Adidas Run 2008 - Shah Alam

These are some "ada gaya" photos taken while i was busy body at Adidas Run this morning...the weather was superb & the crowd was huge too despite Ekiden run which held in Putrajaya fall on the same day.

Good joke for the day.. ^_^

Read this....a laughter's medicine from a friend.

Not too long ago, a large seminar was held for ministers and reverends in training.
Among the facilitators were many well-known motivational speakers. One such speaker boldly approached the pulpit and, gathering the entire crowd's attention, said, "The best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who wasn't my wife!"
The crowd was shocked!
He followed up by saying, "That woman was my mother!"
The crowd burst into laughter and he gave his speech, which was well received.

About a week later, one of the ministers who had attended the seminar decided to use that joke in his sermon. As he shyly approached the pulpit one sunny Sunday, he tried to rehearse the joke in his head. It was a bit foggy to him. Getting to the microphone he said loudly, "The greatest years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who was not my wife!"
His congregation sat shocked, murmuring. After standing there for almost 10 seconds trying to recall the second half of the joke, the pastor finally blurted out "...and I can't remember who she was!"

Moral of the story: Don't copy if you can't paste

PC fair...finally over!

Is 2am in the morning & i just came back after packing..Pheww!!! Is OVER! finally...good news, our team hit the target!! we are going for holiday soon!! I personally hit 4 figure target....I'm so happy thou i'm extremely exhausted now & i lost my voice.

Today's crowd is double of yesterday...the fair starts at 11am & the Q was there since 10am in the morning as if Q'ing for Concert tickets...haha. Many booths came out with their final best to attract buyers....even the DIGImen was there to give free laptop case if anyone sign up for postpaid plan...good deal eh? The antivirus company pula sent many cute girls in nurse costume to sell their product, Creative man!!!

I encountered something funny which happened at the booth next door...they were having dancing mat competition..apparently there was this young guy took off his shoe & did the dancing...immediately those crowd within the 3m radius vanished in split second...reason? hahaha...cant bear his feet which smell like rotten fish...OMG!! I nearly vomited the only meal i took today. (dont get me wrong thou, my sis fed all the staff like pigs...just that everyone was too bz trying to hit our sales target)

Oya, i met friends like Pooi Fern & Gary..they were there to grab good deals. Towards the end of the day, I met Charmine, hubby & her youngest little girl too. But it was too crowded to have a long chat.

Well, that's the end of this event....G'nite. ^_^

PS : We took quite a number of photos...will post it up later when i obtain a copy from sis. Errrm..Alden, thanks for recommending to post a vid..we didnt have it this time...nxt round will get one out...hahaha

PC Fair 2008

"Offer! Offer! OFFER!!!" , "Last call! cheap! CHeap! CHEAP!!"....This was what i shouted the whole day at PC fair. Nearly lost my voice...haha.

This is my 2nd time helping my sister at PC fair..As a 9-5 employee, I hardly had this kind of experience...honestly is fun to do it once in a while. One get to see how the business is strategy for a short term 3days sale as well as gain knowledge of the latest trend for Computers.

From what i've experienced...When i was a buyer & tour around the PC fair halls...i wish there were lesser crowd so that i can have more time to see what i want easier.

But as a sales person, when there's a bigger crowd..there comes more opportunity to grab more business & generate more money. Of course this indirectly created chances for thiefs to steal from the shelf. U will be surprised that i caught one young decent chinese man red handed of stealing the laptop skin i was selling today. He thought nobody saw him as he walk away..i grab him from behind & took it back from him. He quietly walk away after that, i wonder if he used the same tactic again on some other booth.

I've learned something else too...everyday after the fair ended, all staff will gather around to do post-mortem..checking on everyone's sales for the day as well as planning for tomorrow sales. Marking on what other competitors offered for the day & give a better offer to grab the sales from them. I can say, is really all about planning & strategies.

