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#74: Year 2010 - Year 2011, That 3 Most Memorable Runs


A year ago, I disliked sports, the sweat that stink, the laundry to wash, the sufferings of it.
A year later, I am proudly an endurance athlete, and not slowing down...




Year 2010-Year 2011 had been an awesome year for me, especially in sports. This was the year in my 23 years of life that I had achieved so much, whether expected or not. Here're the three most significant and memorable runs...

#73: Flashback - My 1st 42km Hell-Run, Where All Hell Broke Lose...

Happy Day to all my dear readers!

On May 26th 2011, I've completed my first ever full marathon, and wrote a note on it. Most of those that had read, commented that it was inspiring, especially towards non-runners and virgin-marathoners. Hence I would like to share out this personal note that was written a week after the run, as both an inspiring message to all marathon virgins out there, and another opportunity for my readers to get to know me better!


*It's a looooooong note, but worth the read ^^*

#72: So, Who Am I?

Jackie Chan fans, remember that movie "WHO AM I?" in 1998 where Jackie was in an accident, being rescued by a tribe in some hidden African village, lost his memory, then shouted, "WHO AM I?!" in the middle of the dessert? NO! This post is definitely not about soul-searching or trying to recall who I exactly is. In fact, I would like my dear readers to know me a little (you would always have the benefit of doubt for not knowing me in-person ^^) so that what you will be reading in the future, would make sense, and you could relate to anyone, or yourself, who you think is similar to who I am characteristically, personality-wise, and mentally. And it's also best for you to know where my passion to run comes from, and what is driving me towards that dream that seem impossible to lots of people...

It always seems impossible until it's done - Nelson Mandela 

We will start with how I got into running...

#71: The End is the New Beginning of A Dream


And the previous post will be the last post of HMOTD - Happy Moment Of The Day!


...Not because I'm gonna retire, but I'm gonna revamp the concept and title of this blog, after realizing I don't write as awesomely as Neil Pasricha. Though of course, these 70 posts so far had significantly kept me positive everyday, without me knowing it unless I take a moment to reflect on it. So instead of being a copy-cat, I decided to change the concept of this blog to a more personal-inspiring-story-blog, where I will share, talk, and discuss stories, topics, and happenings on myself, and people around me, who're chasing their dreams. What I would like to highlight will be those incidents, accidents, coincidences, problems, issues, etc that happened everyday, however positive or negative, however tiny or grand it is, will take me and all of us one step forward towards what we're chasing for in our life.


No one person or matter in life is not worth giving a thought, for they mould you into who you were, are, and will be.

In addition to those side stories, will be my own stages of achieving my own dreams. Like majority of the population, I've a dream in almost all major areas in life (i.e. career, sports, family, etc.). But the biggest of all is particularly in the area of sports. I've been a runner for a year now, and running amazed me in lots of ways as it did for the millions others who shared that same passion as I do. 

HMOTD #70: That thing that almost crushed me...

My apologies to all readers who've been following this blog, for the halt of entries the past two-weeks. I wasn't that positive or inspiring due to lead-up Powerman 2011 race that I got so excited I self-diagnosed myself to have Pre-Race-Depression (no, there's no such thing, or maybe it does?!). That's that, race had passed, and I got a satisfied but not-really-happy results. 


But like everyone said to me, "What's important is you gave it all you had" .Yeah! I definitely gave all I had, it could be worse with the likely-cramps, and strong cross/head-winds. Compared to me getting towards myself of "not being able to reach my goal although I've a new PB is not good enough", probably that 1 year wait, training, a new bike, and being able to run a 50 minutes 10K, puts pressure on what I'm expecting out of myself. 


Been there, done it, did it again, and gonna crush it next time

Powerman Malaysia 2011 Net Time: 4:21:58; Run1@59:32; T1@0:01:46; Bike@2:03:16; T2@0:01:55; Run2@1:15:32; Position: 55/90 (Top 61%@AG 20-29); 216/412 (Top 52%@Men's Only); 244/473 (Top 52%@Overall Ind); 14% position improvement


Photos after page break...

HMOTD #69: Playing In The Rain!


