Ke Puncak Bukit Kledang

Dengan ketinggian 778 meter (2552 kaki), Alhamdulillah akhirnya saya sampai ke puncak Bukit Kledang. Perjalanan ini memakan masa 2 jam setengah dengan 3 kali rehat menuju ke atas. Bersama mengharungi pendakian ini, saya ditemani sahabat karib Khairul Rizal pada Ahad lepas.

Bukit Kledang merupakan antara tempat terbaik bagi warga kota bersenam di waktu pagi. Keadaan geografinya berbukit dengan mempunyai beberapa  kecerunan yang tinggi. Laluan trek bertar disediakan.  Ini kerana terdapat stesen pemancar telekomunikasi di puncaknya. Kemudahan ini membolehkan para penunggang basikal, pendaki  turun naik sebagai rutin senaman setiap minggu.  Terdapat juga laluan alternatif menuju ke kawasan hutan. Hutan ini menghimpun pelbagai khazanah tumbuhan liar, sungai, spesis burung dan lotong. Bukit Kledang boleh diakses melalui kawasan Menglembu, 15 minit dari Ipoh.

 | cetusan Faisal |

Santai di Permulaan Cuti Semester

Jika semalam ke Kuala Perlis bersama rakan-rakan UUM, hari ini pula bersama rakan-rakan Ipoh. Di Kuala Perlis, acaranya makan malam di tepi laut.  Ikan gerut-gerut, kerang bakar, sotong goreng dan mentarang menjadi hidangan untuk menjamu selera. Suasana sejuk kian terasa apabila bayu laut menebar di wajah.

Hari ini di Ipoh, acaranya ke Novelhut, kedai buku terpakai di terletak di bangunan Ipoh Parade. Syihan seperti biasa mencari buku-buku Melayu lama berunsur ilmiah. (Hardly to find) Katanya, dia juga sedang mencari sebuah buku biografi, Sebutir Permata di Menara: Professor Di Raja Ungku Aziz (Aziz Zariza Ahmad, 1982). Naz pula membeli majalah-majalah pertahanan. Bidang pertahanan ialah genre lazim kesukaannya. Bagi saya sudah lama pula tidak ke Novelhut. Di sana saya dapatkan:

Θ Menghayati Budaya Ilmu: Faham Ilmu, Amalan dan Panduan
    (Zaini Ujang, 2009)

Θ Pengantar Pentadbiran Awam: Paradigma Baru
    (Ahmad Atory Hussain, 2001)

Θ Jurnal Pemikir
    (Bil.64, Apr-Jun 2011)

Θ Jurnal Akademika
    (Bil. 73, Mei 2008)

Θ Jurnal Akademika
    (Bil. 74, Dis 2008)

Salam Maulidur Rasul 1434 Hijriah

"Wastiyyah Tonggak Kesatuan Ummah"

 | cetusan Faisal |

BBW 2012: It's Because of the Cheapest Books

BBW 2012 has just begun!

Photo from: BBW 2012 facebook

Alhamdulillah. Today is the 12th day of Big Bad Wolf book fest 2012 (BBW 2012) taking place at MIECC, Seri Kembangan.  Before 9.00 am, we (I, my brother and niece, Nabilla) already queued to enter the yearly biggest book fest. I just feel sorry to Kak Nurul when she was unable to coming with us because the cutie baby Kaliq having fever since yesterday. Over the past few years, the organiser marked it as one of their important and happening program with many kind of books displayed as cheap ever. This is what I waiting for taking oppurtunity to join the biggest event.

Indeed, my brother's family already went this book on the 1st day. They 've also asked me if I can come on the first day open. But I can't afford it because my time was  limited as I've got to prepare + attend my class on the day after tomorrow in UUM. So, for the second round, my brother had not much problem to accompany me (just arriving from Ipoh) to the book fest since books and knowledge is something he love in his life.

On 1st day, The BBW 2012 open as early as 6.30 a.m. and what they did (my brother + family)  going out early on the Subuh to get an awesome feeling! At MIECC, a crowded of people patiently line up in front of entrance before the BBW 2012 start to open. Some of them already arrived at 5.00 a.m.  Big bags, boxes and trolleys were along with them. MEANS: to grab + put as many books as they want. Waiting this opportunity only once a year to celebrate a book fever was fantastic. Besides, book lovers keep their savings and waiting until this moment only  to spend on books which here offer them a discount as high as 95%. Can you imagine how many books you can purchase with only  RM50 or RM100 you had.

