can befall countries and individuals. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Going inward, for me, was a way to finally face and come to terms with a lot that I had repressed and not wanted to deal in my life. I know that the process, though it involved a lot of pain and more courage than I knew I had, is life enhancing: for one thing, it started me writing poetry again after years of not doing so. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Having said that, I am very mindful that poetry is an art and a discipline, not just a vehicle for exploring your feelings and emotions. It’s not a journal, where you can write anything and not worry about technique and skill; or your therapist at whom you can vent. Poetry can be a way for you to connect with your deeper self, but the material must still be shaped and worked with to the best of your ability. If you are doing it right you will find that every poem puts new demands on your technical skill, and so you are constantly being pushed to grow as an artist and as a human being.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>7. As a poet, what is your intent in writing your poetry and putting the pieces that you do out there for people to read?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">‘Only connect’ says E.M. Forster in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Passage to India</i> which is one of my favourite novels. I publish my books in the hope that somewhere out there, there will be people who will be able to connect with what I’ve written. Also because I believe in the poetry and it must have its own life which it cannot do if I were to keep it under wraps. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I’d like to end this by saying thank you, Karina, for coming up with these insightful and stimulating questions. I’ve enjoyed this opportunity to think about poetry and what it means to me. And I wish you all the very best for La Pari Pari!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jFcoF3NVD5-XzD3U_1rqlJbdsZaVpfUH604cajdH3McmSUtWmuCoAUpqecou8DK0YPyOoNq9_SdZlOhatIMGRW4KryK3KNsyn3Py3q_ucBv5iyutkTGNzThmbG37DBwd3hs_EA7IPZaw/s1600/Alina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jFcoF3NVD5-XzD3U_1rqlJbdsZaVpfUH604cajdH3McmSUtWmuCoAUpqecou8DK0YPyOoNq9_SdZlOhatIMGRW4KryK3KNsyn3Py3q_ucBv5iyutkTGNzThmbG37DBwd3hs_EA7IPZaw/s200/Alina.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times;"><i>Alina has a First Class Honours in English Literature from Durham University, UK and a M.A. with Distinction in English Literature and Women's Studies from lancaster University, UK. She is a freelance writer/editor and conducts workshops on literature and creative writing. She has written on literature and the arts, as well as on social issues for various publications including NST, The Sun and Off The Edge.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><i>Diver & Other Poems was published in 2009 and All The Beloveds in 2011. Her work has also appeared in Tautan (2011), an anthology of Malaysian and German contemporary poetry produced by the Goethe Institute KL in collaboration with the National Translation Institute and in Readings from Readings: New Malaysian Writing (2011) edited by Sharon Bakar and Bernice Chauly.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><i>For enquiries about Alina's writing and her workshops, write to her at binfy15@yahoo.com.</i></span><br />
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</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-67292062796613832702011-11-04T19:21:00.001+08:002011-11-04T19:22:09.446+08:00Showcase Your Creativity!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CwJ2QjBYaW0Fon4xeWMTykrCOT2Oug-B5_QDMoGmttHUoSVaq7vV3Z0Qwy3k1NV6diF69zVH1TddUh3QfY_HnhZoXlxVs8_czSTbWkJvN691N1mGw7wrk2pKHfoEeSani1qR36WkdzIt/s1600/313483_10150348933266083_533546082_10112828_882655_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CwJ2QjBYaW0Fon4xeWMTykrCOT2Oug-B5_QDMoGmttHUoSVaq7vV3Z0Qwy3k1NV6diF69zVH1TddUh3QfY_HnhZoXlxVs8_czSTbWkJvN691N1mGw7wrk2pKHfoEeSani1qR36WkdzIt/s400/313483_10150348933266083_533546082_10112828_882655_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nessa The Angel by our Chairman - Kaeden, age 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We are currently allocating a small retail space in our reception lobby and would like to showcase creations by Malaysian-based artists/creators. Since our resort is going to have visitors from all over the world, we thought why not use it as an outlet for promoting Malaysian-based talent? After all, we are a pretty creative bunch.<br />
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</div><div>Criteria:</div><div>1. Must be SMALL - books, CDs, small jewelry items, clothing and knick-knacks are OK. Unfortunately, we don't have room for large objects.</div><div>2. Items must be created or designed by a Malaysian or Malaysian resident.</div><div>3. Sales will be purely on consignment basis and designer/creator must bear shipment cost of stock to La Pari-Pari. For things like books and CDs, please provide us with a non-returnable browsing copy.</div><div>4. No perishable items please.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Think of items that would make great souvenirs for travellers visiting our resort and restaurant. Ideally, we are looking for items that would give visitors a nice alternative to the usual, kitschy tourist souvenirs that are often sold. If it gives them a taste of our culture (contemporary or traditional), even better. And no, you don't have to be famous. You just have to produce something unique and wonderful :-) One-off items are also welcome.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Those interested, kindly e-mail karina@laparipari.com with details of the item/s you would like to sell as well as suggested retail price. Stock will need to be delivered to us before January 31st. We are only looking to stock small numbers of each item.</div><div><br />
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</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-17529365125265268952011-10-28T13:27:00.000+08:002011-10-28T13:27:42.580+08:00The Magic of Mia!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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Like I've said time and again, there is undoubtedly more than a little magic that has helped us get this far. Every time we've been stuck for ideas or resources, someone has come to the rescue.<br />
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</div><div>This time it has come in the guise of a friend who is practically family, whose courage I hugely admire. Mia took a break from her advertising career three or so years ago to pursue her passion in art and today is one of Malaysia's up and coming artists. As someone who is only a fledgling writer, I know full well how challenging this must have been for her. But she has come a long way in such a short time. If you don't know her, it's time you do :-) Visit <a href="http://www.miafarizza.com/">her website</a> please to get acquainted :-) I think she does a far better job of telling her own story than I ever can.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ylEVeTmaS_DFwxUUsFwSMfd8-xauJns8Tf-Ss3rng9XdedIgKFDxJhhyphenhyphenfqGivqKDTGTXvIL51zeMLZOdXXWr_I2YPjrJ09ZkRjzYN_kgAxZQpa2P6W5Du-WoSYpTgnZ7bNqvqXSqFaIU/s1600/34644_404178380735_20265040735_4786410_1747762_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ylEVeTmaS_DFwxUUsFwSMfd8-xauJns8Tf-Ss3rng9XdedIgKFDxJhhyphenhyphenfqGivqKDTGTXvIL51zeMLZOdXXWr_I2YPjrJ09ZkRjzYN_kgAxZQpa2P6W5Du-WoSYpTgnZ7bNqvqXSqFaIU/s400/34644_404178380735_20265040735_4786410_1747762_n.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favourite pieces by Mia - Biru, photographed on exhibit at the National Art Gallery. It now resides in a private collection in Singapore.</td></tr>
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</div><div>And, she's currently working on a NEW piece, specially for La Pari-Pari's reception lounge! Stay tuned for the big reveal.</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-92139401566182542612011-10-27T17:54:00.000+08:002011-10-27T17:54:30.243+08:00Here Comes The Sun!Finally, the rain seems to have let up a wee bit and we are commencing construction on the public spaces.<div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXu0Ghl_lKD5OetGI-DLCKyvthyocEWug-W9_Ccf-moKxVUxcd-b2uRiFTv85tqVNtIXzTfTlo0s_ynEccKXVrtPuPudZ7d0BVzO5l1WLGjyssJYPOOlcFejsfVxmumEXEgpDUgWMR8Mb/s1600/DSC00716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXu0Ghl_lKD5OetGI-DLCKyvthyocEWug-W9_Ccf-moKxVUxcd-b2uRiFTv85tqVNtIXzTfTlo0s_ynEccKXVrtPuPudZ7d0BVzO5l1WLGjyssJYPOOlcFejsfVxmumEXEgpDUgWMR8Mb/s320/DSC00716.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We even managed to salvage debris from a landslide elsewhere on the island and re-use it for our foundation!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PWJU_72TT3AOq436h4Lm_77whej1RA-vM8aXFLZWVIsT3wR7MKfx8fXXsk-olZsYmFSgDNJpMctX1H_3rtnlLsBqU3twTuzFOrqquLqgR50HF3QetkONFfHt0iWZPaOgm_QDft87B0r2/s1600/DSC00708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PWJU_72TT3AOq436h4Lm_77whej1RA-vM8aXFLZWVIsT3wR7MKfx8fXXsk-olZsYmFSgDNJpMctX1H_3rtnlLsBqU3twTuzFOrqquLqgR50HF3QetkONFfHt0iWZPaOgm_QDft87B0r2/s320/DSC00708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a view of our restaurant, reception and office-to-be - being prepped for the concrete foundation :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, the rooms have been plastered with the gorgeous sand from our very own soil, ready for me to pick the paint colours end of this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZXzixKibEx8DSIATVUXE-aIqp4n0ouXXw7HJi_D4YsA6mFkOF26G_X9iZWJmYpxvgSOYsZTCBQ36WvEmyLw94g3FHUuHJcbbNVQ2upN6RIb6Sv4W2dGbEkg9gtGjcjDhY6qzPxpDELU_/s1600/171020113839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZXzixKibEx8DSIATVUXE-aIqp4n0ouXXw7HJi_D4YsA6mFkOF26G_X9iZWJmYpxvgSOYsZTCBQ36WvEmyLw94g3FHUuHJcbbNVQ2upN6RIb6Sv4W2dGbEkg9gtGjcjDhY6qzPxpDELU_/s320/171020113839.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMumYJbcA_AFz7cdb3JWoRwIbIh9ZZJjvAFdIAxmkg1z0INRJg1mxasbKaE8kcQsJtEwgVXm0ShKf2K8jBh55rXa6diyIqXqsZKMyqSCWpdde_KrncvfJxz8fWBqoz0DOFPtsSjl1zjYv/s1600/171020113835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMumYJbcA_AFz7cdb3JWoRwIbIh9ZZJjvAFdIAxmkg1z0INRJg1mxasbKaE8kcQsJtEwgVXm0ShKf2K8jBh55rXa6diyIqXqsZKMyqSCWpdde_KrncvfJxz8fWBqoz0DOFPtsSjl1zjYv/s320/171020113835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't our gables look great in white?