Book : Books on Happiness

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Hello !

I think by far, this is the fifth book on Happiness for this year. I've read and churned everything I could find and they usually talk about almost the same thing. Why I read all these books? What am I trying to prove? Where am I leading? Well, I am just curious, on how people finding their happiness, how they see it, how they answer to it. So I read books from different writers, different races : Paulo is Brazillian writer, Francois is French psychiatrist, Michael is an American ex-advertising executive, Robin S. Sharma is a Canadian ex-lawyer.

What I can conclude from these readings are :

• We know basic stuffs about making ourselves happy, but we will keep on trying to find it. 
• Happiness is overrated.
• You will find some peace in mind when you understand that happiness is being here, when you learned the art of appreciation towards everything, when you found your zen. The ability to be in peace. It is a skill that needed to be learned. If you can teach yourself that skill, you will find happiness in everything.  
• Appreciate little happiness.

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I think this would be the last happiness books for this year : The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. It's about Gretchen's little project on finding happiness. She took a year off and tried to understand and learned about what makes her happy, what makes other people happy, little things towards self-improvements, quotations, and such. It started of by sharing those experiments with readers in her blog and later she wrote a book on it.

Read the reviews here and quotations here.

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“The belief that unhappiness is selfless and happiness is selfish is misguided. It's more selfless to act happy. It takes energy, generosity, and discipline to be unfailingly lighthearted, yet everyone takes the happy person for granted. No one is careful of his feelings or tries to keep his spirits high. He seems self-sufficient; he becomes a cushion for others. And because happiness seems unforced, that person usually gets no credit.”

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Read my other posts on Happiness Books :

Aleph yb Paulo Coelho

How to Save Your Own Life by Micheal Gates Gill

Hector and the Search for Happiness by Francois Lelord

         Lesson 1 : Making Comparisons Can Spoil Your Happiness

         Lesson 2 : Happiness Often Comes When Least Expected

         Lesson 3 : Many People See Happiness Only in Their Future

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin S. Sharma

Doodle : Free Sketches

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Hello !

The giftaways entry is still open until 7th September 2012, another a week to go. Read more here, that is the original post! Here are another additional sketches to be won :

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How to Feed Your Curiosity?

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Hello !

Feed curiosity.

If knowledge is eatable, I think I would be excessively obese by now.

How you can feed your curiosity?

• Read book, the lamest possible way. Pick a book and read. Don't just pick one book, read as many as you can on that topic. Read book from different writers, different ethnic, and religious beliefs. Collect all knowledge and analyze your findings.

• Ask questions. It's okay if it's a stupid question, as long as you are serious about wanting to know the answer. Stupid questions to joke around is pure time waster.

• Google. Since internet is on the tip of my finger, I ask Google whenever I needed answers. Is that Keira Knightly in 'Star Wars the Phantom Menace'? Yes. How to explain the use of "literally"? 

• Don't label something as 'boring'. Find out what makes it interesting on other people's view. Open your heart and try it. For example, I've tried kareoke, and I am still figuring out what makes it so fun for most people. 

• Learn! Enjoy learning process, you will be excited to dig deeper on each topic. Languages, cultures, histories, people, and such.

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Read more :

4 Reasons Why Curiosity is Important and How to Develop It?

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We keep moving forward, opening new doors, 

and doing new things, because we're curious 

and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

- Walt Disney

Movie : Premium Rush and I

I missed writing terribly. In this past 17 days without writing, I tried my best to consider it as my days with real life experiences and stories. I told myself that I needed this to be a better writer and observer.

I've read around 5 books, including novel graphics and travelogues. I've been to many places. I met people. I joined group activities such as watching television that make me felt dready after several hours. I shopped and walked and talked and cooked and all those social activities.

All without any drawing, doodling or writing.

It almost kick my patience, I was nearly attacked by anxiety.

And I'm back again!

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This topic reminded me of yesterday's movie I watched with Mr. S : Premium Rush.

Wilee is an example of an adrenaline junkie. Adrenaline junkie is a person that enjoys and addicted to the thrill of adrenaline rush. Usually it is also associated with extreme sport and typical activities like river rafting, rock climbing, bungee jumping. Anything associated with danger, and is highly risky. 

You know the feeling when you are out of breath, heart rate increases, the '"act now or die" moment. It will give you extra oxygen, energy, hormones. and euphoric feelings. 

The movie gave an interesting view from adrenaline junkies. I knew such people existed but I didn't really understand their condition. Maybe due to my almost serene and slow pace life I cherished so much. 