Well, my legs are aching & tired...is time to rest for yet another day in PC fair tomorrow. To those who plan to come on the last day...pls drop by Hall 4,k (hehe...commercial time!) I'll be there right after the service in Church.

"OFFER! OFFER! OFFER!" (hahaha... ;p)

Mulu

This is where i'll be during Merdeka...

I'm Dying for Sleep!!!!

I'm so so tired!!!!!!!!! I'm so lack of sleep!!!!!! i've been working on a tender, ISO setting up & oso claim to client for day & night for the past few weeks! yet the work still piled up like nobody business on my office desk!! everyone is chasing behind my butt now..can somebody tell me where to get a few more junior QS????!!! i need to train somebody to take up some of my work load liao!

deadlines!!! I hate the most!!!! I hate bringing laptop home !!! i hate working until the wee hours in the morning & dragging myself to work. That's how frustrated i am now...yet, this is life!! i need the money to survive.

in actual fact, i'm staring blankly on my task which will due before the end of today....sigh! i'm way too behind on completing it.

okok...enough of nonsense...going back to my work now with another cup of coffee. Tomorrow will be another brand new day.

Elmo

My colleague's daughter Celine (we normally call her Yan Yan) is barely 4...very cute little girl. I get to see her everyday coz i carpool with her mum. Once she get to know you, she will start asking lotsa questions. I was once stucked without an answer...her question was simple : "What's sleeping beauty name?" i was lost...I know Ariel the mermaid, I know bout Snow White, I know princess Jasmine..but oh oh...not the sleeping beauty. I owe her an answer until later...ended up googling to find the answer to it. haha

Few days ago i was wearing my Elmo T-shirt to work, from far she spotted it & shouted : "Why there's a big Elmo infront of Irene Cheh Cheh (sister) T-shirt? Is she bringing Elmo to work? Why mummy why? "

Haha...both her mum & i exchange look..v started laughing...she's so cute, really brightened our day.

Sometimes kids can bring joy to us when we are sad or stressed over daily life...their smiles, thoughts are so genuine & pure like little angels. I love kids...I did think about becoming a teacher long time ago, particularly a pre-school teacher...but on 2nd thought, i dont have the character that can set as a good example for little kids, so better not contaminate their little brains...hahahaha.

Anyway, next week is little Yan Yan's birthday....just hope she continue to be bubbly happy girl.

Mood Swing

I've always knew that my mood swing can affect me extremely either on the positive or negative sides...but thank God, it stays most of the time at the +ve side...haha.

This happened to my work as well, when I'm in very good mood...i can finish my 3 days work in a day...but when i'm really lazy, it can drag days to do so. Seriously, this really not a good practice...yet haha..sometimes just cant help it. Often tight time frame has helped overcome this problem in me.

Lately i've been assign to a Highway tender in Indonesia, honestly speaking i'm excited. It has been months since i join this company & have been looking at building jobs....I hate buildings jobs! Too many elements yet small in amount, not like highways...just a bridge itself already cost more than a row of terrace houses.

The truth is, my motivation started coming back...seeing something i'm so familiar with kept me working on the task without complaining. The feeling is like seeing an old friend, now happily updating where i've left behind since last year. (yaiks! my boss sure dont like to hear this..one should be multitasking rather than choosy on what to or what not to do.)

I've two more days left before submission, meanwhile enjoying myself looking at the bridge drawings, take off the quantities & temporary forget about everything to do with buildings...haha.

Weekend with the Ngs Family -Bon Odori

Lena invited me to join the family for this year Bon Odori few days ago. At first i thought it was only the 3 daughters, Lena & Kelvin. Until that evening on the way to Shah Alam only i got to know that 10 from the Ng family joined the fun...hahaha.

(my housemates - they came in a group organised by their college)

This is my forth time going for Bon Odori in Shah Alam, as usual Panasonic stadium was packed with Japanese as well as Malaysians. Some even turn up in Yukata. We reached around 530pm before the performance & dance starts. ^_^ Kelvin's 3 daughters were very excited as it was their first time...walking from stall to stall & tasted types of Japanese food available. It was fun.