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our website too is on its way, with first-cut design drafts looking very nice :-) Hopefully it will be up and running in January, in time for our opening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now come the fun bits.... the choosing of paint, cushion fabrics and all the nice, pretty things that will make La Pari-Pari complete. Although these are things that typically made me excited in the past, especially when it came to my soon-to-be ex-home in KL, I have found that making interior decorating decisions for 12 rooms is a lot more nerve-wracking - because one little mistake will be repeated a dozen times!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even a case of shortening curtains by a few inches is a major exercise when you are dealing with over 60 pieces! Thank God Mommy has come to the rescue, and with her resourcefulness, unearthed someone deep in the heart of Shah Alam who is willing to do it for a decent price. Over and over again, I am blessed, with people around me giving their time and expertise so generously to help us pull all of this off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So fingers crossed, we WILL open in January :-) It's not long to go, folks, and don't I know it! :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-86658543782346664512011-09-20T10:35:00.001+08:002011-09-20T10:36:55.609+08:00Life As A Chief Everything Officer...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Some of you have expressed your friendly envy of my new lifestyle-to-be. While life as a would-be entrepreneur and dare I say it hotelier is certainly exciting, it's not without its hairy moments!</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">For someone who is used to the corporate environment, and an army of staff to depend on, this whole going-it-on-my-own thing has been an experiment in exercising my long-forgotten micro-management skills. Not to mention having to accept the fact that weekends are workdays as well!</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">This is how things have changed for me since leaving the 9 to 5.....</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNsBhc4feAOtrDNprK8bj1S8WAWpiisQexvaTMmvo4NsBGK9iguPAB9Ms1b9Nl2w1kTclStNNTdODA3A-u46PvakBGaw4s-Shr9aZlHjPU23xqzBZQKHxZjpuwP-5ppY07Yk922z7ZAL4/s1600/P1070793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNsBhc4feAOtrDNprK8bj1S8WAWpiisQexvaTMmvo4NsBGK9iguPAB9Ms1b9Nl2w1kTclStNNTdODA3A-u46PvakBGaw4s-Shr9aZlHjPU23xqzBZQKHxZjpuwP-5ppY07Yk922z7ZAL4/s400/P1070793.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The closest La Pari-Pari will ever get to a Board Meeting!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Although I have to admit, those bygone GLC habits have been hard to kick. In fact, I think we've one-upped it - going further on the culinary menu than the mandatory kuih-muih! Maybe if breakfast meetings were like this when I was gainfully employed, I would have stayed in the corporate sector :-)<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My house has also turned into a right gudang, with boxes stacked up in the living room, safes in the TV room and tables in the driveway. Even my front gate looked like an old-fashioned laundry for a few weeks, with curtains being hung out to dry over it.<br />
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Beyonce has been the unhappiest about it all, given that her favourite spot in the house is now occupied by cardboard monstrosities filled with curtains and lights!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJf8qGU_OrTtbAIe2S8yLslyWeJKXhCIRYMtOSRwo-7uryGjS3usl1G1TO8-JUBBfOiGsPWwD5Iy3MDGiYiVdbldoR0PoXyPbcd9Uh4IH-C3OKBqMImZFG7d7-JNUZXHK_gA29xdpCqa-/s1600/P1070925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJf8qGU_OrTtbAIe2S8yLslyWeJKXhCIRYMtOSRwo-7uryGjS3usl1G1TO8-JUBBfOiGsPWwD5Iy3MDGiYiVdbldoR0PoXyPbcd9Uh4IH-C3OKBqMImZFG7d7-JNUZXHK_gA29xdpCqa-/s400/P1070925.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beyonce, pretending to be on guard duty....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCS9eogkFtaWyzqSE_6HUkda_KR49WcZdP47hjP1T3JxaZ95z-8jUPV2aGUngCaWwMk_-HSvlxCOo7WLFBHKRlXBKUTMU6QvROqXc-YUNum1un8_MzJ74eKqo4BVXXe0-ildaouHdwcPv/s1600/P1070926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCS9eogkFtaWyzqSE_6HUkda_KR49WcZdP47hjP1T3JxaZ95z-8jUPV2aGUngCaWwMk_-HSvlxCOo7WLFBHKRlXBKUTMU6QvROqXc-YUNum1un8_MzJ74eKqo4BVXXe0-ildaouHdwcPv/s400/P1070926.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turns out, all she wanted was to sleep in her favourite corner!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shopping, even when on vacation, has become a hazardous sport. My iPhoto album is now filled with pictures of bathroom fixtures, lights and all manner of interior fittings. Recently, on a trip to Bangkok, the team from the soon-to-be-announced restaurant for La Pari-Pari and I were elated to find of all things, bathroom mats that were very reasonably priced. Our enthusiastic selves went on to purchase the whole lot - only to find that it was pouring rain outside and no cabs would stop for us.</span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiMRFhyphenhyphenG0m_vECRWjZ08foIIoCD5oZGXsqW6zL1GdJh0p0YTdlmelLROvMAhD6jEE6bR8v48Zz_O7xnLXdBzc5WMiuO-tC84SOFz-LXTXd_KRBJR7GF2Ls7TiQeX3b3eWaz6zxfdJKbaP/s1600/P1070849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiMRFhyphenhyphenG0m_vECRWjZ08foIIoCD5oZGXsqW6zL1GdJh0p0YTdlmelLROvMAhD6jEE6bR8v48Zz_O7xnLXdBzc5WMiuO-tC84SOFz-LXTXd_KRBJR7GF2Ls7TiQeX3b3eWaz6zxfdJKbaP/s640/P1070849.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaked to the bone but happy as larks!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If any of you want to know what buying plates in Chattuchak market is like, let me tell you, bring sunscreen :-)</span></div></td></tr>
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Oh, and that old saying about "blood, sweat and tears"? I now understand too well the very meaning of it :-)</div><br />
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</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-22529928212084057742011-08-25T23:06:00.000+08:002011-08-25T23:06:40.412+08:00Breathing New Life Into Old ThingsAs we race along with building construction, I've been like a mad hatter here in KL, trying to source for the various other bits and pieces that will be needed to bring La Pari-Pari to life.<br />
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From the outset, the approach to creating La Pari-Pari has always been founded on the premise of building cleverly, utilising simple solutions where possible, and reducing the potential waste that can be generated from a construction project like ours.<br />
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Two days ago, some of the fruits of our labour arrived in my home - a result of pounding the pavement and discovering this gem of a shop that sells used hotel furniture. If you haven't already been there, do go the next time you are looking for something new for your home or property.<br />
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<a href="http://www.kinpeun.com.my/">Kin Peun </a>is tucked away in a shoplot area somewhere along Jalan Ipoh. As with any second-hand store, of course, what you find there can depend to a certain degree on your luck and timing. And as it stood, our timing was pretty perfect, yielding safes, tables for our poolside area and outdoor courtyards as well as our most major find - curtains for our rooms! All may I add, at unbeatable prices.<br />
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So, in addition to saving money, we've also managed to save quite a few things from going into landfills. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOfMyi49Ma3JHr2ipswVmMQtAoPIVKt-zcgfXbA177Xv1Rp2Y_rlLVbn9klJIys0m918E-reW1SVSmoVYay824Dpdz3g4_6D1E-PqjSBE0Vpw-vF1c-3o3R6o_eEW8B-k2lUwFZ7OS7DH/s1600/P1060968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOfMyi49Ma3JHr2ipswVmMQtAoPIVKt-zcgfXbA177Xv1Rp2Y_rlLVbn9klJIys0m918E-reW1SVSmoVYay824Dpdz3g4_6D1E-PqjSBE0Vpw-vF1c-3o3R6o_eEW8B-k2lUwFZ7OS7DH/s320/P1060968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Needless to say, my home is looking more and more like a warehouse :-) And the sight of yellow curtains hanging out to dry over my front gate is going to be a common one for weeks to come, owing to the quantity of curtains we purchased.<br />
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So, to those wondering if I am throwing a farewell party before I exit KL, don't bet on it! By the time I am ready to go, I doubt there will be much room left in my current home for entertaining :-)<br />
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Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-68949118337842779922011-07-26T23:11:00.000+08:002011-07-26T23:11:32.731+08:00Fairies At The Bottom Of Our GardenI was complaining to my sister the other day how it has been ages since I've had a weekend to lie in bed, and that I was averaging 5 hours of sleep max per day. She said, "Welcome to my life!" Owing to the fact that she has a four year old and an eight-month old, she has barely slept since the first child came into the world.<br />
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It's been a pretty strenuous last few weeks. As construction progressed, we saw an opportunity to re-look some of the spaces. And as any architect will tell you, a client who starts thinking is a dangerous thing :-) But, thanks to the persevering souls involved in the process and Ijam, we have emerged from two weekends of almost all-nighters with a much improved property. Everything really looks like it all fits together now. Really.<br />
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To say that I am happy is an understatement. Tired yes, but very satisfied. And also realising day by day that I would still much rather be doing this than the jobs I had in my previous life. Somehow, poking around second-hand hotel stores and dusty junkyards, or traipsing about the property gives me a sense of fundamental satisfaction every time we overcome an obstacle or reach a small milestone.<br />
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Speaking of which, the magical Din has now managed to put up our roofs!!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_qVAOVfE5tpUnzifpc53s1beCQ4nWjZt5u0rSPabyY9k3rqSZiy2uCWrNvwFYMHnjteW4H5tOYAYczf2E8OpD4fqjxQbvmb0cTdM1TMeLRBYvvSut4Yw2Xjl0rDXlKvn5eXM3zFPlkkY/s1600/P7260414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_qVAOVfE5tpUnzifpc53s1beCQ4nWjZt5u0rSPabyY9k3rqSZiy2uCWrNvwFYMHnjteW4H5tOYAYczf2E8OpD4fqjxQbvmb0cTdM1TMeLRBYvvSut4Yw2Xjl0rDXlKvn5eXM3zFPlkkY/s400/P7260414.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When I last left the site on Sunday, we were still waiting for delivery of the roof material. Somehow, somewhere between yesterday morning and the end of day, Din has miraculously put it all up. Like Ijam says, we think Din uses elves. In fact, he rather looks like a very friendly albeit slightly shy one himself.<br />
