waisumspeaking

英国人真幽默

2011-07-15T14:07:00.003+08:00

照片来源：facebook

新闻背景:www.merdekareview.com/news/n/19261.html

可爱的英女王选择在709后穿黄衣接见他。

Where is my yellow shirt?

2011-07-15T09:55:00.005+08:00

Ben went to collect Mc D Olympic Day Run 2011 bib and T-shirt yesterday. While happily choosing Blue among all other colors (Red, Green, White) as our family color. We missed out one thing until this morning when Ben suddenly said, " They took out yellow shirt because of BERSIH"....oh my God, it's an effect of ever reaction again.....But how can McD agrees on this? It's one of their corporate color and color for one of the ring in Olympic sign.....

No wonder no matter how much they talked, our 1 Malaysia vision is still missing one thing..... They are too frighten to see all rings are united so they purposely took the ring out....

Training begins....

2011-07-11T07:48:00.000+08:00

1 week after SCKLM 2011, new training seasons for me has begun.

Did 18km during week day and 18K LSD. Tried to run faster during weekday instead of too much relax run. I found that I have "enjoyed" my running too much for the past few months and that's why I am getting slower.

Let's see how I progress this time :-P

I want my big towel!

2010-11-29T05:42:00.000+08:00

6 more days to go.....

Weather is ok......(though it's warmer than expected.)

Road ahead is waiting for me......

Sub-5....., let me do my best to get my Big Towel!

Running in the Rain@Penang Bridge International Marathon 2010

2010-11-22T10:44:00.000+08:00

Never imagined myself running during a down pour....+ thunder + storm. I think I would have quit if yesterday's run was just a normal LSD. Runners who worried about not having enough water during the race must be very happy yesterday, we had plenty of it.....

Compared to year 2008, I found great improvement in year 2010 PBIM. Number of full marathon runners had increase tremendously. I still remember there we only about 600 of us running in year 2008 and immediately after passing through the startin point, I felt I was running alone. But not for this year, I think we have more that 1000 runners participating in Full Marathon category.

I was on the bridge - still confused on the 16km and 20.2km marker when it started to rain very heavily. Runners in front of me all changed their lane to nearer to the divider, may be worry that the wind will blow us away. So I followed them. I felt so pain when the rain was "beating" my face. I decided to remove my specs so that it would not block my vision (anyway, I couldn't see even with my specs). I slow down because of the rain and many runners overtook me.

Route is different from year 2008 (not sure about route for 2009 as I did not participate last year). I thought the part after coming out from bridge is "easy", someone told me the U-turn is just after Tesco. I was so happy when I saw Tesco but I didn't know it was just the starting point of the most torturing part of the route. I thought I would see the U-turn point after each slope, but what I saw was just another slope with no turning point.. I am very very happy when I finally reach the U-turn, it mean my training - last LSD before Macau marathon is finished! can I can start to walk and run . I continued running slowly until 35km, then walk for about 500m and run slowly again until the finishing line. I am happy that I finished "quite strong" (of course lah, it was just a leisure run, no pushing).

My running was that interesting but I found this runner worth to be mentioned - Mr. Robbie Red Hat (this is printed at the back of his vest). He look "quite old" but still very strong. Over heard his conversation with Mr. Mohan that he had done 400 marathons (not sure if I got it correctly). Most interesting part is, he was wearing a torn red hat. The condition of his red hat is really bad, the top part (supposed to be covering his head) is almost gone. I wonder what's the story behind his red hat. Anyone know him, please share his story. (photo by Kwang Leng Picasa).

Overall, I see a lot of effort being put in to make the event a successful one, though there is still room for improvement, I think it's worth to give them an applause.

LSD 10.10.10

2010-10-11T11:31:00.000+08:00

I did my 10+10+10km run while thousands of runners were doing their 10.10.10 in KL city.

Started my run at about 5:30am, Bukit Aman car park was very quiet that morning. Ben and I did not meet any runner until we have crossed Jalan Duta. Then only we saw a few hardcore runners who seem like they have never missed their 30Km LSD.

Weather was superb that day. I ran very slow (as usual) and I actually have some pressured after 20K. I thought I would have to walk after 25km but I did not. May be because the weather was too good to give up running. I completed the run in 3hr 35mins. Much slower compared to last time when I can do a 30K in 325 to 330.

I have not registered for Macau Marathon 2010 but I am training for it. Need to train harder to improve on my timing and gain more confidence before I click on the "Register" button.:-P

Macau Marathon 2010 ????

2010-09-29T13:14:00.000+08:00

So happen that....

my flight to Macau with my family is changed to early December and Macau Marathon is on 5 Dec 2010 and

The starting point is just next to my sister's apartment.....it will be a waste of chance if I don't run and I don't think I can stand it to watch others running on the road from the apartment!

but I will be doing Penang Bridge Marathon 2 weeks before this run and the qualifying time is 5 hrs. I know I am way too slow for sub 5 hours now.....so how?

Really confused if this is a God's plan for me......

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2010

2010-06-28T09:03:00.007+08:00

I ran with new expectation this year with new organizer for the race.

Knowing that I was not well prepared for this race (again!), I actually did not set any time target until I met Terence when I was collecting my race kit on Saturday morning. He has a sub-5 plan for a group of first time marathon runner who will be running together with him on Sunday. 1Hr 50 mins for first 15Km, then subsequent 20K in 2Hr20mins, and 7Km in remaining 50mins, and sounds achievable right? So I was excited and highly motivated to run according their plan.

I was a bit rush on Sunday morning, arrived there at about 4:52am, Q for toilet and when I came out it is already 4:57 and it started to rain quite heavily. Tried to look for Terence and their group but couldn’t see them so I stood in between 5hr pacer and 6hr pacer. The rain was getting heavier and I started to worry because I have no experience running in such a heavy, I guessed I will sure have blister after this run.Not sure how many runners registered for Full Marathon category, but this is the biggest crowd of full marathon runner that I have seen so far. Glad to see so many people started to enjoy the run!

The race was very well organized, plenty of water and sponging station. From 4km onwards, we will see water station at every 2km distance this make me felt so safe because I did not carry my small water bottle with me this time! Managed to catch up with Terence’s group at about 13km, I was told I was still on schedule. I reached 15km marker at 1hr51 mins. In order to complete next mission of 2Hr20mins for 20km, I increased my speed a little bit. Then I reached 25km at exactly 3Hr. And this is very I started to slow down because I did a wrong calculation! I thought I was supposed to complete 25km at 3hr10mins, so I wrongly assumed that I have 10mins buffer time to complete 25km~35km but the fact is I was just on time for the plan! Aiya! Stupid me.

Because I kept assuming that I have 10 mins buffer time, so I was actually very happy after 25km and did not feel any pressure at all. Met Harry at about 28km, I chit chat a bit with him and he actually reminded me “don’t slow down because of me” but I was still thinking it’s ok, I have 10 mins extra and I could actually do some relax run…..

I did not notice something was wrong until 31km……when I suddenly woke up and realized that I could not finish 35km by 4hr10mins! Shit…… I was very wrong to think that I have 10 mins buffer!!! Clocked 35km at 4:20mins - i.e 10 mins slower than plan! Only 40 mins left for remaining 7km, it’s a mission impossible for me! It means less than 6mins per km…..my heart suddenly sank, bye bye my sub 5 dream…..

Although I couldn’t do a sub-5, I thought I could still finish my race strong….because I still felt great and running tall at 36km though my legs felt a little bit tight but the last 6km was like my home base, I run here almost every Sunday. How could I give up here? Very soon, I have reached 39km mark and I was happily talking to another runner, hey! So fast, we have reached 39km…..another 3 km to go only.

Bang! Immediately after 39km marker, I both legs cramp! Yes, both legs! I have no supporting point for my body, and the worst was – there were no trees around for me to grab on! Choices that I had were 1) To grab on the short bushes and fall onto it, 2) Just sit on the road then only stretch my legs 3) Asking for helping hands from other runners! Without much consideration I went for option 3! I think I must have looked very funny at that moment, I couldn’t control my legs, the cramp was actually not so serious but for that 1 minute I just couldn't find my balance point. Obviously, this was because I did not have enough training for the race…..
I ended up walking most of the time during the last 3km after the cramp. My second dream of dashing through the finishing line also gone……The clock show 5:27:XX When I manage to drag myself back to the finishing line.

Anyway, it’s finished…..I am truly satisfied with the race, for the first time I did not curse the route, for the first time I really thought 42km is not that long and I actually enjoyed the run very much :-P! For the first time……I could still go for shopping after a Full Marathon, yeah! Thanks to the organizer and also the weather! So…...

LOOK FOR ME IN YEAR 2011!!!!

Ps: Photo from http://picasaweb.google.com/qqlaisk

Energizer Night Race 2010

2010-03-26T11:38:00.004+08:00

Another big day tomorrow night......although I did not do well in previous Putrajaya night run, I am going for Energizer Night race - my 5th Full Marathon tomorrow simply because I have registered for it :-P. Since it is just one month after Putrajaya Night run, so it is natural for me to compare this race with Putrajaya night run.

I have got my race pack ready. This time we will be using new type of timing chip.....it looks complicated, I prefer the chip used in Putrajaya, just click on the shoes and that's it.

Starting time is 2 hours earlier compare to Putrajaya night run, i.e 6pm. Although I am not Cinderella who has to rush home before 12am., I still hope that I can finish running before 12am.....because I don't want to confuse my body clock.....it will be good if I can finish before 12am, go home and have a nice sleep until Sunday morning.

I like the Adidas running vest more than the vest that I have got from Putrajaya Night run, it's simple & light and I like this cutting. It is the same as KOTR running vest last year. I can wear it not only for running, shopping, travelling....

It 's time to apply what I have learnt from previous night run....run slow, really slow for the first 10K especially when the weather is so hot these few days. Drink more water.....relax and enjoy....

I have no negative comment to the organizer as of today. From their event details booklet I understand that they will be providing powergel and banana at 29km, I am looking forward to a more carnival like event this time.I ....oh! ya, forgot - tomorrow 8:30pm ~ 9:30pm is Earth hour......I do not plan to wear my headlight, so how's it running in complete darkness? (no lah, we will still have street light lah!)

Getting more excited now....
Good luck to all of you who are going for this event.

Putrajaya Night Marathon 2010

2010-02-08T10:51:00.002+08:00

踏入2010 年，跑步的训练开始恢复正常。每个星期天我和Ben都乖乖的到Bukit Aman 报到。

2010年第一个星期天，迎接我们的是一场不大不小的雨。雨中跑步一点也不浪漫，浑身湿淋淋的感觉一点也不好受。就当作是一场耐力的训练。可怜的木偶，本来想跑10km，被骗去跑20km，还要被雨淋，真抱歉J。

2010年第二个星期天，跑了25km。这个星期跑得还不错。

2010年第三个星期天， NB30K。跑了325的成绩，比去年慢了。每一次跑30K的路赛，我心里就会埋怨主办当局怎么又该路线了，每年都有跑不完的山！可是这也是吸引我每年都想参加的原因吧！

2010年第四个星期天，原本想多跑30Km 到35km，可是身体明显没有恢复，最后只勉强跑了10km, 再半跑半走的回到终点。

2010年第五个星期天，本来以为也跑得很不错，前半段的时间都还在目标时间以内，怎知又是人算不如天算，回程中肚子竟然不听话。结果回程又是半跑半走的结束了。

2010年第六个星期天，大日子！Putrajaya Night Marathon……报名全马不是认为自己很行，只是想鞭策自己要努力练习。虽然之前几次的全马也不是怎么好，但至少可以说是顺利完成。这一次就真的是下马了。

第一次参加要在晚上跑这么长的距离，心理上虽然说准备了，可是到真正跑的时候才能体会那是很不一样的。星期六一早我们就忙着送JJJ参加游泳比赛，上绘画班再会学校补课。一直到下午，才能休息。本来想睡个午觉，却一直睡不好。到了四点半左右，干脆起身吃了饭，再休息一会，就准备出发。出门时，下了一场大雨，还好大概6点30分左右到了Putrajaya时没有继续下雨。人还很少，悠悠闲闲的换上跑步鞋，挂上号码，再吃了两片面包，就往起点出发去。到了起点，反而想睡觉起来，糟糕。为了避免睡虫继续引诱我们，我们决定到处走走，很跑友聊聊天来提神。

聊着聊着，就到8点了，枪声一响，我们也跟着大家往黑暗的道路前进！开始的20km, 精神和身体都感觉还很不错，我的速度是7分钟每公里。天气方面，比我预期的好很多，至少不会太潮湿，大部分时候都有凉风在吹。所以当时我的想法是，说不定可以再来一sub 5。可是刚过了20Km的休息站，就看到Ben在前面，好像出了状况。原来他肚子不舒服，应该是消化不良。本来以为陪他走一小段路，就可以慢慢恢复。可是状况一直没有改善，到了24km左右，他说想吐，有点心痛的感觉！（吓死我，到后来，差不多到终点时，我才明白那叫heartburn!因为我也有同样的感觉）这个时候，我就做了最坏的打算（choi！），大不了就走完全程或者再糟糕一点 – 上sweeper bus!

从24km 开始，每个公里出现的marker简直就是我们救命恩人。它告诉我们，我们又完成了一公里了！当后面的人不断的超越我们时，感受真的不太好。心理一直在想，我们是不是最后了？而且这一段路，比较“偏僻”车比较少，感觉更凄凉。到了26km U-转时，看到后面还有一些人，我才比较放心。至少有什么事，后面还有人可以帮忙:-P。接下去，我们都想着用10分钟每公里的速度完成接下去的路程。可能因为路不是太难跑，平坦的路端比较多，所以到了30km 时，我们的时间大概还在3小时50分左右。（大概吧！真的顾不了时间了。）过了30km 后, Ben 的状况有点好转，就开始慢跑2~3km, 可是过后他又“心痛”了。（再次更正，是胃灼热,heartburn J）这次，我真的放弃了，还是走回去吧！这个路赛不应该是我们最后一个路赛，我们还有很长的路要跑。然后，我就开始享受我的回程了。

最后的几公里，和其他差不多速度的跑者说着笑着，时间也过得很快。转眼就到了最后2km, 可是这2km 真的很长，让我开始怀疑主办当局有没有搞错! Ben 提议最后500米一定要用跑的，我说300米，因为轮到我“心痛”了！总之就是在最后一段路“跑”玩了。终于一起完成了，可惜是在这种情况下完成。工作人员也开始收工了，我们才到。还好，一直很支持跑步运动的Tey还在，帮我们派了一张照片留个记录，哈哈！太谢谢他了。时间大概是550吧, 技术上还算完成了，哈哈！不太重要，因为可以回家睡觉，过年了！yeah!

个人觉得这次比赛办得不错，一路上都很感谢他们提供充足的水和够冰冷的海绵！如果不是他们安排得当，我想我们应该要坐在路边等救护车了。希望以后每个路赛的主办当局都有这么好的水准。至于我们，这次真的学了很多，从开始的满怀希望，到半途的有点不甘心，到最后明白到路还很长，为什么不好好享受？每一步都教了我们不少东西。

要在晚上跑长跑，特别是身体要睡觉时硬硬叫它去跑步，还是需要很多适应和训练。接下去还有Energizer Night Marathon, 该怎么办？看着办吧！　

Preparation for NB30K 2010

2009-12-31T16:31:00.004+08:00

To be frank, I am still not used to the new title "NB30K".

Training is in progress but not as good as last year, though I have increased my weekday mileage recently but LSD on Sunday is still inconsistent. I have not done any 30K training so far.

Judging on timing in recent race, 1Hr18mins in Malakoff 12Km! I am actually a bit worry, but nothing can be done except keep training and try my best during race day.

Hey, I feel like I am a new runner again, everything starts from zero again! I will be back to Bkt Aman this Sunday. Okay, let's enjoy the pain again!

Coming soon...

2009-12-08T12:24:00.004+08:00

I was filling up entry form for Pacesetters 30K for 2010, and realized this when I wanted to tick the category that I am registering for.....

Shit! I will be "qualified" to register for Women Veteran category in 2 years time! :-P

Leisure business trip to Osaka

2009-11-30T09:08:00.005+08:00

I went to Osaka Japan for a very enjoyable business trip last week. I attended one day conference only, then went for shopping and sight seeing for the rest of the week! Best part is, my boss did not go with us!!!

Although my journey did not started well....flight delayed for more than 6 hours and we were arranged to stay in a hotel that is far away from KLIA!

then I lost my camera on the third day - after a full day tour in Osaka.....really careless! Really sad when I knew that I lost my camera but decided to continue my journey to Kyoto, Himeji and Kobe and not to think about it....so things turn better and better the next day, yeah! Continue to take photos using my phone with "acceptable" photo quality....

Lot's to share, let me clear my mind before continue updating....

Note: photos in this post is taken by colleague in Japan, not me!

Time to get lazy again!

