Yeah! I'm Home!

I'm finally home after a week long holiday living like a nomad moving in & out hostel everyday in Taiwan. It may sounds like I’m complaining about it...but "NO NO"...haha...Instead, is a start of telling all the cool stuff I did in Taiwan. (One of the best trips I’ve been)

Our trip started off with a free upgrade to business class & direct flight by Cathay Pacific due to the flight was overbooked. We had a complementary meal at the Airport from them too by accepting the offer of changing the flight.

In the flight, we met Mr. Tan - A Taiwanese who has business dealing with Proton. He was really kind to offer us a ride to our Hostel in town...Furthermore, he came back by surprise with his wife to spend us dinner at "Din Tai Fung" main branch which is well known of their "Siao long pao". He took us for a walk too after dinner..Special thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Tan of their hospitality.

Subsequent days, we met up with many other very nice people...Once at Tarako National Park, we met a university professor whom he teaches Fine Art & Photography. He was with his students on a field trip. Guess what, he was so kind that he taught us some simple trick of getting a nice photo out of our own camera...hehe...turned out good!

Then it was my local tour guide in Hualien, a Singapore blogger fren recommended her. Thumbs up to Vivian (tour guide)....I would recommend her to any of my friends if they planning to visit Hualien. Vivian is really good in explaining the history of Hualien, relating stories, took us for a free of charge cultural show; look for cheap & good food!! haha.. oya, she even picks us up from train station, took us to hotel for check in & extended her tour guide service up to 12hrs.

At Alishan, we met some exciting people with great stories too. There were two pairs of father & daughter in our sunrise seeing group.
One of the pair was Taiwanese moved to Canada more than a decade & was back in Taiwan to visit their relative. The father likes taking photographs; we were amused to see him running up & down, in & out the forest taking photos. He was so energetic.

The other pair was Taiwanese too; the father travelled more than 130 countries since his retirement. Not forgetting the 9 times experiences in South Africa & 7 times in Egypt. He was with us on top of Alishan shortly after his one month old spinal surgery. Tough guy, yet humble thou. haha...his words to us "Travel as much while u can, u will never know how much u can learn from it every time".

In general, Taiwanese are really helpful & friendly people..See how God works wonder...we get to meet so many nice people, stranger that we hardly even know them but yet they extended their help & warm welcome to us that makes our trip so memorable. It really touches our hearts & means so much to us.

I’m still waiting for my friends to give me their copies of photos so that I can post it up in this blog. We took nearly 3000 photos including video clips. Taiwan is just too beautiful...will write more when the photos available.

Take off in 28hours 30mins & **** seconds!!

Yes! Yes! Yes! The long awaiting vacation is finally here...I did some final checking last nite on my itinery & reconfirmed the arrival time in Taiwan with the hostels & local travel agents. Will starts to do my packing tonite after dinner with some friends.

I was on the phone with this lovely travel agent in Taiwan yesterday...
"Hey, how's the weather now??" I asked...

Apparently she replied in a complaint manner :"Aww...is getting so cold for the past two days..u know, i'm wearing layers of clothes to cover me up." haha... I laugh.

"But what's the forecast for the up coming one week?? I read in the internet saying there going to be tonnes of rain by time i reach Taiwan."

"Oh...no worries, internet forecast often not accurate...weather will be perfectly fine...except..errr..is cold..." Again, she gave a little sigh after she finished talking.

Nway, i'm a bit doubtful about the weather thingy...to be on safe side, umbrella is a must in my luggage...hehe. Until then...See u all again in a week time.

TaiWan! Aku datang LOh!

Memory Lane - My Dearest Dad & his marathon

Yup! That's rite! 5051! That's my Dad!

While I was sorting out some of my old stuff in the box last night, I found a stack of photo albums which contain many of my childhood photos. To my surprise...haha...i found quite a number of my dad photos taken during his marathon back in 90's. (I wonder how these photos are in my box, must have took it from dad's drawer when i moved to KL years back...just cant remember...ah!! nevermind..hehe)

My dad stopped running 4yrs ago after he met an accident & broken his leg....His a healthy person & did his running daily at the lake. I still remember when he knew that he needed a surgery, the first thing he asked : " Doctor, can i continue running after this???"