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The bridges going across our grey water pond are also almost complete. They will enable folk to cross over into the brushland that lies at the very back of our property. I personally have an affinity for the way the wild brush looks at the moment. Almost makes you want to believe there are fairies living there, at the bottom of our garden, doesn't it?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0B4r-vCcqsW8LJmXrqhcYjk27r-ruYVNGO2T6JMTfAV5zuz-l_Le-JY8ns47fuJtdoCQFckTMmWeb0I1-p6UgkA_C3bQBgbsI03FyFnEsfvO1nPYwcT7e-hv3YBZJNgGfE-CuYKfhy0KP/s1600/P7260416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0B4r-vCcqsW8LJmXrqhcYjk27r-ruYVNGO2T6JMTfAV5zuz-l_Le-JY8ns47fuJtdoCQFckTMmWeb0I1-p6UgkA_C3bQBgbsI03FyFnEsfvO1nPYwcT7e-hv3YBZJNgGfE-CuYKfhy0KP/s640/P7260416.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-12482878874705164452011-07-20T19:17:00.000+08:002011-07-20T19:17:26.626+08:00Of Kerbaus and ProgressLast weekend, I made another trip to the site, and as you can see, things are progressing!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIKot6z1bprg1j-H12IqsaHzjx8d2peC11vSmnpaDZY60sW1lTzpJGJkFYD9dUS_Vu3npep6C_KN1N0Qj-e50wSeZ-OxCzGFqLGWVhq4naoOatOhCgTMwJwIJpv86t1DbEDg4WLp6uT9o/s1600/P1060910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIKot6z1bprg1j-H12IqsaHzjx8d2peC11vSmnpaDZY60sW1lTzpJGJkFYD9dUS_Vu3npep6C_KN1N0Qj-e50wSeZ-OxCzGFqLGWVhq4naoOatOhCgTMwJwIJpv86t1DbEDg4WLp6uT9o/s320/P1060910.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peering out of one of the rooms in the first block!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO95ritQr1kNT4qCwpYjUJLsQmYEuphZFwFSA7DhsRfcRMMdM29DL9K7eMCkw7FPspSMkI1HxJSb1MBmIgay9soMdpfPxUx4C_zpMglYZq8GyPwSBYCXul-cBpXTbyKPTwFsqmgtD4Ibw1/s1600/P1060899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO95ritQr1kNT4qCwpYjUJLsQmYEuphZFwFSA7DhsRfcRMMdM29DL9K7eMCkw7FPspSMkI1HxJSb1MBmIgay9soMdpfPxUx4C_zpMglYZq8GyPwSBYCXul-cBpXTbyKPTwFsqmgtD4Ibw1/s320/P1060899.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Progress on the second block of rooms</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
While work has been somewhat hampered by rain, it is looking like we will be ready by year-end. We've had to make some adjustments as we've gone along, but it has all worked out so far. We abandoned our intent to use cement board as our primary building material due to cost constraints and have fallen back on the conventional brick-and-mortar method. The good news is, the sand on our grounds is of such lovely quality, it will be re-used to plaster our walls. We've excavated piles of it, thanks to our digging of the pool and the grey water pond. <br />
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Ijam has also been hard at work, trying to reduce our construction wastage. Wood used for one structure's formwork is recycled for the next and most of it will eventually be incorporated on site into structures or as reinforcement for our grey water pond.<br />
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I won't go into the details of the various challenges we've faced in trying to conserve as much as possible and be green, but suffice to say, there have been times when cost has been a real constraint in allowing us to opt for the greenest alternative. So decisions have had to be made. But I recognise too that trying to be as environmentally conservative as possible is an ongoing process. It will be part of our guiding principles when commencing operations and doesn't stop at just our construction period alone.<br />
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No matter how stressful things get, comic relief somehow, never seems far. On our last visit, we were inspecting the grey water pond at the back of our property. By coincidence, our neighbours, the kerbau Mommy, wandered by, with her brood, which now includes a studly male companion. She now has four calves, two more than the original pair.<br />
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As they took their typical stroll from their property through ours and over to the other side, one of the babies emerged from the brush and decided to take a dip in the pond. He was very nonchalant about it, swishing his tail and at all times maintaining eye contact with us as if to say, "Hey, this is MY pool, so I better not catch you swimming in it!" Since the pond isn't very deep, he took a small stroll around one end of it, his body practically submerged, while we laughed on the sidelines.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLfLZf1KADrN_gJMVLO-O_REQLKMMcfBUBsdRjYb7fhstjprjvWpZFmxyvMxjq-5dcgxVFyjUypz0ZwfwcY9FcWvwMihh1dy3X-kOfy_jJprV8U5pds_OEqo4FdCHCStBNJCC_6bPoJ4Z/s1600/P1060886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLfLZf1KADrN_gJMVLO-O_REQLKMMcfBUBsdRjYb7fhstjprjvWpZFmxyvMxjq-5dcgxVFyjUypz0ZwfwcY9FcWvwMihh1dy3X-kOfy_jJprV8U5pds_OEqo4FdCHCStBNJCC_6bPoJ4Z/s320/P1060886.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little kerbau friend, well camouflaged :-) I think I should name him!</td></tr>
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I almost wish I don't eventually have to cordon off our property. It will deprive him of his swimming hole. But I don't think some guests will appreciate being confronted by a family of kerbau while they are sunning on the lawn!<br />
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Meanwhile, all manner of folk have been trooping through my home in Petaling Jaya, which has finally been put on sale. I will miss it, as it has been good to me and I have many memories of my life there. But as they say, it's time to move on. And move on we will.</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-83820080735644366622011-06-30T13:57:00.000+08:002011-06-30T13:57:40.325+08:00Of walls and a treehouseLook folks, we have walls!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Kb_9gDbSVK4_Wra6pica16KUHvh_fRLTNWIhtSlbeobgpMCh1RLvOm5NeSPu8h8YwEoiYOl_kSls5jei883kn43PLQa6cadvZa-qWk6V7v0It6ck3qJWlrQi0LrUOab19Jgq7wVztIKQ/s1600/210620113323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Kb_9gDbSVK4_Wra6pica16KUHvh_fRLTNWIhtSlbeobgpMCh1RLvOm5NeSPu8h8YwEoiYOl_kSls5jei883kn43PLQa6cadvZa-qWk6V7v0It6ck3qJWlrQi0LrUOab19Jgq7wVztIKQ/s320/210620113323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41teNAaWkXg0-uZjSki7Kf1xQIbn2f_EFLHodjHHIG7d5KhfamwT7GOitU4UTJGjrDN-Fs2f0-BLPYTXLOV8B1nX7p26V5WDS3GqLSagemRFOCgkj2UJigfvHG7VnRTRzGeylg07PhV85/s1600/210620113324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41teNAaWkXg0-uZjSki7Kf1xQIbn2f_EFLHodjHHIG7d5KhfamwT7GOitU4UTJGjrDN-Fs2f0-BLPYTXLOV8B1nX7p26V5WDS3GqLSagemRFOCgkj2UJigfvHG7VnRTRzGeylg07PhV85/s320/210620113324.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And in other news, our friends Aida and David have kickstarted a recycled treehouse project that hopefully will be situated on La Pari-Pari. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_213112502060326">Go check out their Facebook page</a> and volunteer! They are looking for people to contribute ideas in relation to the construction of the treehouse and also volunteer time and materials. It's an exciting and rare opportunity for anyone interested to participate in an eco-awareness raising project that will be displayed on our site, for all to see and experience.Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-61239304858142642332011-06-15T12:04:00.001+08:002011-06-15T12:07:13.390+08:00Becoming RealityI have always, in the short four-year span of his life, had a rather challenging relationship with my middle nephew, mainly perhaps owing to both our recalcitrant natures. But of late, as he has grown into a walking and talking back little person, I've found I enjoy his maddening company a little more, for its banter and entertainment, and the insights into that incredibly warped mind of his that is light years beyond his physical age.<br />
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In fact, when I got back from a recent five-day family holiday, I found myself missing his thorny presence. Waking up without the threat of his diminutive spectre clutching toy bunnies, one in each hand, was although calming, a little unsettling. There are no unexpected extras attempting to crawl into my bed for a last minute snuggle. Or the possibility of an odiferous toy shoved up my nose to wake me.<br />
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Last night, after a phone call with Ijam to discuss a last minute roofing matter (I am amazed sometimes how I now sound like a contractor!) I realised that La Pari-Pari's journey will always be dated by this nephew, and how Langkawi and our little resort will always be intertwined with some of the firsts in his life. He was only six months old when my sister and I took that first flight out to seek a bed and breakfast for purchase in Langkawi. It was his first time to an island.<br />
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And now he, and the project turn four this year. Some people are aghast that it's taken us this long to get to where we are. I, at times, am surprised it hasn't taken me longer. But perhaps that is because where <a href="http://www.theredpencil.webs.com/">my other passion</a> is concerned, it's taken me near thirty years to get to a state where I feel things are finally moving. So four years, is a relatively short gestation period in my books.<br />
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I realised yesterday too, that only a mere twenty-odd weeks remain until my life changes in a most profound way. We began laying the concrete foundation yesterday for the first block of rooms, and already, I can see the physical structure begin to emerge. Looking at the photographs from Ijam were like looking at a ghost - my eyes disbelieving that this thing I had long dreamed about is finally becoming real, and is no longer a figment of my imagination.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElD9-Vbm6_4AiZo3Qdk112SwvHTYS6kjfOX8i2caR2csXobevhi5Vtl4rnSX5V-LOSWqihwTBq3wiaC7LxgBge2MfaIT9TeaGM0e81Xlq7d-aS0faHs0nsfNQM-PfuSjwRHwu4i2kUDke/s1600/P6140092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElD9-Vbm6_4AiZo3Qdk112SwvHTYS6kjfOX8i2caR2csXobevhi5Vtl4rnSX5V-LOSWqihwTBq3wiaC7LxgBge2MfaIT9TeaGM0e81Xlq7d-aS0faHs0nsfNQM-PfuSjwRHwu4i2kUDke/s400/P6140092.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Din, our head contractor, after completing the concrete foundation of our first block. His initial attempt was thwarted by three straight days of rain, so he has much to be happy about here!<br />
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</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I can't wait till my next visit, when I get to run my bare feet on the concrete, dangle my legs on the edge of the empty swimming pool and take silly Bollywood photos against the bare columns of the building.<br />
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I promise you will all bear witness through this blog, to the first time I walk through our rooms :-)<br />
