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 Trekathon 2010

Knowing UTAR does not have track and field events, UTAR Trekathon is the only running competition they have - at the moment. With students from all 4 campuses, Kampar, Sg Long, PJ and Setapak, as well as alumni and other universities, it is actually a fairly big event. After winning 1st runner up last year, of course I came back this year looking to kill the ghost in me, and get 1st. But sadly, I failed myself. Running the race under glaring hot sun with tricky terrain, I only manage to get 4th place clocking 17 minutes 32 minutes for a distance of 4.5km? It is hard to hide my disappointment, after the training I've done, foregone midterm, and missed Penang Bridge Marathon.

Losing only mean I have to step up my gear, no excuses when there are actually so many people who can do better. I treat disappointments like a wake-up slap to cut off slack. Of all people, Kai Fu gave me some words to think of, "Meng Leong, it's okay you didn't win, probably luck wasn't at your side. Sometimes despite having the ability and without luck, we can actually lose. It's like when I have no luck even some noob can pwn me in DoTA." hahaha. 

Well done Chris, Sheng Wang, Jian Hong and Ying Sern for running the Trekathon! You guys did very good. *Clap. Especially Chris who actually had nasi lemak before running. Haha. Jason and Pui Shi dropped by to support us and made the whole morning more memorable :).

This year, it is held at some big ass lake garden at Kepong, Taman Metropolitan. Distance claimed is 6km which I highly doubt.

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This year, there is an additional tug-of-war telematch in the agenda. Among the 4 groups participating are UTAR Kampar, UTAR Klang Valley, Open Category, and Staff. As we gather the boys from Kampar for tug-of-war..

RAWR :)

Haha macam buffalo ini. Our 87kg anchor :D

Ready,

Set,

PULL!!

ARGH MORE POWER!

Ahhh, so worn out after the grueling pull

After defeating the Staff team, we move on to the finals against the Open Category which apparently is too robust for us Kampar team to handle. Finally, we settled for 1st runner up for tug-of-war.

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Not long later is the prize giving ceremony.

Mr. 4th place receiving certificate from Dr. Teh

Kampar tug-of-war team receiving a carton of Soyfresh as prize lol.

Top 10 winners from every category :) 

Cheerful Kampar bunch :D

This is Jason, Sheng Wang, Jian Hong, Pui Shi, Chris, myself and Ying Sern(from L-R) at the starting line.

With Jason and Jian Hong ;)

With Bi Chai, who currently studies at KBU ;)

Sexy Chris with Pui Shi, Ying Sern, Jason and myself.

Us again, this time posing at the finishing line :)

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At the end of the day, I believe there is no point for me to sulk and I should just move on and pledge to improve myself. 

"Train hard, win easy" - a quote made famous by Kenyan runners.

I'm tired.

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 ;).

Fellow Foundation-mates.

During secondary days, it is easy to mix around and stay connected with schoolmates. Having same school schedule, going tuition together and so on. But as we grow older and move on in life, it is getting harder in staying in touch with our friends. 

During my 1 year of Foundation in UTAR's PJ campus, I meet people from different walks of life. Some I still keep contact with, became close friends, but some I have not even met for almost 2 years! I'm someone who place great significance in relationships, and that includes friendship.

After reminiscencing on the good old Foundation times we had in 2008 - it was short yet memorable and now it is only something we call, memory. Then, I was thought it's time we meet up again, for old times sake and make that memory we had even more memorable.

On the 2nd of October, Pui Yee called me at night and came up with an impromptu gathering. 

Wei Bin, myself, Pui Yee, Kelly, Jason and Wei Hoong

TA2 attendants at Wong Kok Char Chan Teng, SS2. Despite organizing it on a really short notice, 6 of us turned up anyway. It's funny how we've gone different pathways. Only half of us are still studying in UTAR. 

It was great catching up and seeing them ;).

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Last week, on one of the weekdays which I can't recall, we went against the clock and the timing norm. Wei Hoong, Kai Fu, Jason, Wei Bin and I gathered at Kepong to play DoTA at a not-so-great cyber cafe after 12am. If I'm not mistaken we played for around 4 hours and then we head to Jalan Ipoh for breakfast. Yoohoo for adventurous people! :D


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7th October was the bigger gathering I organized, at 1Utama. Obviously it's tough gathering 20 plus people with 20 different agendas, thus I'm gratified with the people who turned up :).

Lunch at Nando's

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Later on we move on to Batting Cages!

The big group on the upper roof. L-R : Jason, Wen Kit, Liang Yin, Chai Yeng, myself,  Pui Yee, Sun Hoe, Kelly, Wei Hoong, Pui Shi, Jia Ding and Christina.

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More Kodak moments at the garden located at the lower ground floor :).

:)

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After that, we move on to Desa Park City to have our dinner. 

Well, in the park, there are countless numbers of active joggers and also canine lovers letting their pet playing on the grass and mingle around!

SO MANY CUTE DOGS!

The gang with 2 of the many dogs there :).

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Dinner time!

Steamboat Dinner, the food they serve are decent and fresh! Wouldn't mind going there to eat again, but too bad I forgotten the name, but still remembered the location ;).

 Lamb set for Pui Yee and I, and Beef set for Liang Yin :)

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After loading our tummy, we strolled around the park

:)

*more photos can be found on Facebook

Thank you all for making the gathering happen, I'm positive there will be another one in the future. With the incoming one with possibly more attendance! Till next time, tata!