Why You Should Travel Young

WHY YOU SHOULD TRAVEL YOUNG

As I write this, I’m flying. It’s an incredible concept: to be suspended in the air, moving at two hundred miles an hour — while I read a magazine. Amazing, isn’t it?
I woke up at three a.m. this morning. Long before the sun rose, thirty people loaded up three conversion vans and drove two hours to the San Juan airport. Our trip was finished. It was time to go home. But we were changed.

As I sit, waiting for the flight attendant to bring my ginger ale, I’m left wondering why I travel at all. The other night, I was reminded why I do it — why I believe this discipline of travel is worth all the hassle.

I was leading a missions trip in Puerto Rico. After a day of work, as we were driving back to the church where we were staying, one of the young women brought up a question.

“Do you think I should go to graduate school or move to Africa?”
I don’t think she was talking to me. In fact, I’m pretty sure she wasn’t. But that didn’t stop me from offering my opinion.

I told her to travel. Hands down. No excuses. Just go.
She sighed, nodding. “Yeah, but…”

I had heard this excuse before, and I didn’t buy it. I knew the “yeah-but” intimately. I had uttered it many times before. The words seem innocuous enough, but are actually quite fatal.
Yeah, but …
… what about debt?
… what about my job?
… what about my boyfriend?
This phrase is lethal. It makes it sound like we have the best of intentions, when really we are just too scared to do what we should. It allows us to be cowards while sounding noble.

Most people I know who waited to travel the world never did it. Conversely, plenty of people who waited for grad school or a steady job still did those things after they traveled.
It reminded me of Dr. Eisenhautz and the men’s locker room.

Dr. Eisenhautz was a German professor at my college. I didn’t study German, but I was a foreign language student so we knew each other. This explains why he felt the need to strike up a conversation with me at six o’clock one morning.

I was about to start working out, and he had just finished. We were both getting dressed in the locker room. It was, to say the least, a little awkward — two grown men shooting the breeze while taking off their clothes.
“You come here often?” he asked. I could have laughed.

“Um, yeah, I guess,” I said, still wiping the crusted pieces of whatever out of my eyes.
“That’s great,” he said. “Just great.”

I nodded, not really paying attention. He had already had his adrenaline shot; I was still waiting for mine. I somehow uttered that a friend and I had been coming to the gym for a few weeks now, about three times a week.

“Great,” Dr. Eisenhautz repeated. He paused as if to reflect on what he would say next. Then, he just blurted it out. The most profound thing I had heard in my life.

“The habits you form here will be with you for the rest of your life.”Photos by Geoff Heith
My head jerked up, my eyes got big, and I stared at him, letting the words soak into my half-conscious mind. He nodded, said a gruff goodbye, and left. I was dumbfounded.

The words reverberated in my mind for the rest of the day. Years later, they still haunt me. It’s true — the habits you form early in life will, most likely, be with you for the rest of your existence.
I have seen this fact proven repeatedly. My friends who drank a lot in college drink in larger quantities today. Back then, we called it “partying.” Now, it has a less glamorous name: alcoholism. There are other examples. The guys and girls who slept around back then now have babies and unfaithful marriages. Those with no ambition then are still working the same dead end jobs.

“We are what we repeatedly do,” Aristotle once said. While I don’t want to sound all gloom-and-doom, and I believe your life can turn around at any moment, there is an important lesson here: life is a result of intentional habits. So I decided to do the things that were most important to me first, not last.
After graduating college, I joined a band and traveled across North America for nine months. With six of my peers, I performed at schools, churches, and prisons. We even spent a month in Taiwan on our overseas tour. (We were huge in Taiwan.)

As part of our low-cost travel budget, we usually stayed in people’s homes. Over dinner or in conversation later in the evening, it would almost always come up — the statement I dreaded. As we were conversing about life on the road — the challenges of long days, being cooped up in a van, and always being on the move — some well-intentioned adult would say, “It’s great that you’re doing this … while you’re still young.”