The 1st section of the dance started at 7pm sharp, we joined in. It was clumsy at first, stepping on each others foot & bump into the people nearby as we wasnt sure bout the steps. Slowly everyone manage to get into the rhythms, the crowd dance beautifully forming circles around the stage.

(Action during the break)

There was a break in between the 1st section & the 2nd. We then walk around to take photos with Japanese little girls; they are so adorable & people cant stop taking photos with them. We stayed on until the 2nd section ends & headed to Subang for Kelvin youngest daughter birthday dinner celebration. I enjoyed the night with them...was fun looking at the girls excited over Bon Odori & joking around...and the Ng family, indeed a very sporting family..haha.

(Dinner time at Station 1 Subang)

The Lost of my 2nd dog - Casper

I got to know bout Casper been stole on my way back home from work, I was really angry..."what?! again?! who the Hell so irritating & sickening ?! "

Once i got home, i checked on the cage, asked around the neighbour & did a quick check on the surrounding. Apparently there are some bits of crackers around & the padlock i used for the cage was no longer there. Slowly my sad feeling started to sat in...it recalled the time when i lost Hoppie (my first dog). Sigh! how could these ppl do that to pet owner?!!!!!!!! If not because the church teaching not to curse, i would have curse my lung out... i cried.

I hope Casper is in good hand.I read bout foreign workers steal dogs for meat due to increasing food price in the paper just a few days back..The worst thing that i dont wish it would happen is that Caper ended up in a hot pot & eaten like shabu-shabu.

Budget meal for a lazy sunday afternoon

Ingredients :

a) 4 washed potatoes

b) some freshly chopped English parsley

c) diced garlic

d) salt & pepper

e) 1 table spoon of low fat butter

f) sprinkle of Parmesan cheese

Method :

I wasn't sure about the recipe just based on the taste i remembered; i started boiling the potatoes, later goreng it with butter, salt & pepper. Chopped English parsley & cheese was later mixed with the potatoes before serving....hehe...turned out quite ok for the 1st time. Guess what? I'm happy coz it was something different, filling & yet only cost me less than RM1. Stingy that u might think, but blame it to the petrol hike ya...haha.

I've few more potatoes with me...i guess will try cooking something else tomorrow. cheers!

Sunset at Ulu Langat

Taken few weeks back during farewell for my colleague...was a beautiful evening. I like this place, the KL view on top of the hill really breathtaking. I'll go again.. ^_^

little luck starting to come back

I wasnt in good shape for the past few weeks. I was sick for two weeks due to my sensitive nose, then I fell in front of my house on a rainy evening that caused ligament tear on my both knees...sigh! Doctor advised not to do any run for another 6-8weeks. (there goes my $$ which i paid for few runs down into the drain)

That wasnt the end of it, grandmother when in to CCU a week ago & dad's house in Taiping was flooded few days back due to landslide caused by the construction nearby. All bad news just sink in one after another including my work place havoc, I nearly want to pengsan. Thank God that gave strength to my family...we managed it though.

But ahha!! When i thought bad luck yet to end, my surprise present came...hehe...Yesterday i received a consignment notice, i was clueless thinking that it might be one of statement. I made an arrangement & pick it up along the way home awhile ago after work..I got excited the minute i open up the envelope..It was from F&N. Apparently I am one of the 2nd week winner in 100plus contest & my prize ?? hehe.. Nike Sport Retail Voucher worth of RM300. It does really cheer me up quite a bit. ^_^ Yeah!

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2008

I was reading the e-news from Singapore Marathon, surprise to see David's photo is in this year web page again. Cool!

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Unrelated story from above : I had a bad fall during heavy rain two weeks ago, causing my knees still in pain & walking clumsily sometimes when climbing steps. The massage master told me to rest for atleast a month before i can start running again...sigh! I've not done any running since i came back from holiday..My ichy legs missed doing PAR4 & weekends run....hopefully recover before the McDonalds Olympic run which fall on end June.

