Mid life crisis

I've heard people complain that when they reach certain age, their weight hike up like nobody business!

Being 31 this year, I never expected that it would happen to me.

I can't find enough courage to step on the weighing scale, but the weight gain is pretty obvious from photos taken of me, and how certain clothing doesn't fit nicely anymore, and yeah, when people hit me with real honest comments like "Eh.. u gain weight ady leh...!!!".

Being a petite lady with not more than 45kg of body weight all my life, I can't imagine myself being FAT! It would be like a disaster... end of the world!

I woke up from my nap after having nightmares being at 54kg, and I rushed to my wardrobe looking for my dive suit, thinking, worrying "WILL THIS STILL FIT ME?!!" Ahhh.... f*ck if it wouldn't.

Resolution is out, but why is it so darn hard to lose an inch?!!

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Mount Kinabalu Expedition 2013

A mountain standing so mighty at the height of 4,095 metres in East Malaysia - Sabah, is a mountain I never thought I would be able to conquer.

Till today, I am still at awe reminiscing the moment where I was at the highest top of the Land Below The Wind. 

Many may be in the same 'self-doubt phase' as me before the climb, and I hope this blog would somehow help in giving my share bits of motivation. I am not in position to give the best advice, but the preparation I made for the climb did assure me a safe, relax, and successful climb. 

Before the climb... these are the few things that you must do.

1) Climb... alot! - If you are not an outdoor person like me, do make sure that you hike / exercise few months before the actual climb. It helps to get your body and muscles prepared for a long hike.

2) Get the right attire - To get a proper shoe is a MUST. I didn't invest much on a hiking shoe, just a RM9.90 rubber shoe I got from Cameron Highlands. You can get it at any hardware shops I believe. The second day hike from Laban Rata to Low's Peak can be as cold as -1°C  (depending on rain and season). I'm all prepared for the worst when I get myself a pair of long john (top & bottom from Universal Traveler), a windproof and waterproof pants (from Universal Traveler), gloves (from Universal Traveler too), beanie I borrowed from dad, balaclava Vince lend me, and a thick sweater sponsored by SP Setia. Do not forget to get a head lamp too! It is compulsory on the second day hike. Get a raincoat for both days. 

3) Be mentally prepared - We are lucky to have Kevin Wong to give us a motivational speech prior to our climb. It was a half-day session, and I would like to summarize the session with these quotes. 

"Keep your head and your heart in the right direction, 

and you'll never have to worry about your feet"

"The distance between success and failure can only be measured by one's desire"

It is really important to believe that all you wanted to achieve - is to set foot at the peak, 

nothing lower than the peak. This goal - must be your sole belief. 

Because beliefs are essentially our on / off switch for our ability to do anything in the world. 

4) Altitude sickness pill - Most of the climbers who failed to reach the peak of Mount KK is due to altitude sickness. You don't want to have symptoms like nausea, migraine, headache, vomiting during your climb, coz there's no turning back. So get some AMS pills and take it 3 days before the climb to avoid this.

Now that you are physically and mentally prepared, get ready for a journey that would change your perspective in life - thru a promising tropical adventure! :)

All 39 of us from the second batch of SP Setia Mount KK 2013 Expedition

During the hike to Laban Rata....

1) This is not a race, climb at your own pace - The goal is to reach the top, not to race your friends to the top. Well, of course, only if you are in Mt. Kanabalu Climbathon. Else, I would suggest you to save that energy and enjoy what nature has to offer.

2) Grab a buddy - It is always so much fun to do things with people, than doing things alone. Whatsmore, a climb to remember! I was so lucky to have a buddy of the same pace, and constantly give encouraging words. 

3) Pack your lunch box - Yeppp... nothing heavy, oily or spicy in the morning before the hike. Although there are many stops along the Mesilau / Timpohon trails, you wouldn't want to rush to the too-too. I would suggest to pack some bananas, chocolates, raisins, nuts, and energy drinks. Once reached Laban Rata, have a cup of hot Milo (bring your own 3 in 1 coz a cup of Milo at Laban Rata is going to cost you RM 6).

Having fun photo session makes you forget of the coming kilometers before Laban Rata... 

During the hike to Low's Peak....

1) Cover yourself from head to toe - While everyone was shivering, my hands were sweaty and it felt pretty normal for me to remove my gloves to use my camera - the rest felt like they are going to have frostbite when doing that. I felt like this is one of the wisest decision I've made in my life - for keeping myself warm with the right attire. 