"No, I'm afraid not...maybe big walk if u are lucky...but no more running for u." I saw my dad sad eyes & quiet down in the hospital.


He was happy eventually when he got to know that i pick up running a year back. Sometimes, he will call & check out my progress in run..Many times he will give advice & relate his story about his run...I guess these bring both of us closer. Thanks Dad!! You the best!!


Well, check out these photos of his ....they are in hardcopy, luckily i managed to use my camera & re-cap these images...turn out not bad though...hehe

Larian Obor - dad is on right hand side

Dont ask me - really no idea what run is this...but Dad smack in the middle of all the tall uncles

Yet another unknown run - Dad infront with his trophy

Another Great Story from my thoughful friend

I'm supposed to do some write up on the run i did yesterday in S'pore...still finding time to do so...coz i'm still in "zzzzzz" mood now...tired!! But i'm delighted to see this email when i open my mailbox this morning...thought sharing this story with u all before i get my fingers & brain ready to type something out later...hahaha ;p spare some time to read this & see how we find love from God's miracles.

******************
A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question.
'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick..and I want to buy a miracle.
''I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist.
'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?'
'We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little
'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.'

The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?'
' I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.''
How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago
'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audibly.'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.'
'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. '
He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.'

That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.

'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?' Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost...one dollar and eleven cents....plus the faith of a little child.

In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need.A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law. I know you'll keep the ball moving! Here it goes. Throw it back to someone who means something to you! A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me.

MY OATH TO YOU...When you are sad.....I will dry your tears.When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears. When you are worried.....I will give you hope. When you are confused.....I will help you cope.And when you are lost....And can't see the light, I shall be your beacon.....Shining ever so bright. This is my oath.....I pledge till the end.Why you may ask?.....Because you're my friend.Signed: GOD

A Blessed Birthday to A Great Friend in Far far away land

Happy Birthday!
Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu!
Sun Yat Fai Lok!
Saeng il chuk ha ham ni da!
Selamat Hari Jadi!

To my dear friend Alden - A Blessed Happy Birthday to you! We (the big gang in KL) didnt forget about your birthday oh! While we celebrated birthday for Mien Yee, Cherie & Sot Sot....we included our best wishes to you too...haha. Anyway, enjoy ur birthday to the fullest in UK.

These are some photos dedicated to you...

(snapshot taken in "The Garden")

(Nyam - nyam....best bak kut teh in Banting...hey, wait! dont leave! ....let me have the last drop of the soup)

(In Genting)

Haha...sorry pal...this is the best that i can do on this post....compared to the one you posted for my birthday (http://3088.blogspot.com/2007/02/happy-birthday-irene.html) .. Ahemm! pai seh! pai seh! mine looks like an elementary school work....but hope you like it.

Little time to spare yet I'm happy

I've just started my new job for slightly more than a week....it has been hactic since the first day i step into the office. Great potential future, but yet have to assist my new HOD to set up a system to clear all the backlog before we can move furthur than from the current situation. (haha...indirectly I'm an acting DBKL, atleast for now)..Good thing about it is that i dont need to travel daily to Seremban anymore.
Had some little hiccups within the week, worst one was this morning but nothing too serious la...I run over a small metal thing on highway heading to Semenyih site and flatted my months old tyre...now have to depend on my spare tyre before i replace a new one ASAP.

I've to travel down to S'pore in less than two weeks for Standchart Int Marathon...keke...i only registered for 10km (beginner mah...haha) but i can foresee i'll drag myself to the finishing line due to lack of training. (Gosh! praying hard that i dont ended up in the ambulance or pickup bus provided by the organiser)

I'm going to Taiwan for a yearly travelling thingy in less than a month...yet, i've just managed to secured 4 nites out of 6 nites accomodation in Taiwan...year end mah...everyone going for holiday...some popular places like Alishan & Hua Lien are quite fully booked. Have been looking for options that meet my budget yet the location has to be strategic....aiyo! Luckily managed to sort out a rough itinery with my two gal frens yesterday meet up..the rest have to depend on my copy of "daily planet" once we are there.

In a month time, Christmas approaching...promised to join the Choir....i'm down with sorethroat for the past one week...hopefully i'm ok when the practice start.