In the movie, Wilee chose to be what we call "reckless cyclist". He chose to use the most basic condition in a bike ; no brake, no gears. He chose not to be trapped in the normal life behind office desk like his friends. He wanted to be on the road, constanly moving, where he needed to think and act fast all the time. 

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How is this movie be connected with the introductory paragraph I just wrote above?

Well, It opened my eyes a bit. 

Although I don't wish for fast pace life, I know I am addicted with doing and producing something. The need to write or draw or doodle or read or anything as long as I am not lazying around. The foolish act of waking up from unplanned afternoon sleep with my heart beating up so fast because I feel like I've just wasted my time, sleeping. Is that even normal?

I do wish to be a little reckless once in a while. Knowing I plan almost everything, gives me a little feeling of being trapped in my own invisible rules. 

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PS : I love Joseph Gordon-Lewitt

App : Fieldrunners 2

I love the game sequal to the award winning game, Fieldrunners! 

Before I went back home to my kampung, I keep on reconsidering to buy the game. I know I loved the previous Fieldrunners and I did bought the game last year, finished playing and even stopped playing it completely. *I have a habit of over-excessively play a game until the ending and I'll leave it completely afterwards.

Several months ago I came across the shiny new app on iTunes : Fieldrunners 2. I was excited but a little skeptical. What if the game is just another twin version of the previous one with small extra features? Am I ready to spend $2.99 for a game? Maybe I should. I would be lying if I say I am not curious about it. 

So I bought it, after reading few convincing reviews.

And I am loving it! 

• The graphics are beautiful, and guess what? They are all digitally hand-painted! For an art appreciator, I do see this little things. I love the way thing are both traditional and modern at the same time, it is the best way of merging them. 

• I love how there is a beautiful interactive maps to choose levels from, the previous one was a bit too simple. There are also many fun bonus levels in between. 

• I love how they put on the details. Like how those soldiers fall when they were shot and how those helicopters burned. For your information, it is as small as real life ants on the screen. So knowing they put efforts on making it that detailed, is pure joy to me. 

I bought it, and I am enjoying the game.

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PS : I don't do jailbreaks, I appreciate people's work and I don't steal when I want something.

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I work as a conceptual designer for mobile application and during my free time, I explore the beautiful wonder of arts in current digital medium mainly in tablets and smart phones. I'll share my finding here from time to time. Enjoy the geeky side of me ! :D - azreenchan

Raya 2012

Win sketches here!

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Hello, it's been more than a week of Raya's holiday! How was your Raya? My Raya was nice. I went back to JB and Pekan, Pahang, met families and old friends, ate various foods, gave duit raya and received duit raya, it was beautiful! 

I am currently working on my Raya experience in doodles, so we'll wait for that, ya!

Anyhow, here is a photo of my siblings and I on our first day of Raya and Raya doodles I'm currently working on :

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Doodle : Finding Inspiration

I read an article by Leo Babauta from ZenHabits on Finding Inspiration and took a visual note on it. Here :

Ignore some misspells :D

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My ways of finding inspiration :

1. Surrounding

This is by what I see, what I experience, small incidents, items on my desk, random ideas and such.

2. Blog walking

Famous way to feel inspired is by seeing other people doing so well in finding theirs. I use bloglovin+ to follow blog's updates.

3. StumbleUpon

4. Comic & Graphic Novel

I took a pleasure in buying other people's artwork, in stories, in comics, in painting, etc. Sometimes I secretly buy a graphic novel and hide it. Huhaha. 

5. Quotation

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Random : Tasya's birthday

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Last weekend was one of my best friend's birthday. 

Happy birthday Tasya! 

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We went to Ole-ole Bali in Sunway Pyramid.

It was my first time experience so I ordered western food : Chicken Chop and Chips for RM 28.90. I should probably order their signature food instead of random western food but I wasn't really focusing much while reading the menu *it was almost 7pm! The restaurant's interior was really beautiful and welcoming. 

Tasya's dinner : Nasi Kambing Bumbu

Moi Chicken Chop and Chips

See those lights! Bubu!

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Yesterday's event while on my way to work :

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Doodle : Zamzammee

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Hello !

Some of you might know my old-time doodle partner, zamzammee. I met him a couple of days ago for iftar, while waiting for the time, I took the chance to ask for a doodle. The amazing thing about him is the ability to doodle so fast on the spot. I am always amazed by what he can do.