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Love and light,<br />
Karina!Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-6177371487350703832011-05-29T17:44:00.000+08:002011-05-29T17:44:35.595+08:00Working Across BordersIt's been over a month since my last post. Am happy to report that things are moving at a relatively smooth clip.<br />
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But first, a rant. We had some delays in April and early May due to inclement weather, which prevented the backhoe from doing its work many a day. Once the sun decided to cooperate the banks didn't. Thanks to Malaysia's ultra-efficient Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (Malaysian Companies Commission), our company records were not updated, which caused some two weeks of to-ing and fro-ing with the banks and the Company Secretary and the like. Believe me, having money but no way to access your bank account due to a technicality is really annoying!<br />
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Hopefully, it's now all sorted out! We begin work on our foundation this coming week. Even the pool has been concreted and is sitting still until it is time to tile it once we are nearing completion of the whole project.<br />
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Meanwhile, I have been busy wading through suppliers of various kinds - linen, toiletries, web, software, you name it..... While it's all been rather fun in a way, there have been moments when I wished things moved faster and people were just that much more efficient. But hey, all in a day's work!<br />
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We've also been busy doing the groundwork for the interior design. While it is all still preliminary, I think things are shaping up quite nicely. One thing's for sure, this resort is turning out to be a cross-border project of epic proportions LOL! Architecturally, it was designed predominantly remotely - with me in KL and the architect in Langkawi. The logos are being done here in KL as is the interior design. Restaurant menu being put together between Perth and KL, staff uniforms designed in Melbourne and a cocktail menu also being put together in Melbourne itself. The good thing is, with technology, most of it is being done via phone/e-mail/Skype, without the need for folks to fly to and fro too much :-)<br />
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By the way, all the folks mentioned in all these places are Malaysian or Malaysian-born. So if you like what you will eventually see at La Pari-Pari, it's all homegrown talent that put it together :-)<br />
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I'll introduce you all to the characters involved in due course. We're a motley crew but an enthusiastic one :-)<br />
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Cross your fingers, and I hope to meet some of you come 2012.Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-90321984398541298882011-04-05T13:16:00.000+08:002011-04-05T13:16:56.020+08:00Ground Is Broken!It's done folks! We are finally really on our way!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJDQkVHg0mbxeqlCbtejPdfJmxef308TEOIDJg7ctwJ34h3ZurxRKR1BIHVnKQxmDXpNxZgG3_Pde0jC7Zj_5nsj3Wg4R6JxWYGYD6Tq7iY5AcOUSg0Q81UwMbUx13akNZzqk9OnXqqtG/s1600/P1050797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJDQkVHg0mbxeqlCbtejPdfJmxef308TEOIDJg7ctwJ34h3ZurxRKR1BIHVnKQxmDXpNxZgG3_Pde0jC7Zj_5nsj3Wg4R6JxWYGYD6Tq7iY5AcOUSg0Q81UwMbUx13akNZzqk9OnXqqtG/s400/P1050797.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
On Sunday, April 3rd, we began construction of our little swimming pool. I never thought I'd be so thrilled to see a hole in the ground! It was both exciting and still a little scary at the same time. After so long, I almost can't believe we have finally come to this stage.<br />
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I have always said I am a lucky girl with a charmed life. And this weekend was no different. My loved ones were there with me, some having flown in just for the occasion, including Kaeden, my sister's son who was with my sister Karen and I <a href="http://laparipari.blogspot.com/2009/02/taking-plunge.html">when we made our first trip out to Langkawi</a> in search of a bed and breakfast. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5t9Qur28PiABXK8DsIIr5Mww57V7vmp26-FY4qJRqR0SEeOgII9vawGdgd9HFStpA7pYugloRfY3mUPNQCGCeV-DdGHz8GmfOcwRX8KSf1rU7dwkBCVtBfbmybsqaFXxSEihyphenhyphenlO_AqDM/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5t9Qur28PiABXK8DsIIr5Mww57V7vmp26-FY4qJRqR0SEeOgII9vawGdgd9HFStpA7pYugloRfY3mUPNQCGCeV-DdGHz8GmfOcwRX8KSf1rU7dwkBCVtBfbmybsqaFXxSEihyphenhyphenlO_AqDM/s320/IMG_0019.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div>Back then, he was a wee five-month old baby.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkwicOYPzwnqHHwxwAPmtXVAWrF9qj3uML1BHYBrBxkl1lERj0Dr2cbEdJFSjM5TbX3veF2FZOsIRJYda4pBKQd05XYoDzaYBSCIhzyCAXXqEssAc1htNybDlhkXkK0bSoDeZviHW0nI6/s1600/P1050838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkwicOYPzwnqHHwxwAPmtXVAWrF9qj3uML1BHYBrBxkl1lERj0Dr2cbEdJFSjM5TbX3veF2FZOsIRJYda4pBKQd05XYoDzaYBSCIhzyCAXXqEssAc1htNybDlhkXkK0bSoDeZviHW0nI6/s320/P1050838.JPG" width="320" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">In May this year, he turns a precocious four.</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even Mother Nature was generous with her gifts. Prior to us going to Langkawi this past weekend, it had been raining cats and dogs. But I arrived on Saturday to the smiling sun and bright blue skies. The morning of the groundbreaking, we were also gifted with the presence of a Large-Tailed Nightjar (thank you Wendy for identifying the bird) who was sitting quietly on a bed of dry leaves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCbfkbAcGI7uIqyHqaP83qaQ617aTj5DC8F532WkvA_lq8kanwLe-YrqwIB84nfjHzqGI_oVR5WlP7yBIb5nfmnVJbv6qPLB5yAnFkDZpCBar_o1a42Ce2Nh6nWvQ1ij-dcPJg1NqQ-z7/s1600/P1050794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCbfkbAcGI7uIqyHqaP83qaQ617aTj5DC8F532WkvA_lq8kanwLe-YrqwIB84nfjHzqGI_oVR5WlP7yBIb5nfmnVJbv6qPLB5yAnFkDZpCBar_o1a42Ce2Nh6nWvQ1ij-dcPJg1NqQ-z7/s400/P1050794.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">According to Wendy, it is rare that these birds stay still enough for anyone to get a good close-up photograph. We later found out why....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNXVeswaWLqW6u7Z7zl6DsXPMNPtu1qjPtMZX2HcpojovwaRaugrwaad_IhzUrHmHmYjAJlFuMqmcl0RxyC-he1UNkECdTS_h1qI74qcCKK-kErAl0Pw60bPmokn2_cDoMJ3lOZ_fhGJG/s1600/P1050800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNXVeswaWLqW6u7Z7zl6DsXPMNPtu1qjPtMZX2HcpojovwaRaugrwaad_IhzUrHmHmYjAJlFuMqmcl0RxyC-he1UNkECdTS_h1qI74qcCKK-kErAl0Pw60bPmokn2_cDoMJ3lOZ_fhGJG/s400/P1050800.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can you spot her two babies? (Hint, they are in the lower right-hand corner)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were all a little worried that the construction work might injure her and her babies. Thankfully, she moved them away shortly after to, I presume, a much safer spot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For more photos, visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/laparipari">our Facebook page.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-72876721509951273302011-03-25T13:41:00.000+08:002011-03-25T13:41:51.387+08:00.... And, we're off!!!Finally, after three-and-a-half years since we began our journey, we will begin construction on April 3rd, which also, coincidentally, will mark my 42nd birthday.<br />
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I can't think of a better birthday present from the universe than this.<br />
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While this is something we have looked forward to for quite a while now, it has also been something that seemed on some days unattainable. And I am glad that my tiny slivers of self-doubt have finally been conquered.<br />
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Now that the day draws near, I vacillate between being excited, hopeful and a little scared.<br />
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But I know it will all be more than okay in the end :-)<br />
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To those of you who have joined us on this journey so far, a big thank you. While many of you may not think your contributions have been much, your presence alone on this blog and our Facebook page, plus the comments you've left have all served to feed our belief in this project's ability to come alive. <br />
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Cross your fingers, folks. Hopefully, we will open our doors before the end of this year.Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-46014144751359925862011-03-10T17:52:00.000+08:002011-03-10T17:52:12.259+08:00Picking Up SpeedIt looks like the sun has finally shone through.<br />
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Two nights ago I received confirmation that the bulk of the funding we need to commence with construction have become available. So it is likely we will begin construction in July, which puts us on the track to open in February 2012. It's a little delayed from our original timeline, but in the larger scheme of things, I think a few months late is a small matter.<br />
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We signed off on our design about a week and a half ago. Now, we enter the construction drawing phase, where materials are detailed out and contractors evaluated. Sometimes, when I think about it, I wonder that there aren't many more of my family members and friends who think I am slightly insane for taking this project on. This for a girl who has never laid a brick or fixed a clogged pipe. OK, so I can drill a few holes, but that's the extent of my construction knowledge.<br />
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But then again, everyone has to start somewhere. In fact, on good days, I am surprised we have even got this far.<br />
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And we will now go further.<br />
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I know where I will be spending my New Year's Eve this year :-) Stay tuned as we pick up speed.Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-60620256692499488032011-02-14T23:23:00.000+08:002011-02-14T23:23:58.517+08:00In Full BloomA missive from our architect Ijam recently reminded me beautifully of how La Pari-Pari, even in it's current state is already a living, breathing entity.<br />