2) Head lamp - Again... this is a must coz it's pitch dark when you start your journey from Laban Rata at 2am. Do bring some spare batteries in your bag pack coz the battery tends to drain faster in colder temperature.

Achievement that is gonna make me proud... "I come, I climb, I conquer"

Going down from Low's Peak to Kinabalu Park...

1) Just go with the flow - You'd be sooooo happy with your newly achieved mission and you'll be too busy to shout about it. So don't worry about going down. You have only one goal now - to go down. So... you pretty much get the idea. 

Remember the raincoat I was telling?
It came handy when it gets cold on my way down - then it started to drizzles. 

I extended my stay at Sabah with my buddies. Went snorkeling at Pulau Mamutik. Pulau Manukan and Pulau Sapi. It was awesooommeee.... could be better if it wasn't for the muscle pain I had for the next 3 days after the climb. Woo-hoooooo!!!

I hope this brief review on Mount KK climb is useful. I did not cover everything about it. Just some pointers based on my own experience.

Will be climbing again next year (I hope)... looking forward to Via Ferrata at Mount KK!!!

And how could I end this post just like this? 

Feed on this.... wootzzz!!! Photo taken by one of my hiking buddy at Pulau Sapi.

Goodnight ya'll !!!

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I am a D.I.V.E.R !!!!

Wootzzz!

I still couldn't get enough being labelled as a DIVER.

I could never imagine this last year - I couldn't even swim that time!

For the past 29 years - I've lived a mundane life.

A simple, low-risk, safe, routine-based life.

And then, a heartbreak made me opt for something bizarre - DIVING!

The quote below is my drive for the mission!

With CC's recommendation of a OWC instructor whom he said is friendly,

I gathered people to go with me. 

Chriz my secondary schoolmate and Loke my badminton kaki.

I've selected Tioman for the OWC due to travel conveniences.

It was definitely a new kind of experience for me.

One that shed new light about LIFE!

And also one that tells me how untalented I am when underwater.

We are lucky to have Eric Liow as our instructor.

Friendly, patient, funny is his outstanding personality, 

but his trademark - his tanned skin!!!

Hokkien people would say "Or kim or kim, ju kua ju jip sim!"

Tioman was cloudy and rainy when we got there



But it was nice at the resort... 





Meet our "or kim" instructor Eric - giving us equipment briefing





Sempat lagi for a PEACE sign! ;)





All geared up and we couldn't stand straight due to the weight! 





Ready to go in... kan cheong!





On a boat dive





Doing my first backroll entry on a boat dive - no, he's not pushing me down!
Hands on regulator and mask to ensure its placement when you get into the water.



The sea looked kinda choppy from this photo - taken by CC

Yay! I'm alive! SWT

Compilation of embarrassing photos on our lousy control of buoyancy..
It was mostly me that would have to be pulled down by Eric..
Still laughing my socks off looking at these photos!

One of the most suffering part of my OWC - seasickness!
I had it at every dive... :'(



After much struggle, drinking gallons of salt water, and seasickness, I've made it through!



Great view at night... all the hardwork pays off looking at this breathtaking scene!



CC, Joyce, Eric. Chriz & Loke..



The post mortem of my Open Water Course at Tioman :-

1) Breathing - It was pretty hard at first to breathe without using our nostrils. Air in, air out, with mouth.

2) Mask defog - to scrub using saliva. It still disgust me till today.

3) Tank - It is super heavy for a petite person like me. To carry such weight on my back for every dive is a "good exercise" but it's definitely going to make me shorter.

4) Buoyancy - breathing and balancing skills - not my expertise. I've been floating up to the surface numerous times that I was demotivated to continue my course.

5) Safety stop - This is something I'll never ever learn! To stay put underwater for 3 minutes - no finning. I was doing Macarena - legs going left right center, body up down center - I was in a mess!

6) Seasickness - Despite walloping the motion sickness pills like nobody business, I was surprised that it does not have any effect on me. Vomited after every dive - some in the sea, yes. The fishes may thank me for the buffet later on. And I continued to have slight dizziness 3 days after my last dive. That's a pretty bad week.

Some advice to overcome :-

1) To get use - Breathing using regulator on mouth is a piece of cake when you get a hang of it. Clearing of mask with saliva no longer makes you go "ewww!!!" coz you would want a fog-free mask when you get into the water. Carry tank?! It's a good exercise to help you lose weight! More tank for me please! 

2) Practice - Practice makes perfect. Compare your first dive and your last dive. You'd be amazed how much you've improved and how comfortable you are in the water now. And buoyancy control no longer depends heavily on inflating / deflating your BCD like using it as a lift button, but through your breathing. Breathe in air to float a little more, and breathe out to sink a little more. Voila! 