MSIG Sudoku 2007

I've just gotten a confirmation email from MSIG that my name is in for this year MSIG Sudoku Challenge. The event will be at 1 Utama this coming 17Nov @ 10am. Frankly, there are many Sudoku Maniac out there that can complete a Sudoku effortlessly within minutes. Hmm....I'm going there to have fun & gain experience to see how actually a Sudoku Challenge held...Hopefully some lady luck on my side that day....haha.

Meanwhile whenever i'm free, one shall be able to see me holding a piece of Sudoku & brainstorming how to solve it within the time frame i fixed for myself.

^_^ Stay tune...

A Wonderful Dog Story....Email sent by a thoughtful friend

A wonderful dog story . . . Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and may decide you need one. Mary and her husband Jim had a dog, Lucky. Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease, she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!

While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every night.

It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free.Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Live everyday to the fullest. Remember it is a blessing from God.The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards... They're the ones who care. "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

"Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God....and May the Lord Bless You Always."

Updates

I've left my blog for more than a month now...partly because alot of activities and things happened throughout the month. For Alden was back here, the pacesetters gang & i had many rounds of gathering, outing, running, trips & particularly eating sessions with him. Now that he has left for UK again for working, i wish him all the best in work & looking forward to the next trip he comes back.

As for myself, I've just tendered my resignation again....not that i'm having trouble working in the current company but is more like a personal problem. Ie. travelling 4hrs in total to another state - Seremban,N. Sembilan by train everyday is too hectic for me & has been making me sick quite often. Enough is enough....i choose to leave.

There are few things that i'm looking forward to though till next year...starting of my new path after resignation, Going home (Taiping) during my transition before i start working again,Many runs that resume after Puasa, Trip to Taiwan, Singapore & likely UK....Christmas, my birthday, Alden's graduation (hehe...can travel), Shirley's wedding & house warming...last but not lease options on job opportunity or more. These should keep me bz enough...hehe

Mizuno Run 2007

(As Kelvin described...Happy Family)

Yesterday run was a tiring one among those i've tried this year, i came back 5 minutes later than my slowest timing... the Bukit Aman Hill really killing me....till now i'm feeling the tiredness in my body thou the pain did not take into place.

Dont get it wrong though...no doubt the hilly course was tough, it helped me to push my limit further in strength, stamina & determination to finish the race..Glad i did it..it feels good achieving something, regardless what's the award waiting infront...the fun part is the process of doing it. ^_^

Hmm...next race??? probably after Puasa month & Raya i guess...Festive Season coming, Raya & Puasa mood has already started to fill the air by those Malay frens & colleagues preparing themselves for Raya. As for myself? hehe...cant wait to taste my favourite Raya delicacy - Lemang with Rendang.

My New Gadget Has Finally Arrived.... Cheers!!!

My long awaiting Nokia N95 has finally came yesterday...very special thanks to the help from Alden of getting it for me at a super duperly good price...it really puts a big smile on my face when i saw & touch the phone for the first time...Hooray!!!

Well, this has made up the 2nd most expensive item in my shopping list for year 2007 so far...1st was none of the less my home-to-be.

Anyway, this phone has alot of functions that i need to spend some time to explore it....stay tune in future to see pics & videos that i'll taking using this baby....oppss!! oh YES! is 5Megapix, much better than my existing digital camera...i just realized that i've acheived two in my wishing list instead of one!! Yippee!!

I'm happy! ^_^

Some pics from cousin's camera...

I've just gotten some photos yesterday from my cousin taken during my sis birthday last June...It was kinda great outing with few family members in karaoke session on that day. There were few cute shots , so i decided to post it up here for sharing. ^_^

(discussing what poseture to make for the photo....)

(conclusion...'tah dah'....peace!)

(comedy shot...sis & cousin pouring gin into my mouth)

PJ Half Marathon 2007

(At the finishing line, photo complimentary from Raymond...hehe..thanks!)

I did another run last weekend...there are good & bad thing to talk about...

The Good :

1) I break my personal best record by 10mins.

2) It was a great day for running, cloudy & cooling weather helped.

The Bad :

1) NO WATER STATION for 10km runners....thank God that i never trusted any organisers ever since the Smart Tunnel Run, i've my own water supply till the end of the race. I can see people started looking for water after 5km mark.