Ouch. Those last words — while you’re still young — stung like a squirt of lemon juice in the eye (a sensation with which I am well acquainted). They reeked of vicarious longing and mid-life regret. I hated hearing that phrase.
I wanted to shout back,

“No, this is NOT great while I’m still young! It’s great for the rest of my life! You don’t understand. This is not just a thing I’m doing to kill time. This is my calling! My life! I don’t want what you have. I will always be an adventurer.”
In a year, I will turn thirty. Now I realize how wrong I was. Regardless of the intent of those words, there was wisdom in them.

As we get older, life can just sort of happen to us. Whatever we end up doing, we often end up with more responsibilities, more burdens, more obligations. This is not always bad. In fact, in many cases it is really good. It means you’re influencing people, leaving a legacy.

Youth is a time of total empowerment. You get to do what you want. As you mature and gain new responsibilities, you have to be very intentional about making sure you don’t lose sight of what’s important. The best way to do that is to make investments in your life so that you can have an effect on who you are in your later years.

I did this by traveling. Not for the sake of being a tourist, but to discover the beauty of life — to remember that I am not complete.



There is nothing like riding a bicycle across the Golden Gate Bridge or seeing the Coliseum at sunset. I wish I could paint a picture for you of how incredible the Guatemalan mountains are or what a rush it is to appear on Italian TV. Even the amazing photographs I have of Niagara Falls and the American Midwest countryside do not do these experiences justice. I can’t tell you how beautiful southern Spain is from the vantage point of a train; you have to experience it yourself. The only way you can relate is by seeing them.

While you’re young, you should travel. You should take the time to see the world and taste the fullness of life. Spend an afternoon sitting in front of the Michelangelo. Walk the streets of Paris. Climb Kilimanjaro. Hike the Appalachian trail. See the Great Wall of China. Get your heart broken by the “killing fields” of Cambodia. Swim through the Great Barrier Reef. These are the moments that define the rest of your life; they’re the experiences that stick with you forever.

Traveling will change you like little else can. It will put you in places that will force you to care for issues that are bigger than you. You will begin to understand that the world is both very large and very small. You will have a newfound respect for pain and suffering, having seen that two-thirds of humanity struggle to simply get a meal each day.

While you’re still young, get cultured. Get to know the world and the magnificent people that fill it. The world is a stunning place, full of outstanding works of art. See it.

You won’t always be young. And life won’t always be just about you. So travel, young person. Experience the world for all it’s worth. Become a person of culture, adventure, and compassion. While you still can.
Do not squander this time. You will never have it again. You have a crucial opportunity to invest in the next season of your life now. Whatever you sow, you will eventually reap. The habits you form in this season will stick with you for the rest of your life. So choose those habits wisely.

And if you’re not as young as you’d like (few of us are), travel anyway. It may not be easy or practical, but it’s worth it. Traveling allows you to feel more connected to your fellow human beings in a deep and lasting way, like little else can. In other words, it makes you more human.
That’s what it did for me, anyway. - Source by http://goinswriter.com/



"Think About Your Next Trip"

Malaysia Elections

Today is the day our nation is voting. A lot of rumors , drama and promise by both party. But i believe the people is clever enough to decide which party can bring peace , stability and better nation. End of the day we need to vote not because for ourself but also for future generation. Think wise and vote for better Malaysia!

travel can heal your broken heart

Do you believe travel can heal your broken heart? Hahaha actually is just temporary but u still need to face it. By the way is not about broken heart , is just about i want to write something but i dunno what to write hahaha.Suddenly remind me about broken heart song in Cebu, Philippines, my pinoy friends sang the song at Videoke

I have a amazing experience in Comotes Island, Cebu. We have adventure trip by motorcycles . We went to cave n travel almost tourist spot in Comotes Island. Nice beach at Santiago white beach n very clean. I like Buko Shake ( coconut shake) ! . Then we went to Cebu city but just day trip .

Then on next day we went to Manila joining with Brunei friends with some pinoy friends. Went to Rizal Park, Intramorus, Ayala Center and some shopping mall around Manila such as Mall Of Asia, Greenhills Shopping Center etc. We went to Baguio, the coldest place Philippines. I really enjoy the trip , with warm n friendly friends, also the hospitality. Maraming Salamat guys.