2009-10-28T09:42:00.003+08:00

My running has be irregular since SCKLM.

and it's getting worse now....why?

Felt from stairs case, sprained my right ankle. Just like last year before PBIM, I hurt myself when doing something not related to running....aiya!

Lucky I did not register for any major race end of this year, so unlike last year, I can take my time to recover.....

思维方式

2009-10-05T13:42:00.003+08:00

某天，我想Jovi 和Joshua 解释钢琴乐理，crochet (1拍），quaver (1/2 拍）和semi quaver （1/4拍）之间的关系。就问了他们两个crochet 等于多少个semi quaver?

他们同时答我：8个。

好奇之下再问他们怎么得出答案？

Jovi：1 个crochet 等于4个semi quaver, 两个crochet等于4加4，也就是8个。
Joshua：2个crochet等于4个quaver， 4个quaver等于8个semi quaver.

简单的说，一个用加法，另一个用乘法。

下次，我想我应该比较容易接受和我不一样的想法。

星期天清晨活动的人

2009-10-05T13:27:00.002+08:00

在星期天早上清晨5点至6点期间，大部分人都还在美梦中时，有这些人在活动：

从星期六晚上的派对回家的；
刚飞完车的；
巴杀里准备开档的；
准备考试的；
睡不着的；

还有一群明明可以睡觉却硬要爬起身准备跑步的人。

出门时，迎面而来是一辆车顶架了一辆自行车的汽车。
看到这辆车，我会心一笑。和我一样折磨自己的人还真的很多。

我 VS Victoria Beckam

2009-08-26T13:57:00.003+08:00

忘了从哪里看了一本杂志后，发现了我和Victoria Beckam的共同之处：

1）我们都是牧羊座
2）我们的老公都是双子座
3）我们都有3个男孩
4）我们都常被别人问：什么时候生个女儿？

无聊！

Run at Saujana Subang

2009-08-26T13:43:00.002+08:00

The road outside Subang Saujana Hotel is a very nice running route!

It's school holiday this week, so I am free to run at anywhere I like. It was very very very hot yesterday, and what made it worse was I forgot to bring my cap. I was on doubt if I should run when I left my office, but luckily I decided to just go and run.

The whole route was covered by tall and huge trees! I did not feel any heat at all. I started my run from Peremba square and ran towards Saujana Glenhill and Palmview, then made a U turn back at the end of the road. The road is straigth with 2 gentel slopes. 1 loop is about 3km and I only managed to run 2 loops.

I will go again this evening!

苦差

2009-08-13T10:25:00.005+08:00

KOTR后，我就到了Surabaya 做了一个星期的苦工。基本上没有机会看看这个城市，我从早上七点三十分起到晚上八点都在工厂里。这是最痛苦的出差！

唯一比较特别的是在往工厂的途中，第一次看到了传说中的“盐田”。一开始真的以为是普通的稻田，后来才知道这是专门用来取盐的田。照片中白色一堆的就是所收集到的盐。

另一个比较特别的就是见识到当地人对星加坡的崇拜，在当地工作的星加坡籍经理带我们到" Singapore in Surabaya" 一游。这个住宅区的建设是模仿星加坡的，里面连Merlion 都有了！真佩服。

Bib Collection for KOTR 2009

2009-07-28T13:11:00.002+08:00

Just came back from Stadium Shah Alam.

Glad to see another improvement for KOTR this year. The first improvement I notice is the route, they change the route so that there are minimal crash with 10Km and 7km runners.

Second improvement is they have more helpers in bib collection centre in Shah Alam Stadium, more systematic. Only one line but they have about 6~ 7 counters. So it was like bank system, just one Q. I waited about 20 mins to collect my bib - C2 (felt I am a bit Kiasu when I saw my number!), not really impressive, but compare to 2 hours took last year, I consider this a "great" improvement.

The bib collection centre is very spacious, so much comfortable compared to last year. Famous Mr.Krishnan was still there to give instruction when I left.

Before I could give a thumbs up to them, I would like to see another improvement - WATER STATION which had turned all of us down last year. Looking at situation so far, I am quite confident they will make a better race this year.

I hope they won't let me down again

Share and Men's Health Run 2009

2009-07-28T08:19:00.002+08:00

This the first "official run" for me after SCKLM. After 2 fun runs in the past 2 weeks, it's time for me to run! (Ben's mum was asking " only 2 of you going for the run?" when she saw I packing my running bag, haha! sounds like she would like to join too but sorry, I really want to run this time....)

I have not done any LSD after SCKLM, longest distance I ran during weekend for the past 4 weeks was 12km. So I dare not set any target for this run, plus this is the first time I am running in Putrajaya hence I decided to just run, don't bother about timing.

Putrajaya looks grand, to me, there is no real "wow" factor in it, but to much of "sigh" factor. Typical government project......I agreed 100% with comments that road sign in Putrajaya is bad, real bad! We did not know where we were heading to after we entered that area, we saw a few cars looking for way to starting point just like us. Lousy planning.

We arrived at the starting point at about 6:40pm, I consider that was early for a run that was flagged off at 8pm. But surprisingly, a lot of runners were already there. I Did not manage to see a lot of my friends though I know they were there!

Ben noticed this when we were caged in the starting point - "Buat Kerja - Buat Kerja" was the tag line for "Palace of Justice", does that mean that they normally don't work, hence they need to put up this big banner to remind them to work? May be they could set their KPI as " How much work have you done this month?" Sound really funny to put this in front of that building!

It was quite humid, no wind at all. Luckily the beautiful night view in Putrajaya managed to distract me from complaining about weather.....I was wondering how much electricity bill they need to pay every month? The whole area was so bright....I was thinking how much income tax I have contributed to beautify this area..haha, so much to think of until I have forgotten I was running, and I finished the race in a rest and relax mode but still manage to grab a medal in Women open category with timing of 1Hr 13mins, :-P. I was overtook by a lady wearing blue wig at the last 100m, arghhhhh.....but it was fun running the last 100m with her. She made me felt that, yes! I was running a race.

Great even, great goodies bag, I will definitely come back again next year. May be bringing my kids also, haha.

Siemens Run 2009

2009-07-28T07:58:00.003+08:00

I joined Siemens Run 2009 with my mum and mother-in-law,
My friend,

My little one,

and My elder two.

Photos by Tey www.pmtey2.multiply.com

The atmosphere was great and it was fun, they enjoyed it very much especially towards the end when they saw the pretty cheer leader.

Ben ran with Jovi and Joshua, but this time I think they walked more compare to Mc D run last week. My mum and in law walked all the way and they said next time they can try to walk 7km. Javen did a great job - he walked almost all the way except for the 100m before water station. (I was expecting he to sit by the road side after 1km and start to complain that his legs are broken, haha....)

My friend is amazing too! He doesn't run regularly but plays basket ball weekly. I registered 10km for him though he only agreed to run 3.5km. But he did quite well, he completed 10km in 1 hr 12 mins, I think it is very good timing for a person who has never train for 10k.

Overall, it's a great event and everyone enjoyed the run. All of them are looking forward for next run now, yeah!

McDonald's Olympic Day Run 2009

2009-07-13T13:27:00.006+08:00

Photos by Tey http://www.pmtey2.multiply.com/

I actually registered in Women open category for Olympic Day run 2009 because our initial plan was I run 7km and Ben accompany them to run 3km. However the plan was changed after I decided to run with my kids in 3km category on that morning because – 1) My stomach didn’t feel well after the wedding dinner the night before, 2) the weather was so good! Windy + Cloudy. 3) There are not many races that my kids can participate, 4) my kids’ facial expression was telling me they are excited to run……so the whole plan changed and we have no regrets for that.

I met with so many kids that are so cute! I can’t stop blaming myself for not bringing my camera with me. So kids are very determined to finish the whole run without assistance from parents. Some started to walk after a short while and their parents have to keep motivating them by telling them good food and games are waiting for them at the finishing line. Just a short while….you are very near to the finishing line, after the downhill you will see the field already can be heard throughout the whole route….

My mum met with a father who looks like a regular runner) who was motivating his son with Bak Kut Teh and Chicken rice! He told his son who apparently loves to eat Bak Kut Teh and Chicken Rice to run / walk faster so that they could reach the shop before the food is sold out! Haha….

Another pair of kids was a brother of 9 years old and a sister of 6 years old. They said their mum wanted them to be the first hence they were so worry that they were the last to finish the race and they keep asking my mum to wait for them, “Aunty don’t run so fast (although my mum did was walking only!) , please wait for us”. They run away happily when they finally met up with the main stream at Padang Merbok.

As for my kids, they were quite good yesterday. Good in the sense that they run 90% of the route not in terms of timing. They only training they have were (500m run + 500 walk) X4 the week before this run. They were happy to see their swimming coach (who helped as traffic controller) half way through the race. Cheers from their coach and other runners also help to keep them running yesterday. It was a small surprise to us when they got the finisher medal as I didn’t notice it was mentioned on the registration form. They know this is their second medal, they remember their first medal was from Trikidz. They wore their medal to McDonalds for breakfast just like when they got their first medal, they wore it to the Italian restaurant and show the waiter!

I hope there will be more races for kids so that they can live a healthy life instead of playing computer game at home only!

Recovery from SCKLM 2009

2009-07-02T16:58:00.003+08:00

Monday - I wanted to do some recovery run but my legs had called for a strike when my brain was asking them to run. My thigh is not cooperative and they did not want to lift at all. So I give up and I walked.

Tuesday - I decided to show my legs some power. This time I won and I managed to do some slow jog for 1km and I walked again. My thigh lost the battle and they are not so tight anymore. I feel great as I don't have to walk like a crab anymore when I am coming down from staircase.

Wednesday - I have got full control of my legs again. 3km slow jog was just nice and I am encouraged to run again!

Thursday - Rest, no time to run today! I think it is ok, I deserved that :-P!

Friday - I want to swim!

SCKLM 2009 finishing photos

2009-07-02T15:20:00.003+08:00

OK lah, some credits to the organizer lah..... I think this is interesting.

some simple analysis of my run.
This is not from Octagon, it is from a good runner cum photographer - Tey.
www.pmtey2.multiply.com

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009

2009-06-30T08:29:00.003+08:00

4Hrs 57 mins, yes I did it, I achieved my target of below 5 hours in Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009.

I am happy, but also disappointed because I hit the wall after 35Km, and I did not actually run the whole route and finished the race strong, so I felt something was missing – I did not complete this full marathon! I walked a bit from 36km and I walked again at 40km when I know I could do a sub 5. It was not a very satisfactory run for me and I dare not say I enjoyed the run this time,:-P.

Weather was superb, it drizzled a bit at beginning of the run but it was ok, the whole morning was not hot. I was glad that I did not bring my cap a long, it not it will be a burden to me…..

I was on doubt if I could finish the run when I was walking towards the starting point. After almost zero mileage for 2 weeks, I really worry that my leg have forgotten how to run. Instead of targeting for sub 5 hours, I change my strategy to achieve short term goal of 1 hr 10 mins for 10K, 2hr 15mins for 20K and 3hrs 30mins for 30K. The rest of the run would really depend on my luck……

The route was not as easy as I thought, may be because I was not in a good form also. First 10k was ok, I did it 1Hr 8mins. Felt more confident after first 10K, I increased my speed a little bit from 10K onwards, and I completed 20K in 2hrs 14mins plus and 30K 3 hrs 23mins. I felt relieved after 30K.

Paced with Uncle Hooi from 28Km to 30km, wanted to pace longer distance but his speed is obviously faster than what I could do, so I slow down after the water station at 30Km. I was given a Powergel at 30km, chocolate flavour but I don’t like it, it’s too thick. So I went to change for Strawberry Banana flavor, not my preference either but I have no choice. I don’t understand why they want to phase out those flavors that are good like green apple.

30Km to 35km was critical for me; I must complete it within 4 hrs in order to achieve my target of sub 5. I was quite pressured at this point of time, my legs are tired but I have to continue running. My watch clock 4 hrs when I cross the 35km distance marker. But I was really tired!

I was looking forward to 36km distance marker after that but I couldn’t see it after 8mins, this made me worry and I thought I was too slow. Glad to know later that it was not because I was too slow; it was simply because I have missed the marker. I crossed 37km at 4hrs 15mins, slowing down, but my hope was still there. Subsequently, 39km at about 4 hrs 31 mins……and 42.195km at 4 hrs 57 mins (+?? Second). I was expecting some cheer leaders from 35km onwards, but there was none (maybe I expectation was too high, haha!) so I have to talked to myself and cheer myself up, the first time I felt lonely on the road! Everyone was so serious in running and no one seems to be interested to start a conversation, the only person that I managed to talk to was probably Uncle Hooi who still looked fresh at 30km!…..

In terms of organization of the race, it was a total disappointment! I could not accept the fact that there was no more water at the last few water stations towards the end! I learned my lesson in KOTR last year, so I always brought my small water bottle no matter what race I am running. Although I have expected this when I was studying the route map before the race and I was not really affected this time but I was angry too! I stopped at the water station and joined the group of runners to express our disappointment towards the organizer. The water station was so close to finishing line, they could have just made a call and asks them to send water as soon as possible but those volunteers just look at us, doing nothing at all! As a runner, what we want is simply enough water supply throughout the whole journey, is it so difficult to fulfill that?

Another thing I was disappointed with was the finisher T-shirt! Size S and M finished when I went to collect my medal. What?? Again?? I thought we have submitted the vest and T-shirt size during registration?? Common sense tells us, most of the runners are not very big size. I really don’t understand why the organizer like to print a lot of vest or T-shirt for size L and XL when it is very obvious that the popular size is S and M?? And they claim they are experience event organizer……shame of them! (FTAAA must be laughing if they see this!). By the way, the design of the finisher T-shirt was lousy…..I don’t see the sincerity in the design.

Also, I think the organizer is too confident that they will receive good feedback from all runners, they printed “ I’ll be back in 2010” at the back of the finisher T-shirt, but I doubt it…….unless they really show they can improve next year…..

Leaving soon....

2009-06-24T18:05:00.003+08:00

I have finished my summary report to my company and I am doing my summary for Pakistan trip now

The food: I love the food especially Nari Brianyani! I can't find any better brianyani in Malaysia. I had a dinner at one of the Italian restaurant here and I have the best Cream of Chicken soup ever (it's really unexpectedly good!). My luggage is getting heavier and I am getting heavier too! By the way, I have cultural shock when I first arrive here - local people normally have dinner at 10pm!

The people: Generally friendly although working with them is a bit tough. I think it is quite safe over here despite a number of bombing reported lately.

The Game: Cricket is the game for Pakistanist. During my stay, I witness how Pakistan team has won the world champion title on 21.6.2009. This is their second world champion after year 1992 (if not mistaken). They celebrate with fire crackers. And the traffic on the next morning was so smooth because every one was late for work after the celebration.

The transportation system: Traffic jam is common. Yes, there are a lot of cars in Lahore, really a lot! I saw almost all kind of transport in Lahore, car, motorcycle, bicycle, tractor with overloaded cart, "tot-tot" (similiar to those in Thailand), horse, donkey, mule, cow pulling cart. People here love to honk when they drive.

The weather: Extremely hot! The highest temperature that I have experienced is 44C with humidity 11%. It is burning if we walk under the sun in the afternoon. he car seat is like a frying pan in the afternoon. I experienced mini sand storm in a night when we were out for dinner. Lahore is basically a very flat city, I did not see any hill even a small one. Sand storm is common here.

The fruits: Mango, fresh apricot, lychee, watermelon.....because it is summer now, plenty of fruits is available and I enjoy it a lot!

I have not travel much in Lahore except for Pakistan-India border, Liberty Market where we can shop for clothing, Gulberg which is a posh area in the city and Burki which is a more rural area in the city. I saw the rich people whom can buy bungalow with cash and poor people bathing with water from "longkang". I saw lots of buffalo, they rear them for milk.

It is a unique experience living / working here. I don't mind to come here again for their food, haha!

Preparation for SCKLM 2009 (4)

2009-06-22T20:56:00.002+08:00

I was watching the video for SCKLM route downloaded from www.kl-marathon.com just now, trying to get myself mentally prepared.

The video made me dizzy.......keep turning left and right. The route seems to be quite flat and it looks like it will be an interesting route. It covers the new and old part of KL. Almost all major landmark of KL is included.

When I saw the mileage indicator in the video, I was trying to imagine how my legs and body will react when I have reached there. Quite fun to have preview like this.

One more day closer to the race.......

Preparation for SCKLM 2009 (3)

2009-06-21T23:36:00.003+08:00

7 more days to go before my run and I am doing nothing in my final week.