2) Running along Federal Highway & LDP are both very dangerous.

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Something apart from running.... this is what i'm looking forward to next weekend... ;p

http://www.skytrex-adventure.com/content.html

Friday Nite Outing - Rock Climbing

(R to L : Autowall, Castle wall)

(Boulder)

I had my first experience on Rock Climbing yesterday evening with Eve & Elis at Camp 5 which situated at the 5th floor of 1 Utama. The feeling was great & this sports is really cool! (haha..i told Elis, yeah! an alternate new hobby for me...& v made out a plan to do it occationally)


Camp 5 (http://www.camp5.com/) is a great place with various type of climbing set for climbers according to their skill. I did 3 sets within an hour, once at boulder, once at castle wall & last at autowall...was exhausted but fulfilling...hehe...i still dont believe how i did it despite my phobia of height, i guess is the statement made by the coach "try it, it just take 1 hour of ur life time!"

Pics from Adidas Run - NPE

(met Raymond towards the finishing line...gosh! i looks so "big" running next to Raymond)

(Han...so relax...no sign of him suffering in the run)

(Kelvin's wife)

(sot sot with his thumbs up position)

(little khoo..."finishing line here i come!!")

Adidas run - NPE

Sigh! i ran too slow even though i improved 2mins from my previous best time..i didnt entitle a medal!! I'll try harder this weekend!

Good run,but started a bit late...the sun rised high before i make u turn back at 5km mark...i got a bit dizzy at the final 1000m due to the heat. Water station enough...but where's the ambulance & St.john medical team along the way ah?? MIA liao.

Was fun running with friends & colleagues...The run was organised together with IJM, so get to see many of my colleagues from HQ clad with IJM Planet T-shirt running together. Even Dato Krisnan Tan & some of the managers were there to support.


PS : will upload some photos later.

What i've been listening this morning...Nat King Cole

Classic!!...i like his songs since very young...my dad used to hummed softly whenever he's in good mood....my personal favourite - When I fall in love & The Christmas Song...both so warm & lovingly romantic.

hmm....i've the character of day dreaming & imaginating, so whenever i listen to song...i'll imagine bout where & when & who i'm with when listening to them. (haha..one might think so unrealistic am i...but i guess is kinda good to have a little time for myself to imagine some lovely things when i'm restless in work or in life)

*wink wink*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaxDGfA7evA&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo0cQd1O2OQ

An Evergreen Song - Amazing Grace

I was angry with God during my short prayer this morning...i've no idea why the anger came in, but i know the prayer was sort of throwing angry words on God rather than thanking him... I didnt think much after that & continue my day to office.

While working on my report, it seems like there a voice from the back of my mind asked me to listen to "Amazing Grace". To my relieve, I felt a sudden peace in me after listening to it... Is God trying to tell me how amazing his Grace is through the song & had listen to what i've said this morning? Is HE assuring HE's always there for me?? Yes Lord, I never doubt on you...Thanks for the peace u gave & please forgive me.

These are a few versions of "Amazing Grace" i found in youtube :
1) Sang by Judy Collins & the boys Choirs. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG3Xd7ENuyk) , the ending sound so powerful.

2) Leann Rimes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT88jBAoVIM&mode=related&search==)

3) Charlotte Church (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLxSJIyZYuE)

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And this last link not related to the above, this little girl sang like an angel..even simon cowell love her voice...must watch!

4) 6yrs old Connie in Britain's Talent Audtion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cnRXmMn2Ag&mode=related&search==)

Is The Harry Potter Season..

(the beginning of Harry Potter Movie)

(Harry, Hemione & Ron grown up...)

Exactly 12midnite (UK) time, marked the released of the long waited finale for Harry Potter book - Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows. As a Harry Potter fan, I checked out the websites first thing in the morning on news worldwide related to the book launch.


Is so crazy to know fans worldwide actually Q up (opps...more precisely, camping) for hours to get the first touch on the book.


Bookstores in M'sia did their best effort to make this lauch memorable & magical...Like Kinokuniya in KLCC, the set up a fat lady portrait of Gryffindor at the store entrance & award those first three in the Q that given the correct password a limited edition of Deathly Hallows worth RM235.