Next trip will be Jakarta, Jakarta Aku Datang !

Eleven Hints for Life

My Love (Photo credit: Jennuine Captures)

Just want to share what i feel right now!

1. It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return.But what is more painful is to love someone and never
find the courage to let that person know how you feel.

2. A sad thing in life is when you meet someone who means a lot to you, only to find out in the end that it was never meant to be and you just have to let go.

3. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

4. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

5. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone-but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

6. Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth, even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

7. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go,be what you want to be. Because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

8. Always put yourself in the other's shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the person too.

9. A careless word may kindle strife. A cruel word may wrecka life. A timely word may level stress. But a loving word may heal and bless.


10. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.


11. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, ends with a tear. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Aku nak tulis jugak!

Dulu aku rajin , sekarang entah mengapa aku jd malas. Adakah kerana aku mula malas berfikir?Atau terlalu banyak berfikir? Atau fikiran aku kusut. Aku aku tahu sebenarnya aku dah malas berfikir. Bila fikir pasal perkataan MALAS aku teringat cikgu tuisyen aku waktu aku darjah 6 suka mengingatkan aku jgn Malas sebab belia asyik bg latihan matematik yg senang dan mudah utk aku menyelesaikan pd waktu itu.

Itu menulis sebenarnya bukan senang kerana memerlukan kemahiran berfikir dan ilmu. Dari mana ilmu itu datang? Mcm2 cara ilmu itu datang , yang paling mudah kita baca buku atau sebarang ilmiah. Kenapa kita perlu menulis sambil berfikir? Disitulah datangnya keaslian blog yg kita tulis. Kita adunkan teori yg kita baca dengan pengalaman hidup kita, maka ceritanya pasti menarik.

Sepanjang 10 hari pelayaran aku dalam program KLD Tunas Samudera banyak aku belajar secara tersurat dan tersirat.

Aku mula rasa sensitif jika rasa sesuatu tanggungjawab itu aku tidak berjaya laksanakan. Ketika orentasi rakit kumpulan aku telah berlayar dgn sendirinya. Aku kita itu ketua kumpulan awasan biru (kumpulan kecil) berterus-terang aku kecewa dan menangis depan ahli kumpulan kegagalan kumpulan menjaga rakit yg aku umpamakan kapal.

Dalam membina suatu kumpulan perlu ada sikap jujur pada ahli kumpulan dan saling membantu. Apabila di atas kapal , kumpulan aku berubah menjadi kumpulan awasan merah, org kata kumpulan awasan biru secara tradisi sentiasa juara. Dan aku buat sessi luahan perasaan utk mengetahui punca-punca kenapa kumpulan aku asyik kalah dalam setiap aktiviti yang dijalankan demi mencari penyelesaian yg terbaik. Salah seorang dr ahli kumpulan aku meluahkan perasaan bahawa dia sakit hingga dia mengalir air mata

10 perkara yang perlu anda tentang program KLD

1. Walaupun semua pergi di sahkan sihat oleh doktor berdasarkan borang 'Medical Checkup' , tp bila di atas kapal mcm2 penyakit datang seperti takut , tulang belakang , apendix dll.

2. Tempat tidur (cabin) hanya muat utk 9 orang dan selebihnya tidur atas deck . Just imagine pelatih seramai 28 org. Satu cabaran bagi pelatih untuk menyesuaikan keadaan dan memastikan kabin berbau segar ;)

3. 10 hari untuk belajar semua perkara tentang kapal layar memang tak cukup. Kelas yang paling membosankan adalah pada waktu malam kerana semua pelatih letih dan ngantuk sedangkan infomasi yang disampaikan sangat menarik tentang peranan TLDM dan juga Code Morse. Paling menghiburkan hati adalah acara kebudayaan umpama acara meluahkan perasaan melalui pergèrakan bibir dan anggota badan.

