Earth Hour 2011

People around the globe celebrated Earth Hour 2011 on last 26th May. I've never celebrated it outdoor before because there is just no nearby celebration going on. 

Like last year, my housemates and I celebrated (if you can call it a celebration) it by switching off all of the lights and electrical appliances in our house. Ten minutes after the lights off, Nilam started to beg to watch the TV. 'Just the TV, pleaseee', I remember her saying. I tried to be a strict kakak2, but Nilam never bother to be take me seriously. Hey, I actually CAN be very firm and fierce you know. Plus, I am a teacher, if you know what I mean! But Nilam found it more interesting not to obey wise educator like me. So, we just stay lying on the floor, without the fan, without the lights and internet but with the TV turned on. 

image taken from JOHO

But this year, I got to celebrate Earth Hour with my friends, outdoor, at the coolest place, JB. JB held the Earth Hour celebration at Bukit Timbalan, a beautiful and splendid place indeed. Like a well-kept secret. Actually, it is kind of a secluded place. Every JB peeps know the name 'Bukit Timbalan' but most of us are quite vague about the entrance and how it actually looks like. Even my mom, a pure Johorean was not sure how to enter Bukit Timbalan. But with the effort of Johor UPEN and JOHO, Bukit Timbalan shone its glory on the Earth Hour Night, the second event held there after GEGO (GEGO is an event hosted by JOHO too).

photo taken from asma

So I went there with my friends, Mel, Sheril, Belle, Munek and Asma, joined later by Khai. We arrived just few minutes after lights off, so the place was dark, only lit by pelita along the driveway. They had cultural shows, Aizat, Fynn Jamal and Statik as performances. The performances were awesome. 

statik performing at Bukit Timbalan

the Angels and candles :)

JOHO tanglung in the making

the black shirt was the emcee

belle. asma. jwa

Overall, the event was a pleasure. Just because it was slightly different from other event (if we had any) in previous time. I would love it more if they allowed more junk-sellers to stay for the night. The crowd would have other activities to do instead of just watching the performances. And I would appreciate it if the emcee would be much kinder and less offensive on stage. I don't know if it was only me, but I found the emcee was annoying, and some of his words lack of respect. But, biasalah, maybe he was very used to be on stage and got a little too comfortable with it, or I'm just being overly sensitive.

I think huge credits HAVE to go to JOHO because without their effort and promotion, it would be definitely a silent event. I noticed that most of the crowd were people connected to JOHO. I didn't even see banners and buntings to promote the event by the main organizer, the government. The event might have been able to attract more people, regardless of age and race if it were promoted earlier, and wider. 


I love the fact that a set of interesting events have finally set foot in JB scene. Yes, we did have events previously, but don't you think they were quite.. hmm.. due to lack of proper words, BORING. Those who have read my post in JOHO portal knew how much I appreciate the effort of the JOHO movement in creating interesting scenes, bringing up the quality and celebrating the glorious vibe of Johor Bahru. 

taken from JOHO fb. they even have their own portal

For those who are still in a daze, JOHO is a creative organisation in JB that supports and outlive the passion of JB youths, especially in arts and culture. To know more about them, check their blog or FB. They even created a monthly event, the CarBoot Sales, so that JB has something colorful every month. They've done something different, that should've been done years before for youths in JB. 

us during March CarBoot Sales

Singlet setiakawan @March CarBoot Sales

I'm not saying this to kiss anybody's ass or to show that I'm so into a scene. No. I just personally think that honest efforts deserve acknowledgement and appreciation. This effort  is the only of its kind in Johor, or maybe in Malaysia. It's OK to venture things out. It's already there in front of us, it looks delicious, so why don't we try to taste it instead of staring blankly at it? We don't have to conform, but some things deserve our benefits of doubt. 




p/s Due to low-effective compact cameras, not much pictures from the Earth Hour.