Unfortunately there are bad news to this too...The Ugly price was has made the major bookstores here to withdraw all Deathly Hallows from their Shelves...i need not write it all here..just click the link below.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/21/nation/18369076&sec=nation
I wonder was it a good idea to do so...who will be the loosing end..One end protecting the bookstores & distributor....One end helping the readers to pay lower for the book.

Anyway...I'm waiting for my long ordered copy to arrive soon from UK...Glad to know that The Six movie of Harry Potter will start filming this coming September & will be release in 2010....Cant wait!

Seremban Half Marathon

Me....featured in The Star paper on Tuesday Edition for Seremban Half Marathon...a coincidence...wasn't aware about the camera man as i was too nervous about completing the run.


Photo taken by Tey, the carton of isotonic drink is a result of my lucky draw...hehe...kinda lucky that day...happy.

Overall, i enjoyed the run...personal timing improved & unexpected ranking in my category...even though there were still illegal selling RM 1 drinking water along the running route which pissed many many runners.

Looking back, i was once telling others it will be crazy if i can ever do a 10km run...hehe...& now...i did it..& more to come. I'm quite happy actually...pushing my limit everytime i run, regardless the timing or distance. I hope i can complete a 21km in future to come..

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/7/17/central/18315040&sec=central

Smurfs = Doraemon ?????

hehe...guess what's the similarity i just found out between my all time favourite Doraemon & Smurfs....They are all blue with rounded figures...that makes them looks so cuddly cute....hahaha.

Hehe....not bad taking public transport nowadays....not only save a car space on the road during the jam, helped a bit on less polluting the air and lesser expenses for me..in reward to these, Rapid KL given a chance for Contest Maniacs a chance to get some return back via contest.
Kinda good way to promote more people to use public transport ya?! ^_^

落葉歸根～王力宏

Li hom latest hits...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haIBoDbfKNk

Mr "Haze" is back...thanks to our friendly neighbour!

(how i wish i could see this today....but....)

(i saw this instead....Sigh! the Annual event is back again)

While everyday papers & everyone has been talking about saving the Earth, Care for our living Environment.....Haze came back again to visit Malaysia just slightly after World Green Day. I was so geram to see a fine layer of haze dust slowly covering my windscreen while I was driving to work this morning...Gosh! really dont know how much longer before our friendly neighbour will learn the mistake that they have been doing again & again...I wonder they ever will.

Penang Bridge Run & makan trip...

I had a great trip & run up north (Penang) over the weekend. The run was great & the food was fantatic..hehe...the effort of loosing some fats via the race went down into the drain after all the makan session from Penang all the way down to KL.

(Happy Family??? haha...took this pic when we were in Ghee Him)

The Run

Yen, Gary, Houn, Jih Yeh & I got up as early as 1am to catch the pacesetter's shutter bus to USM (starting point). For Gary & Houn, they started running at 3am, Jih Yeh started 5am, Yen & I were 530am. The reason why we went early was due to the road closure for the race. (a bit crazy...coz the time when we left the hotel, the disco on hotel's ground floor still not close for the day...haha)

At the starting point, we went separate way to our own check point for reporting. Myself & Yen had to walk extra 2km in order to reach ours. The weather was warm & stuffy, i was cursing myself of why joining the race then. (haha..lack of sleep, temper was totally uncontrollably bad)

An hour passed, it was 3am..my eyes were watery & tired..i took a piece of free newspaper copy & placed in on the tar road & slept for 40mins. (well, i was not the only one...so many others are doing the same while waiting for our turn to run)...It was refreshing when i woke up. ;p

530am sharp, My catogory started running....it was difficult at first to run through the sea of people (13,000 pax in 10km started together)...mainly school boys & girls...about 3km later the road was getting more spacious, it was much easier to maintain the running speed. Yen was infront of me as usual, but i just having fun & ran on my own pace.

Half way of my run, i met a group of veteran runners (they atleast 55-65)..they called themselves "Uncle Roti"..very cute bunch of uncles..They were holding an air horn & "honk honk" along the way to keep up everyone's spirit to continue running...indeed they did a great job, many of us ran together with them & shouted "uncle roti, uncle roti"...haha..funny.