Our parents had most of the time told us that playing in the rain is a NO-NO. To the reason that we will definitely get a cold/flu, and maybe contracting a more serious disease relating to our lungs! So as kids, we don't really go out to the mud or the road, or even just in front of our house during a drizzle or a downpour, to wet ourselves. Of course, if you're living in an industrial area, it's definitely not advised to since the rain could be highly acidic and really really bad for our skin and health...

HMOTD #68: When You're Able To Get That Awfully Stubborn "Thing" Out From Between Your Tooth!


I don't know how some of you could withstand that annoyance when there're some leftover-pieces-of-food got stuck in between your tooth or gums after a great meal. Well, there're toothpicks for that purpose of course, to pick it out from that tooth-maze (I call it a maze because it's impossible to look where are you picking especially behind your tooth! Unless you're with a dentist or you've that tiny-round-mirror-stick)...

HMOTD #67: "SEAL - NICHOLAS"; YES SERGEANT.!


Been recruited into Original Bootcamp near my area (if not I wouldn't even think about it due to time management issues with work). It was always my plan to join a bootcamp, for the interest of it, the fun, the challenge, and the results. Working your way throughout tough regimes being motivated and pushed by the instructors is a damn sure way to get significant results in building and improving fitness. And I just need that extra help and diverse training program to build my base into running strong before going into pure run training. HOOYAH!

HMOTD #66: Breaking that Record again!

OK OK OK! I know I shouldn't be so selfish to post my record-breaking-splendid-moment every time I broke one! But I'm happy you know! And I want to share that joy with the whole wide world!


Here's a breakdown of my running performance pre and post recovery period.

Pre-recovery 
Best 10K pre-pecovery0:52:00 (during training around home, at limit)
Best 21K pre-recovery: 2:00:00 (during training @ Ipoh Polo Ground)

12K in the month 
pre-pecovery: 1:17:00 (Men's Health Shape Run)
21K in the month 
pre-pecovery: 2:30:00 (Seremban Half Marathon)

2 1/2 months recovery period (skipping running altogether due to muscles wear and tear; did weight training 1 month after)









Post Recovery
1st run after break: Siemen's KL 10K @ 1:05:00
2nd run: 8K Training Run @ 1:00:00
3rd run (2nd Oct): Adidas KOTR 16.8K @ 1:47:00
4th run (15th Oct): 10K Training Run @ 0:54:00 (comfortable pace; before the break, I was always pushing hard to run a 10K @ 1:00:00)
5th run (22nd Oct): 10K Training Run @ 0:56:00 (walked 2 min, stopped 30s, not on form)
6th run (30th Oct): PJ Half Marathon (21K); 10K @ 0:50:00 (NEW PERSONAL RECORD!); 21K @ 2:03:00 (although I had a new record for 10K, but it's a bad strategy to run that fast on the first 10K, I could had run a 1:55:00 or below @ 21K and break another personal best if I had go slower, but I guess that's all part of training and gaining experiences; plus I admit I didn't had a strong will towards the end of the course)






HMOTD #65: Given the Same Locker Thrice within 10 Visits!



Isn't it an AWESOME COINCIDENCE to be assigned to the same locker no. 33  for 3 times within a 10-visits period to the gym?!

*hm..there must be something between that locker and me*

HMOTD #64: I'll call that an AWESOME moment of AWESTRUCK...

Ever had that just-on-time-for-coincidence-to-happen moment ever in your life? I'm sure some of you had, but most of you can't remember it. And it happened to me just this evening!

I was suppose to meet my friend in KJ LRT station at our agreed-upon time. She was going from KL Central LRT station while I'll head off from Taman Jaya LRT station. I went off to the station once I got her sms that she was boarding the train.


While I was at the station waiting for the next train, it seems that it took a long time for it to reach. And I wonder, will I be able to see her on the same train, if not at the same carriage? And I had a strong feeling that something good will happen. Three minutes wait for train was over, I saw the train coming from 1km away...I was thinking maybe she is in the train, but could only find her in the other carriages given some time. Well then, call it perfect timing, or fate, or wish-granted, I SEEM to had a glanced at her when the carriages passed by me before coming to a halt (not sure whether is her or not cause it's been a year since I last saw her; or that hallucinations of her is appearing since I was too desperate to meet her up).

 I walked into the 1st carriage, turn my head to the right, AND THERE SHE WAS!