3) Goal - Always remember why you are here for. With a reason, you'll put in double and triple effort to get the things done. Specifically certain skills that your instructor needs you to do. Make every single skill your small goals. And getting certified is the end goal!

4) Motivation - Go with friends who are positive and constantly giving motivation. It helps to know that if they can do it, you can do it too! 

5) Doubt - Never doubt your own capability, and your instructor! Just do what he told, and you'll be fine.

6) Instructor - You would need to find a instructor that you can trust. Eric is a person whom I could put my life on when I'm in the water. There is one skill whereby we have to remove our mask and swim. I could barely open up my eyes in the water due to the salt contained, and so I decided to just close my eyes, and put my hand on Eric's, and I swim with his guidance with my eyes closed entirely. This can only be done with trust. And this is also why I've declared Eric as the World Best Instructor! Wootz!

7) Seasickness - Dizzy? Just vomit it out. That's my remedy. Then I'll sniff on some cooling ointment to ease the dizziness a little. Then lay down to rest for awhile. One may lose appetite as well but it's okay as long as your stomach is not empty - just eat something light. During my next dive at Redang, I took 1 1/2 Novomin pill 1 hour before my dive, and it lasted throughout the day. I was perfectly fine and enjoyed my whole 3 days diving sessions! The seasickness would get so sick of infecting the same lousy person and will go away eventually. Don't think there's gonna be a permanent seasickness. So don't worry. :)

Hope the above helps. It's just my two-cents sharing.

What a busy month. Promise to blog more.

Goodnight ya'all! :)

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Birthday sunrise @ Broga Hill

18th November 2012

This is one special activity to have on a birthday!

To hike up current hiker's attraction @ Broga Hill, Semenyih.

It has a special meaning to it you know...

To witness the sun unfolds my birthday, 

I want to mark the sunrise as a beginning 

to a new chapter of my life.

Coming year is gonna be a great one! :)

And so.. Vince and I woke up at 2.45am.

Left my house at 3.20am.

4.00am arrived at Kota Damansara to pick up lovebirds CC and Rachel.

Reached Broga Hill starting point at 5.00am.

We relied on the GPS to the palm oil estate with only one small signboard of Broga Hill.

Parking is now chargeable of RM2 per entry.

It was pitch dark when we arrived.

Luckily we had our own torchlight.

CC brought along his super SPOTLIGHT from cycling.

It is enough to brighten up his view up to 50 meters away!!! (I think la... coz it's super bright!)

I confess that I was filled with regrets in the first 15 minutes of hiking up.

The pathway is not meant for proper hike.

It's muddy, slippery, very steep, and oh gawd, I was panting like an old lady!

(Pardon me, don't forget I am one year older that day)

I am thankful to have Vince who has offered to carry my bag.

Bet Vince didn't know what's in my bag before he offered to carry it.

1) Torchlight - A MUST

2) Two bottles of water - A MUST - but just a small bottle, coz u'll be in trouble when nature calls

3) Camera - A MUST - but I didn't use it.

4) Two purse - REGRET. Should just leave it in the car. Just put a few ringgit in the pocket in case you want to buy drinks / coconut water when you arrived at the stalls near parking area.

5) Two mobile phones - A MUST - just one probably? In case of emergency, plus there is phone coverage.

6) Mosquito repellent - DEPENDS. We didn't use it.

7) Face towel - DEPENDS on individual. We just wipe on our shirt. Haha!

8) Snacks - REGRET. We bought ALOT of biscuits, chocolates, wafers etc, but no appetite to munch on any of it.

9. Extra clothing - A MUST - you can change your wet and smelly shirt after

On top of my super heavy bag, Vince was carrying his bulky DSLR bag.

I could imagine the extra baggage he's carrying all the way to the top.

Don't think he would mind.

He's on a mission to lose weight! :P

There are many hill slopes that we stopped to rest.

One of it acted as our loo (no toilet one lehhhh).

We finally made it on top of the hill at around 6am.

That one hour feels like forever to me.

But the view on top, is priceless.

Photos from Vince Nikon DSLR for sharing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

It was still dark at 6am.

So we waited... and waited...



Up up Broga Hill with Rachel



It is actually still very dark when this photo is taken.

We uses torchlight to "sapu sapu" on very low shutter speed.

I'm not technically equipped with photography terms, so bear with me. Haha!

Amazing colors huh?



Amazing colors of the pre-sunrise that we made up of lighting technique



Without "sapu sapu" it turns out to be silhouette. 