4. Segala modul aktiviti adalah berdasarkan umur dan kesanggupan kita melaksanakan aktiviti yang disediakan. Walaubagaimana pun kata putus terakhir adalah kapten kapal (co). Kalau dia kata ada aktiviti terjun laut, maka semua kena terjun. Kerana aktiviti bergantung pada cuaca dan keadaan laut. Kalau hujan , semua di minta berada dlm kapal / kabin.

5. Mabuk laut dan muntah adalah perkara biasa dalam program ini. Cara nak elakkan , jangan biarkan perut kosong dan memikirkan tentang mabuk laut . Layan jer hahaha. Kalau nak muntah, muntah jer dan jangan tahan. Pastikan muntah di Bull Ring dan tidak mengotorkan kapal.

6. Setiap pelatih akan dibekalkan 2 pasang baju , sehelai seluar, sepasang kasut dan juga beg

7. Lawatan / Outing adalah saat yang ditunggu oleh semua pelatih di mana pelatih diberi masa untuk berjalan- jalan sekitar bandar apabila kapal berlabuh di kawasan terpilih.

8. Saat paling mengasyikkan adalah ketika saat sunrise dan sunset di tengah lautan biru. Saat paling dengin adalah ketika kapal berlayar sambil ditiup angin.

9. Saat paling menakutkan adalah apabila berada dia atas 'Top Galant'. Best tgk lautan sambil layan 100 Plus haha.

10. Setiap pelatih akan diberi satu sijil penyertaan dan jika terpilih menjadi pelatih terbaik akan mendapat satu lagi sijil , iaitu sijil baik. Sijil cemerlang tiada lagi. Jika melalui garisan khatulistiwa akan dapat satu lagi sijil.

P/s: Banyak lagi nak tulis tp tunggulah catatan peribadi saya dalam post akan datang termasuk fakta KLD Tunas Samudera

Sekitar sambutan Maulidur Rasul di Putrajaya 2013

Sambutan Maulidur Rasul pada kali ini membawa tema Wasatiyyah Tonggak Kesatuan Ummah. Mesti ramai yang nak tahu, apakah maksud wasatiyyah? Merujuk kepada kamus arab wasatiyyah adalah daripada perkataan al-Wasat(الوسط) yang diterjemahkan dari segi bahasa dengan makna pertengahan (sederhana). Seterusnya diistilahkan dari segi Islam dengan maksud adil, sederhana dan terbaik. Tentang sejarah sambutan Maulidur Rasul ini anda boleh mencari di dalam internet dan saya tidak mahu menghurai tentang hukum-hakam kerana saya bukan seorang pakar agama.

Namun begitu sifat ingin mencuba melakukan perkara yang baik dan luar biasa adalah menyertai perarakan ini dengan mewakili organisasi tempat bekerja saya. Bagi saya satu perkara yang luar biasa pada diri saya kerana sepanjang hidup saya ini lah pertama kali saya melakukan. Perarakan bermula dihadapan Istana Kehakiman dan berarak ke Masjid Putrajaya. Perjalanan sepanjang 2km dan mengambil masa lebih kurang 1 jam .

Sebagai manusia kita tidak mampu menjadi sesempurna seperti Nabi Muhammad (S.A.W) namun kita perlu berusaha dan mencontahi sikap Baginda. Dan yang paling penting sekali kita menjaga amalan solat 5 waktu kerana solat itu tiang agama. Kekuatan umat islam baik muda/belia mahu pun tua adalah solat 5 waktu. Kekuatan seorang pemimpin adalah bagaimana beliau menjagai amalan solatnya. Wallahualam, Salam Maulidur Rasul

Azam Oh Azam?

       

Siapakah Azam? Adakah nama anda Azam? Jika nama anda Azam , apakah azam anda tahun ini ? Seperti biasa bila setiap kali masuk tahun baru pasti ramai umat manusia memasang azam baru. Aku seperti biasa azam aku berdasar minat , keinginan dan impian aku. Selagi tidak tercapai apa yang aku ingin , ia tidak akan termasuk dalam azam aku. Selalunya azam aku adalah berdasarkan apa yang aku ingin kan dan akan berubah dari semasa ke sama seperti seorang Kapten kapal yang menentukan haluan kapal tengah lautan biru.

