The Moment Has Arrived

It is unbelievable how fast time flies.

And over time, it just seems to speed up.

I could still remember the time when time stood still and I was revolving around it.

Now, time is moving and I am doing a 100 meter sprint chasing it.

Will I be able to chase it?

Seriously, this is a question that I can never be able to answer.

What is the 'moment' that I have mentioned?

It is the dream that I have longed for all these while.

Though when I was young, it was barely a thought in my mind.

It never occurred to me that it could come true.

Nevertheless, in a few days time, the 'moment' will arrive.

When I was young, I had always dreamed of studying abroad.

This cropped from the stories that I heard from my uncle in which his sons had studied overseas.

The new personality, self-esteem and knowledge that my nephews have acquired mesmerized me.

They became different people with greater confidence.

This has put an lasting impression on me.

As a result, I wished that I could study abroad too.

Now, in about a week, I am about to pursue my higher education in England.

This is way beyond what I had dreamed of.

I had never thought in my wildest dreams I could ever achieve that.

For three years, I will be studying TESL which stands for Teaching English as a Second Language in The University of Warwick.

For me, this is truly a dream come true.

Looking back at the past, I asked myself a question.

Are the sacrifices that I had done all worth it?

My answer: "Yes!"

There are simply no doubts about it.

I would not consider myself as a hardworking person as I always procrastinate.

Doing last minute work and burning the midnight oil have grown synonymous with me.

However, I had attended quite a number of tuition classes.

Reflecting back, it was really tiring.

My peak was going for 7 tuitions in a week and having only one day off.

 

Nevertheless, what I had achieved today is not only from the sacrifices that I had done myself.

I could not have done it without the help of others.

Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have touched my life in one way or another.

Without your help and encouragement, I will not be able to have the opportunity to study abroad.

Thank you for giving me a chance to achieve my dream!

All that you have done for me I will cherish for eternity.

Cheah Si Hock Haw Kong Kongsi

Introduction

• Being the first of great five Hokkien clan association in Penang, Cheah association was founded in 1820 by Cheah Yam. Cheah or Xie (谢) is one of the popular Chinese surname among Penangites and their history in Penang had started as early as 19th century.
• The Cheahs were originated from Sek Tong village of South China and hence a clan house was built and named after Cheah Si Sek Tek Tong or fondly known as Cheah Kongsi.
• Completed in 1873, it was established to take care of the Cheahs' welfare in Penang. 
• Located at No 8, Armenien Street in the hustling George Town, Cheah Kongsi's entrance is only several yards away from Khoo Kongsi's Armenian Street entrance. 

My Experience

The Cheah Si Hock Haw Kong Kongsi is my last destination that I went on that day.

When I had arrived, the place is on the verge of closing down as it was nearly the closing time.

However, I managed to have a quick glimpse around the place and snapped a few photos.

A nice, interesting place with beautiful architecture.

Cheah Si Hock Haw Kong Kongsi:

Here are some pictures of the place with captions.

A tiny entrance leading into Cheah Kongsi vicinity

A pair of classical lanterns

Facade of Cheah Kongsi

The administrative building

Chinese style courtyard

Historic door and staircase

Each chambers with its treasure

Worship hall at upper floor

Ornately decorated

Interior of the worship hall and behind are ancestral tablets

Cheah Si Hock Haw Kong Kongsi photos:

These are the photos that I had taken of the place.

Once again, it is kinda dark as it was taken at night.

Corridor to Cheah Kongsi which looks the Forbidden City's wall

Front façade of the Cheah Kongsi

Side entrance of Cheah Kongsi

The Tok Panjang of Cheah Kongsi

Conclusion:

A great historical place that is highly recommended to visit.

The beautiful architecture is sure to awe you.

There is the interesting tok panjang which is something really rare in this modern era.

Many astonishing historical items are available in this place.

To look for them, you have to come and see it for yourself.

Hock Teik Cheng Sin

Introduction

• The Hock Teik Cheng Sin at Armenian Street is a place with many different names.
• Founded in 1844, the Hock Teik Cheng Sin moved to its present site in 1850.
• It is most popularly known as the Hokkien Tua Pek Kong Temple, after its patron deity, the Taoist god of prosperity.
• But due to its past as the base of the Khian Teik Tong secret society, the Hock Teik Cheng Sin is also known by the names of the many societies which the Khian Teik Tong registered in its place, including the Poh Hock Seah, the Hokkien Kongsi, Cheng Hoe Seah and Tong Kheng Seah. 
• The Poh Hock Seah inherits the religious functions of the Khian Teik in running the Hokkien Tua Pek Kong temples in Armenian Street as well as at the Tanjong Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple, where the annual flame watching ritual called Chneah Hoay is conducted. 
• To provide for an easy escape, there is a secret passage at the side yard of the Hokkien Tua Pek Kong temple that leads to the grounds of its ally, the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi.

My Experience

I went to Hock Teik Cheng Sin kinda late which was towards the closing time.

Nevertheless, I was able to take a quick glimpse of the place.

It is undeniable that the place is a wonder.

The beauty that it beholds is simply breathtaking.

Moreover, the artwork available are extraordinarily amazing. 

Hock Teik Cheng Sin:

Here are some pictures of the place with captions.

The Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple

Main chamber of the Tua Pek Kong temple

The offerings table

Intricate artwork on the ceiling beams

Hock Teik Cheng Sin photos:

These are the photos that I had taken of the place.

Once again, it is kinda dark as it was taken at night.

The entrance to the Tua Pek Kong temple 

The temple itself

Conclusion:

The place is truly remarkable.

Truly a great historical place to visit.

The beauty which it upholds will surely mesmerized anybody who visits that place.

Unforgettable Cultural Experiences at Masjid Kapitan Keling

Introduction

• The Kapitan Keling Mosque is arguably the best known mosque in Penang.
• Situated on Jalan Kapitan Keling, formerly Pitt Street, it is the largest historic mosque in George Town.
• The Kapitan Keling Mosque is named after Caudeer Mohudeen, the head of the Indian Muslim community credited to have built it around 1800.
• The name "kapitan keling" is used to denote the headman or leader of the South Indian Muslim community.
• In the 1910s, the mosque was given a major facelift in the British Moghul Revival style, with the addition of Mughal domes and turrets, a large minaret and a madrasah, completed around 1916.
• Another renovation in 1930 gave the Kapitan Keling Mosque its present appearance after the previous design was deemed impractical.

My Experience

I went to Masjid Kapitan Keling at about 9.30pm after visting the Meng Eng Soo.

My first impression was it was impressive and I was right.

The mosque is big and has remarkable architectural designs.

I also had the chance to go up a minaret.

It was my first time going up one and it was new experience for me.

Masjid Kapitan Keling:

Here are some pictures of the mosque.

Masjid Kapitan Keling Photos:

These are the photos that I have taken of the mosque.

It is kinda dark as it was taken at night.

This photo is taken from the front entrance

The minaret

Photo of the prayer hall

Another photo of the prayer hall

Another picture of the minaret

Photo of mosque taken from one of the floors of the minaret

Another photo of mosque taken from another floor higher in the minaret

View from the top of the minaret

Another view from the top of the minaret

Photo taken at the top of the minaret

Photo of me taken at the minaret

Informational board (sorry about the poor visibility)

Conclusion:
The experience of visiting Masjid Kapitan Keling was great.
I had managed to see a great historical place with beautiful architectural designs.
Moreover, I was able to go up a minaret which was a new experience for me.
Although the journey up the minaret was pretty high, the view was from the top was spectacular.
I was able to see the surrounding places with clarity.