Isn't that just an AWESOME MOMENT OF AWESTRUCK LUCK and FATE?! 
(I don't know whether this 2 words could be used together, but I don't care, it's still a positive adjective! or not? ><)

HMOTD #63: Getting A New Experience - Bouldering!

Compared to running marathons, cycling, and other wide range of sports activities that the majority of the public spent their time on, there are ones that only a small niche of people get interested in like surfing (well, not in Malaysia of course), base jumping, shooting, ice-skating, etc.

And to my convenience, there was this climbing gym @ Wangsa Maju - Mad Monkeyz that opened since...2 years ago I suppose? But today was the first time I visited it. Let alone participated in any wall climbing/bouldering experience (unless you count the one in Genting Highland's First World Emporium). Well, the price was above average, but for a one-time experience, it's worth it (membership will get you a lower price).

I spent almost 2 hours there with my partner and my brother, challenging each other on all sorts of stunts, with photographs as proof. It was fun, exciting and challenging. Though it wasn't what I want to do often, I'll definitely come back some time in the future as cross-training!

Now let the photos & videos do the talking!!!

























































 


and there goes one enjoying fruitful day!
AWESOME!




HMOTD #62: When You're Rolling Up the Car Window After the Toll...

...when it's raining cats and dogs, and no rain droplets dropped on your hand while doing that!



AWESOME!

HMOTD #61: When I was the Instructor...*drum rolls*

Yesterday while warming up for RPM in the gym, due to insufficient space (it was full), the instructor asked the lady who had no space to ride, whether she wants to join him on stage... And suddenly this awesome idea struck me - Could I be on stage too?! It'll be a cool, awesome experience! Motivating people to do their best, keeping the energy high, while doing the same myself!


So far in my RPM sessions, I could only keep up with 70-80%  of the instructor's intensity. Being on stage means not only I need to be at my 100%, I need to be able to keep up with the instructor! If not, no point being up there...hell, the next thing I know I would get "Boo-ed" by the trainees down the stage *silently*.


But with that burden on me, I'm sure I can live up to it.

So I took up the challenge to be on stage. First I'll need to get the permission to even be on-stage! So thanks a lot to Falcon - The Instructor, for giving me that once-in-a-lifetime permission (though the gym management didn't allowed me to do so at first). Then it's RPM TIME!


That's where I was cycling, beside the instructor, in front of an audience!

Owh, I was introduced to the trainees by Falcon - "And today we've Mr. Nicholas together with me on stage. He wants to be an instructor, so let's see what can he do!" and the next thing I know was the whole studio was filled with laughter *shy*


Track 1...
Track 2...
Track 3...
Track 4...
Track 5...

The hills workout was always killing me, it didn't before because I never follow the intensity used by the instructor, but now I have to! But I went through it like this was the last time I'll ever be in an RPM session, on the stage, in front of an audience, being a role model, and motivating them all the way towards the finish!

I went through that 45 minutes of awesome grueling experience!

Sometimes in life, throw yourself a challenge (a positive and lawful one of course), and work towards that short-goal, achieving it, and see how your life make a leap. Your life is never be the same again.
One hell daring-workout today! AWESOME!

HMOTD #60: When A Surprise was Too Good To Believe It's One!

I was all acting throwing tantrums over an online conversation with my owh-so-lovely-bestie this afternoon after lunch, which was rare, even for a conversation to happen as both of us are thousand miles away separated with time zones and both occupied with our life. But when we do chat-up, we appreciate those precious moments.

Halfway through, she just threw a message to me, "so guess must be a good surprise to tell you that i'm now in Malaysia".  It took me a moment to digest that message. To the extent that it's a surprise, it's also too good to be true! That sudden decision to be back here, with a last-minute-expensive-air-ticket, and that weird timing to tell me (so I guess I wouldn't know forever if you're back if I didn't struck up a conversation with you OR that you won't be coming to the city huh!). Totally dumbfounded for a few minutes, then I went into WA-DA-FAK mode, then got excited, and kept smiling till now (10pm, it was 3pm when I got the shock-of-a-lifetime).

I can't tell anyone as it should be a secret. But I told my colleague anyways (since they don't know each other) because I MUST share this joy before I was overloaded with excitement and euphoria! Then I got all nervous of what should I do? (HUH?) yeah...as in what should I buy her? When should I see her? How should I see her? blah blah blah, it's like re-uniting with a  long-lost-lover (well, sort of..XD). 