Which is not bad either! ;)



Romantic silhouette of CC and Rachel 



View of Semenyih at around 6.30am.



"I'm on the top of the world looking.. down on creation and the only explanation I can find.. "



.



It's been a long time since we take photo of us together.. *sweet sweet*





CC and Rachel looking at the horizon where their future holds 





And we are doing the parody version - with Vince acting like those old-skol China pose!



Sunrise seen only at around 7.00am. 

Here comes 18th November 2012!!!

Excited giler yooo!!!

Rachel and I watching the egg yolk emerging from the clouds

There are ALOT of hikers that day.

There's a bunch of Malay hikers who did their morning prayer on top of the hill.

They did the whole thing, take out their shoes, wash their feet, kneel for prayer etc.

Salute them! 

I love my new Nike pants and shoes. Cost me RM450 for both of em!

----------------------------------------------------

I find that the way down is actually more difficult than going up.

My knee and toe really hurts.

Needs to "brake" coz the slope is too steep, and one might just slip and slide down.

The one is me.

No serious injury, luckily.

Just minor bruises on my palm.

While we are on our way down, there are many hikers who just started to climb up.

It's kinda hot at that time. And they brought children along.

Some with very high spirit as in "this is sooo fun!!!"

Some have sense of achievement "daddy, I can do it too!!!"

And some almost crying... sobbing away... :P

This hike is fun, but causes alot of muscle pain.

I couldn't feel my legs when I reach the parking lot.

Vince then brought us for dimsum at Balakong, Cheras.

I miss that place.

Used to have breakie there with his family.

Slept like a baby after shower.

Then birthday celebration continues.... 

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66,448 and still counting?

My blog's pageview has increased dramatically for the past month.

An extra 3,473 pageviews for the past 1 month!!!

And an average of 250 pageviews per day for the past 10 days!!!

This was supposed to be a private blog for myself, and few of my closest friends???

Went to check on what has contributed to the sudden change, and found that my post "More Gangnam Style?!!" featured in Google image search whenever there's an entry on "no gangnam style signage" or something similar..

Can't believe Gangnam is THAT popular...

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Aduh I so malu !!!

* hands closing face *

filled with embarassment

i seriously think FB is getting more sucky

u know when there are times where u just view people's profile on your mobile

and that someone is not under your friend list

then browsing using android is difficult

coz since every single "touch" on the screen is so sensitive

and u don't even notice that you pressed something you are not supposed to?

like the  ADD FRIEND  button????

and it came so shocking to you when someone told you "Hey... why did you add that person?!!"

then you have to feel so "sorry" and quickly  UNFRIEND  them..

and today I feel even more embarrassed

coz I didn't noticed that I've accidentally pressed the 'Add Friend' button

on someone that I don't have intention to befriend with..

And the worse part is that I don't know how long ago was it

and went to view that person's profile again after so long

just to notice something

 FRIEND REQUEST SENT

Me : WHAT!!!!!!!!

quickly look for  CANCEL FRIEND REQUEST 

and the most embarrassing thing is that

God knows how long the request was there

but it has never been approved

kinda bring down my self esteem

It's like those small little kid telling their mum with their sad face "Mummy.. why Alice dowan to friend me"

But aside from my low self esteem

My case is different

Coz I have no intention to be friend or whatsoever!

I hope that person don't perasan that I wanted to be friend

or that I still cares..

it's just a habit I need to get rid of..

*ah shit... malunya!!!*

.... still can't believe this is happening... no face ahhh!!!

and it happened for a few times!

What Facebook can do is to ask for confirmation when someone click on the Add Friend button

- still in the office...  time to wrap things up and call it a day -

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2012 Olympics sweet, sour and spicy!

THE SOUR

Mum was just telling me this morning that cousins Joanna, Melissa and EeWen were too excited watching the final match for men singles between Chong Wei and Lin Dan in the London Olympic 2012.

They took Lin Dan photos from the newspaper and start poking him in the eye, mouth, and practically everywhere *OUCH!*

.....they too cried when our dear Chong Wei lost the game.

These children are too carried away  and I do not agree on the way they behave, coz.... it's kind of insane isn't it?

We love you Dato Lee Chong Wei!!!

Naawww.... seeing the above photo made me wanna cry too!!!!


THE SWEET

These cousins of mine also commented something about the game...

 "Why is Chong Wei's shirt stated LCW (Lee Chong Wei / Let China Win)! 

It should be DLCW (Dato' Lee Chong Wei / Don't Let China Win)!"

Now that's funny and very creative of them!