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This was the latest photo he sent me of the site in early February. Then, we both sighed at the carpet of dry leaves that blanketed the ground, realising the work that lies ahead of us in keeping things in check.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ1NEWOlYKlDvSrolTU-75guHQVLc1bUBVbVoOZ00ns9NBQkU0x3ZzKXoXb7oj0zVdMzGZ12J-w5ZA4M17ouReRrMKHnHrxqgC3F5ywyWdHBdbF7o0PKXCuWn8DePyMBngm9YmBM6KkVb/s1600/010220112292-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ1NEWOlYKlDvSrolTU-75guHQVLc1bUBVbVoOZ00ns9NBQkU0x3ZzKXoXb7oj0zVdMzGZ12J-w5ZA4M17ouReRrMKHnHrxqgC3F5ywyWdHBdbF7o0PKXCuWn8DePyMBngm9YmBM6KkVb/s320/010220112292-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But just last week, he went back and lo and behold - the trees were in full bloom!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5NLwyisoAZvIn4L51JNvtI_evupiBu4nsKKW7greiiLpQv0YABdzFDLLGw_O5L3E8L6sNH5aZ54UN1K27EJRN_ecgOEKhLCZHXzXQnRyINhNsrrK71OsE91C0bOEiSfkMOn0YXl62ou2/s1600/110220112335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5NLwyisoAZvIn4L51JNvtI_evupiBu4nsKKW7greiiLpQv0YABdzFDLLGw_O5L3E8L6sNH5aZ54UN1K27EJRN_ecgOEKhLCZHXzXQnRyINhNsrrK71OsE91C0bOEiSfkMOn0YXl62ou2/s320/110220112335.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpVvm-ChS4dHPtY7VPkKGdnwp8oh25kqw4TEMJuvdME6NwspyslxM8wch0rZ-3i0xtzAEkDCsBKFyjhy9xz-BlWLGGq7Q5rjNUYM83ncI1RT7oApRd3kVgithKOe49c0SX4_fnd4u64cf/s1600/110220112343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpVvm-ChS4dHPtY7VPkKGdnwp8oh25kqw4TEMJuvdME6NwspyslxM8wch0rZ-3i0xtzAEkDCsBKFyjhy9xz-BlWLGGq7Q5rjNUYM83ncI1RT7oApRd3kVgithKOe49c0SX4_fnd4u64cf/s320/110220112343.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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If anything, the photos he sent me reinforced our resolve not to cut trees down unnecessarily. And to think, we've owned the land for a couple of years now, yet this is the first time we've noticed this seasonal occurrence. According to the neighbour, the trees were traditionally used to make hand-hewn wooden perahus (canoes) back in the day.<br />
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I can't wait till we can share this with our guests when we are up and running :-)Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-29243133794303594032010-10-26T16:08:00.000+08:002010-10-26T16:08:33.218+08:00Paya Paya: River Cottage Langkawi-style!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vbr4wbyxl96r3yHLkF2RgRxaxJJ4YyToo9D_mFwqcEu5vC7H-ZI8Qj8lJ63xeJcYyNTau-4PZOZBkDARmLIetpnxs_XyesxpOQUdScrz2vBWoE45rwpBIZBGhgJraWuukg1Wd5nEravO/s1600/P1050175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vbr4wbyxl96r3yHLkF2RgRxaxJJ4YyToo9D_mFwqcEu5vC7H-ZI8Qj8lJ63xeJcYyNTau-4PZOZBkDARmLIetpnxs_XyesxpOQUdScrz2vBWoE45rwpBIZBGhgJraWuukg1Wd5nEravO/s640/P1050175.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The greenhouse at Paya Paya</i></td></tr>
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For those of you who missed my posts on them on our Facebook page, here are some snippets on Paya Paya - a mission of love for two individuals who truly believe in what they are doing. I've met several people now who, inspired by the River Cottage series on television, have aspired to live the country lifestyle and cultivate their own farm.<br />
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Well folks, there are people here in Malaysia already beginning to live the dream :-)<br />
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Elain and I were first acquainted in high school. Since then, we've kept in touch over the years and even worked together on several projects in our professional capacities.<br />
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Over time, I've discovered that we are actually fairly like-minded, in our frustrations with KL corporate life and its shenannigans, the politics and wheeling and dealing. So much that she, like I, decided to pursue a personal passion that coincidentally takes root in Langkawi.<br />
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Chances are, you've never heard about Paya Paya. The project, a labour of love for Elain and her husband Kyri is just off a quiet road in Langkawi. Spread over a couple of acres of ex-paddy fields, Paya Paya in its current initial phase is an experiment in sustainable farming. <br />
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</div>I had the privilege of visiting them recently and Kyri very graciously showed us around. The extent of progress they have made is testament to how much individuals can achieve on their own volition - without the help of Government or big businesses. <br />
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Walking around the property, Kyri pointed out how they have incorporated several ecologically-oriented elements into their cultivation process. Compost made from waste materials that are collected from various sources around the island (including a famous coffee chain!), harvested rain water for irrigating their vegetable beds, and solar panels for some of their power needs.<br />
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Although their current yield is small, what I saw was attractive! At the moment, according to Kyri, most of the produce is sold locally on the island, with proceeds going to charity. So if you ever stop by there, do buy their vegetables.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1cAfVrC04dRf3ejdJWYFuZhTCy36Vio_3HRaEW0B0SUjhYzDsN3E_FqQ5rNGLN10BkjlAzu5bJ5L9zvpMShT1ZhOp4uhDnwaxNXCn961GAJrW6Lb3nFo9LJoE-fg_4H7bpfMkOD5_BvB/s1600/P1050174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1cAfVrC04dRf3ejdJWYFuZhTCy36Vio_3HRaEW0B0SUjhYzDsN3E_FqQ5rNGLN10BkjlAzu5bJ5L9zvpMShT1ZhOp4uhDnwaxNXCn961GAJrW6Lb3nFo9LJoE-fg_4H7bpfMkOD5_BvB/s640/P1050174.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Just look at the size of them chillies!</i></td></tr>
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And if you DO visit, here's a small piece of trivia for those of us who harbour Coyote Ugly-esque ambitions - the lovely, long wooden benches scattered around the property used to be bar tops! So if like me, you've always wondered what it felt to dance on one....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sUw71VRowS4E-2GS1g3J8FeWj9s1cNhoQYrQV0UfdijldcPS6Modo0sXL0HB5OiGdKYTEh72kY_P9lR_SvRx5cguHPY5Tsl-on6i4U-O4Pn2sv9TvnpKXMKY8cyE_67TXxcn14PuGb2M/s1600/61503_467423188766_786523766_6541988_7427424_n_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sUw71VRowS4E-2GS1g3J8FeWj9s1cNhoQYrQV0UfdijldcPS6Modo0sXL0HB5OiGdKYTEh72kY_P9lR_SvRx5cguHPY5Tsl-on6i4U-O4Pn2sv9TvnpKXMKY8cyE_67TXxcn14PuGb2M/s400/61503_467423188766_786523766_6541988_7427424_n_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo courtesy of Mia Farriza (www.miafarrizza.com)</i></td></tr>
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To learn more about Paya Paya, visit their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/kampong-kedawang-langkawi/payapaya/133980363288500">Facebook page</a>.<br />
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</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-8405434871503054572010-10-20T14:14:00.000+08:002010-10-20T14:14:14.019+08:00Your help needed: Building Lobong-Lobong's First Library<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aJoilUoNH8JFhOW119eE825sr5gl5H6nHg64ehwH4vbCOdrJa2EsxzsFCpl-ZAES5K0kiLVvShyFV_uxNtJTFUIquTkM-opPkXGr9tDyDysyhvwlNYJlViTtbpko1x_PlDV5HfFkoPWK/s1600/Lobong2+Resource+Centre-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aJoilUoNH8JFhOW119eE825sr5gl5H6nHg64ehwH4vbCOdrJa2EsxzsFCpl-ZAES5K0kiLVvShyFV_uxNtJTFUIquTkM-opPkXGr9tDyDysyhvwlNYJlViTtbpko1x_PlDV5HfFkoPWK/s320/Lobong2+Resource+Centre-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lobong-Lobong community center where the library will be housed</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Remember <a href="http://laparipari.blogspot.com/2009/02/island-faces.html">Aida Rahman</a>? She was one of the people instrumental in helping us secure our plot of fairy magic where La Pari-Pari will eventually be situated.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">A KL-ite who transplanted her self to Langkawi, Aida is now well on her way of pursuing her own dream of setting up operations in Sabah. At the core of her vision is a village called Lobong-Lobong, en route to the Mount Kinabalu headquarters.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">She posted a plea recently for books to help set up Lobong-Lobong's community library. For those who can help, please do. On top of the fact that it's for a good cause, Aida is someone I have complete faith in to ensure your contributions are used in the best possible way.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Here's the message from Aida.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">PLEASE SEND US BOOKS!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">Dear friends,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">The time has come for me to make a plea on behalf of the children and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">villagers of Kampung Lobong-Lobong. Remember my first ever note on FB?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">I have a wish to empower these able people and I found that many</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">friends and acquaintances also share my wish. So the first step we are</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">taking is to create the village’s own resource centre and library!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">Hence today, I would like to ask you to send us books to help us</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">furnish it. The centre will be housed in an existing building within</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">the village.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">On the weekend of the 18th-19th December a few friends and I are going</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">to fix shelves in the building shown below & convert it into a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">resource centre cum library for the villagers to use freely.. so</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">please feel free to send books, magazines (if possible nature</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">related), dictionaries, pictionaries etc. that you think can benefit</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">this community. For those who are able to join us that very weekend,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">you are also welcomed :)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">A bit on demographics of the village...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">There are roughly about 90 households in the Lobong-Lobong village.