As mentioned earlier I was not allow to run outside of the guest house, so the only thing I can do is running on the spot in my room. But this is definitely not enough. My last LSD was Circuit run 3 organised by Pacemakers. It was a very well organized run and the route is tough. I think I would have given up if I were to run the 8th circuit. The route was so hilly that I felt my legs didn't belong to me anymore after the 7th circuit! A big tree near the lake felt down during the first circuit and I was the last person who run through before the tree felt. So scary, the tree was jsut about 5 meter behind me. When we heard the sound, everyone felt so frightend and we kept running because we couldn't see where the sound was coming from. I felt so lucky after that! I official time is 2 hr 20mins 35 second for 22.4km ( but I think the distance should be around 21K only since we have cut short the distance due to the fallen tree). Anyway, it was really a good run because most of my friends were there including puppet who has been dissapeared from road race for quite some time!

I have been eating well (carbo loading is not an issue I eat lots of rice . everyday) and rest well for the past few days. Sometimes I think I eat too much and rest too much. No choice, I have no freedom to run over here. I hope I can cover 10~15Km after I have reached Malaysia on Thursday to get my legs prepared for long run again.

So what I can do now is, continue to rest more, drink more water and make sure I don't fall sick under hot temperature.

I think I should be ok.

Work hard Shop harder

2009-06-21T12:05:00.005+08:00

In Pakistan, I work hard and I shop harder.

Working with local people is really difficult. Everyone is very good at story telling but when it comes to practical work, they tends to DD (delay and drag). They always tell you they will get everything done by tomorrow, but tomorrow never come. So we have to keep on calling, emailing to chase for documents and information we require. When they tell you they understand what you have said, don’t believe them, they never understand until they really come out with the result you want.

Everyone that I have met talk confidently, they tell you they are the best, they are the biggest, they have the widest network, they have the largest support team and they never blink their eyes when they talk. My brain has to keep filtering all these information to get the real company profile. It’s really tiring.

But after work, it is a different story. Office is less than 5 mins distance. As soon as I reach the guest house, I will turn on my laptop and listen to music, have a nice shower and waiting for my dinner. I went for shopping for 2 days, one day for clothes and the other day for dried fruits and masala (spices for brinyani rice and curry), I have even bought 2 Kg of Basmati rice! I used to laugh at my colleague who bought rice when he came to Pakistan and now I understand why. It is so cheap! I enjoyed my shopping so much! I have to thank Ben for reminding me to bring a bigger bag (but I still think the bag is not big enough!). My luggage if almost full, only space left is the space dedicated to Nasi Brianyani and mango!!

3 more days to go before I will go back to Malaysia, let’s see what is going to happen in next 3 days.

在异乡听My FM

2009-06-21T11:03:00.003+08:00

忙碌了几天，今天星期天终于可以在住所里轻松写意的过一天。

由于这里的网路非常通顺，我选择了收听网路电台来代替mp3 player.

突然有了在中国念书时的感觉，在房里一个小小的空间里，做运动，听音乐，累了就坐下来休息，看书。多么悠闲的生活。

真希望每个星期都有一天是可以这么轻松的过日子。

Pakistan Guard Exchange Ceremony

2009-06-19T01:22:00.007+08:00

Top photo - taken with the General
Bottom photo - taken with one of the "performer"

Hi! Seeing the photos above make you know that I am still alive in Pakistan and my days in Pakistan is getting more and more exciting.

I finally had a chance to explore Lahore City today on my way to our design company. This will be described more in another post.

Let's start with a more interesting experience!!

Thanks to my Malaysian consultant who knows Pakistan so well as he has been here for almost 2 years. I had a chance to got to Pakistan - India border to witness the daily guard exchange ceremony despite recent bombing in Pakistan. It was so fun! Because he knows the General at this border (he was here before with the Malaysian embassador so he became a VVIP after that) , we got special arrangement for seat, I not only got a chance to take photos with those guard or they call them soldier but even has a chance to go into the general's meeting room to enjoy a cup of tea! Later we brought to the real border which they call zero point and step my leg (just one step) on Indian ground without visa.

The Pakistanist soldier are so tall and they make the Indian soldier look a bit....errr...small. I hope I won't be targeted by saying this!

For friends from blogger.com, I am uploading some video in my multiply site. Please Please Please visit the following link tomorrow or day after

http://www.thamwaisum.multiply.com/

for short video clips that I have taken to feel the atmosphere at the border!

I will share more on what I saw in Pakistan as soon as possible.

My first day in Pakistan

2009-06-17T20:56:00.008+08:00

My day started with great breakfast, Fried egg with bread and juices. It's common in Malaysia but I consider it is luxurious over here. Most important thing is, internet excess is available in guest house and the speed is amazingly fast! That's why I don't really feel isolated in this house, in fact I think I quite enjoy my life over here.

Working hours is 9:00am to 5:30pm over here. But our schedule is arranged until 4pm, as soon as we finished meeting with suppliers, we are free...but of course follow report still needs to be done. I find suppliers here are very good in talking and the way they negotiate is interesting. Our purchasing people over here can even show competitor's quotation to them. They almost start banging the table even before we have reached the price negotiation stage...... strange way of working!

As usual, people in developing area is very curious. Any small incident will attract large group of people. Our company hit one of the divider when the driver was trying to reverse the car, then people started to gather, lots of voice and we were sitting in the car not knowing what to do, and I guess doing nothing was what we should do.

Quite hot over here in the afternoon, temperatures can be as high as 45C. Not really an issue for me since most of the time I will be in the office and guest house.

The only thing that upset me is, for safety reason I am not allow to walk outside the guest house which I really hate it. This area is really a good place to run. Take a look at these photos you will know it……

For the next 10 days, my life will be more or less the same. Travelling between 2 locations, occasionally go to our site and see how’s the development at site.

My first night in Pakistan

2009-06-17T09:55:00.004+08:00

After 2 hours flight from KL to Bangkok,
5 hours transit in Bangkok airport another
4.5 hours flight from Bankok to Lahore I finally arrive in Lahore at Malaysia local time 2am....pengsan.

But journey turned out to be quite ok except for the transit in Bangkok. My flight was not so smelly as expected... I am currently staying in our company guest house in Defense Housing Authority. Feel safe so far and in fact I would like to run outside the house if they allow because all the house here look quite nice and the road is good.

Had a good sleep after I finishing unpack everything, I especially love the mink blanket! So soft and smooth, it is a perfect match with the aircond! Will update more tonight after I come back from work. cheers!

Dining hall
Living hall for guest

Family living hall

My bed room!

Preparation for SCKLM 2009 (2)

2009-06-12T07:56:00.002+08:00

I have finally done my 35km run before SCKLM.

Although I did not increase my weekday mileage throughout the whole training programme, but I did not miss any long run on Sunday. Haha, so I consider myself very discipline this time.

35km wasn't an easy journey, especially after 30km, I could feel a sudden drop in energy and at that point of time only I knew....oh! Don't play play anymore, the full marathon is here and I really have to be serious in order to achieve my targeted time.

Not many runners at Bkt Aman last Sunday, most of them have done their longest LSD the week before and a lot of them have enjoyed their tapering at Klangpacer run. We felt a bit lonely but ok lah, we have already get used to it.

I did not run well, 4 hrs 3 mins. Still in dangerous zone if I want to achieve sub 5hrs in coming SCKLM. So I just hope that I am in good condition after my trip to Pakistan and I will try my best to run well during the actual race.

Let's enjoy the pain again!

晴天霹雳

2009-06-05T12:11:00.000+08:00

一直都知道没有可能可以躲过这一趟“旅程”，没想到它竟然发生在我兴致高昂要漂亮完成这次的马拉松前。

我要到巴基斯坦去一趟，真讨厌！

想到要和那班人同一班飞机就头痛。真希望班机可以空一点，不然我会窒息。

RM 130

2009-05-29T14:00:00.002+08:00

What can you buy with RM 130???

A shirt, a pants, 4 pairs of Bata shoes, a great meal, pay one month phone bills.......

I just bought a return Air ticket from KL to Macau for my mum with RM 130!!!

Unbelievable offer...

多拿A梦

2009-05-28T13:15:00.003+08:00

再就昨天报纸一些中学生就SPM报考很多科目以证明自己很行的文章发表自己的一些看法。

我从来不认为可以拿很多A的学生在踏入社会工作后一定会有比别人高的成就。以前曾经在面试时，见过一些成绩很棒的学生，每科都拿A, CGPA 不是满分就是接近满分。可是往往一问他们一些常识性的问题，就社会现象或某件事发表自己的看法时，他们的表现不是一般，就是令人大失所望。很抱歉，现在看到一些成绩非常出色的学生的申请表格时，我会再三考虑要不要叫他们来面试。

政府这次建议要限制政府考试报考科目的数目以便可以“公平”发放奖学金，基本上我认为是可行的。但我认为所谓的“限制”可以是，每个人都只能选最好的12或所规定的科目数目作为申请奖学金用。这样我们才可以进行公平的比较。考生如果真的想多报考几个项目，当然可以，但他们只能选最好的几个项目来申请奖学金。

有些学生是因为不能决定自己将来要走的路，所以来个大包围，文科又报，理科又报（通常这样做的都是理科生）这当然可以明白。这也说明，学生无法拿定注意，以后工作这也可能会是成绩优秀的学生的致命伤。

家长应该多花功夫在发掘孩子兴趣，而不单单只是鼓励他们多念书，将来拿好成绩以便可以申请奖学金这么简单。如果学生报考的科目少一些，他们可以有更多的时间参加课外活动，看更多人情世故，让他们了解到自己的兴趣，他们可能就不用为了买保险而要报读这么多科目，以防大学念到一半，发现自己志不在此而转科。

让孩子有更多时间思考自己要什么，才是保障孩子将来的方法，多拿几个A在他们慢慢长大后，真的不是这么重要。

跑步上班

2009-05-28T13:06:00.002+08:00

某电台前几天早上开放热线，让听众对中国OL受金融风暴影响，为节省开销取消健身室会员卡，转而每步行或跑步8~ 10公里上班这一话题发表意见。

听到后，我第一个反应就是，我愿意这么做。如果我从我家到上班地点的公路不是这么繁忙，我不需经过一条又一条的高速；我们的社会是安全的；办公室有可以让我冲凉换衣的地方，我真的一千个一万个愿意支持！

如果真的可以跑步上班，我就不用在炎日的下午跑步，我不用驾车，不用污染环境，不用担心每个星期跑步的里程不够......

哈哈！太理想化了。

可是我真的很希望公司可以提供一个可以运动的环境给我们，整天坐在办公室，真的很辛苦。

New Balance 15K 2009

2009-05-21T13:11:00.004+08:00

Another break for my training for Standard Chartered KL Marathon.

As usual, I expected to see a lot of runners in this race as it is one of the major event organized by PACM. I thought I am smart to arrive at Bkt Aman car park at 6:15am, i.e one hour before the race. The fact is, before we turn right, we already received a call from Ben's colleague telling us the car park was fulled of car and he just managed to get a space (yes, a space, not a parking) to park his car. Oh no! the next time we will have to be there before 6am. But, luck is really on our side that day.....after just a short while, we found a parking! yes, it's a parking! A true surprise to us, just wonder how come everyone missed this parking lot!

Met Tai and Kim while walking to the starting point. Nice to see Kim's new spectacle, I am still wondering if I should buy a pair of that....I have spent to much on running attired lately....better forget about it!

Chit chat with runners from my club before the race was started. Ever since I started running outdoor, I seldom have chance to see them and keep myself update on latest event. So it is a good to see them that morning.

Starting time for men and women were different this time. All men categories started 15 mins earlier than women so I got a chance to admire those fast runner again. And, this time I can really see how different it is in terms of number of male runner and female runners. It took approximately 4 mins to clear all men, while for women, I guess it is less than 1 minute...It was like a never ending stream watching those men running from the starting point.

This year route is slighty different from last year, we have to run another hill before we went to Bank Negara and Bkt Tunku. The remaining route was the same - the famous double hill.

My pacing was not good that day, couldn't get the right speed may be due to the pain at my right lower chest. I wanted to pace with Kim but she ran way faster than me that day (may be because she has got a new gadget, haha!). I think I lost Kim after about 6km, or 37 mins after the run started.

After I lost Kim, I saw this lady in BLUE. The thing that came into my eyes was her shoes sole, it looks familiar to me. So I ran a little bit faster to get a closer look at her shoes and confirm, hey! She was wearing Adidas Glide, excactly the same shoes that I bought one day before the race. Haha, and obviously this lady also love BLUE. She has got BLUE hair band, BLUE shirt and BLUE shoes! So I follow this lady in BLUE until double hill where she started to slow down.

Then I saw Gan's sister running (or galloping!) up double hill. I was thinking, how come she could do it so easily, her steps was so light!Double hill was a killer to me, almost vomitted after climbing up the hill. Lucky the remaining part of the route was not so tough.

I continue to run until I saw the sign 12km before Tugu Negara. Knowing the route quite well (hihi :-P) I think that must be something from there to finishing point. The usual distance shouldn't be that far. I was thinking I might need to run to the bird park again! Oh no, so I dare not speed and continue to run slowly and trying to guess how's the remaining route looks like. ( this is the best part of not studying the route map before the race, you don't know what's in front until you run there, haha!)

And luckily, we just need to run a big round at Lake Garden which is quite flat. Thanks god! But I guess a lot of the runners "kena" already and I saw them started walking as soon as they enter the park. And there was where I overtook Steven and Gan's sister.

Finished the run 1 hr 38mins. Nm....nothing worth to be proud, it fact when I checked my certificate for last year NB 15K, I was only 28 seconds faster. Shame.....

Anyway, it was a good run! The only thing that I am not so satisfied with was the water station, only mineral water was provided and no isotonic drinks at all (even at finishing point).

So my next race will be......
STANDARD CHARTERED KL MARATHON 2009!

See you all there!

My new sole mate

2009-05-21T08:28:00.003+08:00

I was “supposed” to accompany Ben to look for a new pair of running shoes. Before we went, Ben asked me whether I need another pair of shoes, and the answer was NO! I already have 4 pairs of running shoes! (Including the 2 pairs that I got from Adidas seeding programme)

But I ended up……getting this from the shop again!

The BLUE is so nice and I felt guilty not buying it, haha! You know? I don’t always see blue running shoes that fits me in the market, everything is perfert, the size, the colour, the feel and the discount given (which was a surprise, as a PACM member I got 20% discount instead of 15%). I really didn’t have any reason not buying this pair of shoes and decision was made within seconds.

for HIM and for HER :-P

四海为家 (shirlschong.com)

2009-05-21T07:48:00.004+08:00

昨天翻开报纸，看到很熟悉的四个字，再看清楚，原来是她的部落格被推荐了。真替这个朋友高兴，好的东西一定会被人发现的。

有兴趣请看看这个人这么四海为家吧! http://shirlschong.com

It is increasing

2009-05-18T15:29:00.002+08:00

I was compiling some data for my project and below is the graph for temperature recorded in our factory for the past few months.

The graph speak a thousand words.

A good day for running

2009-05-14T20:00:00.000+08:00

After weeks of hot weather, I had a very enjoyable run yesterday evening after the rain! No need to put on sun block, no cap and I could enjoy the wind again. So nice! I felt time is too short yesterday so I kept telling myself run faster, weather is good and the weather may not be good tomorrow, time is short, run faster. Anyway, I have to stop running after 35 mins because school bell rang! Aiya, what a waste.

I have been running in the evening for the past 4 months but I am still not use to it because I hate to run when it is hot, I bought a cap to block the hot sun but it doesn’t help much. I still prefer to run in the morning if time allows.

The only thing I love to run in the evening is I can see more runners. I notice there are a few runners running at the same park. Runners that wear Sundown verst, Stand Chart Singapore Vest, GE30K finisher T-shirt, Adidas KOTR.....haha, I regconise them by what they wear. We smile at each other when we wear the same vest on that day and this is fun. We run in the same race but we don't know each other, we only know we are runners and we understand why we are running at the park.

How I wish every day is a good day for running so that I can meet more runners.

一个美女的如意算盘

2009-05-14T13:18:00.001+08:00

有这样一个漂亮的女人，日前公开放话说要找一个代母。以便可以把她和她先生结合后的X和Y，交由这位代母保管，等结晶品成熟后再交回给他们。从科学角度来看，这位美女当然没有错，XX + XY=XX or XY。也不明白为什么她的话会一直出现在我头脑。

让我想象一下，在那代母对结晶品尽心保管的十个月里，我可以到处走，继续过我的生活而不被干扰。不用担心胎儿在肚子里是否健康，管它动还是不动。晚上照样睡的很好，不用为了不压到胎儿而辗转不眠。可以继续开心用餐，不用受晨吐，恶心的折磨。最重要的是，我可以继续运动，不用担心身材走样，样子变难看后老公逃掉！然后……

十个月后，带着刚出世的小婴儿会到夫家，告诉家人，这是“我们的孩子”。就好像抱了一只小狗回家那样，替他取名，教他叫自己做妈妈，另一个人叫爸爸。“有”小孩的任务就这么简单的完成了，多聪明！

接下去，照顾小孩教导小孩的工作也可以找人帮忙，自己继续精彩的生活。

等到有一天，小孩长大成人后，我发现他表现强差人意，我决定将孩子交给他人，就好像把不这么喜欢的小狗送到小狗培训或收留营那样。再考虑要不要再“有”小孩，反正过程就这么简单。

可是这样真的好吗？

亲爱的美女，你们的孩子不可能只是单纯XX与XY的结合，他还包括了很多个不眠的夜晚，无时无刻的担心和无限的关心。请不要把“有”小孩当作一个简单任务。

Preparation for SCKLM 2009 (1)

2009-05-08T08:05:00.003+08:00

I studied the route map for Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 carefully this morning, and realise that I will be running on the same route with the 10km blue wave from 33km onwards.