Here, we spent almost 4 hours browsing and exploring around at BBW 2012.  I bought 17 books genre on biography, literature, politics, travel, design, decorating, plants, cook book, comic, novel and coffee table books. Some of the books, I gave as a gift to my parents, my younger brother and of course to my sweet niece, Nabilla.  Ehm.. Big Bad Wolf:  it's because of the cheapest books!

 combination of books, 

owned  by me, my brother, kak nurul + niece

| cetusan Faisal |

PETRONAS dan BERNAS 2012 | 1433: Filem Pendek dan Iklan Raya ~ Mengesankan Hati

PETRONAS: 'Stranger'

BERNAS: 'The Journey'

Hari Raya lebih bermakna
apabila mereka yang lebih memerlukan
tiadalah berpisah, dibaja bunga-bunga kasih,
dipupuk bibit-bibit persaudaraan,
merayakan perayaan besar lagi teristimewa
sesama kita semuanya

Selamat Hari Raya 'Idilfitri 1433 hijriah.

Book Tour 2011

About 3 weeks ago, we had just left 2011 and new dawn has come for 2012. Well.. I think it's not too late to put some photos about my book tour in the year 2011. In the past year, I read more in the politics, religion, biographies and comics. Books I read some were new, some were purchased as a second hands, other were borrowed from my family and friends. Ehm.. what attract's me in picking a book? For me the covers will definitely catch my eye first then the authors and books recommended by others. If the story sounds interesting, I don't mind to to pick it up.

Because I'm Ipoh people, so lots of books place were taken in Ipoh. In my town there are many shops selling books and magazines available everywhere.  What you need are a good selection which suits well to your interests.  I also been introduced by my friend to new place for a secondhand book, name as Novellar. The store at the second level in Taman Alkaff, Silibin. The prices? Depends on how well we bargain!

The trip to book fairs was an awesome too. Book fair is the wonderful places at the cheap prices. Offerred by the numbers of publishing companies represented,  there are just so many to choose from. Sometimes, I'd love to ask and get free catalogues from publishing company booths. This is how I'd get to know in their latest book updates. The fair last year, I only had 3 events to attend: 

• Pesta Buku Utara 2011 UUM Sintok (20 -24 March 2011)

• Pesta Buku Popular Ipoh Parade (11- 20 March 2011)

• Big Bad Wolf Sales, MAEPS, Serdang (7-16 October 2011)

If I'm looking for more books, a library is the answer. I should borrow more since I'm now student in UUM. UUM Sultanah Bahiyah always my resource for my research + study information.    Instead of that, I had my time visited  Perbadanan Perpustakaan Negeri Perak and Tun Abdul Razak library (Ipoh). Tun Abdul Razak library has always updated their variety of newspapers + magazines. But when talk about their books, sorry to said the library stacked with outdated books. They needed to funding new books so that the local community has a good access to information. Outdated books sometimes give people misinformation. If the public library doesn't have nice books the public won't go to the library.

Here..below are some of my book tour 2011:


Big Bad Wolf Sales (7th - 16th October 2011), MAEPS, Serdang.


Mubarak Bookstrore, Ipoh.


Pustaka Muda, Ipoh.


Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak, Ipoh.

Bookstream, Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya.


Novellar, Silibin, Ipoh.


Why Why Book Shop, Ipoh Parade, Ipoh.


Sultanah Bahiyah Library, UUM, Kedah.


Popular Book Fair (11th - 20th Mar 2011), Ipoh Parade, Ipoh.


Novelhut, Ipoh Parade, Ipoh.


BookXcess, Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya.


Perak State Public Library, Ipoh.


Pasar Mini Manaf, Ipoh Garden, Ipoh.



My News, Tesco Extra, Ipoh.


Setor Ariff, Canning Garden, Ipoh.


Muzium Matang, Matang.


MPH Bookstore, Jaya Jusco, Ipoh.

MAEPS: Big Bad Wolf 2011

The Big Bad Wolf 2011 has just started.  Last two days my brother, Kak Nurul and I went to the book fair.  Big Bad Wolf is yearly event and it is the biggest sale with so much discount to offer. This year, the book fair is taking place at MAEPS, Serdang.

My brother's idea was we going to the book fair in the morning on 1st day book sale. He somehow wanted to get some experience by doing so and... I,  this was my first time went to the Big Bad Wolf fest.  It was about 9.30 am on a Friday morning when we reached the book fair.  The line I had to stand in to enter the fair was cramped by people. At least a hundred people standing and waiting for the book fair to open. Some people were bringing along their baskets and some of them were bringing their trolleys. I waited outside patiently until the door is opened at 10 a.m.  We then had a warm welcome by the assistants fair.

Inside, there were wide open spaces as many books on table arranged with variety titles.  Surrounded by books, I saw many sections such as travel, arts & design, photography, coffee table books, history & politics, fiction, non-fiction, religion & new age, parenting, biography & memoirs, music & movies, mangga, graphic novel, literature & poetry, computer, self help, humor, pets & nature, sports & games, transporation, reference, architecture & home decor, business, travel and children section. I think every corner of the books were fair organized in the good way. In the book fair, you don't need to be worried if you didn't bring your bags along. There was a lot of boxes provided in here.  They do supply boxes to visitors for shopping books. I think you'll need at least one. Help yourself! If you do anything to ask for, feel free to ask sale assistants. Sale assistants are always available around every corner.