Malaysia Boleh!!!!

This is how a Malaysian situation is now..

Petrol : RM1.92 - RM2.70
Alternative solution from driving???? sigh! bad transportation system with LRT station heading to nowhere & Buses that never on time.

Electricity tariffs : new price starting next month
Alternative solution??? turn off all the electrical appliances! use candle & paper fan???? Sigh! even candle price will be affected by the Petrol hike!

Chicken rice i ate today : previous - RM 3.50, now - RM4.80
Alternative solution??? eat less or dont eat at all?? Sigh! All the prices for food affected too..

Only thing that still maintain the same : SALARY! Sigh! how to survive ah????

No matter how we change our lifestyle to suit the current situation...is still doesnt balance between the income & the inflation we are facing now. I'm becoming more & more like a slave to loans & $$$$$.

Really thanks to the motto : "MALAYSIA BOLEH!!"

Alden's Graduation in Cambridge - 10 May 2008

Posted infront of Wolfson College (Cambridge)

Alden's graduation was a beautiful occasion & experience , I'm glad that he invited me over to witness it. The graduation ceremony is different compared to those i've attended so far in M'sia.

That day, we started off early for a walk along the private parks belonging to a few colleges. Alden explained to us about the history of Cambridge & relate his stories when he was still studying there. Hmm...i can say, Cambridge students really fortunate of having many resources & good environment to study.

(sumptious lunch in Dining Hall)

The ceremony began with cocktail session at the garden followed by a congregation lunch in Dining Hall, the 3 course meal was delicious...haha. After lunch, we were given ample time to walk around the college & Cambridge town to snap photos before the Graduation in Regent house starts later in the evening.

(Walking towards Regent House - ouch! walking along the cobbled floor with heels really painful..haha)

(Group photos infront of Regent House after the ceremony)

For more detail explanation can be found in Alden's blog...hehe...coz i just found out he has posted it out while i'm writing this.

Ps : for more photos...my friendster account.

Charitable Move

Mum has been actively helping up a charity organisation for the recent earthquake in China. I'm glad she does so since she is semi-retired now, is better for her to do something charitable & healthy rather than staying at home.

What i'm more concern is that i've heard many corruptions lay within these kinda of charity activities, i wonder if things & money does 100% reach those who need. I'm not pointing finger to specific organisation, is just that some people really take advantage during this point of time...i find it inhuman & sickening.

(For example : donation via SMS - RM0.50 each.i was once told its inclusive administration charges for phone service provider, the receiving end may end up only getting RM 0.30 or so. Isnt that a business for them in each SMS?)

I was once helped by Charity on my surgery when i was very young. Mum & dad were desperate coz we were just average income family. If not because the people are so generous & acted fast, i would have gone long time ago. I know how much these donation meant to those receiving end coz i was once too a receiver.

There are too many donation campaigns on the streets nowadays....some fake, some genuine. I'm still trying best to help in return & i just hope these people dont take advantage to it & neglected those who need.

Back from a long trip!

I'm back since yesterday evening...still reciting the places i went to & writing down what i've done during the trip. Sigh! cant believe 3wks just slipped through my fingers without me noticing it...probably was too happy joy joy i guess...haha

I was in UK & Europe for the past 3wks with great hospitality & guide from few friends throughout the stay. It was eventful thou..managed to Attend Alden's graduation in Cambridge & tour around with his family, met the Pope Benedict XVI , met CP waterman whom many of the pacesetters know about him & oya saw how crazy those football fans shouting & drinking while watching the Chelsea & MU match.

I'll break it down into few parts on my holiday in my blog...here some preface to share.