I have a bad feeling suddenly......will I have enough water towards the end? Better get myself prepared for the worst again!

热

2009-05-05T17:08:00.002+08:00

最近一放工，看到那个太阳就讨厌。热，热, 很热！

昨天跑步的时候差点晕倒！我看是有少许“中暑”，跑得时候没什么，因为还有微风吹着。跑完后才突然发现自己很虚弱，眼前好像随时会黑掉一样！亏我还特地买了一定帽子，准备与这炎热的天气对抗，结果还是这样。

如果接下去几天都是这样的天气，这个星期天的30K就可能不行了。

如果可以向小叮当借一定有冷气的帽子就好了！

杂想

2009-04-28T09:32:00.000+08:00

一个男人很努力专注在工作上可以
获得他人的赏识
得到成就感
受到别人的尊敬
改善家人生活条件
......

一个男人很努力专注在工作上也可以
让他花在家人身上的时间减少
把与家人的沟通变得理所当然
忽略了家人
……

到最后
工作占的比重原来越大
家越来越小

他还是很努力工作

Bidor Half Marathon 2009

2009-04-28T08:52:00.003+08:00

*photo to be uploaded later.

I haven’t participated in any road race for quite something as I want to spend more time to train for SCKLM. So yesterday run at Bidor was a break for my training.

6 of us left for Bidor at about 4:00am. It took us only about 1 hr 15 mins to arrived at Bidor. Not much problem to find Dewan Muhhibah and because we were there early, we managed to get a nice parking near the starting point and all of us stayed in the car and tried to take a nap after collecting our bib.

We got ready for our race at about 6:30am because the emcee was too noisy….kept calling runners to report themselves as there were many runners coming in. To my surprise, I met a few familiar faces – Doris, Steven, Moey…and a few of them whom I only know them through blog and sorry that I can only remember their faces and not their name so didn’t really chat with them. But these young men are really good runners, I saw them (hey, now I remember one of them is called Victor) at the opposite direction before every U turn.

I was told to expect some hilly road for this run and I thought I was prepared for it. The first 10K was easy and quite flat. We were basically running through some village and plantations area. Not much of scenery but I did enjoy the run as the air is cooling, so even though the race was started at 7:00am, it was still a comfortable run. Saw a dead chicked at about 2K, I guessed this is normal. Same to the smell….not really “offensive” but it would be better if we could have more fresh air.

After completing the first 10K in about 1hr 4mins which was considered quite a good timing for me :-P I thought, oh! Like that only lah….but the remaining 11K changed my mind totally and it became what? Like that ah??? I shouldn’t expect for “some” hilly road only, we were almost running up to a hill. When I saw the ambulance after almost completed climbing the hill, I wanted to praise the organizer for having it at such a strategic location! My target to complete the race within 2Hr 10mins has gone after U turn at 15Km. I finished the run with 2 hrs 17 mins.

Anyway, it is a good run and it is a new running experience for me. I did enjoy the run although the hill has almost killed me. I have to give credits to the organizer also, it is well organized. Though it is not as big as some running event that we have in KL, but I think it was a “cozy” event. Everything was done is a manual way but nothing went wrong and all of the volunteers are very efficient. The finisher medal is a fine piece of art!

My run ended with a famous "Arp Tui Wan Tan Mee", yum yum! Plus a big packet of ice for my 100 plus! Perfect run and eat trip!

你懂你的尺寸吗？

2009-04-21T08:00:00.001+08:00

除了36-24-36 外？你还懂哪一些? （千万不要想歪！）

人体的构造是很有趣，把双手往左右两侧伸直，就等于你的身高。
手掌底部（靠近手腕的部分）到手持肘(elbow)的距离就是脚板的长度。

我最长用的就是我打开手掌后，拇指与尾指的距离，刚好等于8寸。常常在买东西又忘记带里量尺时用这个方法量长度，很管用。

想想看你身上还有哪些尺寸是对你有帮助的？

爱车 - I car

2009-04-20T15:23:00.003+08:00

让我抛弃旧爱的就是这辆爱车 - Mitsubishi I Car.
车的功能大致和Myvi 一样，只是车身比较狭小，引擎也较小。可是它实在太可爱了。

上周末我们就驾了他招摇过市。有时会在倒后镜看到一些路人经过后再转过身来，用怀疑的眼光看看它。哈哈！不是美女的我，从来没有试过享受这种眼光，真有点骄傲。

到目前为止，我对这车还挺满意，驾着它可以很灵活的在市中心穿插，感觉它很轻巧，太好玩了。

I like my I Car, 希望还可以发掘更多驾驶 I Car 的乐趣！

看者有意

2009-04-15T11:54:00.002+08:00

到新加坡出席朋友婚礼时，在二手书店买了这本书。买的时候觉得内容很有趣。没想到有一天，Ben 竟然用点疑问的语气问我 “ 你买的是什么书？”
怎么了？买二手书也错了吗？

原来在书的封底，出版社把书名用汉语拼音写成

Good Bye My Love

2009-04-15T11:43:00.002+08:00

I have to say bye bye to my Myvi.

Not because she is not working well, not because she is old it is simply because I have fallen in love with the “I”

The day before I hand over my car to used car dealer, I asked Ben to guess what kind of reaction will my boys show if they knew my Myvi is leaving soon, he said “ Come on, it is just a car”

JJJ sensed something wrong when they saw me taking out my stuff from the car. “What happen? Why you take your things out?” Tried to be calm, I told them I am selling off my car to someone who will look after her very well. Then JJJ became quiet and went up stairs to start drawing.

When I finished clearing up my car, I show them photos of the “I” and asked them if they like it. Then the three of them start shaking their head and Jovi was sobbing. They said they don’t want the “I” and they want my Myvi back…..Their reaction really scared Ben and me. It took us more than 15 mins to explain to them and calm them down. Shiuhhh…….

Now we know, she is not just a car, a piece of machine. It is “Mycar” and JJJ love her very much. I reminded Ben to tell the used car dealer to make sure new buyer will look after my car well, if not JJJ will show him their power of love.

Fortunately, children change their mind very fast. The next day, they have started to ask me “mummy, when can you bring your rabbit car home? It is cool…..”
“But I thought you still miss my Myvi???”
“Well, I mean I still love your Myvi, but I also like the “I”……..”

中华行-29.3.2009

2009-03-30T13:04:00.003+08:00

more photos at
www.thamwaisum.multiply.com
www.pmtey2.multiply.com

很高兴在朋友的协助下，终于参加了这次的中华行。上一次参加已经是十九年前的事（当年称作“南洋行”），当时我才十三岁，刚刚念初一！

一大早到了大会现场，就看到一片红海。走进Padang Merbok 就被红军包围了。有一位很有礼貌的学生警察来指示我们公开组报道处，我顺便问了她一声，起点在哪里？“你们报道后就在那边排队，等下会有老师来带你们到起点。”我心里傻了一下 – 老师来带？不用紧，学校办得活动，必须听从老师命令。

到了报到处，负责的同学很难为的说“抱歉，大会规定一定要穿大会所给的红色T-shirt, 不然不可以参加”我再愣了一下，没有人跟我们提过这个规矩。同学再说“不用紧，你可以到秘书处领衣服后再到过来报道”好吧！既然可以现场拿衣服，我们也无所谓。踏入草场，准备越过草场，以最短的距离走到秘书处，才发现是一个极大的错误。因为下过雨，草场都变成烂泥，鞋子没多大功夫就变黑了。

千辛万苦到了秘书处，负责的老师竟然告诉我们“没有人通知我们要分发衣服”。走了一大圈，把鞋子懂得脏兮兮才发现最好的方法是会到车上拿衣服换！算，今天本小姐心情好，既然是来为校贡献，也从来没有把它当作专业路赛，就算了吧！

看到Tey，Tai和Kim 夫妇是一大惊喜。大家还开玩笑，今天我们有机会拿奖了！因为报名公开组和宿将组的人数太少了。听老师说，女宿将组只要报名就可以拿奖！在开玩笑的时候，发现同学都往起点走去，才知道比赛要开始了。

女子公开组的人数大概只排了两排。我第一次有机会站在第一排哩！奇怪的是为什么公开组的参赛者看起来都想小弟弟，小妹妹？这么他们这么热心肯花RM 150报名？猜想可能是家长募捐后，叫他们的子女来参加。开赛前，没用站在第一排经验的我还在想“等下他们准备如何放下起点的绳子？绳子很容易把参赛者绊倒，要特别小心。”

跟Penang Bridge Marathon的橙军一样，这一批红军也是一开始就往前冲，可是不到一公里就开始走路，把路堵住了。有了上一次的经验，这次我比较小心，尽量往右。虽然老师都有提醒同学们往左靠，可是毕竟是小孩，还是比较贪玩，一班人在一起就喜欢你追我，我追你的。所以还是得提醒自己小心。

六公里的路还不算长，一下就会到终点。终点在草场，所以又再次要把鞋弄脏。不过知道自己得了第三名，也还算不错啦！不久后就看到女宿将组的冠军Kim会回来了。我们在终点等了一段时间还看不到女宿将组的亚军回来，Kim可说是实至名归。

等颁奖礼的时候，是我和Ben最尴尬的时候，男女公开组的得奖者都这么年轻！好奇一问之下才知道他们是受邀来参加的友校的代表，个个都是运动健将。我们两个排在队伍里好像两个老人来骗吃一样，感觉我们应该参加宿将组而不是公开组，paiseh! 不过也暗喜，嘿！相当年我是运动白痴，体育考试是我的噩梦！今天三十二岁的我竟然和校队代表一起排队，等候领取生平第一个和运动有关的奖杯，还不错嘛！

看到了很多以前教过我的老师，包括赏了给我生平第一个零蛋给我的老师，这个老师对我影响深远！她给当时高傲的我们上了宝贵的一课！终的来说还是很高兴，今年的生日过得很有意义。

忙什么？

2009-03-27T12:54:00.004+08:00

我也不知道最近在忙什么？好像什么也没做，但也不觉得有时间多出来。

28.3.2009 星期六
照样会载小瓜们去上课外活动。唯一不同的是，晚上会参与Earth Hour. 第一次认识Earth Hour 是在上ISO 14000 的培训。刚好今年又遇上KL 和八打灵市这么热心参与，所以才对这活动有更深的了解。明晚要的一小时要做什么？还没有想到，顺其自然。

29.3.2009
为母校出一份力，中华行去。
本来要约一班校友一起参与，结果报名费太贵，报名程序麻烦，很多人（包括我哥）都打退堂鼓。自己差点也因为参与的朋友不多而错过报名。最后还是麻烦朋友帮忙，我才有机会去。不管怎样，星期天要好好跑一场，太久没有参加路赛，要做一点心理准备，不然枪声响了也不会跑就糟糕！

LSD 15.3.2009

2009-03-17T13:36:00.004+08:00

Did 30K last Sunday. Seriously, I did not expect myself to be able to complete it as I have been putting my legs to a complete rest for the past 8 days!

Woke up at 4am to get ready for LSD and arrived at Bkt Aman Car park at about 5:10am. The car park was quiet, we were there very few early runners on that morning. (It was later only that I remember that there was a run at Bukit Jalil last Sunday).

I think I saw less than 5 runners during the first 10K. One of them was Lisa (if not mistaken) who has been doing LSD of 30K to 40K for the past few weeks. I truely respect to runner like her!

Met Tai and Kim after 1 loop at government buildings and had a short conversation with them, this made my 20K easier. Felt great after completed 1 loop at Petronas station and I knew completing another 10K was not a problem, :-P.

I plan to do 2 more 30K in April and at least one 35K in May.

4hr59mins.......I am serious!

:-)

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009

2009-03-13T14:02:00.003+08:00

I checked their website since morning after receiving information from other runners.

I registered as soon as I found that the website is up.

No doubt, no options, no regret.

Here I come, my 3rd Full Marathon!

Runaway mum

2009-03-06T09:57:00.004+08:00

Yes, I am a runaway mum for the month of March.

Schedules for Saturday are all full this month.
I was attending a training last Saturday.
I am going to Taman Negara for a 3 days 2 nights company trip this Saturday to Monday.
I will be attending another training next Saturday.
and I hope the training on last Saturday of March is not confirmed!!

I quite look forward to the trip and training, but I don't want to waste my weekends. Instead of spending time with colleagues who I see more than 8 hrs everyday, I prefer to spend time with my kids.

Feeling guilty, I decided to take leave during school holiday!

杂想

2009-02-27T10:17:00.003+08:00

你家里出现经济问题，一家大小都可能没饭吃了，你还会有闲情去和别人吵架，争执吗？

你是否为台湾国会出现的闹剧而冷笑过？

你曾为你的老板仓促又白痴的决定而生气过？

你工作的公司亏钱，老板说今年公司没钱赚，薪水要减半（注意：是公司没钱赚而已！），自己却继续公司福利，你会怎么办？

**********************************************************

当全球都在烦恼如何让经济复苏的时候，我们的领袖还在为如何踢走敌党而努力！

当国会出现年轻人欺负坐在轮椅上的老人后，我们再也不能嘲笑台湾国会里有会飞的椅子。

当工程部宣布大道过路费起家八个小时后，首相又说要在内阁重新检讨，我突然觉得我的老板其实还挺聪明的。

当公司宣布今年加薪幅度减少以应付经济不景，我庆幸公司还有钱发薪水给我！

Singapore river run

2009-02-23T11:11:00.005+08:00

Not an official race, just my 30 mins run by Singapore River when I was there for a friend’s wedding last week. May be because Singapore does not have many small parks in housing area like Malaysia does, I can always see people running by the road side. I was tempted to run when I saw so many runners running the evening that I arrived so I decided that I want to run the next morning. Running attires has become the most important thing of my luggage now, so no problem if I want to run anytime when I am travelling, :-P!

I woke up at 5am to get myself ready, because I have to come back latest by 6am and prepared for my friend’s wedding. 5:30am, I was on the road with my camera. The run from my hotel to Explanade Singapore via Clarke Quay and Boat Quay was truly enjoyable. Windy and quiet, the whole road was mine. I guess I was the first person who ran by the river as I didn’t see anybody else running. I only saw other runners on my way back and most of them are mat salleh.

Running alone when the sky was still dark in Singapore has never made me worry. I always feel safe when I am in this country. The only thing that scared me that morning was this, haha!Saw some couples somewhere near The Explanade and Merlion, I tried to run with lighter steps in order not to disturb them. 13 years ago, my friends and I walked from Merlion to Boat Quay and I thought it was already a great achievement and now I can run! What more can I say……

PS: I missed a run from Pasir Ris Park Connector to Changi Park Connector!!! Nevermind I will go again….

LSD 15.2.2009

2009-02-16T13:15:00.002+08:00

新年期间疏于练习，上星期8.2.2009的LSD 跑得上气不接下气，虽然勉强跑完，可是一点快乐的感觉也没有。

被设计图、表烦了一个多星期，昨天的LSD 为我出了一口怨气。前半段遇到了近来很认真准备超马的蓝色变形虫，努力的跟着她的脚步直到Plaza Damas 的斜坡后就跟不上了。哇！水准差太远了，她还在前一天跑了另一个LSD呢！不过真的很高兴，因为一路上都有人一起跑，和平时大部分时间都是Ben 和我跑有趣多了。

跑步时间速度是没有什么大进步，精神倒是强了。

昨天在Lake Garden 还有一个Cross City Run. 没留意到有这个比赛。今年大概都不会参加10K的比赛。会多花时间来练习长跑，为6月28日的4小时59分多做准备！

中华行 Chong Hwa KL Jogathon update 20080130

2009-01-30T08:12:00.001+08:00

Date: 29.3.2009 Sunday
Time; 7:30am
Venue: Start & Finishing point at Padang Merbok
Distance: 6Km
Registration fee: RM 150
(quite expensive....but for the school, ok lah!)

Medal or trophy: for Top 5 in each category
other prizes for number 6¬20.

I will try to get the official registration form from them and post it here.

GE30K 2009

2009-01-19T09:06:00.007+08:00

I am a proud finisher of GE30K this year!

Where should I start my report from? I am just too happy right now…not only because I have completed 30K without injury but also because I did it slightly better than expectation. I was “hoping” for 3hr30mins so 3hrs 26mins is really a big bonus for me.

