Volunteerism Run 2011 organized by Public Relations (Education) students!

As part of their course structure, Public Relations students are required to run a campaign, and one of them is organizing the Volunteerism Run & Carnival. Initially, I registered for a race namely Sg Long Building run, a competitive race that gives out medal (one of those things I never get bored of). However, something rather 'magical' or some would call it 'tragic', struck me recently. The incident that struck me made me feel like a small kiddo finally found his favourite long lost pillow. 

Sheer joy.

Ask me about it if you wanna know in details.

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Volunteerism run, which was held at Tronoh Mines Village slight off Kampar, is supposedly a charity run, non-competitive which the proceedings will go to building of a new library there. Noble cause by the Public Relations team. The Public Relations team possibly stamp their mark in Tronoh Mines history as the place never had an event or function of such magnitude - with so many people visiting Tronoh Mines. The Public Relations team practically just added Tronoh Mines in the 'personal map' of so many people as people are more aware of its existence.

Just right before the flag off of the run at the starting point, we were informed there are prizes for top 5 positions. My eye brows were raised cause as I was expecting a casual run. Anyway, I finished 5th in this 5km race, which was below the expectations of many. Competition for top places are getting stiffer, races will get better. Looking forward to race again to do better :). 

The CF running gang and I - early in the morning before the sun rises

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Here are a few scenic shots of the Tronoh Mines village ;

Sun rise!

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The starting line - some school somewhere in Tronoh 

1000 runners.. well done to the PR team for fishing so many participants :)

Pang!  - the village chief doing the honour

Running through the oil palm plantation

Smiling to the cheers by the water station :)

Sprinting to the finishing line!

Finish! :D

Guess who clinched 1st place for the female category? - the Block H cafeteria aunty :O

Resting and filling up survey forms

The carnival consist of games, food stalls, exhibitions etc.

Taking shelter by the ambulance :P

The prize won - Yee Hup sponsored biscuits. Later on I won a food steamer from lucky draw :).

Participants spectating the performances arranged.

Miau Miau (the actress from Ice Kacang Puppy Love) among the artist who entertained us and got us giggling.

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There a brief post, got to rush off to gym now. Tata!

UTAR Christian Fellowship Sports Day 2010

Firstly, I've been commonly deemed as a Christian by others, mainly because the main language I speak is English and my minimal knowledge in Chinese.

My friends will go, "Meng Leong you're a Christian right? Cause you look like one."

Apparently the truth has deceived many, I'm in fact a Buddhist. Not the most staunch Buddhist around, but that's my religion. However, to be honest, I've attended more Christian activities and gatherings than Buddhist's. Christian activities have always been enjoyable because majority of the Christians are very friendly and I'm always amazed by the fellowship they have. Peer influence have definitely played a role in this, as many of the people of my age range joins Christian activities, making them seem more 'youthful' than Buddhist activities. Among the Christian activities I've been to are Church concerts, competitions, and mass gathering.

No intention on starting a religion debate here, just sharing my point of view. With all respect to Buddhism, I am actually more inclined to being a free-thinker. I simply believe it is important that we have respect on living beings around us and perform good deeds and ethics, as no religion would ever encourage sinful activities. 

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Recently I've joined a couple of Chirstian Fellowship (CF)'s activities in Kampar, because I've been invited by my friends who are in it. Appreciate the fact that they welcome me despite not being a member of CF :). The most notable activity I've joined was the UTAR CF Sports Day.

Initially I thought, "Cool, finally Sports Day like the good old school days! Track events!" 

Haha but I misinterpreted 'Sports Day' wrongly, the sports were actually referring to Captain Ball competition. I've played captain ball a number of times during secondary days, so I thought why not, it's gonna be fun :).

Held on a public holiday (Deepavali), early in the morning at an empty grass field at Kampar New Town. Met familiar faces there, and made new friends as well. I finally met Florencetina who was one of the organizers. She is Wei Guan's friend from Taman SEA after hearing Wei Guan mention about her for a number of times :).      

Haha do we look like convicts waiting to be prosecuted?



The crowd listening to briefing gave by Ngee Derk.

After being divided into our respective groups, we were given 15 minutes to come up with a team cheer as well as discuss formation. My group, lead by Carmen, was named the 'Red Riding Hood' :p.

Red Riding Hood performing our team cheer :)

Group discussion on how to be competitively ahead of others in the following matches

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Being tall will definitely give you the upper hand in almost every sport, including a game of captain ball. In this competition that comprises both girls and guys, girls would be awarded 2 points for each successful point they 'score' and marking girls are not allowed to make things fair :).

 The first match for our team was against 'Hard Gay' which was lead by Kelvin who ironically is the CF President. The word 'gay' is usually not associated to someone like a Christian Fellowship President haha. But they're a fun, sporting bunch of people :).

Check out Hard Gay's team captain, Kelvin doing his infamous Hard Gay pose! Haha

This is me with the ball, I look so tensed as if I was playing rugby :P. Damn, I miss rugby days with the Cengal bunch :\.

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My team came in second best in our first match against the Hard Gay in a closely competitive game, which means we will continue the competition in a lower league among the 'losers' :p. We changed strategy and played our hearts out and we eventually won Champion, in the 'losers' league :P. & Hard Gay were the overall Champion, well done!

The new friends I've made, my Red Riding Hood team mates ;)

This is when Ngee Derk announce us as the 'champion from the loser league' and giving us credit 'for not giving up'. Haha look at Tom's face receiving the wooden sword with obvious triumph expression.