Now she is among the people I don't mind going into headaches and sufferings of what to get for her. It's worth those hassles. It took a long time for me to find her. But it didn't took long for us to know we're meant (now now don't get the wrong message, I highlighted it for a reason; It's referring to our friendship!)  for each other. As much as I treasure my family, I treasure her as such too...



"The best kind of friend is the one you can spend time with, never saying a word, & walk 

away feeling like that was the best conversation you've ever had. Thanks for being my friend."


Well, we're not at that level yet, but soon soon..XD

and without any effort, she made my day AWESOME!

HMOTD #59: Back to School!

It's been a while since I last attended academic classes. Been in work for more than a year. As stupid as it sounds, I missed the good ol' days of university...


The *ehem* girls *ehem*, the classes, lecturers, meetings, events, hang-overs, stay-overs, and of course, the assignments (WA-DA-FAK)!



Gaining knowledge had been part of my everyday routine since a year ago. 


As the famous Lance Armstrong always said, “Knowledge is power, community is strength and positive attitude is everything” . This believe was what made him 7x Tour De France Champion, and it'll surely bring me towards what I want too!


And thanks to cheap books which I could get from a bookstore near my office, gaining knowledge had never been easier! Though that's that. It's a different story learning in a classroom environment, where there're the teachers and the teachees.




Today was the 1st class of a series of training scheduled by my department, both on-work skills/knowledge, and developmental skills (A change of culture and structure thanks to the whole group of lovely colleagues who provided constructive feedback to the Director!)


I didn't expect much from the presenters as they were colleagues to me and not trained to teach. I was more interested in indulging myself in that classroom experience, which brought back the university moments 2 years ago. But to my surprised, they explained their materials and slides well enough to the extent of the 3Ss (Short, Sweet, & Simple) and easily understood! There's only 2 reasons for silence during a Q&A session - 1. The presentation was clearly understood; 2. The presentation was a mess that we (the teachees) didn't even know what to ask. This was surely the former.


I had a great time absorbing all those information that was otherwise ignored by the management to us - the analyst (shall we never brought it up in the first place), which were very essential in both development and improvement of task efficiency and productivity! I had fun too acting like a judge for the presenters (bringing back memories of my Psych Research Colloqium!), though of course, keeping the comments to myself (nevertheless, all gained positive ones from me!).


I hope the trainings will maintain its standards set today, if not better. Am definitely anticipating for the one in December, where my mentor will be conducting it!



Remember folks, KNOWLEDGE is POWER!


AWESOME!

HMOTD #58: Watching CRAZILY AWESOME Actions done by AWESOMELY CRAZY People!

Spent a whole hour tonight watching crazy people doing awesome stuff. It gave me the adrenaline surge just by watching it! Here're some of those that I thought was just speechlessly-AWESOME!


An Insane First-Person BASE Jump into a Crowded City Street!


An Artist Magically Recreate Famous Paintings Without Ever Lefting His Pen!


Insane Mountain Biking Descent!


Snowboarding?! This's 1 extreme shit-downhill!


For the photography-wackos! Fancy for a Time-Lapse project after watching this*wink*


This is an AWESOMELY CUTE ELMO Conducting His AWESOMELY CUTE EXPERIMENT~!

And that's not all! Who said only HUMANS can do awesome stuff! WARNING: BEWARE OF BUGS!


That's to an AWESOME NIGHT!

HMOTD #57: PUSH! PUSH! PUSH!

Literally pushing your limits in things you do is what I meant here.

Yeah, it's never fun, nor anywhere near easy to even dare to have that thought of pushing your limits, getting out of your comfort zone, and stepping into a new horizon. Average Joes despised the process. It's uncomfortable, it's grueling, it's crazy!

Yeah whatever!

But I choose to push. Because by pushing myself to do my best, in work, life, sports, I will reap what I sow one day soon, very soon. I'm beginning to see results, and it's a matter of time and effort put in before I really achieve what I wanted all this while.

Today, I pushed myself during my gym session to do excess weights/reps, and +resistance during RPM sessions. So that I do not waste what I've paid for, and most importantly, to build up the strength I need for my marathon training soon - THE BASE!