And it made whole load of sense on why Chong Wei lost in that match! =)


SWEETER...

On a more personal side of these two players, both Chong Wei and Lin Dan has got themselves soulmate from the badminton arena too.

Lin Dan has not only won the heart of his fellow Chinese people, but he has also won the heart of  Xie Xingfang, who has won twice in the Woman's Single in the World Championship.

And our Malaysia hero Chong Wei has been very successful and one reason for sure, he has the support of Meow Choo, who herself has won two gold in the Commonwealth Games.

Xie Xingfang, Lin Dan, Meow Choo & Chong Wei

Which couple would you prefer?

The sexy and hot photo of gangster looking Lin Dan with his beautiful wife?

Or..

Simple yet sweet photo of Chong Wei and Meow Choo in couple tees?


THE SWEETEST !!!

THE SPICY! .... rar rar wu la la....

The name Henrik Rummel became an online sensation when his photo taken during Olympics 2012 made him famous overnight!

Henrik Rummel from the U.S rowing team had a boner during the medal ceremony... *OUCH*??? Infront of millions of viewers????

I don't mean to be a meanie, but it's just really funnnniieeee.... muahahaaaa...

And this is the side of his story...

"This is me and I swear it's not erect! I don't know why it ended up in that position but there you go." (http://gawker.com/5932434/olympic-rower-denies-boner-during-medal-ceremony-its-not-erect?popular=true)

Guess "that position" also means that "it" is also excited with the bronze medal?... just saying.

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Ideas Campaign in SP Setia

“I know you've heard it a thousand times before. But it's true - hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don't love something, then don't do it.” Ray Bradbury (born 1920)




Opportunity for me to earn more money came rolling in March when SP Setia announced another round of Ideas Campaign. I knew that certain reward will be given if an idea is being picked. But I didn't know the type of reward and how much would it be.

Looking into the Ideas Campaign, this time they asked for development concept in which specific details are required.


Difficult?? 

YOU BET IT IS!!! 

Although I have NO idea on property development, planning or technical background, I decided to give it a try and just main hantam saja! In other words, just trying luck! ...no harm in trying coz I have all the time in my life. 

In that one whole month of burning midnight oil, reactivating my creative brain cells that have been dead for so long, I have successfully produced 4 proposals and another proposal on 4-seasons initiated by Vince.

These 5 ideas are contributed by friends and family members who have given creative input ranges from exclusive bungalows at Bangsar to castle-like hotel in the outskirt of South Jakarta and even a high-end condo that has infinity sky pool, sky bar, outdoor mini golf at Indonesia.

In a total of 82 ideas submitted in that campaign, one of my proposal namely Setia Heritage has been picked!

Setia Heritage is a proposed peranakan township compromises of hotel, apartment, and shops that are designed based on baba nyonya architecture. Came from family of babas and nyonyas, I truly hope that this proposal will be executed one day, so that I will have a chance to visit and live in a peranakan township which my grandparents have bragged about. 


Setia Heritage was awarded as Good Idea and the reward is a monetary sum of RM1,000 plus a framed certificate. An effort which was initially pushed by thoughts of '$$$' suddenly turned into a satisfaction I've never imagined! 

Today when the CEO present me with the cert, I felt happy, proud and was shouting in my heart "I DID IT!!!"

Regardless if the achievement is big or small, I am happy that I've grab the opportunity, put in all the effort, and with luck, I managed to taste the fruit it bears. This time particularly, the luck came from knowing good friends and having helpful family members that are constantly giving input in the ideas I've generated.

It kind of reminds me of my winning in Red FM Facebook contest. I do believe that every effort we put in do counts, and it is always 90% effort, 10% luck.

Some quotes to ponder upon..

“In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result.”


“Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”


“You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however.”


“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.


“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment; full effort is full victory.”


“Hard work doesn't guarantee success, but improves its chances.”


More inspirational quotes available at 
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/hard_work.html
and
http://www.values.com/inspirational-quotes/value/24-Hard-Work

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Driving like a hero

Ohh ma gawwddd!!! I'm just too oblivious of my own stuff until I've forgotten to renew my driving license.

I've been driving with an expired license for the past SIX MONTHS! ...and this bad ass has been really lucky to be above the law without getting caught!

Still shocked and in disbelief thinking that I drove so selamba with this license since January!

Woo-hooo!??

I have gotten a 5-years renewal (RM30 p/year) and have learnt that the new policy is that the license will expire on the driver's date of birth. So there's no excuse to forget to renew your license fellas.. unless u forgotten your own birthday! :P

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