We were running on new route this year, opposite direction of double hill; extend loop to Maltrade building and some construction sites and minimal traffic. Though the sun was hot on the way back, I was feeling ok because it was quite windy.

I did my first 10K at crawling speed, about 7mins per km only. 20K was slightly faster (I think, didn’t really bother to look at the watch,J) and surprisingly my last 30K was the most pleasant part of my journey. May be because I knew for sure I could finished it within 3hr30mins, may be I knew the return route pretty well, may be because I started to meet some friends during the last 10k. Whatever it was, for the first time, I really enjoyed the last 10K. (I could have done another 12.195km yesterday if there was not finishing point at Lake garden, haha!)

Because we run past some construction sites yesterday, my face and body was full of dirt. I could even see sands on my arms. The finisher t-shirt was a surprise to me. I was expecting another GE30K towel but I was delighted when I saw the finisher T hanging up there. This is the first finisher T that I can wear and show off, haha!

Year 2009 started off with a good run and I hope more will come……cheers!

中华行-29.3.2009

2009-01-12T17:03:00.006+08:00

在我继续新学年杂想前，

请大家告诉大家，（从报纸上知道）为庆祝
吉隆坡中华独立中学90周年校庆
和筹款建新校舍，他们将在
2009年3月29日
（我的生日呢！假假公告天下！）举行
中华行筹款竞走。

详情还没有公布，由刚得到杰出教师奖的张梅莲副校长负责。
所以大家（特别是中华校友!) 把3月29日圈起来，记得多多支持，为华教出力！

新学年杂记（教育制度）

2009-01-07T16:54:00.000+08:00

之前一直听说现在的华校生，功课压力很大。我也常常提醒自己不要在学业上给他们太大的压力，免得搞得大家都神经兮兮的。

可是当我看到小学一年级的课本和课外书后，我很惊讶。这么浅的程度何来压力？小一的数学课本竟然还教小孩数数目！从1 到100，简单的加法1+2等等。这些他们在5岁的时候不是已经学了吗？难怪现在这么多学生可以在政府考试拿到全A。我不是小看这些优秀的学生，而是觉得我们的教育制度没有与时并进，这些拿到好成绩的同学本来可以有更大的作为。

和从前只上一年，甚至没有上过幼儿园的我们相比，现在的孩子已经很不一样了。很大部分小朋友在4岁就已经到幼儿园学习。有人说现在的奶粉太厉害了，小孩吃了都变聪明了。我认为现在小孩没有变聪明，只是是生活环境变化，小孩接受资讯多了，头脑开发早了，所学所看广了，自然显得聪明多了。

话说回我们的教育制度，教育部都忽略了（或者是懒得去管！）现在的小孩程度比以前高了。我试过让我的小瓜练习二年级的英文理解，他们也没有多大问题就能自己完成（不是他们厉害而是题目太简单直接）。在小学一年级还让他们学1、2、3，真的好像在浪费他们的时间。还是政府担心我们的老师程度不够高？不能够教导更深的课程？我不知道，只是觉得很有问题。
所以，可能很多家长就是觉得程度太低，就安排满满的补习班让孩子去上。这才是孩子功课压力大的主要原因。不然就现有的课程来看，真的没有理由会有压力。

对现有教育制度，我脑海里有这么一幅画面 – 一棵长在玻璃瓶里的树。本来可以长的更高更大，却被限制成长。

新学年杂记（我家小孩）

2009-01-07T16:25:00.004+08:00

这个星期，一直在调节我的时间表，以配合我家小瓜新的时间表。头脑里面转来转去的就是怎样安排时间。老公甚至忘记出席朋友的婚宴，到了第二天晚上才想起，严重过分！

开学的几天，看到了很多事情，我有很多话要发表、发泄。

最重要的是，小瓜都很开心。因为学校很大，对他们来说，玩的场所大了，可以探险的地方广阔了。据了解（因为我没有留在学校），第一天下课，Joshua就告诉Jovi先去玩，再去买冰淇淋！结果玩得太高兴，铃声一敲就错过了买零食的好机会，为此, Jovi 抱怨了一个晚上。然后他们决定第二天要先去买冰淇淋，吃了再玩。

其实，我觉得自主权才是他们这么高兴的主要原因。从今开始他们会得到零用钱，可以买自己喜欢吃的东西。现在的小孩已经没有我们那个年代这么幸福，在很小的时候就可以拿着一毛几角的零用钱到附近的杂货店买零食。因为安全和方便的理由，大多时候，都是父母带着到超市买的，做主、付钱的是父母。结果是，小孩对钱没有什么概念，只知道钱可以买东西。我家小瓜在第一天，就因为拿到零用钱太高兴，下课时拿出来欣赏，结果没来得及买零食，钱就被大风吹走了。后来还唱歌给辛苦赚钱的爸爸听“Money fly away”! 他们唱歌的表情很可爱，可是我们心在痛，钱来得不易啊！小朋友！还好，经一事长一智，他们说第二天要好好保护他们的零用钱。

最小的Javen 是我们本来比较担心的，我们猜想在家是小霸王的他，第一天上课一定会哭哭啼啼，抱着我们大腿不让我们离开。神奇的是，他也适应的很好。还跟我们投诉班上某女同学哭得太大声，让他都听不清楚老师说什么了，态度有点骄傲呢！Javen在幼儿园的第一天，我看到了一个因为儿子不让他去上班而满头大汗的爸爸，突然感觉我太幸运了。哈哈！

看到他们都能在新环境适应过来，我们就放心了。

环保酵素Garbage Enzymes

2008-12-31T17:00:00.000+08:00

最近从报纸和朋友的口里听到很多关于环保酵素的效用，决定自己要做一次，看看这酵素到底有多神奇。

环保酵素制法可参考以下网址
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4c8302ce010099n6.html

http://blackandwhite999.blogspot.com/2008/11/how-to-make-garbage-enzymes.html

等我成功后再和大家分享！

又放假咯！

2008-12-31T16:41:00.003+08:00

今天是2008年最后一天，对我来讲并没有什么特别，只不过又是一天。
让我期待的不是新的一年，是连续几天的假期！

接下来几天，
- 我要好好阅读我的新书 - 村上春树的<<关于跑步-我说的其实是>>

- 好好准备我家小瓜上学的东西。今年比较费劲因为大的上小学（时间过得很快哩！他们上小学一年级了！），小的上幼儿园。小学还有orientation, 夸张！缴费，买书，包书，整理上课的东西。。。

- 想想要怎样安排放工后的时间，因为我将要负起载Jovi&Joshua放学的重任，放工跑步的地点和时间都得作调整。要找到最好的路线，避开放工时的车龙，最有效的利用放工到六点半之间的时间继续跑步！（很难。。。）

好吧！再见2008！我要放假咯！

我不是马来妹

2008-12-31T12:17:00.002+08:00

昨天听到某歌手接受电台访问时提到，希望在2009年举办校园演唱，可以在台湾，香港，中国，还有马来。。。

听到“马来”两个字就特别敏感。

以前在念书时，很多港澳的同学都喜欢用“马来”两个字当作“马来西亚”的缩写。那时他们就把我们当成马来妹，马来仔。开始时很反感，觉得他们见识少。花了很长时间纠正他们（就好像他们花很长时间纠正我们“落水”是错误用法，“落雨”才是对的一样！），我们是马来西亚人，不是马来人，不能混为一谈。

以为我们的国家经过这么多风风雨雨后，在国际上已有些知名度，原来很多人还是把我们的国家当成马来国，我们都是马来人。可怜！

Malakoff 12Km 2008

2008-12-22T12:32:00.002+08:00

It was my first time to Taman Rimba at Taman Tun when I went to collect my bib for Malakoff. I didn’t know there was a car park in the park. Bib collection process was generally smooth. The only disappointment was – I couldn’t get a vest of my size again……quite frustrated with it because every time when I registered I was asked to fill in the T-shirt or vest size but most of the time I have to be very kiasu to collect the T-shirt or vest as early as possible to make sure I get the size I want, so there was no meaning of asking me what size I want during registration. I lost RM 40 !!! I forgot to get the change from them when I was paying on behalf of my colleague for the deposit for timing chip….aii! What to do, it is my fault….

This was a new route to me, and I couldn’t figure out where we were supposed to run initially as all I know there was only one road leading up to Kiara hill where a lot of people go for morning walk. So I was quite excited when I know we would actually run through a road which is normally closed for public. The organizer change the route at the very last minute due to safety reason and 12Km runners has to run 2 loops of a 6km route.

At first I was quite disappointed and I thought it would be a boring run; repeating running on the same route but it turned out to be quite fun. The route is hilly, up and down. The first stretch of hill is difficult for me, couldn’t breath after I finish climbing uphill (I was just slightly better than walking!). Downhill after that stretch was a relief to me and there was where I saw those leading runners coming back at the opposite direction.

The first time I had a chance to see them running so clearly……from there onwards, I was busy looking at my right hand side to see if I can meet runners that I know. So the whole journey became more interesting keep saying hi to others……

A lot of ribbon to take yesterday, we have to get one at every U-turn point. Ribbon distribution at U-turn point near Science centre was set earlier than the U-turn point. I saw some people just U-turn after getting the ribbon; they didn’t bother to run a few meters down to the exact U-turn point…..errrr, not so good lah, just a few meters more only mah!

I have to Q for the first time after the run to collect my finisher medal, because they only have one Q for all male and female……Good, at least it is fair to everybody but they have to make sure that the process is fast enough, if not I am sure some of us will complain.

My target was 1hr10mins to 1hr12mins but as usual, I failed to achieve. Gun time was 1hr15mins. But ok lah, I have tried a new route….my friend who replaced my colleague yesterday got his first finisher medal, bonus for him! Overall all I am quite satisfied with this run, good route and well organized.

This is my last race for year 2008. After this, I will be training for GE 30K, my first race for year 2009! Let's train for better timing next year!

《关于跑步–我说的其实是…》"What I talk about when I talk about running"

2008-12-17T12:34:00.004+08:00

对于村上春树的作品，只读过他的《挪威的森林》，印象是很深刻(因为看了三次！)，可是一直没有兴趣去看其他作品。直到那天在报纸看到他的新作品《关于跑步 – 我说的其实是…》，才知道原来他跑了26年！很想看看这本书，了解他是怎样看长跑的。

For those who can’t read Chinese, this is a book written by a contemporary Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. I have read only one of his books "Norwegian Wood" before, and got to know that he has been running for 26 years recently only so I am interested to read this book and see what he thinks about running.

English translation "What I talk about when I talk about running" by Philip Gabriel is available.
For more details of writer refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haruki_Murakami)

便宜的运气

2008-12-16T13:13:00.004+08:00

这件事发生在同事身上。

上星期她到城中名店买了一件羊毛长外套，原价马币五百多，折价后为RM 365.000。付钱时，原本有些心痛，可是看到店员打印出来的信用卡单据上，错误将价格输入为RM 36.50，同事有点不知所措。可是因为是sales，店里的收款员忙得不可开销，嘴里只顾着喊“next, next, next”。结果是：同事签单就走，留下可怜的收款员，到晚上结帐时她就会很懊恼，为什么这么粗心大意。

听了后，给同事的第一个反应就是，怎么你那么幸运？为什么这种事没有发生在我的身上。

可是我知道，如果真的换作是我，我会很笨的告诉她，数目错了。然后会很骄傲的等着她感激的眼神，再一整天感觉很爽，因为我知道，当收款员和她的朋友提起这件事是，她还是会很感谢我的。

所以在这件事上，我是做错了。错在没有及时告诉同事，收款员的薪水才多少钱？要她赔马币三百多元好像很难为她。既然已经觉得物有所值，何必贪一时便宜？

2009生肖運勢 (续）

2008-12-16T07:55:00.003+08:00

顺众要求。。。

鼠
好！鼠人今年將會是幸運和成功的一年！你可以得到工作上巨大的成功,1948年出生的鼠人尤甚，可能會升職。鼠人，尤其是鼠女，今年均可以突破所有阻礙而達致成功及得到名譽。已婚的鼠女，你可以協助你丈夫的事業。假如你得到他人的幫助，你便會做得更好。鼠人天生可以在群眾中表現更佳。

工作：今年將會有很多機會讓你發揮你的才能及超越其他人，尤其1948年生的鼠。而1960年生的鼠人，今年也是事業幸運的一年。所有事情均可如你計劃中進行，假如你願意放下你過份的尊嚴，去求助他人及留意他人的意見，那你的夢想也可實現。1984年生的鼠人，你的師長會很滿意你的表現。請賺虛些，尤其是鼠男！

財運：今年唯一差勁的是你的財運。因為你在工作及愛情上做得很好，你會不停地花費、花費、花費！請控制你的揮霍，為未來儲些錢。1936年出生的鼠人更應留意你的預算及投資。鼠人今年宜短線投資，獲利會比長線為佳。

健康：一些持續了很久的病會痊癒。鼠人應小心飲食及留意肝臟及腎臟，尤其1924及1972年生的鼠人。

愛情及家庭：已婚的鼠人會享受到親密及愉快的婚姻生活。單身的鼠人，尤其是1960及1972年生的鼠人，今年將會有很多追求者出現。接近年尾時是適合結婚的好時候。但切忌心急，遲些與合適的人結合比早些與不合適的人結合好得多！1924年出生的鼠人，今年你可能會感到孤單，你可以多找你的朋友及家人傾訴，不要感到不好意思！

合襯生肖：牛、龍、猴不合生肖：馬合拍伙伴：龍、牛

牛
今年牛人的固執可派上用途了，今年你會有頗多的障礙，你的頑固可解決這些阻礙，尤其是1961年生的牛人。請你耐心等待適合的時間，總比心急好。關心家人及享受他們給你的支持，這有助你排除困難。你的朋友可助你減壓。多些聽取年長者的說話，會帶給你好運，尤其是1937年生的牛人。

工作：做生意時要加倍小心。不要給別人太大壓力，不要令自己卷入是非中。1937年生的牛人今年在工作上有不少阻礙，宜堅付原位，不要作出改動。1949年生的牛人，結識新朋友會帶給你好運。

財運：今年財運不佳，1925年生的牛人除外，你今年會是順暢的一年。牛人今年應避免賭博，不要借錢給別人，會令你出現赤字。1937年生的牛人不宜搬屋或大事改動房屋。1925年生的牛人不要聽信謠言！

健康：今年牛人要小心身體，今年不宜作飛行活動及賽車。小心腸胃毛病。小心個人安全及意外。年輕的牛人請留心家中年長者的健康。

愛情及家庭：單身的牛人今年會有愉快的愛情生活，尤其是1973年生的牛人,但你必須要嘗過一些苦才可得到快樂。你要對你的愛人忠誠及認真，才可嬴得他的心。已婚的牛人今年不太幸運，你很容易與伴侶吵架，請和氣地說話，不要用審問的口吻。

合襯生肖：雞、蛇、鼠不合生肖：羊、兔合拍伙伴：雞

虎
今年是不錯的一年。上半年沒有什麼進展及刺激，但下半年便好轉，尤其是1974年生的虎人。年輕的虎人在學業上會做得頗佳，如遇上新戀情，不要過份緊張。真命天子會在適當的時候出現。虎女今年特別好運，家中會有喜事。

工作：對於從商及在學的虎人，今年是順暢的一年，尤其是1926、1938及1986年生的虎人。如你按部就班去做，進展便會很穩定。1962年生的虎人，所有事情都發展順利，而且得到突出的回報。應避免過長的工作時間。

財運：金錢來自穩定的收入，不要寄望有太多金錢來自其他途徑。1950年生的虎人要特別小心被騙。 1938年生的虎人不要賭博，把你的金錢花在你的愛人身上吧！

健康：今年會病，多休息及多喝水會助你快些痊癒。如要往外地，請小心個人健康及安全，尤其是1938年生的虎人。而1986年生的虎人身體也不太好。
愛情及家庭：單身的虎人會有不少浪漫事。1974年生的虎人會遇上未來的另一半。1926年生的虎人，你須知道現在的年輕人與以往的不同，明白他們的想法吧！

合襯生肖：馬、狗、豬、蛇不合生肖：猴合拍伙伴：馬

兔
兔人今年的運程會有起有跌，尤其是1939年生的兔人。你會感到有很多限制及很少機會讓你把主意變成行動。1963及1975年生的兔人請三思而後行，作任何行動前必須小心考慮清楚。下半年兔人的運程會好轉，你可以做得好些。兔人今年宜按部就班。小心那些暗地會傷害你的朋友。今年你會與家人發生爭執。

工作：年初會感到不愉快，但很快便會好轉。1975年生的兔人會有升職的機會。假如有開創新事業的諗頭，事前必須有周詳的計劃才可進行，不可倉促行事。今年你的努力及決定將會得到回報。1975年生的兔人今年宜外遊、進修或海外工幹，你更會有升職的機會。1987年生的兔人今年要努力讀書，才可得到好成績。