Reading - 4th, 7th & 8th May
Coventry & Warwick - 5th & 6th May
Cambridge - 9th,10th & 11th May
Stratford Upon Avon - 12th May
Rome & Vatican City - 13th, 14th & 15th May
Paris - 16th, 17th & 18th May
London - 19th - 22nd May

Special thanks to Alden of his efforts for making this trip happened & invited me for his lovely graduation, thanks to Huey Ling for hosting me while i was in Coventry, thanks to CPwaterman & his family for letting us to stay at his place & last but not least William - though it was impossible to meet him when i was there, he called a few times to check out if i'm having good time there. Thank you all.

Counting down...again??!! hehe

In less than 48hours i'm going on board again for another fun trip in faraway land...hehe...where? stay tune till i'm back after holiday.... ^_^ There's a list of stuff in my To-do list yet to be done before leaving...i'm speeding my way accomplish it in time....hmm...no mood to work liao though...hehe

April 23rd....Auspicious??? Special??? Lucky??

Do u have an Auspicious day? or a lucky or a special day that u remember?? Today is a special day for me as it marked a great journey of my life started back in 2001 when God sent His angel. It was a turning point for me that i later found Christ, learned i can do better & treasure more in life.

^_^ Thank you...April 23rd 2001!! A day i'll always remember.

A Simple Dish

hehe...i cook some extra for tomorrow breakfast!

Two handful of Penne, some green beans , curry seasoned mince pork, sambal belacan, red onion & little bit of flavoring turned out to be a nice dinner for me today...as i've yet finish the ISO manual which i mentioned in my earlier blog.



I've normally keep some ingredients in my fridge for cooking in case i'm busy at home or lazy to have my dinner outside. That save up the amount of time on the road & deal with things that cant be done during my work days...ie. washing & cleaning, writing, reading & etc etc...



Well, on the ISO manual...i've done 2/3 so far, there's still rooms to improvise the whole thing but i'll have to take more time to do it as my English still far from writing manual level. Hopefully my 1st draft will turn out ok.



hmm....that's enough of break for now...have to continue working.. ^_^ chao!

Larian Obor

Before the run starts

Front of T-shirt & Certificate

Back of the T-shirt..not bad ya?!

I just completed 5km Larian Obor this morning...the feeling is like i've run more than my usual distance....why? haha...probably i'm lack of training or perhaps i'm too stressed over my work lately. I wonder my target of running my first 21km end of this year will fulfill.

But the run was fun though...met alot of familiar faces & had a decent breakfast before i head home to start my unfinished ISO manual & procedure writing...(a big SIGH! deadline given till tomorrow noon).

Back to the run, wasnt crowded like any other run...partly because there are few runs going simultaneously all over klang valley today..but surprisingly managed to attract some good runners....maybe is the "Olympic" spirit that has caught their attention. The T-shirt is nice (far far better than KLIM T-shirt). There are two minor things that i find it weird is that they serve Coca-cola instead of isotonic drink & water to the runners...next is that they only have 2 categories & 40 medals up for grab. precious medal huh? hehe...i've not seen one but heard it was quite a nice medal...Oh ya! i saw the Olympics torch in close distant for the 1st time!!

Anyway, there's one more run to go before my long awaiting holiday....hopefully will do better next week. ;p Oya, thanks Kelvin for constantly reminding me the time & pushing me to run faster throughout the run.

Dear Teacher

Here's a salute to all you teachers .... past and present ...

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, 'What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?'

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.'

To stress his point he said to another guest; 'You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?'

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, 'You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

'Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make?' (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)'

'I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.Finally,

I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.'(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

'Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE . What do you make Mr. CEO?'

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

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I like this email...thought sharing with u all...is so true bout how great are those teachers to everyone's life. Without them, i wouldn't know how to read..neither do i know that the world is sphere or how much is 1 + 1 & etc...hope this passage will humble every each of us & not becoming the Mr. CEO who was trying to disgrace the teacher.

As the Teacher's Day approaching...Happy Teacher's Day & salute to all the teachers!

Orange Run !! or ....errmm....roll????!!

Tomorrow is time for the annual Orange Run again (organised by BHP)...as usual we will starts and ends infront of "The Curve" shopping mall. What i like about this run other than one can get nice goodies after completing the race, the downhill route makes me less tired...hahaha..lazy runner.