Today too, I pushed myself to make sure 2 reports are flawless before QC by my Team Leader (hopefully it'll be flawless when it gets back to me XD), so that she  have no worries to pass over most task to me while she's going into maternity leave soon.

It's fun to push, you'll never know how m uch your potential is until you do so. And interestingly, limits keeps increasing, it doesn't stay where it is, not if you're a healthy men/women! Yeah it's hard, suffocating, stressful, but it's only for a while. Compared with the benefits that you'll get later, it's NOTHING!


START TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH PAIN AND SUFFERING!

START PUSHING!

START BEING AWESOME!

HMOTD #56: Finding that "KICK"!

Lai Liao EHHh, WALAO-ehHh, Aha Lai liAo Lai lIao, KICK LAI LIAO EH!!!

For those who watched Nasi Lemak 2.0, you know what the above GIBBERISH meant. For those who didn't, it doesn't matter as I'm not going to talk about the movie =p. I'm more interested to let you readers know how AWESOME it is to at last found the "kick" (aka not-really-c-l-i-m-a-x-but-somewhat-c-l-i-m-a-x) to a book authored by someone I've not being introduced before.

I'm a thriller-person, had enough of Dan Brown and David Baldacci (enough to the extent of - I've read all their books!), and looking for more similar code-breaking, secret-service, under-cover, covert-op type of thriller. And sadly, I do not have a good eye for great books, thus needing to risk buying a book from an author I have yet to know. Even if I know it, doesn't mean I would indulged in his/her style of writing.

Thanks to BigBadWolf Book Sales, I bought a few thrillers from authors like James Patterson and Patricia Cornwell to TRY...

After a few pages of reading, it got boring (as like any other books). It's always not until a quarter of the book read that I could really comprehend the meaning of what's written, or whether it's really my type of book!

THANKFULLY, James Patterson was one (again, after a quarter of book read) who gave me the "KICK"! Hopefully Patricia will be next!


AWESOME!

HMOTD #55: Want a Robotic Voice?

Head for the fan! 

Now some of you had tried this before during your childhood, whether you were told of it, or accidentally DISCOVERED such AWESOME PHENOMENON.

But for those who didn't, don't want to spend the time and effort searching on the net for voice-conversion-software, and buy a mic just for the sake of it, just speak towards a running-fan!


I-I-----I a'a'a'am... b---l-laaah..b---la---hhhh-bla..a.--aah

AWESOME!

HMOTD #54: Practice and Gain without Knowing it


A quote almost every living being in this world had heard before. But how many actually applied it in their daily life, missions, or goals to achieve? 

Many would be scared of wasting time, lazy, risking something that's not guaranteed...

Some say, "I can't run, I wouldn't be able to breath." or "I can't play badminton, I don't know how-to"

Now those are all excuses for to-be-failures

Did our proud Dt. Lee Chong Wei knew how to play badminton the first time he was given a racket?

Did David Beckham or Ronaldo had the skills to slide, tackle, aim accurately and kick the ball to where he wants to the first time he was exposed to soccer?

NO

Many, and I meant MANY researches had supported the fact that by PRACTICING an action/behavior for a time period (of course, lots of others factors like intensity, specificity, etc. included) will IMPROVE it definitely, regardless of how big the improvement it is.

It's a fact, feel it, believe it, and DO IT!

Now the AWESOME point is, isn't it great to know that no matter how small the improvement is, practicing that action I want will definitely make me better in it?!

I'd improved in my presentations skills, communication skills, bonding skills, negotiation skills, dating skills, IT-related skills, analytic skills, cycling speed, running pace, and most probably hundreds more that I'm not aware of but doing it everyday smoothly!


(update: 3 days later, I'd a comfortable 10K run @ 54min. And it's only a training run! 2nd one right after the last Adidas KOTR 16.8km which I ran 3:41:00!)

AWESOME!

HMOTD #53: When the Cramps didn't Occur During the Workout though There was a Sign!

You feel like your calf muscles is going to cramp, muscles contracting, and you think that the cramp is definitely going to come. But you're still continuing to workout on Les Mills Spin (or any other workouts) and do not want to stop. You did your best to keep your leg stretched. And the cramp just didn't happen in the end...and you did the whole workout!