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">Each household has an average of 3 to 5 children whose ages spans</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">between 3 to 25 years… there is a primary school in Kuang village</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">which is about 25mins walk away, whilst in order to attend secondary</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">school these youngsters will either attend boarding schools near</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">Ranau i.e. SMK Lohan or SMK Narinang but they will usually come home</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">to the village in the weekends to help tend the farms and fields.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">We have good feedbacks from the locals wanting to learn and pick up</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">languages, mainly English, so we hope in the near future we can also</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">organize short English classes for all age groups. I have plans to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">invite friends and contacts to contribute their time in training these</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">villagers in skills that would help them improve their livelihood… if</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">you have skills and knowledge to share please also get in touch :)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">A dear friend had agreed to be the collection centre for this project</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">so please send your donated books to:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">“Lobong-Lobong Community Drive: Resource Centre & Library”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">c/o : DR. Izety Shezlinda Noran</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">Room no. 40, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Clinic,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">Hospital Queen Elizabeth I,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">Karung Berkunci No 2029</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">88586 Kota Kinabalu</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">Sabah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">p/s: it would also be nice for you to write a note stating your</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">name(s) & where/who the book donation is from etc. Perhaps also some</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">encouraging words to the readers :)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-53643661018994987662010-10-14T17:07:00.000+08:002010-10-14T17:07:13.154+08:00Soldiering OnI realise that for some time now, you have all not heard a lot about La Pari-Pari. Many are wondering if we are still pursuing the project.<br />
<br />
The answer is YES!<br />
<br />
Since we completed our design work last year, we've been down proverbial back alleys and up winding staircases to nowhere with regards to obtaining approvals for our development from the authorities. The truth is, in Langkawi at least, most don't bother. Most, build first, pay fines and legalise later.<br />
<br />
We tried doing things the right way, but have found that it doesn't result in any real progress.<br />
<br />
So, we've had to re-strategise. Re-think our options. The upshot of which is that we are still pursuing our target of opening next year. But it also involves re-thinking the way we are going to run the business and staff it, finance it and prep it for operations.<br />
<br />
With some luck, and some money, we should be able to reach our goal.<br />
<br />
It's a big IF, but I remain optimistic. And part of the reason why is all of you - the silent and not-so-silent supporters who continue to keep one eye out for us and our cause. The friends and acquaintances who never, never fail to ask me how La Pari-Pari is going whenever you see me. Even if I don't have much to report on in terms of progress at the moment, your curiosity and interest continue to spur me on.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, there are things you embark on in life that just seem right. Despite the delays, when progress is made, it happens almost serendipitously. People come in and out of your life and their purposes are all too clear.<br />
<br />
There have been too many of such moments in my life since La Pari-Pari was first conceived as an idea. So many that I know I will get there soon.<br />
<br />
Earlier this year, I experienced perhaps one of the biggest setbacks one can on a project like this - the loss of a business partner. While it was regrettable, looking back, I now think it was inevitable. Since her departure, the spaces she has vacated have been filled ten-thousand fold.<br />
<br />
On my last trip to Langkawi, three of the dearest people in my life today accompanied me. To keep me company. To help me re-build my memories and associations with the island I so love so that I may once more see its beauty. Not that I had forgotten, but perhaps due to several incidents, my perspective of the island had changed a little in the last year.<br />
<br />
You will be introduced to them over the course of the next couple of weeks. They are the ones who have helped me create new, happier and more hopeful memories that I can fall back on when the going gets tough.<br />
<br />
The one thing I can say with absolute certainty is this - in all my conversations with people close and not-so-close to me, those who have prodded or offered advice out of mere interest in either my well-being or the project's, I have not uncovered any new insights. Every spanner thrown at me by devil's advocates are those I am already familiar with and have examined in my own time and thoughts.<br />
<br />
What it means to me is that I have really thought about this. And internalised the life changes that this project will require of me.<br />
<br />
It won't be easy, I know. But beyond just repeating that as a mantra, I know it won't be easy down to the minutest detail. The things I may have to sacrifice or let go, the sweat, frustration and impatience I will have to temper. And the joy I know I will find in facing these challenges. Because they will ultimately lead to me leading the life I want to lead, and enable me to make the changes I believe I can make as an individual. <br />
<br />
This will be my imprint on the world. No matter how small it is, it will be there.<br />
<br />
Thank you for staying the course with us.Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-59581431048689247012010-05-27T10:15:00.000+08:002010-05-27T10:15:47.278+08:00Beneath The Sheen<div>It has been a challenging first five months of the year, during which most of our efforts have been focused on stabilising things and getting them back on an even keel.</div><div><br />
</div><div>La Pari-Pari experienced a change in management at the beginning of this year. While it was a trying experience for me, I am glad to say that I believe things have worked out for the better. I am now the sole driver of the business, backed by a new partner, my brother who is assisting me in the background with financial and administrative advisory matters.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The last few months have been mainly spent getting administrative matters in order. Trademarking of our logo is now almost complete and our financial house is now in order.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Some of you may recall that we began the process of submitting our papers to the Langkawi town council some eight months ago, for the purpose of obtaining a development order that will enable us to construct the resort. In March, the town council came back to us requesting instead that we submit papers seeking permission to convert our piece of land from its current agricultural status to a commercial one. While this was something we had on the cards for a later stage, the town council has apparently changed the rules and is asking all developers to submit conversion requests before they release any development orders.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Now, technically, this sort of control mechanism is a good thing. Many developers in Langkawi are well-known not to adhere to the conversion requirement and develop land arbitrarily. So, we did the necessary and complied.</div><div><br />
</div><div>A week ago, we received a letter saying that our conversion request had been temporarily rejected as we had not obtained our development order!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Upon further investigation we have now been told the letter was a 'clerical error'.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The level of incompetence we have encountered in acquiring basic services in Langkawi and in relation to both private and public sector providers there has been appalling. Of course, this presents opportunities for enterprising folk - so if any of you out there are reading this and want to move there - they need all sorts of efficient people - accountants, lawyers, contractors, etc.</div><div><br />
</div><div>What concerns me is how the inefficiencies we have witnessed will impact the further development of the island's tourism sector and indeed its economy as a whole. Without reliable service providers and a more efficient government, the island cannot prosper.</div><div><br />
</div><div>In other news, one of loyal supporters, Aida has now left Langkawi in pursuit of a new career in Sabah. While we will miss her presence on the island, I am truly happy for her. So if any of you are thinking of a spot to go to in East Malaysia, drop by Mantanani Island, off the coast of Kota Belud. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Thank you for continuing to support us. Remotely or not, your presence among us and positive thoughts have been very helpful on days when we just want to throw in the towel.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We will get there eventually. It make take some time, but we will get there :-)</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<br />
</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-70646161048706595402009-11-19T02:42:00.000+08:002009-11-19T02:42:18.947+08:00The Awesome Elephants of Kuala Gandah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4fXlpDUwgK8jJ-If2S3yQSwvEsqc_xPqhJtvwYzrC32Uha_Cc1oBBUnD53DzchA5sT3EZI-d0z6cbG79UrYrNxkYrAPnaJM4wVRdI4GzHHp9aUlmjXN2zrlq3s4cnfayMcQium3LoDy1/s1600/P1030501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4fXlpDUwgK8jJ-If2S3yQSwvEsqc_xPqhJtvwYzrC32Uha_Cc1oBBUnD53DzchA5sT3EZI-d0z6cbG79UrYrNxkYrAPnaJM4wVRdI4GzHHp9aUlmjXN2zrlq3s4cnfayMcQium3LoDy1/s400/P1030501.JPG" /></a><br />