I learned from him, back when doodle isn't so popular on the net. We've started to doodle and shared it  with the public through the net several years ago, in 2009. And by 2010, we started to join events and interviews. He isn't really active online, but he is really good in this. Check out his work in his facebook, not much were shared, but that's a start :D

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Little Thing 34 : Dad's Saying 2

Today while reading this, I found another quotation my dad used to repeat many times :

“If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” - Albert Einstein.

My dad used to asked us, siblings, pop questions on random things that we've learned at school. Being us, we were as nervous as house mouse, we usually squeak when my dad asked anything and we just mumbled away anything.

My dad said many times that IF we can't explain in our own words the definition or process of something, that means we don't understand it enough. Despite getting an A in Science, or memorize word-by-word definition of something from the text book.

He said in most of job interviews he held to find new staffs, his favorite question is "What is science? Explain it to me". *he is a science researcher. He will then rejects people who can't answer it *harsh. So he can judge the potential interviewee's understanding by that simple question. 

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Almost 6 years ago, I told my dad that I want to continue my study in IT : Graphic & Multimedia. The first question he asked was : What is graphic? Yes, I stumbled and mumbled things about pictures, computers, editing, animations and stuff. He wasn't satisfied with my answer. 

Dad : If you don't even know what is graphic, then how come you want to have a degree on graphic?
Me : I don't know well enough, that's why I want to learn it.
Dad : I didn't know you draw, you can draw? *only my oldest sister draw during that time. 
Me : Yes, I can, I guess. *who would have thought that I'll be known for doodling now! :D

How innocent. I really thought I'll be doing graphic & multimedia during my studies, little did I know, majoring in Information Technology means programming & coding! I've never heard of Creative Multimedia when I was applying for college. Shesh..

Anyhow, I did finished my degree on IT.
Not regretting it.

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PS :
Information technology is the use of technology to manipulate, save or store, produce, send and spread the information. Bingo!

Book : French Milk

Win sketches here!

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Hello !

I woke up early today because I was awaken by countless mosquito bites. I thought I'd be feeling groggy, but luckily I felt alive! I literally sang-aloud Karyn White's Superwoman and Keranamu Cinta by V.E & Quadrose, my all time random favorites. 

Before I went to to the bus stop, I went to check the letter box. Silently hoping for Raya cards, but alas! Luckily, I saw a medium sized heavy envelope when I peeked in. Yeay, my package has arrived! The travelogue I ordered from bookdepository! It merely took 15 days, with free shipping and all, I'm satisfied! Read here for my previous order review.

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My third order from bookdepository :

French Milk by Lucy Knisley. I've been searching for this travelogue at major bookstores, but I never found it so I decided to order from bookdepository. Books posted in my letterbox on random days, I feel like Santa leaving presents on Christmas for me!

I am enjoying it by far. *I read it on my way to work this morning, now on page 124. It is a travelogue of her experience while staying in Paris for 6 weeks with her mom. It reminds me of my original idea, to explore Paris with my mom and write/draw a travelogue while on that 1 month stay, but alas! Airasia cancelled our flight that was supposedly due last July.

Anyhow, those random chit-chats, little trinkets of interesting things and foods, the culture and environment, the appartement, random french words that I recognized, makes me all excited. I need to do this project someday, someday soon!

Here are sneak-peeks of the book :

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Food : Frozen Yogurt , Snogurt

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Hello!

Frozen Yogurts are widely spreading in Malaysia these past couple of years. I am a big fan of frozen yogurt! Exciting enough, there is a new frozen yogurt shop called Snogurt in Equine Park. We went there last week to have a taste of it. It tasted as delicious as Moo & Tutti-Fruitti. 

Snogurt in Equine Park is still on promotional price, you'll get 30% off until this 18th August. So if you LOVE froyo, make sure you give it a try ! 

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If you would love to try your own home-made frozen yogurt, 

check out how to do it here :

Home Made Frozen Yogurt

Doodle : Gift-away Reminder

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Just for s soft reminder :

You can still participate in sketches gift-aways for August!

3 weeks to go. 

This week's sketch :

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Doodle : My Doodle Book

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Hello !

I found a really nice empty doodle book! Perfect for my doodles using pencil, it is clean and it does not crumple when I erase any mistakes. Nice size, it is A6,  small enough to be stuffed in my bag with 48 pages to doodle. I love it! 

I used to use Moleskine's notebook, but it gets too pricey when it comes to random doodles and note taking. So I've been searching for a replacement. This is it!

Details :

A6 Scout Book

48 pages,

Ecofriendly, biodegredable, compostable palm paper,

from Go Palm + a.e.i.o.u.  