財運：今年不宜高風險投資及賭博，尤其是1951年生的兔人。你會感到所有事情均不依照你的計劃行事，當你遇到困難時請保持冷靜，才可渡過。緊記不要把所有雞蛋放在同一個籃子內。

健康：多些休息。兔人今年會情緒低落，請與你的家人分享或分擔你的感受。1927年生的兔人請縮短你的工作時間。1939年生的兔人小心意外。

愛情及家庭：已婚的兔人可與伴侶享受穩定的關係。單身的兔人會有很多機會遇上志趣相投的朋友，或許會發展成為密友關係，但請小心這段關係可能很快便完結。年輕的兔女會遇上有機會發展的異性。

合襯生肖：羊、狗、豬、蛇不合生肖：雞合拍伙伴：羊、豬

龍
好消息！今年你的運程會提升及轉趨穩定。幸運星全年都會照著你，令你的計劃進行順利。家庭和諧，尤其是1928年生的龍人，你會受到晚輩的尊敬。1988年生的年輕龍人會得到好的學業成績。唯一例外的是1952年生的龍人，今年運程會有起有跌。你會受到情緒影響下沉迷賭博。請三思，為長遠計劃，作出明智的決定。

工作：上半年會有很多機會發展，請小心運用。今年宜與跟你做同一行業的人合作，會給你帶來收益。 1988年生的年輕龍人，你的老師會很留心照顧你，你必須懂得控制你的脾氣。同學的幫助會給你帶來無價的收獲，令你全年都幸運。

財運：今年比去年好。1964年生的受薪龍人會於今年升職。1952年生的龍人要避免賭博及高風險投資。 1940年生的龍人要小心防盜。

健康：不太差的一年，尤其是1964年生的龍人。患有慢性疾病的龍人今年可能會迅速痊癒。年輕的龍人今年不要太多野外活動。

愛情及家庭：單身的龍人今年會受大眾歡迎。1976年生的龍人會有戀情開花。但不要太盲目去愛，尤其是1940年生的龍人。你的關係會很複雜，請小心選擇。1964年生的龍人可享受愉快的家庭生活。

合襯生肖：猴、蛇、雞、豬不合生肖：狗合拍伙伴：猴、蛇、雞　

馬
今年會是幸運的一年。1978年生的馬人年初會有一些困難，但最終都會得以解決。聰明的馬人有時會自大狂妄。1966年生的馬人做事不要太心急，慢慢來，在頭半年打好基礎，下半年你的運程便會提升。1942年生的馬人會得到好消息，今年可以實踐長線計劃，令你夢想成真！

工作：開始時發展得比較慢，但只要你努力及堅毅不屈便可解決一些短暫的問題。1990年生的馬人可以在學業上做得好。1954年生的馬人，生意會突然很好，但要聽取有經驗及專業人士的意見。

財運： 1942年生的馬人會在投資上獲利。但1930年生的馬人要小心支出，因為你今年財政不太充裕。 1954年生的馬人在年尾可能會遇到金錢上的損失，不要把自己的財富暴露，小心被劫。

健康：平常喜歡吃零食的馬人今年會傾向暴飲暴食。雖然你今年的健康頗佳，但請選擇健康的食品，否則你將會變成一隻肥驢，而不是俊馬！1954年生的馬人不要飲酒過量。

愛情及家庭：已婚的馬人今年與伴侶關係和諧，1930年生的馬人今年家中會有喜事發生。單身的馬人會有不少機會結識新朋友。1978年生的馬人戀愛會於今年發生！今年更是未婚馬人結婚的好時年。

合襯生肖：狗、羊、雞不合生肖：猴合拍伙伴：雞、狗

羊
年初對羊人來說並不十分好，但不會氣餒，順利及穩定的運程將會隨即而來。1967年生的羊人會是今年最好運的羊人，今年會是你快樂的一年。今年羊男會感到來自大量工作及家庭的壓力。羊女今年則是成功的一年。未婚的羊女，今年你的愛情運很好，會是浪漫和甜蜜的。

工作：工作量增加及沉重的責任會帶給羊人壓力和焦慮，尤其是羊男。已婚的羊女如往海外工作會帶來好的前途。今年全年都會有很多困難，就算你非常努力都未必可以解決，但請你耐心等候，成功會在適當時候出現。1979年生的羊人，努力工作便可得到意想不到的成績。1943年生的羊人，海外會有很多工作機會。

財運：財運平平。不要賭博及參與高風險投資，尤其是1955年生的羊人。1943年生的羊人會有幸運的財運，今年會是你豐收的一年。

健康：避免到一些環境污染的地方。1931年生的羊人要小心頭痛，鼻及肝的毛病。留心飲食，食物中毒會引致嚴重的腸胃病。1991年生的羊人請小心利器及水災。

愛情及家庭：已婚的羊人今年會常因小事爭吵。單身的羊人今年會有很多機會發展新的浪漫戀情。1979年生的單身羊人要耐心等候你合適的伴侶出現。

合襯生肖：馬、豬、兔不合生肖：牛合拍伙伴：兔、羊

猴
今年是好運的一年，但仍會有一些不順的時候，尤其是在人際關係上。猴人經常找尋新機會，但切記不要被一時的成功沖昏頭腦，不要自大。你今年要保持敏感度，尤其是1980年生的猴人，你會在學業上做得好，但切忌自滿。

工作：切忌鹵莽及衝動行事。凡事三思而後行，行動反應不要太快。假如你是打工仔，你應做好本份，不要隨便轉工，會有風險。1968年生的猴人在工作上會有阻礙，你應加倍努力去達成目標。1956年生的猴人，今年宜往外地工作，或甚至遷移海外，會為你帶來成功。

財運： 1932年生的猴人，今年會是幸運的一年。你所作的投資為你帶來穩定的收入，但仍要避免高風險商業活動，會令你損手。1944年生的猴人，今年努力工作會使你由壞運轉好運，但要小心不要花費過量。

健康： 1992年生的小猴可能會有健康問題。一般來說，猴人是很容易情緒激動而感染小病的。你需要額外的維他命補充。1944年生的猴人今年會感到煩惱及緊張。請放鬆自己，不要讓壓力令你情緒低落。1932年生的猴人今年宜作身體檢查，尤其是肝及肺部。

愛情及家庭： 1932年生的猴人今年會受到家人的愛戴及尊敬。1956年生的猴人今年會有感情問題。已婚的猴人會與伴侶因小事爭執，尤其是1980年生的猴人，不要太目中無人，才不致令問題惡化。單身的猴人今年可多些參與社交活動，但不要一見鍾深入了解才可找到適合你的另一半。

合襯生肖：鼠、龍、蛇不合生肖：虎合拍伙伴：龍　

雞
雞人今年前路迂迴曲折。今年凶星飛臨。一些將近完成的計劃可能會於最後受到阻礙而要作出改變。已婚的雞女，日常的家務工作會令你情緒低落。 1969年生的雞人請小心謠言，會令你的生意失敗。你可以做的便是保持冷靜，讓惡運過去，做好你的份內。你可以嘗試可以令你鬆弛的興趣，多與朋友一起，不要經常憂心。今年在一千個雞人中會有一個得到成功，這個可會是你？

工作：前路是艱辛的。 1945年出生的雞人會發覺所有願望都不能實現，請保持冷靜，向你的目標進發，年尾可望有好成績。1933年生的雞人要小心，有人會利用你或佔你便宜。雞人今年宜往海外發展。

財運：今年不宜高風險投資及賭博。1957年生的雞人會有機會被騙，請小心！此外，不要以身試法。

健康： 1921年生的雞人今年會有不少小病小痛，須小心飲食及多休息。所有雞人均應小心交通意外，尤其是1981年生的雞人。此外亦應小心水險及火災。

愛情及家庭：單身雞人今年會有很多追求者，你可好好享受，但小心被人利用及佔便宜。你與愛侶的關係會在起初時很熱烈，但若你覺得任何事也是應份的，愛的火花很快便會消失。已婚的雞人今年會感到有點悶，多些關心你的另一半。

合襯生肖：龍、牛、蛇不合生肖：兔合拍伙伴：蛇、龍、牛

狗
今年是平穩的一年，尤其是狗女。已婚的狗女會花大量時間在維持家庭和陸上。單身的狗女在工作上會受到讚賞。你亦會交上數位男朋友，可能會遇上真命天子，尤其是1970及1958年生的狗女。工作上，狗人會發覺進展比較慢但平穩。但1922年生的狗人並不十分幸運，年尾要小心受騙，盜竊及物業上的損失。

工作：從商的狗人今年可享有美好的前景。今年宜作出改變或轉換新環境，對你事業有利。請接受新的構思及意見。工作上只要盡責而為，你便可得到好的成果。1982年生的狗人在學業上可做得很好，但須避免與同學及朋友爭執。1970年生的狗人工作上頗為滿意。

財運：狗人今年收入好轉。小心不要過於慷慨地花錢，不要寄望太多橫財。1934年生的狗人要小心金錢損失。1946年生的狗人可在投資上獲利。

健康：健康並不十分好。狗人今年會經常感到疲累，尤其是1946年生的狗人。多些休息及運動對你有幫助。1982年生的狗人請不要爬山，凶星顯示你今年會從高處墮下。1922年生的狗人請小心肝及心臟問題。

愛情及家庭：今年對1958年生的狗人會是幸運的一年。已婚的狗人會有幸福的婚姻生活。單身的亦有不少機會結識朋友，可能會在選擇伴侶上費神呢！

合襯生肖：馬、虎、兔不合生肖：龍合拍伙伴：虎、馬

豬
今年是穩定的一年。豬人會得到貴人的支持及幫助，一切進行得頗滿意，尤其是1947年生的豬人。如果你可與家人、友人及同事保持關係良好，你便可以得到幸運。豬男可以在事業上做得很好，只要你遇到困難時不要感到憂慮。豬女今年可以享受到和諧的家庭生活，但要關心家中的長者。1983年生的豬人，今年可得到理想的學業成績。

工作：如果你發覺很難一個人爭取到事業上的成就，可考慮與人合作，可得到成功。 1959年生的豬人，工作進行得很好，但你必須要有堅毅不屈的精神才可成功。

財運：豬人今年不宜搬屋或大事裝修你的房屋。今年你的收入會比往年好，但不要沉迷在高風險的投資上。1935年生的豬人，運程會時好時壞，有不少阻礙，只要你有耐心稍等，成功便會來。

健康： 1923年生的豬人今年會頭痛及失眠。豬男喜歡熱鬧及應酬，但今年不宜飲酒過量，否則危害健康。

愛情及家庭：單身的豬人今年會是複雜的戀愛年或是刺激的一年，視乎你的觀點與角度。小心第三者介入你的感情生活，尤其是1971年生的豬人。1935年生的豬人要多關心你的家人。1923年生的豬人今年則會感到有矛盾的時候，從年輕人的角度出發，對你有幫助。

合襯生肖：虎、兔、羊不合生肖：蛇合拍伙伴：豬

2009年生肖運勢

2008-12-15T10:13:00.003+08:00

每年年尾就会收到次年的运势, 虽然我不信这一套，可是也会看看，哪一篇运势的作者比较会说故事。很多时候，他们写的都是一些很平常的道理，模棱两可, 谁不知道努力工作就会有好收获？谁不知道不注意饮食和多做运动，身体就容易出状况？所以看看笑笑就好，不用太认真！

蛇
今年比去年好。1977年生的蛇人可化解任何阻礙。假如你努力工作，接受新情況，你便可到達工作上的新頂峰。今年蛇人與同事、家人及鄰居關係不佳，特別是1941年生的蛇人，但這與你的財運成反比。

工作：今年不宜轉工或創業。小心不要花費過量。蛇人今年會有很多壓力，1965年生的除外，你的工作在你控制下做得很好，而且得到回報。一些商業秘密可助你發展事業，請保守這些秘密。1989年生的年輕蛇人今年缺乏集中力，不想讀書，可找同學幫忙。

財運：今年收入穩定。1929年生的蛇人卻不太幸運，會在金錢上有爭拗及矛盾。1941年生的蛇人請小心家中發生火災及盜竊。

健康：過量的工作及壓力會使你失眠及患上心臟毛病，尤其是蛇男。小心飲食及多作運動，特別是那些幫助放鬆身心的運動，例如太極，可幫助你的健康。1953年生的蛇人今年健康良好。

愛情及家庭：已婚的蛇人今年與伴侶關係穩定，而且有親密的家庭生活。單身的蛇人今年會遇到一半！你必須記著保持冷靜，尤其是當出現競爭者時，否則戀情便不能長久。

合襯生肖：雞、狗、牛、虎
不合生肖：豬
合拍伙伴：雞

精神紧张

2008-12-10T13:45:00.006+08:00

受经济不景气影响，最近的抢劫案多了。

公司的日本人才在油站被抢劫，还遭受血光之灾；Ben的妈也在上星期六大白天被人抢掉钱包。还好没有受伤，只是在和匪徒挣扎时扭伤了手。

我本来以为只是钱财上的损失。谁知到晚上发现怎么桌子上有新的锁头，后门的锁也换了。一问之下才知道，原来被抢的包包内有家里的钥匙。这下我才紧张，因为看过太多别人传过来的email, 歹徒取得你家的钥匙后，随时可以再到回来，哇！越想越怕。

当晚，我真的很想把一些大玻璃花瓶摆在客厅木门后，好歹有人“开门”而入时，会打破花瓶而把我们弄醒，只是被人阻止了。结果我把房门上了两重锁后，在把一个里面有很重的像簿的行李箱，挡在房门后。再把一张小木凳，斜摆在行李箱上当机关，搞到差不多十一点才很不放心的去睡觉。连第二天的LSD也放弃了（已经连续第三个星期没跑LSD了！），因为女佣放假，我不放心让小瓜们留在房内。出门时，我会从里面上锁，再从后门上两重锁后才出门。总而言之，整个周末就是神经兮兮的！真的怀疑是我太敏感了，还是神经病了！

孩子有时会问说警察会抓掉坏人把他们关起来对吗？我也不懂要怎么回答！
恳请我们的警察叔叔，请还我一个安宁的社会，不然总有一天我会患有精神病！

3rd Trikidz Malaysia 2008 - Day 2

2008-12-01T11:19:00.009+08:00

Day 2 was the actual “race” day.

We arrived at UM sports centre at about 7:30am and a lot of participants were already there. Saw some familiar faces as a lot of the parents were runners or triathletes themselves, so I am not surprise to see their children taking part in Trikidz.

The event started on time, category A started at 8:30am. Again, I appreciate the organizer to start category A first because the weather on that day was not so kind to kids, very hot! Most of the kids can’t swim well yet, and they are using kickboard and float, but don’t worry, they organizer have arrange 5 good swimmers (including our Kona iron lady Carmen Leong!) to help in this. They are really patient in helping all the kids to complete swimming sessions. So once again it shows the organizer is really dedicating in this!

Jovi and Joshua had some advantage in swimming session because they can swim without float. So Joshua came out number 4 and Jovi number 6 in the swimming session. But they started to day dreaming at the transition area. Looking around and see what others are doing; taking their own sweet time to wear their shirt and running shoes…….
Finally they were out from the transition area and start their biking session and pick up their speed again. Jovi overtook Joshua during in biking session but he slow down again after entering the transition area…..walk slowly, dreaming again… so Joshua overtook him again and finished at position 7th in their category and Jovi finished at position 8th.

Glad that they completed the “race” by themselves; I was just doing the shouting part when they were competing. They were happy to show their finisher medal to almost everybody they met in the evening. They brought their medal to swimming lesson and show to their coach. Even the waiters in the restaurant that we were having dinner saw their medals! So you can imagine how happy and satisfied are them to be able to complete the event and got their first medal in their life! Their comment changed from “no fun” in day 1 to “very fun” in day 2 and they are looking forward to participating in Trikidz again!

3rd Trikidz Malaysia 2008 - Day 1

2008-12-01T11:17:00.002+08:00

Day 1 was basically some training session for the kids. The kids were introduced to their temporary coaches. I was quite surprised to see so many professional athletes there, national swimming, record holding cyclist, International Triathlon certified trainer…... To the kids, all these professional athletes are just normal people, a big brother or sister who can swim, cycle and run, but I appreciate the organizer to invite to so many of them, this shows that they are really dedicating to promote triathlon to the parents!

What category A did in all 4 sessions were to learn some basic kicking skill in water, how to put on their helmets and wear shoes at the transition area, how to push their bikes and some basic running knowledge.

Jovi and Joshua were complaining after all the session, “mummy I am tired”, “no fun….why need to run so much”, Lucky they got a swimming cap from the goodies bag and this made them happier after all the session.

Working Beautifully Everyday

2008-11-28T12:47:00.003+08:00

“Working Beautifully Everyday” is our company tagline.
And this is what it means……this is just one corner of our factory.

Although it makes our office looks a bit like childcare or kindergarten but it is fun to work in a colorful environment and what’s more, we change the color and decoration every half a year or once a year! It also makes us easier to choose from so many colors when we want to repaint our house.