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Last Saturday we did one of those things that has been on my To Do list for a while - a day trip to the <a href="http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/destinations/item.asp?item=kgelephant">Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary</a>. Run by the Forestry Department, the sanctuary is part of a national elephant rehabilitation and translocation effort that rescues elephants from areas where they are threatened or a threat to humans and relocates them to forest reserves.<br />
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Of course, the main reason this place even exists is because we keep cutting down the forests and turning them into palm oil plantations. With their severely shrunken habitats, wild elephants often end up ravaging the palm oil estates for food.<br />
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I have to say, I came away impressed. As Malaysians, I think most of us will admit that we generally have low expectations when it comes to locally-run establishments, especially when they are government-owned and operated. But in the past few years, there have been a few gems that have left me pleasantly surprised and this was one of them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyaJftEukWRr6hPR0SyG8hsq4b6RjEz900OHiKRBTcUVvW-CbxBHfmUfBGFaeHACgewEcBiPao_S80ZQiw282cTHLRgYOeIUytTWeZozYwhV__VyD1sQWA-0M_Khf-GBAUR67y8zBrNIH/s1600/P1030485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyaJftEukWRr6hPR0SyG8hsq4b6RjEz900OHiKRBTcUVvW-CbxBHfmUfBGFaeHACgewEcBiPao_S80ZQiw282cTHLRgYOeIUytTWeZozYwhV__VyD1sQWA-0M_Khf-GBAUR67y8zBrNIH/s320/P1030485.JPG" /></a><br />
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Apart from having pretty well-kept grounds, which is a challenge in itself given the rather large sizes of its inhabitants, the place is also staffed with people who genuinely seemed to love their charges. The info center, for those who care to take time and read their exhibits, tell you a fair bit about these amazing creatures.<br />
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For instance, did you know that elephants are a matriarchal breed? And that they mourn their dead, often stopping while on a trek at places where their loved ones have passed away? These are creatures with long lives and long memories, which I suppose is why the saying "Elephants never forget."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-xUUyxZb21e-zsN86Jm0F4VLDWIH7k90y8utmhBGBWnfTy8hDnjSM-vJH9JJ-bYkK9H3EIF47BemtD4ZPrPQh_j17i6_9ksFcuIkktjpj1sll83UciSpkWNJCKVRfM_VT1udsZIGoUN8/s1600/P1030477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-xUUyxZb21e-zsN86Jm0F4VLDWIH7k90y8utmhBGBWnfTy8hDnjSM-vJH9JJ-bYkK9H3EIF47BemtD4ZPrPQh_j17i6_9ksFcuIkktjpj1sll83UciSpkWNJCKVRfM_VT1udsZIGoUN8/s320/P1030477.JPG" /></a><br />
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The thing you won't find out while at the center, is the wonderful work really done there. I wish they had a bit more information about the work they actually do, which, thanks to our source on the trip, Rakesh, turns out to be an awful lot. The elephants in Kuala Gandah are either being rehabilitated or trained as working elephants. By the latter, it means they are taught to aid in the capture of wild elephants, especially when the latter cannot be tranquilised due to their health conditions or other extraneous circumstances. In such cases, trained elephants together with their mahouts ride through the jungle until they are alongside the wild elephant target, hemming it in on both sides and leading it to safety. The mahout's job is a dangerous one - imagine riding atop an elephant crashing through the jungle at full speed. Injury, needless to say, is a sure thing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF74Po1kMjEgmD-fVZ-Rz4AsDiFQVS7_Ajjt6LKNQVoIR-E2iolQTi92u6UFDLicGei2m2MgcAZPXh8ABGkMCWvj0uzzFQb6mzT8gr5mTAsouGuZMS4Y0Bzzjmnt4UJnl_8YH5FvHugLIP/s1600/P1030472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF74Po1kMjEgmD-fVZ-Rz4AsDiFQVS7_Ajjt6LKNQVoIR-E2iolQTi92u6UFDLicGei2m2MgcAZPXh8ABGkMCWvj0uzzFQb6mzT8gr5mTAsouGuZMS4Y0Bzzjmnt4UJnl_8YH5FvHugLIP/s320/P1030472.JPG" /></a><br />
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Yet, these brave men and their elephants persevere, saving more than 300 elephants to date.<br />
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If you haven't visited, do go. It's one of the few things we do right. And it's absolutely free of charge, which I personally think is outrageous - the experience alone deserves an admission fee. So, do give a donation instead, as the center can always use the funds.Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-14128622152633503652009-11-05T18:40:00.000+08:002009-11-05T18:40:14.929+08:00From A Distance<div>Managed to capture some shots of the island and its surroundings one a flight once. Thought I'd share it with all of you - especially those who have never been to Langkawi.<br />
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</div><div>And if you're living in Malaysia - what the heck are you waiting for lah?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9lTkUg8dcMZ-FwfPpwhgAlNuW4VGh-4MGr4LuHvR1ABLCLOz8Eae2v17hEBkJkRkYsEwYgj2gdUFVrnYcDxNlKqoCgZy0-3_xYXcYFEvVAeEJ7MBFRYv4ewwgYohM_I3F0t_iHDzC9N0/s1600-h/P1030252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9lTkUg8dcMZ-FwfPpwhgAlNuW4VGh-4MGr4LuHvR1ABLCLOz8Eae2v17hEBkJkRkYsEwYgj2gdUFVrnYcDxNlKqoCgZy0-3_xYXcYFEvVAeEJ7MBFRYv4ewwgYohM_I3F0t_iHDzC9N0/s320/P1030252.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Pulau Dayang Bunting (Island of the Pregnant Maiden) where the famous lake with the same name is located.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because Blogger is such a pain when it comes to uploading photos, do oin our Facebook Page - La Pari-Pari to see the rest and our other albums.<br />
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</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-34619524588746278792009-10-31T16:22:00.000+08:002009-10-31T16:22:10.601+08:00Tiga Langkawi Turns One<div style="text-align: center;"><i>This is a long overdue post (almost a month to be exact!) and my apologies to Jeff and Nas for not doing this sooner!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSR1wAnFQjtqe8iFOCiHQABSRoVqs4n4BLwImeIOAdCDy92DydiwIBJrFUF89p-gtZXtK4rHUvKiha_0zaNSHsU70c6QRvtGa-0Zl94neI7_46k9k2N15GmlA4mlD1LDwkfawCUSQMozu/s1600-h/P1030211.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394727399544841378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSR1wAnFQjtqe8iFOCiHQABSRoVqs4n4BLwImeIOAdCDy92DydiwIBJrFUF89p-gtZXtK4rHUvKiha_0zaNSHsU70c6QRvtGa-0Zl94neI7_46k9k2N15GmlA4mlD1LDwkfawCUSQMozu/s200/P1030211.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 150px;" /></a>If you ever make your way on the windy road to The Datai, you will pass by the Temurun Waterfalls. If you're in luck, you'll glimpse a rather over-sized, glowing number 3 across the road from the falls.<br />
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</div><div>Congratulations, you have found Tiga Langkawi - a lunchtime treat for those journeying far off the touristy Cenang beach strip. Started by Jeff and Nas, Tiga Langkawi offers yummy fare that is in limited supply - on<br />
</div><div>ce they run out for the day, that's it! And I am told they run out pretty quickly, thanks to Nas' magic in the kitchen.<br />
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</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxTd_GReXMfhlMdoztjqKPjlnFsNYwMr9HkalDCQLegbuX2zI-I00y1DQFN5OQhS3jJ_OtqopMFdWhAmcBKnEWlhOGsl3umt5I0Fv5-VojFoT9TvWMPjwKCbvCROYB2nItiJHtIVyyFQZ/s1600/P1030206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394730253810029794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxTd_GReXMfhlMdoztjqKPjlnFsNYwMr9HkalDCQLegbuX2zI-I00y1DQFN5OQhS3jJ_OtqopMFdWhAmcBKnEWlhOGsl3umt5I0Fv5-VojFoT9TvWMPjwKCbvCROYB2nItiJHtIVyyFQZ/s200/P1030206.JPG" style="height: 200px; margin-top: 0pt; width: 150px;" /></a><i><span style="font-size: small;">The hensem Nas!</span><span style="font-size: small;"> (We didn't have Jeff's pic!)</span></i><br />
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</div><div>We first met Jeff and Nas on an evening out in Langkawi and were immediately intrigued by their description of the restaurant wedged between a waterfall and the ocean. The next afternoon, we ventured out in search of them and we weren't disappointed.<br />
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</div><div>Although the restaurant was closed for renovations at the time, we spent a lovely evening hanging out with the guys and their lovely dogs, watching the evening grow darker as <br />
</div><div>the waves lapped at our feet on a deserted pebble beach.<br />
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</div><div>In early October, Tiga Langkawi celebrated its first birthday and we were invited! Woo hoo! The food was amazing and the company even better. We met Langkawi residents and those like us who would someday like to call the island home, including Dawn who is a regular on our Facebook fan page.<br />
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<div><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Aida fashions some Oakleys out of her dinner spoons</i></span><br />
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</div><div>More and more, we realise that Langkawi is actually a haven for transplants from everywhere, especially KL. Nas for example, shuttles between the island and KL where he has another business. Other folks we've met just decided to do what we aspire - pack up and leave the city hustle for the island life. I guess that makes us not so unusual after all :-)<br />
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</div><div>So the next time you're on the island and in search of a tasty lunch, try going off the beaten path a little, and discover the magic of Tiga Langkawi. The food's great and the company's even better :-) Unfortunately, my camera didn't end up capturing very nice photos. So if you'd like to see more, just look up Tiga Langkawi on Facebook :-)<br />
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</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394727413216412066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4_jVEASPxZ24nyLn6H2-smNkD4Br1_wfwvmMf4MYqOz6e1QQBUeWRdhxWMpAwnAq7lS1vWABXMkClCqITDVC1gDB6dX5TrUY1CjbWt1Vf9P7ojYg3tkS1FzUwh9-_yRG8NiZpPaqe-60/s200/P1030216.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /><br />
</div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Aida, Eric and I attempt a Charlie's Angels pose :-)</i></span><br />