What makes this year run special is that a bunch of us going to celebrate Little khoo's birthday which falls on tomorrow. I guess glasses of liquor, cake & a decent lunch will be perfect for the celebration after a long run. ;p

Yoohoo! cant wait...gona be a nice weekend ahead...to Little Khoo! Happy Birthday!

This is how i feel today...

Hope u...feel the same way too!

Working Life

Working in a small scale company is very different from big company, there are plenty more work & issues one has to focus on. I always having perspective that whenever a person say so is just because they giving excuses of the incapability on handling their job well...not until I'm in their shoes....

I used to be in big scale companies with system controlled by ISO & so, individuals were assigned to certain work according to their expertise..but here in my current company which I've joined merely 5months, i've to be multi-tasker in almost everything...often enough, i've no choice but to spend more time in the office till late evening daily in order my in-tray clear for the day.

Lately, i realized my ability & strength are tested to the maximum...energy & focus were drenched & left to the minimum. I'm tired...tired of being not able to accomplish whatever i've planned, tired of not seeing the end results despite how hard i've worked, tired of not having enough skillful workmates to support.

Those who knows me, they knew i'm not a perfectionist...but when i set my goal...i'll atleast work hard towards acheiving it. I get frust seeing my situation now in the office...is like kayaking against the water going upstream..where i'm i heading to??? where gone my motivation??? i wonder..

The Highest Starbucks in Asia & me

The highest Starbucks in Asia was barely one month old when i visited. It was special as its situated up in Alishan, Taiwan...A place where many came for the famous scenic, train, mystical tree & sunrise. Most of all, the Menu nailed on the wall is written with Mandarin as well (which i dont get to see from M'sia). ;p

Haha...i bought this doraemon sweater a day before i get to Alishan...gosh! i'm already a plus size person...with four more pieces of clothes underneath the sweater makes me even XXXXXL!!! :(

Me & my favourite cup of Ceramel Latte..used to be cold, but i really cant stand drinking one with this kinda cold weather up in Alishan. The little christmas tree next to me is made out of post it tag with messages from those who visited this place. Check out the next photo, a closed up from one of the christmas trees.

Chaos caused by Multiply

I synchronised my blogger with my multiply account this morning & logged out as usual. Ronnie prompt me via Yahoo Messenger immediately after that saying that my msg alert has created chaos in his mailbox.

Hahaha...little that I know how to use "multiply", is kinda scary when Ronnie said more than 1000 emails from me flooded his mailbox alerted him i've undated my multiply blog. I call this unintentional prank!!!!

Sorry dear friends that i've creative some difficulties & inconveniences through this mistake, i'll be more careful next time. Ronnie, thanks for telling & taught me how to solve the problem i encountered. (hahaha..luckily u alerted me, I cant imagine when others "tembak" me without me knowing what happened...)

Lesson learn : Websites can be dangerous if u dont know how to deal with it.. ;p

Bond that will never break...

I had a great reunion with my closest cousins during the weekend. The arrangement was last minutes as one of my eldest cousin brother came back from Macau and it happened to be a school holiday as well.

It has been along time that all six of us together, due to work & study all of us are separated in some way. It was emotional moment for me as we are still as closed like when we were in our childhood time. Time flies, I still r'ber when we living under one same roof. I'm the eldest among six, those days I was the tallest , influential between us...but today, haha...i'm one of the shortest & happy to see them making their ways in life & sharing what every story they encountered..especially the one working in foreign land now.

Thank you God, thank you for the blessing u gave to six of us. Every each of us may not be the brightest in school or best in what we do...but I'm glad that we have what we need most...the closest bond & love within us...something will never break no matter what...

PS : Photos taken during trip up to Genting. 3 cars with 12 of us..Sigh! the part that spoiled the fun was that i cant spend a nite with them in Genting as i need to work the next morning....no choice but to followed my uncle's car back to KL...more photos to come.