At 11.a.m,  my eyes catched more and more people were coming and this place were crowded by book lovers at everywhere. Seeing the crowds celebrate books and reading was something awesome! We spent a half an hour wandering around and browsing books. After that we have to rush to pick up my niece from school and get ready for Jumaat praying.


My listed books bought:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mu Shi Shi by Yuki Urushibara
(Del Rey, 2008)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gods and Soldiers edited by Rob Spillman
(Penguin, 2009)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World History With Atlas
(Geddes & Grosset, 2006)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William Shakespeare With Out the Boring Bits by Peter Ackroyd
(Constable & Robinson, 2010)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Book of Useless Information
(Penguin Group, 2006)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese Hero - Tales of the Blood Sword Vol.1 by Wing Shing Ma
(DGN Production Inc. / DrMaster Publications Inc., 2006)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Blues - Ten Years and Still in Diapers by Rick Kirkman & Jerry Scott
(Andrews McMeel, 1999)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time Out Film Guide 2011
(Time Out Guides Limited, 2010)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft by Robert Jackson
(Parragon, 2009)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signs & Symbols - What They Mean and How We Use Them
(Southwater, 2007)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael, The Man & His Magic
(Adaikalaraj Media Group, 2009)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Big Bad Wolf is now open from Friday, 7th  to Sunday, October 16th,  from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  If you plan to come, you may need to park your vehicle at parking lot from MAEPS below. From there, a tram free ride will come and drive you to book fair.  It 'll take you 5 minutes by tram. Don't miss the event. Enjoy!

a line of visitors

photo shoot from tram

book fair's entrance

cofee table books

books on history + politic

imported graphic novels

one of signs which may guide reader interest

book lovers!

finally.. finished with books shopping

Ke BookExcess

Lanjutan dari rumah terbuka kakak saya di Bangi, saya kali ini mengambil kesempatan ke BookXcess di Amcorp Mall. Semalam, kami sekeluarga telah sampai di Bangi dari Perak. Abang saya dan adik perempuan saya yang tinggal di KL turut berada di rumah kakak saya tatkala kami sampai. Rumah terbuka ini tidaklah sebesar mana kerana jamuan ini dibuat utk keluarga dan saudara saya terdekat. Walaupun tidak sebesar, menu makanannya tetap menyelerakan disediakan kakak saya sekeluarga. (Terima kasih kepada Yong!)

Ahad tengahari, kami (saya dan abang) memulakan perjalanan ke Amcorp Mall yang terletak di Petaling Jaya dengan tren. Perjalanan ke Amcorp Mall dari rumah abang saya di Ampang memerlukan kami menukarkan tren LRT STAR di Masjid Jamek dengan LRT Putra ke Stesen Taman Jaya.






Sebenarnya, ini kali pertama saya ke kedai buku BookXcess. Malu rasanya, sepanjang menjadi kaki buku, ini julung kalinya saya berpeluang melangkah masuk ke BookXcess. Sebelum ini saya hanya menelusuri buku-bukunya menerusi internet dan melalui abang saya. BookXcess adalah sebuah kedai buku yang menjual senarai buku-buku bestseller, buku audio, buku meja kopi, buku manual bantu diri, novel, majalah termasuk bahan bacaan untuk kanak-kanak. Ia sinonim sebagai kedai buku popular di  ibu kota  kerana buku-bukunya diletakkan pada harga yang rendah setiap masa. Dimiliki oleh pasangan suami isteri, En. Andrew dan Pn. Jacquline, buku-buku yang ditawarkan adalah dalam bahasa Inggeris.

Ada sesuatu yang istimewa setiap tahun, apabila BookXcess turut menganjurkan acara buku secara besar-besaran yang dikenali Big Bad Wolf Sale. Big Bad Wolf suatu fenomena di mana potongan yang melampau-lampau diadakan buat peminat buku di luar sana. Sindrom kegilaan terhadap buku ini bakal muncul apabila Big Bad Wolf akan berpesta sebulan lagi di MAEPS, Serdang pada 7-14 Oktober 2011.

Di BookXcess tadi, saya telah dapatkan The Adventure of English (Melvyn Bragg, 2003) : RM19.90; Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything (Don Tapscott & Anthony D. Williams, 2010) : RM17.90 ; Teach Yourself Political Philosophy (Mel Thompson, 2008) : RM14.90 dan Teach Yourself Humanism  (Mark Vernon, 2008) : RM14.90.