AWESOME!

HMOTD #52: Books Buffet!




Paying only an estimated 10% of the books original price, I've over 30+ books to read now! Just like eating buffet...Pay RM50, EAT ALL YOU CAN! Thanks to the people at Big Bad Wolf Book Sales and BookXcess for this fantastic Book Fair. Book shopping had never been this fun! It's more tempting and satisfying than fashion/gadgets shopping in the mall! We don't use plastic bags, we use boxes or self-brought canvas bag/luggage bags that sized up to XXL!!! HOLY COW!



The bill

Me bookssss


33 Books altogether for me to read...how long will it take? XD

Doesn't matter as long as I'm continuously reading. Gaining knowledge is a lifelong attempt. 
There's no time limit, no starting point. 
I just...
READ

AWESOME!



HMOTD #51: 2 Strikes in A Row!


Long time since I touched a bowling ball, let alone playing it. 

And here I was, striking twice in a row, in 2 games played, when I least expected to strike, and wasn't serious with rolling the ball!


Luck or skill? Doesnt matter. For it's AWESOME! with a pinch of hoola dance...after every strike!






On 2nd view of score, I've striked a TURKEY!!!
(edited 5th October 2011 10:43pm)




AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEE!

HMOTD #50: 这路你爷爷的啊?!

There're lots of things to be happy of for participating in an endurance race. Be it a cycling race or a marathon, we are using public roads, which are closed and utilized by us participants and only us!

During my university days, I remembered hanging out with my friends who were crazily enough to dare each other on (during those times) wacko behaviors. One of it - photo shooting at locations-that-shouldn't-be-a-photo-shooting-location (not when it's not closed to motorcars at least). I lost those photos...but well remembered I was crazily getting off the car at lamp post, hugging traffic lights, sitting in the middle of a flyover, or with some other poses, risking for police to slap a summon onto me, or worse still, risking my life!

But now, running a marathon or cycling enables me to be on the road doing whatever I want to! Pose, Sleep, Eat, Drink, Run, Walk, you name it! Without worrying there'll be an oncoming car, or a police car!

Like what other people always said when you're being an obstacle on the road,
 "这路你爷爷的啊?! (Your grandfather road ah?!)" 

Now you can really say that, 
"对!这是我爷爷的路! (Yeah!This is my grandpa's road!)


AWESOME!


p/s: I got the idea to write this when I saw the above-mention quote on my friend's FB wall

HMOTD #48: When the Light Shines Again...in the bathroom


*pffffffft!* my house toilet doesn't light up anymore no matter how many times I tried switching on and off. It's like I did a very bad thing, even though it's totally not my fault that the fuse burnt, but it'd be better if I wasn't the one who triggered that event.

And so, I was doing my small business in the dark for 3 consecutive nights. It took lots of focus to really aim properly towards the toilet bowl. Sometimes I even wonder whether I'm dreaming, or that my eyesight wasn't accurate enough. Luckily, it wasn't both. Maybe doing my business when the lights were off, was a new experience that I could somehow learn to enjoy...or "challenge" myself to not pee out of the toilet bowl!

Today, as usual within these 3 days, habitually switched on the toilet light, forgotten that it was spoilt. I went in and did my business as usual. But wondering, why was the toilet so bright? More than the usual brightness! Only I realized that why did it even lighted up?! Silly me...this is what happen when you've so much thoughts going in your mind, and tired at the same time to realize what's going on in your surroundings.

Now to savor the moment of doing my business under bright light...ah....(don't get the wrong meaning, I don't enjoy being naked in public, neither like being an exhibitionist). But it was awesome to have the light shine again, brighter than before. It was awkwardly "heartwarming" and comforting...


Just like 2 sides of a coin, every event will have it's pros and cons, enjoyments and sufferings. Choose to see the latter, and you will be miserable until the problem is resolved. Choosing to see the former will not only make you happy, but training you to see things from a positive perspective most of the times, conditioning yourselves reason positively, sometimes to laugh at yourself and say, 


"Heck, my car broke down! Isn't it wonderful that I will have a tow truck to be the driver of the day, towards a jam-ed highway!"