Tahun 2013 adalah tahun yang kegemilang walaupun kadang-kadang berada di atas kadang-kadang berada di bawah. Jika kita jatuh , kita bangun dan jangan mengharap orang akan membantu kita . Banyak perkara yang aku dah listkan benda yang aku nak capai tetapi tidak semua yang berjaya dalam sekelip mata tetapi aku berjaya melaksanakan. Bagi aku itu satu kepuasan kerana aku boleh aku dah buat dah laksanakan. Bila aku dah buat aku boleh cerita kepada semua orang aku dah laksanakan dah bukan mustahil untuk dibuat cuma berjaya atau tidak sekurang-kurangnya aku buat berbanding hanya orang yg cakap sahaja atau ada ilmu tentang sesuatu tetapi TAKUT untuk melakukan .

Jika dalam jabatann kerajaan, swasta atau sebarang organisasi ada PERANCANGAN STRATEGIK , tetapi kita ada tak perancagan strategik dalam diri kita dalam yang paling penting pernah kita MUHASABAH diri tentang perkara yang lalu. Untuk tahun 2013 aku akan teruskan perkara yang aku telah rancang pada tahun 2012 rahsia hehehe kerana aku akan kabarkan kepada semua apabila perkara itu boleh dikomersilkan dan memberi keputusan cemerlang dan aku pasti ia memberi manfaat kepada semua orang. Cuma aku teringin mencuba Larian FULL MARATHON 50KM , 10km sudah aku cuba dan berjaya bawah 1jam. Harap2 tahun nak masuk competition then berjaya habiskan , cukuplah sekali sehaja dalam hidup . Nampaknya kena fokus dan banyak latihan hehehe/

Dalam kegiatan belia dan kesukarelawan , aku sudah capai apa yang aku nak . Aku sudah puas kerana aku sudah melalui pelbagai peringkat dari bawah sampai ke atas cuma aku belum cuba potensi aku sebenar dalam memegang jawatan yang tinggi dalam belia sebab kenapa bagi aku kalau kita memegang jawatan tetapi tidak melaksanakan dengan bersunggu-sungguh nak buat apa. Aku tidak ada apa-apa kepentingan dalam belia , kerana aku suka dan rela. Namun hati aku lebih kepada kegiatan pengakap kerana kerja sukarelawan dan belia aku bermula dengan pengakap. "Once Scout Forever Scout'

Tahun ini aku juga berharap dapat lebih rajin untuk update 2 blog , banyak kisah-kisah aku backpackers tertunggak  dan yang terbaru adalah perlayaran aku selama 10 hari bersama KLD Tunas Samudera. Jika anda masih tidak tahu azam apa mulakan dengan "Short Term Goal' atau bahasa Melayu dia ialah perancangan pendek dari situ akan terhasil perancangan panjang, rasa mcm pelik bunyi dia heheh.  Tuliskan semua benda yang ada ingin tuju untuk tahun dan tampal di tempat yang anda sentiasa boleh lihat supaya anda fokus dan teringat selalu. Jangan berlengah lagi , tulis dan laksanakan sekarang.

Hidup tanpa impian adalah sia-sia.

Akan kembali

Akan Kembali aku seperti dulu yang punya semangat untuk menekan huruf pada 'keyboard' untuk menyampai warkah ini kepada anak bangsa Azam tahun ini kembali lebih aktif dan sentiasa kemaskini blog ini dan juga Travel Blog Malaysia Backpackers.  Selamat Tahun Baru untuk semua. Never Stop Explore!

Kampung Morten Melaka

I actually I have program in Melaka then i call my friend to meet at nite then he bring me for nite tour at Kampung Morten Melaka City. This can we call as  urban villages is located in town centres can be found in most cities. However, picture perfect villages with well-preserved and maintained buildings, beautiful landscaping and neat layouts are extremely rare. Kampung Morten started out as a Malay village in early 1920s and takes its name after Joseph Frederick Morten, then Commissioner of Land in Malacca. Over the years, it has evolved into a model village which attracts tourists, both local and foreign, all year round. Strategically located along the historic Melaka River, it is one of the must-see tourist attractions in Melaka. Now, for the very first time, the Melaka State Government is offering tourists a chance to stay in this historic village in an authentic refurbished traditional Malay house. Operated by a government linked company, Taming Sari Sdn Bhd, the house is named Taming Sari Guest House and visitors can be assured of the best amenities, modern facilities and old fashioned furnishings. 