Group photo :D

Once again, thanks for inviting to such activities and looking forward for more to come! A pleasure to mingle with each and everyone of you there ;).

The big Two O'

On 25th October, I finally can call myself a man in his twenties. We're indeed getting older, embracing life lessons and accepting more responsibilities. Although things have really changed drastically from the previous year, I would like to hammer the thought to myself, that all these changes are for the better. Although I look content in expression, my heart is shrieking on loneliness, dwelling on the past.

Damn it how come every time I blog, I will somehow express unpleasant thoughts. 

Listening to sad old love songs sure are having its effects on me. But I can't help it they're just so good and meaningful!

Anyway, days before my birthday, I was expecting to pass my 20th in a low note, hence not having any high expectations. But on the 23rd October, I traveled back to PJ from Kampar to celebrate with my family and friends. Had a simple lunch with family at a Thai Restaurant (I'm one who truly adore sour and spicy delicacies). Then at night, dinner at Skewers, Subang Avenue with Ser Siang, Yong Meng, Kar May, Sabrina, Choon Seng and Weng Hoe. Skewers serve awesome grilled food and burgers which are very reasonably priced. Definitely a place worth visiting :). 

Cheers :D

Scrumptious food served :)

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First pint to many more beer to come that night :p

Myself, Kar May, Ser Siang, and missing Esther :P

Kar May with pint of Hoegaarden beer haha. Don't worry that's not hers but mine :P.

We former Kempas bois :). Thank you both for the Fred Perry shirt!

Pretty Kar May and Sabrina :)

So far the best Tiramisu I ever had! Added with a dash of Brandy, I heard Yee Ming(Yong Meng's sis) contributed to the recipe. No wonder it taste so good ;)

I wished :).

Thank you, every single one of you! Love you all :).

After Skewers, we moved on to Piccadilly at Millenium Square for round 2 beer drinking session, with addition of Khy Li, Zhi Lei and Vincent. As far as I know, we always drink more than we ought to. Initially the plan was I spend everyone 2 towers of beer, but at the end, we all had 4 towers. Monster x)!

Taman Megah friends :), and with Khy Li's girlfriend Zhi Lei

Bromance ;).
Yong Meng claimed he couldn't drink too much because he has a political reputation to protect :P.

Everybody that night :).

That night I think I drank a little too much, alright not a little, definitely too much. Enough said :p.

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After an awesome day back at PJ, the following day, my birthday eve, I'm back at Kampar. At night, Wei Hoong called me and asked me to watch football at mamak together, I agreed because I have no plans spending my birthday eve, and watching football is fine with me.

Soon, Wei Hoong picked me up and he said he got to return to his house to get something before going mamak. So I thought, no problem let's go his house.

As I enter his house..

They actually had a surprise mini celebration awaiting me! :)

Yummylicious pancake served with Vanilla ice-cream and Hershey's chocolate syrup. Prepared by Wei Hoong, Hor Yi, Xin Wei and Edmund :)

Definitely earned the thumbs up from me :)!

Chit-a-chat session ^^

Still staying close to our previous plan, watching football x)

:D

Thank you dear residence of 1925 x)

Later on, we moved on to play DoTA with Mark, Kai Fu, Sun Hoe, Ah Lian, Chris and Sun Hoe's 3 other friends. This is the first time I spend the very beginning of my birthday(12am, 25th Oct) playing DoTA, while last 2 years I spent that with my very special someone.

DoTA with them are always fun, filled with laughter. Though playing DoTA might sound pathetic, but I wasn't sad a single bit :).

On my birthday itself, I spend most of the day eating and shopping at Ipoh with Chris, Kai Fu and Sun Hoe. Bromance, loving it. We shopped, tried clothes on, bought 'em, watched movie hehe. It's kinda queer that we watched a touching romance movie. But nonetheless, I enjoyed it, and hope you guys did too ;).

Back to Kampar for dinner at East Ocean Restaurant, together with Kai Fu, Sin Wei, Chris, Wei Hoong, Hor Yi, Edmund, Xin Wei, Sun Hoe and Ah Lian, which was my treat :).

Guess what was on the agenda after that? DoTA hahaha.

After a couple of hours DoTA, I was supposed to be home and supposed to be surprised by Denise, Yinli and Wan Kien ahaha. But I was too caught up playing with the boys, sorry to you three :P.

We had really funny conversations and chit chat for really long while sipping on the red wine Wei Hoong and the rest gave me :).

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Lots of thanks for my family took care of me, shaping me who I am today,
Thank you Jolynn for the Nike T-3 Futsal shoe,
Thank you Thian Hong for the phone call,
Thank you Ser Siang and Yong Meng for the Fred Perry shirt,
Thank you Kar May, Sabrina and Joanne for the Padini shirt,
Thank you Choon Seng for the Protein Shake,
Thank you Wei Hoong, Hor Yi, Xin Wei and Edmund for the red wine and cake,
Thank you Yinli, Denise and Wan Kien for the cake,
Thank you all who wished me through Facebook and text message, really appreciate it.

& the endless gratitude I would actually wish to express to the countless number thoughtful people around me. I'm truly blessed to have each and everyone of you in my life.

In a nutshell, I have to say I had an awesome 20th birthday :).
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When there is up, there is down.
When there is joy, there is despair.

Two days after my birthday, my paternal grandfather left to meet his Creator. He lived 95 years of blessed life, leaving behind faithful and loving children, in-laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

"Yeh Yeh, you'll be dearly missed and I will study hard like how you asked me to"