It's not easy, but who said anything was easy. On the other hand, who ever said anything was hard? It's all about the mind...and what you choose to believe

Owh, and thanks for the wonderful souvenirs from Phuket by my sister!

HMOTD #47: The Good and the Bad - Balanced!

One week doesn't seem long, but when you don't do the things you normally need to do for a week, you will lose grasp of it. Be it the skill, or the pace needed to execute a task on time. I didn't even wanna wake up due to DOMS caused by the 1st 10km race after my 2 months rest, plus the night in Melaka, and driving home half asleep at midnight. No fun at all. But if I do not go to work, I'll better off not go forever.

But things were smooth today. Team leader was absent (of course it's a good thing as to no pressure catching up with work on the first day, on the other hand, I missed her too!). I gave out those souvenirs I bought from Cambodia for my colleagues and see them smiling while receiving it...ah...though I was waiting for people to enthusiastically ask and listen interestingly to my story in Cambodia, none did. Owh well, couldn't expect much  right, I mean there're not so much people who likes 3rd world countries =). 


Had a meeting with my superiors too! They were wanting to know more about my mentor. I told them as much as I'm allowed and I know about, hopefully it'll help them to decide whether he's good enough to aid the department towards another success level! I feel so inspired by myself somehow, to be able to help, influence, and convince. Isn't that great! God know what I'm capable of in the future!


Task was manageable, slow, and did my best to not let my flu distract my concentration though it's most of the time, annoying to pick the tissue and rub my nose every 10 seconds!My nose resembles a clown's for freagin 6 hours in the office!I do not know whether anyone laughed or secretly did so, but if that's the case, good for them that I made their day!


Currently listening to: 

Jon Schmidt & Steven Sharp Nelson - Love Story Meets Viva la Vida



The good and the bad of a day, balanced...AWESOME!

HMOTD #46: After 2 months...

...of rest, finally I'm back running! I was excited and nervous the night before. It was a sudden decision to join a 10K race that I'm not registered for, treating it as base training before the Adidas KOTR 1 week later (16.8km), which I doubt I can run a good time since I just got back to running.

The run was uncomfortable, but I guess it was expected since my performance had dropped due to the rest. More essentially to know is that my leg had not fully recover, it still ache after the run at the same areas. Not as much as before, but still aching, and that's not good for me. 

I need to start base training again to train up the running muscles, hate it but gonna need it. I can't just sit and do nothing aside from reading books on running and body anatomy. Gonna head to Gym 2 weeks later to build up my leg and core muscles, get my breathing capability higher, and better running economy. I need to be back into high performance byy next year to start training for full marathons. The hardship has yet to come...

But it was AWESOME to get back into running again!

HMOTD #45: Nobody is a Nobody

While waiting for my photos from Siam Reap, Cambodia to be uploaded so I can download, edit, and post it here (photos are with a friend in Penang if you're wondering why it's taking so long), would like to share an inspiring video which I tumbled upon in Facebook.




This is X-Factor, a singing competition in the UK. And in the video - Chris Rene, a former drug addict which was just released from rehab, and thought of changing the world, specifically his family. He do not want his son to have a bad impression on him, and to thank all those that had supported him through the hardship of rehab. He sang a self-written song called "Young Homie", with inspiring contents in its lyrics: 


Open up my mind with these spoken words,
Let this music heal like an overture,
She’s the only one, one, one, yeah,
And so I roll with her, ooh,
That’s how it’s supposed to be,
Living life with loved ones close to me,
Shh, ahh, this is the remedy,
And I got the recipe, I don’t need no Hennessy,
Yeah, it’s been three years now,
Haven’t had a drink and I’m starting to see clear now,
I’m putting all my fears down,
I can hear the cheers now,
Seeing peace signs when I look around,

Hey, young homie what you tripping on
Looking at life, like how did I get it wrong,
Life’s too short, gotta live it long,
To my brothers and sisters when will we get along,
Hey, big homie what you tripping on,
What you really tripping on,
Life’s too short, gotta live it long,
To my brothers and sisters when will we get along

Give peace to the war in the streets,
Give peace to the evil that creeps, yeah,
I just ride, put my hand to the sky,
Live life like I’m never gon’ die,
See we be fighting and fussing over nothing,
So much destruction, looking upwards,
Combusting like nothing, now listen,
It takes an education, to change your reputation,
From bad to good, your even better now you’re elevating,
They be singing, family singing, everybody’s chilling,
Not gonna stop this, living on the feeling,
Man this is the real thing, tell me can you feel me,
Wait until they drop this, dancing on the ceiling,

Hey, young homie what you tripping on
Looking at life, like how did I get it wrong,
Life’s too short, gotta live it long,
To my brothers and sisters when will we get along,
Hey, big homie what you tripping on,
What you really tripping on,
Life’s too short, gotta live it long,
To my brothers and sisters when will we get along...