Nway, i finished my run in 1hr 33mins, few minutes behind Yen...it maybe not be a good timing, but it was my personal best so far. ^_^ Other than my both 2nd toes turned dark, i wasnt feeling much tired after that.

Makaning Session

Day 1 (Saturday) - We (in two cars - Gary, Pooi Fern, Yen, Houn, Jih Yeh & i) met up with Kelvin, Lena, Pat & Wai Leng for Seafood dinner at Teluk Kumbar. The food was fantastic. We bumped into Han & his friends too.

Day 2 (Sunday) - After the run, we headed for Penang famous fried Koey Tiaw, Cendol, Prawn Mee & Laksa. At night, Mr Pak, Mr "Chin Yan" & another fella (sorry, dont know the name) joined the group for Famous Hainan Western food at Mt Eskerin Road & Gurney drive. I highly recommended Hainan Western Food to everyone, the food was really good & the price was very resonable..(ranging as low as RM 6 - Max of RM 14).

(one of the famous fried kuey teow stall - "Sisters Fried kuey Teow" crazily waited for the long Q yet nice cha kuey teow)

(Houn enjoying himself with latest Penang delicacy near Kek Lok Si Temple...hahahaha)

(Latest highlight in Kek Lok Si Temple - incline lift leading to the big Kuan Yin figure ontop of hill)

(Hainan Westernfood @ Mt Eskerin Road - I got to know this plc via a TV program Named "Ah Xian - Jason" the way the cook are special & reasonably cheap. Oneself can choose the best suitable sauce from one the 7 types of sauces)

Day 3 (Monday) - The craziest day...we ate until Mr "Chin Yan" & Mr Pak surrendered! From Penang Famous Teow Chew Cendol to Taiping Ice blended red bean & Kuih , then Ipoh "Yong tau fu" to Gopeng Durian & Bidor famous "duck noodle".

(chit chatting while waiting for more cendol to come)

(Ipoh "under the big tree" Yong Tau Fu - Best in Ipoh)

(Mr. "Chin Yan" bargaining on behalf us with the pakcik Durian...haha...funny, he went to an extent of playing "one, two, som" in order to get cheaper price)

Special thanks to the group of people that went together...Esp Gary & Jih Yeh who droved all the time, Wai Leng took us for Seafood dinner, Yen, Pooi Fern, Han, Lena, Pat & Houn for good accompany...Mr Pak & Mr "Chin Yan" for cracking so many jokes that made us laugh till stomach turn up side down..last but not least, thanks to Kelvin for helping us to collect our bib.

Girls lepak day....

I met up with Elis & Eve last saturday at KLCC for shopping and dinner. Initial plan was to watch a movie there but the weekend "Q" at the cinema was too long. We ended up in Restaurant Bukhara for buffet instead.

Hmm...it was my first time dining in this Restaurant (my attempt to try it many times failed before this...haha) , it serve nice middle eastern food to my surprise & not expensive as i thought it would be. The two hours buffet** only cost us RM28++ and we get to taste finger food like "mutabak", "kebab poh piah", "ceaser salad", "nachos" & some others that i dono their names..haha..

Main dishes pula - "cabonara pasta", "fried meehoon", "lamb shank", "BBQ beef meatball", "spicy chicken wings" & "nasi kunyit"....i like the BBQ beef meatball most...crispy outside & juicy inside..just perfect serving it with sour cream.

Desserts menu??? Mini cup cakes, cheese cakes, cream puff coated with chocolates, fruits, Ais Kacang...and the hightlights among the Desserts is "Baklawah" - A special pastry from middle east which made out of date-filled inside a cookie dough...Is delicious!

The nite continued with another round of window shopping before we decided to check out The Sky Bar on 33rd Floor of Traders Hotel which situated next to KL Convention Centre. It is a superb chill out space with an open air pavillion perched on the roof appears to almost float in the clouds with great almost 360deg KL views overlooking KLCC, Genting & Bintang walk. Personally...really good place to celebrate birthday,holiday eve or romantic outing for two...the night view just simply magnificent!!

(View from higher floor)

(view facing KLCC...v sat at one of these cube while chilling out with our drinks & peanuts)

(View from the entrance)

(another front view from entrance)

** Note : the buffet starts at 5pm - 7pm, normal hours they serve ala-carte

http://www.bukhara.com.my