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</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-12479666001713498082009-10-20T22:55:00.006+08:002009-10-20T23:45:18.110+08:00Of Beyonce, a Kerbau and some other updates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bpy0LfboMN-qTIOr6b5gNUgIsiToid_V7KorXiYRRacH3Lu-Q2zjxGH1HY1YEcHqMlWJkqKm50do1aaSd0w5QsWkwsTg0ZfQytvX48pMQ8LMdroBnVcr6lQZa8ji0EiaZ1MbfaXKGnxY/s1600-h/P1030310_2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bpy0LfboMN-qTIOr6b5gNUgIsiToid_V7KorXiYRRacH3Lu-Q2zjxGH1HY1YEcHqMlWJkqKm50do1aaSd0w5QsWkwsTg0ZfQytvX48pMQ8LMdroBnVcr6lQZa8ji0EiaZ1MbfaXKGnxY/s200/P1030310_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394708651018492930" /></a><br />My apologies for being so delinquent with the blog posts of late. Combination of work and sheer laziness on some days. That and the added distraction of Beyonce, our English Bulldog who joined our household a couple of months back.<div><br /></div><div>Work on La Pari-Pari has been chugging along, albeit at a slightly slower pace due to the recent Ramadhan and Hari Raya festivities. Thankfully things have picked back up. Sometimes I look back and I can't believe we've reached the point we're at already. Seems like only yesterday we were still hunting for a suitable piece of land.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yet there are days when things can't seem to happen fast enough :-) </div><div><br /></div><div>In early October, we finally began the process of submitting our plans to the town planning authority for approval. We thought it would take a while, as things have a way of doing, before they would even get to our case. Surprisingly, they've already come back with some initial feedback which may require us to make some changes. In a way, it's good news. It means someone's looking at our file! (I know, ain't it sad that in Malaysia the benchmark is whether someone even knows you exist in their mountain of paperwork....)</div><div><br /></div><div>The other big development is that we are exploring a change in construction strategy. From the start, our resort was meant to be a brick-and-mortar deal. But there has always been a lingering concern as to whether we could get the quality of finish and durability we wanted with our limited budget. Plus, the skill level of local labour has always been questionable, judging from the quality of many buildings on Langkawi.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, if we had a trillion dollars, it wouldn't be a problem! :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>But of late, we've been exploring a new possibility. Ijam, through Mr Chan (of Bu House fame) is now looking at constructing La Pari-Pari out of timber and cement boards, in much the same way houses in the West are built. I guess for those of you who are familiar with Langkawi, it would be akin to how the Burau Bay cabanas were built. Although with today's materials, the results should be a lot better.</div><div><br /></div><div>The main appeal to us where this method is concerned is the reusability of the materials. If for some reason, we decided to tear down the structures one day, the wooden beams are recyclable. Which is a lot more than can be said with brick and mortar. Plus, this way there would be little need for a concrete foundation, which translates into structures that sit lighter within their environments.</div><div><br /></div><div>So all's well that ends well, I hope. There are some of you who have asked why we have not pursued the route of using wood completely, a la Malay kampung houses. The answer is - it's too expensive ;-) Plus, we do feel that kampung-style resorts are so over-done, especially in Langkawi. The island doesn't need yet another one, n'est-ce pas?</div><div><br /></div><div>In other news (and this is just to give you a feel for the little vagaries we deal with in our quest): After our walkthrough of the site once it was pegged, a kerbau has since traipsed in and made compost of our wooden pegs and strings LOL! Ah well. I guess he had a few ideas of his own how La Pari-Pari should look :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>Next: our recent trip to celebrate Tiga Langkawi's birthday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, here's a snippet of our Beyonce, whose concert will NOT be cancelled :-) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHGCm5wpOwY">Click here.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-13171646969452633192009-09-09T17:03:00.000+08:002009-09-09T01:24:49.244+08:00Bu HouseAida wins hands down when it comes to uncovering gems off the beaten path in Langkawi.<div><br /></div><div>The latest one she's shared with us is Bu House - the home of a man whose passion for bamboo has led to his creation of the Langkawi Carbon Exchange project. Tucked away in a hidden pocket of villages, Bu House is a sprawling homestead whose simplicity veils the important work that is being done there.</div><div><br /></div><div>The founder, a Mr Chan, is a rotund fellow who didn't hesitate to welcome us onto his grounds and generously spent an afternoon telling us about his various projects. The one that caught our attention was his carbon exchange project which involves both Langkawi villagers and big businesses from around the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>The idea is a simple one. Sell carbon credits to big businesses who need to pay penance for their pollutant ways by planting bamboo on local village land. The big businesses win and so do the Langkawi kampung folk. Apparently business is so good, Mr Chan can't keep up with the demand!</div><div><br /></div><div>And the local folk who participate in the programme? Mr Chan tells the tale of how years ago, when the programme began, he only managed to persuade the local menfolk to permit the planting of a handful of bamboo thickets on their respective pieces of land. Now, several years later, some of these old folk have passed on, and their wives upon finding out how lucrative the bamboo have become, berate their late husbands for not allowing Mr Chan to plant more on their plots!</div><div><br /></div><div>Judging from the figures Mr Chan shared with us, I can certainly understand why. A bamboo thicket nets the land owner about RM1,000 from the programme a year. All for doing nothing except allowing the bamboo to exist on one's plot of land, as all maintenance and culling is done by Mr Chan's team free-of-charge. An acre of land can host up to 270 bamboo thickets. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anim did the math and almost decided against building La Pari-Pari! :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>The money aside, we were very heartened to meet Mr Chan. Here's someone who has pursued a passion of his and not only made it pay off, but also figured a way to spread the wealth around. Now that's sustainable business practice. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh and the best part of visiting Mr Chan? We also got free reign to wander around his grounds which houses ducks, chickens, guinea fowl, a very playful dog and a clutch of goats from various parts of the world. One of them was even in the midst of giving birth when we were there and another was busy tending to her two-day old kid. It doesn't get more special than that.</div><div><br /></div><div>To view photos, visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Pari-Pari/57763847589">La Pari-Pari's Facebook page.</a></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063122122657046762.post-42100690393702825942009-08-24T23:02:00.001+08:002009-08-24T23:13:52.638+08:00The Company Secretary<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So few acknowledge the backroom folks of their businesses. We thought we'd take some time to give some snaps to our favourite founding member.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiI037H5AC9ZGi2pqjBUaxGl6etID1fY1QOse7cgTtFsQD48o0FDfrG_tjp2kOfZocoFIqQZyO9DvItd5QM8JSs-A6dGCKTOGAvUEAjCHvrw9LhmsHe72oWexCQetVJ0bNjCcwTkB9v9Or/s320/P1000853.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357842614935875762" /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is our Company Secretary. Her name is Athena. Ijam has also proclaimed her his KL girlfriend whenever he comes to visit. We suspect it's because when he stays over at our house (yes we believe in keeping a close eye on him LOL!) he sleeps on the futon in our den - also christened by him as Athena's bed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whether or not we have meetings with Ijam face-to-face or on the phone, Athena attends all of them faithfully (unless of course we're in Langkawi -then, she's boarded at Camp David with the rest of the doggies and busy sulking...)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">5 minutes before meetings begin.... (note the anticipation on face)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DCyj9fwzthELORidnronFUccT3Db69UAsGjFGVQKapmCKiOHvdXbHwbqgDTeXbEgQiukyNpKrtzW5ubXHIvfPhoWEWZzLavC2wEXkfkDaMJNGCKi6sJ6m7gH2Ph5XxESCXPemTrHbkvm/s1600-h/P1000857.JPG"></a><div><br /></div><div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DCyj9fwzthELORidnronFUccT3Db69UAsGjFGVQKapmCKiOHvdXbHwbqgDTeXbEgQiukyNpKrtzW5ubXHIvfPhoWEWZzLavC2wEXkfkDaMJNGCKi6sJ6m7gH2Ph5XxESCXPemTrHbkvm/s320/P1000857.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357846421493354066" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rapt attention mid-way through an architectural debate...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCWujkd-cnQlRV999MhTLScdNsAB2ONa-Oi8xD8-GRF__VBzW-_BrBbn1h0N0A2eZBVwjirWd5lhiaWPId4cqgiaBYSVKhYXAfEUCbrS2QEEFhB7dqFSsW1kv_j5fXpGXK4-IEls4g21p/s320/P1000863.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357848361091436178" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In deep thought.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnle12pveUuVouPa4ibcNtdm9f9NcAUFfrcnbqRFy19fmrmt0-mXqc5unDA0FiqI8VKnEFzs0x9hvBqqVnXWD5LHxV9dgYvGRdjWnINVS4q0q6d9hUXbp3PYH1JQj0qgIfp5EMksP0zNuA/s1600-h/P1000861.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnle12pveUuVouPa4ibcNtdm9f9NcAUFfrcnbqRFy19fmrmt0-mXqc5unDA0FiqI8VKnEFzs0x9hvBqqVnXWD5LHxV9dgYvGRdjWnINVS4q0q6d9hUXbp3PYH1JQj0qgIfp5EMksP0zNuA/s320/P1000861.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357850582172801714" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She will claim she is overworked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hopefully you will all get to meet her when La Pari-Pari opens.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At any rate, we have listened to her complaints and got her an assistant. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vuJ_hA7hCUzU4RHWYjZ7T3OSZCR9266amoqDz9iV_spNonYQkVU8XDuth22h39KWChFf8fa0-H6M0LrjGEQgXiFUpzdp0bzx0uNi6SUq45pOkZzOP4Vw__mejWX6VdgDiDNs8qmmE4wY/s200/28072009074.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367281181691359266" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I have my suspicions at 5 months Beyonce has already been quickly influenced by her superior!</div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06197166386483986381noreply@blogger.com0