Loved it? As mentioned, no one thought that he'll ever go through the audition, let alone inspiring someone else with what he went through. But he believed in his purpose, and successfully pull through it.


So what if he's from rehab, he was given a second chance, he appreciated it. He had a dream to inspire, he lived through critics and conspiracies and stand strong through it. He achieved greatness.

Nobody is a nobody, no matter who you are or where you were from
Everyone can achieve greatness if you put your heart and mind to it
Faith is what you need to go through everything there is
"Buts" are only excuse to achieve failures

AWESOME!

HMOTD #39: Happy Holiday!

...Tuk Tuk TUk Tuk Tuk...

Packin my bags and preparin for my flight on Monday morning towards the sacred city of Cambodia - Siam Reap, where Wats and Nots are among the 7 wonders of the world. Well, it's the cheapest I could afford to experience myself. Heck, I waited for 1 year for this trip, since the day I bought the air-ticket (I need not explain about AirAsia promotions right =D)

Although am not fond of travelling around the SEA countries, but getting out towards somewhere unfamiliar to me with a couple of friends, could be exciting and nervous. That's great!



HAPPY HOLIDAY TO ME!

AWESOME!

HMOTD #38: My Mentor

I'm half asleep when I'm writhing this. I just got back from meeting my mentors. And had an awesome time with them. So I going to blog about them, maybe in parts, maybe all at once, depends how much energy my mind has left.

So let's start with....the question of, "How many people actually have the privilege to be associated with a mentor, a person who's willing to sincerely guide you through life obstacles towards success. Uncommon, let alone the quality of the mentor". Some could be their parents, some their friends, some, are hired. Nevertheless, they all gained from it, the experiences, the lessons, the time spent learning from their mentors, are what's essential in motivating themselves towards a clear goal.


Now, I met my mentor through his Student Development Leadership Seminar in June 2010. I was introduced to this seminar by my uncle, who knew my mentor that time. And he volunteered to help me pay 70% of the fees (though I've still yet to pay him back the 30%, soon soon... =p). My life changed since then...

Of course, communication and relationship within my family improved lots. Though more work need to be done. But it's way better than before..way way better. I'm loving them more =D. Self wise, I dare to say I'm the only one in the whole wide world that know myself best. And through that, utilize those elements I have to build a solid foundation for my future to come, at a young age, but at a fast rate, going steady...

Fast forward 1 year later...

I practiced what was taught. I can proudly say I'm a positive person striving for excellence and achievement every single day. Of course, there will be my "down" days. But not as much as it'll affect my path. At time when my mentor is down KL, we will meet up, and I'll get a prep talk of anything! I might even get to know great people through him. Learning and growing double the pace than an average person. By both preparing my path towards my dream, and working at the same time, I could slingshot towards it once I've everything ready.

As the chinese proverb goes, "万事俱全,只欠东风"

Do you have a caring and great mentor? Well, I do, don't get jealous now... =p

AWESOME!

HMOTD #37: Rasa Sayang 2.0 & Curry Neh

Tak habis habis dengan movie Nasi Lemak 2.0!

Yeah, whatever! It's a great movie to blog about. Heck if I'm in the mood, I could post a page long review on it! But it's always the night when I blog, so, I'm tired to do the thinking. So here you go, 2 great movie OST written and sang by Namewee - Rasa Sayang 2.0 and Curry Neh. Both songs illustrated the Malaysia culture perfectly, as with Namewee other compilations. 

Sharing is caring right?! =D, so it's an awesome thing to do to share great stuff!


Rasa Sayang 2.0


Curry Neh...

Most probably going to meet Namewee in Tropicana Mall this Friday @ 12pm! I want his autograph on the merchandise shirt!

AWESOME!