I have just painted a room in my house with story blue and fresh light, let’s see what’s next colour, haha!

他是这样学ABC的

2008-11-27T08:52:00.001+08:00

难怪他的英文水平会这样差，原来在他脑海里就只有这样肤浅的ABC.

讲的这个他，就是最近又掀起风波的黄明志。之前的杰作得到认同的他，这次变本加厉的过分了。对于我，他只是一个为自己的失败找借口的人。

口口声声狡辩，自己英文差是独中的失败，也从不反省为什么别人可以出国留学英美，和洋人交谈流利，写部落格也可以中英并重而他自己则只能用几个烂英文字眼乱唱？我看他不止英文不好，连华文也烂，不然为什么连“造句”和单字应用也分不清？还要拿自己的母校来开玩笑，这和叫含辛茹苦把自己养大的父母，穿比基尼游街，让别人取乐有什么分别？

一个人，有言论自由，这没有罪。可是身为一个成年人，还要是受过教育的人就更要为自己的言论负责。身为独中生，应该身体力行，证明给其他人看，在华社辛苦扶持下能够发展到今天的独中，培养出来的学生都是优秀的。

可能是我保守，可是我对这事的立场是很清楚的，这个人应该拿去“牢”改！

THE PACK RULES: DON'T BE ANNOYING

2008-11-20T13:31:00.003+08:00

I came across this article in www.runnersworld.com, quite interesting.
(especially my experience in Penang Bridge "International Marathon" 2008)

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--12829-0,00.html

My second full marathon - Penang Bridge International Marathon 2008

2008-11-18T13:28:00.003+08:00

It’s over and I am glad that I can still come back without major injury (I dun consider muscles soreness as injury, it is just part of the package as Ben mentioned!). I have to write a very very long report as I have many many things to say……

Ben and I decided to take a coach to Penang after much consideration. I called to Aeroline to asked if they stop at Queensbay mall, and the answer was yes so we booked the tickets happily and thought that we have made a wise decision. But we felt like being cheated when the coach just stopped at Sg Nibong bus station, so again we learned! Not to believe to anyone if it is not written black and white on the ticket!

Taxi in Penang (or may be everywhere else in Malaysia) does not use meter! They will just tell you a price after you tell them your destination. Deal or no deal, that’s all. The 3 minutes journey from the bus station to Queensbay Mall cost us RM 12!

Bib collection process was smooth but one thing I have to comment is the running vest for full marathon runner. I thought I have marked size S during registration, but it seems like “S” is the size for T-shirt only, and the running vest is free size for all. I wonder why they can give out such a big size running vest for runner? It is so big and heavy. I have tried it when I got back to the hotel and it has a lot of free space that can put another me in the vest! So I have to give it to Ben……huh! Quite disappointed with this!

We had our dinner at New Lane quite early. Carboload was the last thing in my mind with so many famous Penang hawker food in front of me….Penang Laksa, Lo Bak, O-jian, Char Kuai Teoh, ABC…..It was a dangerous move to have so many food before my run but sorry, I just couldn’t resist it…..and I was quite lucky lah….no stomach upset after all these food….

We were trying to sleep as early as 8pm the night before the run, but it was so difficult to get into deep sleep, I could hear ppl walking outside my room, door banging, bell ringing, children screaming….by the time I could sleep better, it is about time to wake up and get myself prepared for the race.

We stayed in B-suite, nothing grand about this “hotel”, the only good thing was a lot of runners stayed here so we can chat a round whenever we were out from the room.

I took the hotel transport and arrived at the starting point at about 2am.Spent some time to look for the registration counter.

To my surprise, there was no baggage storage at the starting point. I did email to the organizer to ask about this before the race but no one reply on this. Since this is an “International” marathon, I expect the organizer would have considered this as even small running event provides baggage storage. It was really a disappointment when I got to know this when I was there and I have to borrow Tey’s phone to SMS Ben not to bring any bag, if not he will end up running with an extra bag. One uncle has to asked for our “favors” to help him finish a bunch of banana because he couldn’t keep it nor running with it.

Those persons in charge for registration were quite “funny”, they like to criticize on the way we put on our bib. One lady runner only used 2 pin for her bib because she was using fuel belt, and she was asked to get another 2 pins to ensure the bib is pinned properly (but I really couldn’t see why they are so particular on the bib). Many of us didn’t know where the starting point was though we were right in front of the registration area. Kind of confusing! I entered the barricaded area quite unwillingly. Toilets were available in that area but it was not enough. So many ppl were lining up for usage of toilets but those allocated outside the barricaded area were so empty. Lucky one of the mat salleh running was so kind to help us to open up the “pagar” and let us out.

Race started quite on time. Starting was grand and because only about 700 runners participated in full marathon category, so the starting was quite smooth. Lim Guan Eng was there and I got a close look at him.

First 17.5 km where we ran from Queensbay Mall to the industry area and make a U turn back was a pleasant journey. Road is flat, some may say that it is boring but it is fine for me (haha, I am under training for this full marathon, flat road is definitely good news for me). I had a quiet and enjoyable run during the first stretch of the route. At about 48mins, I could see those leading runners running at the opposite direction already, they are really fast. Paced with Cheang for the first 10k but I lost sign of him after the U turn so I was a lone again from 10k to 17.5km marker. First 10K took me about 1hr 11min.

I consumed a powergel at 15km and I was on doubt whether to drink at the 17.5 water station because I dun feel any dehydration yet, anyway for safety reason, I just drank 2 cups of water and lucky I did that because the sponging area at 22.5km already closed shop when I reached there. This made me worried because I have very bad experience in KOTR, no water all the way back…..though I brought my own mini bottle with me this time but it is definitely not enough to last me until the finishing point. I was lucky that there are plenty of water at all the subsequent water station, so although there are no more sponging area for me I am still lucky to have ice to cool down my thigh muscles at water station.

It was later only I found out that a lot of runners complained about no water supply, so I was really surprised about this especially when I saw the video clip from www.runwitme.blogspot.com, it was really disgusting! I suspect there was some supply issue because those runners complaining were running in front of me including my husband (he drank water from the big bottles as well). But when I arrived at the water station there was really plenty of water arranged in a proper manner waiting for me to grab. No matter how, I think this should not happen throughout the race. It is very bad for runners and it is dangerous. They should have enough water prepared if they are expecting so many participants.

From 22.5km to 37.5km where we were to run on the bridge was the challenging part. This is where we met up with white army from 25km category. A lot of them are school boys and girls who were there for fun only. They carry big bag with food, most of the time they were walking, talking on the phone and will stop suddenly to take a photo without considering runners from behind will have to emergency break because of their sudden move. Initially it was still ok because another runner C0641 kept encouraging them to run and so many of them run a bit when they heard his voice or at least give way to us.

I have difficulty running when C0641 started to slow down at 27.5km and no one help to chase them away again. Zigzag was the only method to avoid this white army if I don’t want to stop and keep saying “excuse me”. I was thinking of bringing a big honk the next time if I am running on the bridge again. Just like the very busy ambulance, then everybody will give way to me. I am not blaming them to walk, but I would be glad if they can be more considerate and always remember to read the sign and keep to the left if they don’t plan to run.

Powergel was given at about 17.5km but it was a waste as white army who doesn’t even know what is this for, just grab it and throw it away when they find that it doesn’t taste nice.

I reached the peak of the bridge again at after running for 4 hrs 30mins. From there I saw another big wave of fire….I was wondering where did all these red army come from then suddenly I realized they are from the fun run category! Oh my god, I have just past through the white army and there come another one!!!! And they are still fresh from their starting point! I know I will have another hard time to run! Come on, give me a break, I am here for a run not for an amazing race or to learn any survival skill…..I start thinking, am I here for running and let the fun runners make fun of us…..they like to “pace with us” but this is really annoying when we were so tired towards the end of the run.

Anyway, as I said earlier it is finally over and I still come back in one piece! I did enjoy my run (let’s put those red and white army out of the picture), lots of sea breeze throughout the run. I completed my run in 5 hrs 25 mins, no major injury, no black toe as compared to KLIM (only one big blister!), no cramp (though lack of training), no walking…..I am very happy with my performance but not with the event.

34 hrs to go!

2008-11-14T17:13:00.002+08:00

Getting more and more excited.....tomorrow night I will be in Penang, have my dinner and get ready for my second full marathon.

Don't ask me why I wanted to run on the bridge so badly, I don't know why.

I have packed every thing, just waiting for departure tomorrow.

It may be a tough run but dun worry, the most important thing is, I will enjoy the run!

Here I come - Penang Bridge International Marathon 2008 !

The challenging PBIM

2008-11-05T12:44:00.005+08:00

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2008 is challenging because I am not well prepared.

1) Didn't manage to complete 30km LSD during my peak week. "Lau sai" that Sunday because of "Lok Lok" that I ate on saturday night. Longest LSD of 26km didn't help to increase my confidence to complete 42km.

2) I have lower back pain again! Yes, again! (probably injured while I was running up and down to take photo during Biathlon event held at JSKL last Saturday, oh! by the way I will upload the photos later). My back (ligament) was actually injured 10 years ago while I was hand washing my clothes during Uni time. What a stupid reason to injure my back. I only manage to cover about 15km last Sunday at Lake garden while other regular runners have gone to Sri Hartamas (happily in the rain!). The only thing that makes me feel better is my doctor didn't certify me " not fit for running in future". As long as I can recover this week, I can still run for PBIM! (but what if I can not fully recover this week? haha!)

The only thing that I am prepared for is - to enjoy the pain and joy of completing another full marathon after the run!

42.195

2008-10-23T15:03:00.003+08:00

When Altis Met Myvi

2008-10-20T14:30:00.007+08:00

This was what happened to my lovely car as mentioned in my previous post! (By the way, I think my car just looks like me! Pretty and tough! Haha…..)

Both cars couldn’t move and need a tow truck to send them to police station.

I was lucky because:
1) None of us in the car were injured especially my kids sitting at the back of the car. ( I have checked them many times after the accident happened until the next day to make sure they are ok!)
2) We were right in front of our house hence we could immediately send our kids home and make sure they are safe.
3) The lady who was driving the other car was a nice lady (except for she is “a little bit” careless). She apologized even before she managed to get out of her car until we had settled everything in the police station. I have no reason to scold her.
4) The lady has a sister-in-law who is during car insurance and claim and she is very helpful in getting everything done including calling for tow truck, police report and claims for our cars. So we have almost zero hassle in doing all this. It took us only about 2 hours to settle everything.
5) Ben has just got a spare car and I don’t have to worry about transport to work!

I was unlucky because:
1) I was in front of my house and just a few seconds I could have got into my house and avoid all this!

I can’t think of any other reason to show that I was having bad luck! So I am considered pretty lucky that day! Haha. Anyone who is interested to invest in my car number please go ahead! May be we could get some side income from there….

Mizuno Wave Run 2008

2008-10-20T08:59:00.004+08:00

photo by Tey ET www.pmtey.multiply.com

This is the second year we join this run. I was looking forward to it as I always think that this is a challenging route. The organizer changed the route this year and we were to run in the opposite direction. Though just a change in the running direction, but I still felt that it was a mental relief.

I would say I was kiasu this time, Ben and I arrived at Bkt Aman Car part at about 6:50am, but it was already full of car. Ben’s colleague managed to find a nice and proper parking there because he arrived at 6am! I thought 6am is the time for officials to arrive according to schedule…….

As expected, we saw many runners yesterday. Almost all the regular runners were there…….we were not alone along the way. We even have difficulty to overtake some runners, there were really too many of them. Running opposite to normal double hill route has it advantage, uphill is not that steep, and it has more downhill (haha, I know it is just mentally lah!). Traffic was better running in this way and it was actually safer for us.

Timing chip was being used this time, but I have to say the chip is a little bit too big, though it didn’t really affect our run, but it didn’t look cool at all……and may be due to too many runners…..the mat at starting point was actually bad……I didn’t know if it can still track our time or not.

I have to thank all the volunteers yesterday especially an aunty who was stationed at about 4k before the finishing point. She was so cheerful and kept telling us to keep running, well done; 加油！Her voice was so powerful though the weather was already quite hot by that time! I salute her!

Overall Mizuno Wave Run 2008 was a well organized event. We have plenty of fruits to eat after the race and of course a bowl of taufu far! Shoes sold by the sponsor was quite cheap…..I might have bought a pair if I brought my credit with me yesterday!

I did quite ok yesterday, slightly better than expected, Gun time was about 1:04, position 114 in total women category. 3 mins faster than year 2007 but not much improved compare to result for latest road race.
I was happy after the run until this happened……….. (to be continued)

Lunar Trainer Trial

2008-10-20T08:14:00.005+08:00

We have got nothing to do on Saturday morning, not planning for any long run. So Ben and I decided to go and trial on the shoes after we read the information from PM1’s blog. I think it is first of it kinds…..we can wear the shoes and run whatever distance we wanted to…….this is a much better for a person who wants to buy a new pair of shoes.

We arrive there at about 6:15am, not many people were there. Got our shoes immediately after we show them our driving license. The shoes are light and simple. The person in charge kept reminding us to notice the cushioning of the shoes while running. In less than 10 mins time, we were running at Lake garden with the new shoes.

This pair of shoes is no doubt good in its cushioning especially the front part of the shoes. I have not seen any shoes with so much cushioning in the front and it is very roomy for my toes also. The more I run the more I could feel the cushioning - for my whole foot. Though it is very light, it is very stable. However, I found the “collar” (learn from Nike ppl) a bit hard and it was actually hurting my heel and I have to stop after 2 loops at Lake Garden because I dun want to cause further damage to my heel…see the photo, you will see 2 red “dots” (although not clear)….but Ben was totally ok with the shoes, so it depends on individual lah. May be this pair of shoes just doesn’t suit me….Another thing that I don’t really like is the colour, pure white….I saw another runner wearing it during Mizuno wave run and it already looks dirty because of raining season….

Overall I would say this is a good pair of shoes. Cushioning is as good as what they claim to be and I really love the front part of the shoes none of my current shoes could compare with it. How the shoes perform after 21km is remained unknown as I dun have to luxury of time to run that long last Saturday.

I will consider buying a pair if they can improve on the collar…….

Joshua did it!

2008-10-15T17:52:00.002+08:00

Joshua made this lego Wall E by himself! He drew a wall E on paper and follow the picture (which he refers to as an"instruction") to complete this. Joshua is definitely better than me in playing with lego!

This is an imitation by Hoffen Teh.....

如何煎一个完美的荷包蛋？

2008-10-14T13:42:00.002+08:00

上星期看电视综艺节目，不小心学到如何煎一个完美的荷包蛋。原来这么简单！

在锅里抹上一点油，打鸡蛋。先让蛋白流出，再把蛋黄放出来。这样可以确保蛋黄处在中间的位置。接下来就是成功的秘诀，在锅边洒上一点水，把锅开上。等两分钟左右，轻轻一挑，就可以上桌了。其实道理只是靠水来降低温度，同时水能把油“托起”，那么鸡蛋不会直接受热，表面当让好看。

这比起以前我用小火慢煎简单快捷多了。

其实我不吃蛋黄半熟或不熟的鸡蛋，只是喜欢煎出漂亮的鸡蛋。看得人高兴，吃的人更开心。

Training 6/10 ~ 12/10

2008-10-14T13:31:00.003+08:00

Training was finally on track last week.

Monday Run 5.5 Km
Tuesday Yoga (1Hr)
Wed Run 8.8 km
Thu Rest
Fri Run 8.4km
Sat Rest
Sun Run LSD 20Km
(Bkt Aman to Sri Hartamas including 1 loop at Petronas station)

I am going for Mizuno Wave Run this Sunday so I will miss the LSD on Sunday again and I will have to cover more distance during weekday to cover my mileage lost. Hopefully I can run a 30Km LSD by end October before I register for Penang Bridge Full Marathon.

42.195 vs 21

2008-10-06T13:23:00.005+08:00

本来下个月槟城马拉松是我第二个全马的大日子。

因为九月份的旅行和健康状态，训练全乱了。上星期开斋节假期才终算有点恢复正常，可是里程还是很低。6km treadmill+8X1.1km+7 x 1.1km +double hill 10k= 32.5km.