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Travel : Melaka 3

Don't forget current gift-aways!

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Hello!

This is my final post on my Melaka trip, I promise! I took a lot of photos that I love and putting it up in my blog is one of the way to keep it fresh in my mind. It is like a public diary of my living years. I do go through my blog every now and then. Just to have a taste of my past and reminding myself on how much I grew up and learned these past years. It is also a way for me to share my stories with my families and people who care. 

I am not much of a people person - to be in real live situation and share my thoughts and stories. So this is how much I can participate with people.

I hope these picturous posts didn't take so much time to load, I've resized all of them and they load as fast as hummingbird's wings on my browser *at least most of the time, of course. 

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I drew this while waiting for my colleague to arrive.

This was taken when we just arrived at Johan Hotel

At Umbai, while waiting for Iftar time

I ate as much seafoods as I want !

In Jonker Streets' small shop

A' Famosa

Random photo of me, through the looking glass.

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Pictures were taken by using :

IPhone 4S + Instagram

I  hate watermarks, 

so please be informed that all this pictures are mine, 

thank you.

Book : Harry Potter

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Hello!

Early this week, I decided to reread Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The book I got almost 11 years ago. It had turned blotchy brownish-yellow with old book's smell. It is wide opened in the middle, because the book's binding isn't as strong as before. In the first page, my mom's wrote :

I remembered the incident when I bought the book quite fondly because it was one of the good memories in my life. Things like that won't happen twice. I am not sure was it because of the whole family was there, after our movie's night at TGV, The Mines or was it because of my first ever expensive book I ever owned? Maybe both. 

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My mom is the reason why I read so much, and the reason why I have so many book since my early age. She is supportive, even though she hardly read books with long writings. I used to have series of 5 Sekawan, Enid Blython's translated series. It used to cost RM3.90 each when I was in Primary School. It goes slowly to English books because of the story variation. My mom let me choose 1 book every month. I nagged her to let me wander alone in the bookstore while she went shopping so I can have longer time to chose book. 

I love the fact that she encouraged me to keep on reading. I love the fact that she never said no, when I asked for books. I love the fact that I got a couple of books as my birthday presents every year from my family, and I can put it in a line as I choose the book's turn to be read. I used to write a list of books that I would love to have. 

It's different now. I grew up, I have a decent job, I have my responsibilities to be taken care of. If I want a book, I'll replan my monthly money. If I want more than I should, I'll scrap from here and there. Years ago I wrote in my journal, asking myself whether one day I'll stop loving books. I was a bit worried. I guess I haven't changed a bit - at least that part where I play a role of a bookaholic. 

❤

Travel : Bag & Things I Bring

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Hello!

When I go to places, it is important for me to bring proper bag. Not too large or heavy, not too small or packed. It is safest and convenient for me to use sling bag. Why?

1. Position.

You can put your sling bag upfront, if you feel insecure with your surrounding, or at your side, or even sling it to your backside. You can also sling it across your body, so it is hard for people to snatch it from you. 

2. Size

It is not too big, not too small. 

As long as I can put my books or water bottle in there.

3. Fabric

I hate PVC, or fake leather. They don't last long. Once, I bought fake leather sling bag and it lasted for only 2 weeks before it started to peel off. 

So, it's either leather, or fabric. 

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So, things that I bring while on the road :

I am not much of a girly type, so I don't wear make-ups. It saves a lot of space too. 

There will be : 

*must bring camera LX3, 

iPod - in case I got super bored along the way,

small sketch book, mechanical pencil & eraser,

money & card case,

little coin purse,

current book,

2 of my favorite lipbalm *cherry & vanilla,

oil control film - for my oily skin,

and my handsome tin soldier.

PS :

Tin soldier travelled to a lot of places with me ❤

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Don't forget to enter this latest gift-away. 

I got 10 sketches to be shared with YOU.

❤

Travel : Melaka 2

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Hello !

On our second day in Melaka, we walked around the historical town by feet. From our hotel, all the way to Jonker Street again. We ignored the fact that we were slightly exhausted and thirsty, we kept on walking. I took gazillion photos while we were walking around. I tried to search for tiny details that were left behind by history. Beautiful old buildings, beca, people lining up for cold drinks, old antique shops, dreamcatchers, museums, making my walking hours worth while.

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Museums :

The Last Supper, ha!

Reminds me of Hitler, ha!

I saw a faceless lady in this painting, reminds me of Amelie.

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Pictures were taken by using :

Lumix LX 3

I  hate watermarks, 

so please be informed that all this pictures are mine, 

thank you.