For visitors who have never stayed in a traditional wooden house, the experience can be quite unforgettable. This is because a house built with wood emits “sounds”. It responds to the movement of its inhabitants. For example, when you walk on the wooden verandah, it will creak. It is also not possible to climb a wooden staircase silently. Some people may say this is unnerving but others may relish the experience especially when this is an antique building with its own heritage and history.

The whole package of staying in this house isn’t just the building itself. Kampung Morten is a heritage village and it is a chance to experience first-hand, the living heritage and traditional culture of the Malays in Melaka. The location of the village is also perfect for tourists. Located at the buffer of the core heritage zone (Melaka is a UNESCO World Heritage City), it is literally a stone’s throw from many historic sites and attractions. Visitors can also walk along the Melaka River which is famous for its own history and the iconic Melaka River Cruise. A walk at night is highly recommended as the river is beautifully lighted up. Many quaint cafes, souvenir shops and art galleries can be accessed by a walk along the river promenade. Within the village itself, the house of one of founders of Kampung Morten, Othman Haji Muhammad Nor, has been converted into a living museum and named Villa Sentosa. The house was built in 1920 and has on display household items, pictures, memorabilia and furniture which hark back to a bygone era.

Adidas King Of The Road 2012

Cerita Adidas King Of The Road pagi semalam , my performance was not good compare to last year , after 9km non stop running i feel so boring then kacau Aidid Marcelllo TV3 yg running dgn ear phone, bila panggil banyak kali baru dgr. Then kacau u

ncle from Melaka, he said normally for 10 km he can do 1 and half hour.Not so bad at his age. Nak kacau awek segan hehehe Then continue run and walk then reach finish line at 1 hour and 15 minuets for 10KM heheheh memang malas and low motivation. Btw enjoy running coz masih fit and healthy to run at 10KM. Kalau practice maybe can reach finishing line below 1 hour. Rezeki tahun ni dapat sponsor breakfast dari Adidas sebab berkawan dengan runners hehehe. Untung kalau kita berkawan dengan semua org :)

Learning Taichi in Melaka

If you nothing to do at night and staying near Jonker Street you can learn how to 'Taichi'. Only 20 meters from Jonker Street , Melaka and I see all are old people who doing "Taichi'. What is Taichi? You can ask Dr Google and he give the best answer hehehhee. What can I say is Taichi is a slow movement of body and hand .

National Monument

The National Monument is a sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom, principally against theJapanese occupation during World War IIand the Malayan Emergency, which lasted from 1948 until 1960. It is located in the Federal capital,Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian Houses of Parliament is situated near the monument.

The National Monument is located in the Lake Gardens area of Kuala Lumpur and nearby areas are the Asean Garden, Parliament Building and the National Mosque and other areas of attractions. At the mass scupture's base there is a listing of the names of the units who fought the insurgency, including British, Australian, Fijian, Maori and Malay troops

It is the world's tallest bronze freestanding sculpture grouping. Every year on July 31 on Warriors' Day, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Prime Minister and heads of military and the police pay their respects to the fallen heroes by laying garlands at the monument.

 The monument design by Felix De Weldon SC 1963

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery is part of the ARCH group’s vision in promoting the country’s heritage and culture. While ARCH promotes collectibles and gifts made of wood veneer, our Kuala Lumpur Walks and Tours Map is the indispensable map of Kuala Lumpur’s architecture and living heritage, and now we have the centre - Kuala Lumpur City Gallery.

A new tourist magnet, it is situated right in the historical enclave of Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square) and houses many attractions in the form of prints, photos and miniatures. Located in a 114 year-old building, this landmark is a must visit for anyone who wants to know all about Kuala Lumpur! 

For more information :KL Galeri