来临的星期天，按计划应该是30k 的LSD，虽然说现在状态还可以，可是以我这种底子，还是好像有点找死。

弃42.159选21? 还在考虑中。

港澳之旅 - 澳门

2008-09-29T13:26:00.005+08:00

more photos of my trip at www.thamwaisum.multiply.com

澳门是这趟旅行的起点，也是终点。

从广州回到澳门，我有松了一口气的感觉。可能是因为那里是妹妹的第二个家，所以感觉有人照顾。很多东西不用烦，反正就有人会安排好。

在澳门的第一天，也是妹妹结婚大日子的前一天。一班人在酒店吃完早餐后就往新马路，也就继赌场后最多人去的地方去走走看看。这是我第三次到这个地方来，闭上眼睛也会走了，只是因为部分亲戚第一次到澳门，所以好歹也要陪他们去走走。在等他们的时候，尝了钜记的葡挞，觉得他们的皮还不行，可是Ben却很喜欢，可能因为是刚出炉够热的关系。我还是比较喜欢玛嘉烈的葡挞。

下午因为其他人要休息和准备妹妹的婚礼，所以我们就离队到威尼斯去看看。购物中心和“大运河”很美，就是少了一些人气，有点冷清。
在澳门，除了赌还是赌。据妹夫的朋友说，澳门人口只有50万，可是每天到来的游客就有100万人。因为赌客多，所以一般赌场都聘用大陆来的外劳。而这些外劳，就像被输入了程序一样，只会紧守岗位，头脑也不转一下。从威尼士回到金沙酒店的巴士停在后门，因为没有指示，我们只能搭电梯到唯一入口 – 赌场，想要请问他们该到什么地方搭的士。结果他们看到带着小孩的我们，只会说“小孩不能进去”。再问第二次、第三次，得到的答案还是一样。我就真的很“火”，像喷火龙一样，对着他的脸就喷火去！“你听懂了我讲什么吗？　我想问你到哪里搭的士？”晕！
这次因为带着小瓜，我们才发现澳门是个不欢迎小孩的国家。　我们呆了两天，也找不到适合小孩去的地方。最后一天，本以为可以带小瓜们到澳门电视塔的“小老虎乐园”去玩玩，结果发现那也只是一些电动游戏机之类的玩意儿。算了吧！让他们好好玩一下，免得他们以为澳门是一个小孩哪里也不能去的地方。

还好有美食搭救，不然澳门真的会可能会被我从我的旅游目的地清单删除掉。我们住的酒店附近有一家中餐馆－万豪轩，食物水准都很高。我们在那吃了两餐，第一次主攻点心，做的很精致，味道适中。重要的是他们的流沙包也很流，我喜欢！　第二餐，我们尝试了点菜，菜色很特别，没有白费时间和金钱。另外当然还有葡国菜。去香港前，我们就先在新马路附近的一家葡国餐馆吃了一顿美味的晚餐。那里的creamy 马加佑，也就是葡国咸鱼真的很好吃！想起都流口水。
回国当天，我们匆匆赶去买了马嘉烈葡挞，差一点还错过了班机。买了三盒共１８个，结果在机场我们一家五口就扫了一盒６个。回到家刚好朋友到访，又扫了一盒。真的后悔买的太少了！

这次的旅行，我觉得很舒服，时间上不会太赶，吃了好吃的食物。最重要的是入住的酒店都很好－香港的Royal Plaza Hotel, 广州的Holiday Inn, 澳门的Rio Hotel。　不是因为我们很富贵，只是要谢谢妹妹和和她交情很好的agent，帮忙我们拿到很好的价格，我们才能住的这么舒服。当然还有香港的朋友，体贴的为我们安排交通，我们才省去带着小瓜们搭地铁的麻烦。（好像演唱会得奖感言了．．．．．）

结束这次旅行回家，没有太多依依不舍的感觉。反而因为离家太久，有一种很想回家的感觉。

港澳之旅 - 广州

2008-09-29T12:22:00.001+08:00

港澳之旅，穿插了一个广州。其实只是想看看那里的动物园和马戏团，“顺便”吃下点心！

从香港乘巴士到广州，到了广州就直接到酒店休息。我们再次入住位于上下九路的Holiday Inn ，喜欢它方便，酒店的点心也很好吃。因为亲戚们的探亲团还没有回到广州，所以我们就先自行安排我们的午餐，到酒店的中餐厅吃点心去。少不了的当然是金笋流沙包。自从10年前，表哥带我们尝过广州的流沙包后，我们都喜欢上了。不管到哪里，只要有机会就会点这一道点心。虽然通常都是失望的多，我们还是不断的尝试。这家酒店的流沙包好象是首创的，味道真的很好，沙也很”流”!
晚上到潘禹看马戏。这是比较像样的马戏，表演的人都是外国人。这个马戏再次展现了中国人多的现象。虽然主角只有几个，可是“伴舞”的人很多。马戏团的动物都很生龙活虎，加上镭射灯光的照射，我觉得是很吸引人的表演。奥运开幕上，看到穿着全套荧光衣配上灯泡的人，觉得很好看。看了这马戏团后才知道，其实这些装备在中国都已经很普遍了！我们都看得很入神，完全没有闷场。

第二天，早上先参观西关大屋，感受一下当时有钱人的大屋，就往动物园去。西关大屋里很多家具都是一些收藏家捐出来的。其中一些是西方的旅客，买了回去后又觉得不该把这些好东西收在家里，结果又把它们运回来中国展览。因为都是有历史价值的家具，所以走进屋里，就没有假假的感觉。
去动物园前，先和Gordon（妹妹的朋友）吃了午餐，顺便谢谢他为我们安排了酒店和行程。动物园很大，坐火车有了户外野生动物园，还有一些受保护动物园区，中国熊猫，澳洲树熊，动物总类很多，只是各园区间距太远，走起来有点累。远离的动物都受到很好的照顾，体型都很胖！连骆驼的驼峰也因为被照顾的太好，而是去该有的作用，有点弯了。这当然，如果你看到园里的罗里，一车又一车的把肉类和其他食物运进去，你就不会怀疑了。这个动物园的特色其实是白老虎，除了看动物，还有一些动物表演。我们可以近距离的白虎表演，很刺激。其中一只白虎，可能太紧张了，表演到一半竟像观众撒尿。可怜的那一群观众，老虎撒尿，可以喷到1.5米远的地方，真夸张！
广州之旅基本上很简单，因为是经旅行团安排好的，加上都是自家的亲戚，所以更好办，吃好的住好的。晚饭后往澳门去，心情开始更轻松了。

港澳之旅 - 香港

2008-09-29T11:42:00.002+08:00

香港之旅是我去香港几次以来最悠闲的，第一天我们还躲在酒店睡午觉！其实都是因为那三个小的，所以行程都排得很松。

第一天，
只安排了到香港科学馆。很学术吧？从开馆呆到下午两点多，才去找吃的。科学馆是很适合小孩去的地方，凉凉的，又可以学到新的知识。午睡后，我们想看看香港人是怎样过中秋，就向酒店询问了一下，就往下一个目的地 –维多利亚公园出发。去维园之前，顺便到尖沙咀看以香港岛的建筑为背景的镭射灯光表演--幻影汇香江。我们是坐天星小轮到香港，这是我很喜欢的交通工具，每次去我都一定会坐一次。可以用很便宜的方式，看香港和九龙的夜景。维多利亚公园的灯饰其实是一大失望，名过其实。人很多，可是可以看的灯饰少得可怜。随便走走就回酒店了。我很谢谢Glori a为小瓜准备的荧光棒，让他们可以和当地人一起感受中秋的气氛。

第二天，
应该是最轻松的一天，因为Ben的朋友Jerry，租了一辆七人座（其实Jerry有车，只是为了让我们坐得舒服一点而特地去租车，香港人情纸这样薄，对我们来说是不对的），载我们去看看香港的另一面。我们到了赤柱，一个我没有到过的地方，以前不去是因为交通比较麻烦。其实也没有什么，只是去看看。因为外国游客多，所以买的东西价格也较贵。走进一间玩具店，看到Wall E的玩具，老板强力推荐说Disneyland 卖到短市，他们的价格比Disneyland便宜20港币！开价HKD 280。后来Gloria 去问，开价HKD250。我们当然没买，后来去到太古城的玩具反斗城，哈哈！才HKD 170, 连讨价还价也省下。可是我们还是没买，因为不喜欢。晚上约了其他朋友有饭局，轻轻松松，说说笑笑又一晚。

第三天，
是我最压力的一天，因为我们准备到Disneyland去。我很害怕小瓜们会失控，又怕Disneyland太大，小瓜们会走得比较累。后来，香港朋友强力建议，下午才去吧！这是全世界最小的迪士尼公园，半天就可以搞定！结果，我们就很开心的睡到差不多9点才出门，到与酒店相邻的购物中心的大快活吃早餐。还有时间去逛逛和购物。中午Jerry 到酒店接我们去吃午餐，他带我们到九龙城的一间清真餐馆吃出名的牛肉饼，超好吃！真的有那种看电视饮食节目 - ” nm! 好好味” 的感觉! Jerry 送了我们到迪士尼就回家等我们。到了迪士尼第一个感觉是，热死了! 虽然我们准备了两把伞，可是还是不够，被逼在园内已HKD 150 买了一把雨伞！因为当天不是特别日子，又热，所以人潮不多，甚至可以用人烟稀少来形容。进园不久，就看到米奇老鼠，趁人潮还不多，赶紧拍了合照。聪明的Ben 提醒，还是赶快去玩，少浪费时间和卡通人物拍照。结果我们很开心的玩乐一轮，才看到人潮的到来。虽然我没有到过其他的迪士尼公园，可是这个迪士尼给我的感觉真的很小！也没有什么特别的玩意儿。不过不用紧，小瓜们玩得还是很高兴。晚上看完烟花表演就离开，离开前还要送一些钱作为维修费，买了些纪念品，回到酒店，与Jerry和Gloria回合，又去旺角做我们最喜欢的是 – 扫街，吃小吃去。
这次，我们吃了不少“名食”。朋友带我们到一些颇出名的餐馆 – 美心酒家，墉记，乐园牛肉丸，可是我觉得味道一般，味道不至于差，只是没有什么Ohm！反而是一些不小心走进去的小店，为我们带来惊喜。很好吃的油条和马蹄酥，我到现在还念念不忘。街边小吃还是我的最爱，鸡蛋仔（Jovi 也爱上了鸡蛋仔，到了澳门他还问我可以再买来吃吗？看到他的样子，真的有点忍不住想到回去香港买！），咖喱鱼蛋。香港之旅告一段落。我们吃了想尝的食物，小瓜去了梦幻迪士尼乐园。任务完成。

港澳之旅 - 婚宴

2008-09-24T13:27:00.005+08:00

这次旅行主要是要出席妹妹的婚礼，所以我觉得应该把第一篇关于这趟旅行的文字留给它。

第一次出席国外的华人婚礼。出席前，就准备这是一场复杂的婚礼，因为听妹妹说了他们那边的礼俗挺多的。

早上出门是在酒店，虽然在酒店不比在家里来得方便，可是妹妹的“姐姐妹妹”就已经打点好一切。据说她们还开过几次会议，把工作分配好。谁负责买早餐，谁负责玩新郎，谁负责招待... 在现场看到是，大家都分工合作的，一点混乱也没有。说真的，这是我见过最专业的姐妹团。我们这些闲人，真的什么都不用做，就坐在那等看好戏。

玩新郎似乎是港澳朋友的拿手好戏，他们的点子很多，每个新郎的兄弟都得出手。可是兄弟们也玩得很高兴，我们更看得拍手叫好。我的三个小瓜，也不知道什么时候学会挡住新郎接新娘，表现很好。除了挡住电梯，房门。竟然也不受game boy 的诱惑，说什么也不让新郎这么轻易进门。

唯一接受不了的是，当地人对新人向长辈们敬茶时所收到的礼物非常“好奇”，摄影师还得用特写来拍下有关的“礼物”。难怪当地人都喜欢送“龙凤镯”当“献礼”，因为够“大体”。
晚上的喜筵就是以麻将打头阵。港剧里透常看到的是真的，他们可以打麻将直到当晚的主持人宣布这是他们打最后一圈，酒席要开始了才停手！还有一件事是电视里头看不到的是，他们的酒席一般都是晚上九点到九点多才开席。知道后，突然觉得马来西亚的华人都很守时。

很不习惯的是，没有打麻将，就是拍照, 还要站到台上去，paiseh! 怎么他们那么喜欢拍照，拍了又拍，我都笑到累了，何况是一对新人！拍的最爽的恐怕是我的小瓜，不管谁拍他们都要去参与，摄影师看到他们都怕！

酒席好不容易开始，也终于明白他们为什么可以这么迟开席。因为他们上菜的速度是超快的，要吃就得赶快！不然他们把菜收了，你就只有等最后的荷叶饭填肚子。一道菜，最多可以夹一次，他们就会随便问一下就把菜收了。菜的味道普通，我只能结论大酒楼的菜色都一般（这是我尝了香港和澳门的食物后的结论）。

重点在最后敬酒的时候，我妹妹终于屈服于当地文化，穿起金来show show了！为了不想令妹夫的母亲一整晚都脸黑黑！妹妹只好在换上最后一套礼服后，用以下的妆容，到每一张桌子敬酒！天，这是什么习俗？

我回来了

2008-09-23T13:22:00.003+08:00

悠悠闲闲又过了九天。结束旅程回家时，竟然没有哎！又要回到现实世界的感觉。可能因为离家太久了，反而想回去睡睡自己熟悉的床。

旅途总的来说是愉快的。去了该去的地方，吃了想吃的食物，看了该看的人。

照片，日子都在整理中，很快就可以上载给各位游览。

看外国的月亮庆中秋

2008-09-12T13:02:00.000+08:00

今年中秋团圆，很不一样。因为妹妹的婚礼，所以我们举家到澳门，香港中国玩，顺便出席婚礼。老一趟的家族成员到中国乡下探亲，和好几年没见，有些甚至是第一次见面的亲戚吃饭团圆。我们则到香港和朋友见见面，小聚。大家还是庆团圆，可是团圆的对象不一样。

因为到时在香港，所以乘这一两个星期抓紧时间让小瓜们多一点机会在家提灯笼，玩蜡烛。这些灯笼，我reuse 了好几年了！竟然都还没有机会被烧坏，可怜它们还是玻璃纸造的！为什么这么耐？可能是现在的小孩不够我们这年代的坏，只会乖乖提灯笼。还是我们这些做家长太小心，小瓜们想要坏也没机会！

我试过用蜡烛滴小瓜们的手（小心被告虐待！），滴了一次后他们就跑到老远了！他们的老豆用蜡烛烧草，对他们也好像没有什么好奇怪。看来要教他们煮蜡了！

现在心情格外兴奋。不是因为可以提灯笼，吃月饼，只是今年的中秋刚好在香港度过，感觉好像很特别，可以看看外国的月亮是不是特别圆！

小小嗜好

2008-09-12T12:20:00.003+08:00

我的两个小瓜，从老师那学到什么是嗜好，就吵着我们有什么东西可以收集的。Joshua 就对一些单据有“癖好”，不管去到哪里，只要有什么收条、单据就一定要到手。（虽然两三个小时后，就会把它们丢掉，压根儿也谈不上什么收集嗜好！）

Jovi 就很苦恼，有什么可以收集，因为他不想和Joshua 有相同的嗜好。结果我们就给他提了一个建议- 收集邮票。提了意见后才发现，这难度很高！在现今社会除了银行信件、商业广告等，有多少人还会有闲情通信？

因为这样，我又翻出我的珍藏。我有的邮票，可真不少。从小学到大学。因为在中国念书，我的邮票本每年都增加，因为中国的邮票设计图案太漂亮了，所以有时结衣缩食，我也会花钱买邮票，到了年尾邮政局会有一本册子，那我们就可以把邮票放在册子里，以后可以慢慢欣赏。

那时，电子邮件还不是很发达。到国外留学的同学，也是我邮票的来源。我喜欢和朋友通信，然后就骗他们回信以收集邮票。宿舍里我收到的书信量，可是数一数二的。看到朋友寄来的信和邮票，真的很有满足感！除了中国的邮票，我最喜欢的就是英国的邮票（特别是他们在圣诞时发行的邮票）！印象最深的就是戴妃去世后出的纪念票。

因为Jovi，我又开始注意公司里的信件有没有漂亮的邮票。（其实我一直都有留意，只是有时会懒得去剪）说不定有一天我会和他抢邮票！

小聚小朋友

2008-09-08T08:14:00.003+08:00

分开十九年是一段不短的日子，可是我们还是找到机会相聚了！

真的惊叹现在网络世界对我们生活和社交圈子的影响。因为住得较远的缘故，从小学毕业，我就几乎没有和小学的同学联络。到了大学，只有少数一两个人还在我通讯的名单里。大学毕业后就真的音讯全无了。
直到Facebook的出现。世界又变小了，小学同学突然不知道从哪个角落就这么冒出来。嘿！其中一个的同事，竟然就和我妈住同一栋公寓！世界真细小小小！

上星期六我们搞了19年来第一个小学同学聚会！很高兴知道大家都过得很好，有自己的一番事业和家庭。老样子基本还在（只是如果走在街上，我肯定认不出他们！），名字还都喊得出，当然偶尔提到一些同学时，还是要抓一抓头脑，想想他们的样子。

虽然只有7个人能出席，可是我知道其他人在第二次聚会时一定会出现的。

人生的翹翹板

2008-08-29T12:06:00.004+08:00