No longer a marathon virgin.

I've finally achieved my long term goal - to complete a 42.195km full marathon.

From the good old track events to full marathon, it has been a journey. If you are not aware, I usually compete at most, 10km races. Only early this year I did 21km at Putrajaya Marathon 2010 to gear me up for Standard Chartered's defining 42km full marathon.

Finishing a marathon is an accomplishment that less than 1% of all the people in the world can say they have achieved. Glad to be included in that 1% :). Unlike many activities, training for a marathon is a serious business. Failure to train properly could jeopardize completion of the race and also risk serious injury. I've been training constantly but last week Wednesday, I was infected by a type of viral infection in my nerves resulting in extreme pain and many small blisters called shingles. In Chinese, we address this condition as 'sang seh' or 'snake growth'. I had injection and additional traditional Chinese way of curing the condition. Some of the procedure of the traditional method somehow creates doubt, but anyhow, I did recover. I had funny stuffs applied on the affected area and the pungent sulphur powder is one of them. Anyone who has shingles are advised to seek medical attention immediately because this condition could be fatal.

The crucial week before marathon was supposed to be packed with training but my condition has forced me to rest at home :(.

Grateful I recovered on time.

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My equipments for the race :).

Firstly, I've to say well done to Standard Chartered for organizing this major marathon! It is well organized and it has been a delightful experience all morning long :).

It was rather hilarious to see so many runners pissing at bushes along the running route, if you weren't aware, they have mobile toilets located at certain distances. Probably they can't hold on :p.

Sadly, I heard a very very tragic news. Someone actually passed away running in this morning. He is addressed as Lim and only in his 20s but passed away after having seizure. Deepest condolence to Lim. Read further.

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To those who intend to complete full marathon in times to come, it's a grueling task but it's achievable. With proper training, good nutrition and pre-race rest, you'll be good to go. Take my words, it's a whole lot of mental strength and endurance.

It inspires me seeing people running fueled by the people they love, they people they dearly missed (from passing away). It definitely gives that extra boost. So what fuels you? :)

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Woke up at 3am and drove over to Dataran Merdeka.

The flag off of the race is 5am. Minutes before the flag off, it started pouring. We were all wet even before starting to run :(.

This is me, before fighting through all the fatigue and running the longest distance I've ever ran :).

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The tips given by Fabio and Kok Yik for the race is hydrate sufficiently and run slow, no rush :). Indeed, I find the tips useful.

42km is bloody far. (click to enlarge)


The last final dash to the finishing line.

Coincidently saw Kevin at the finishing line! He competed in 21km Half Marathon :).

Ah, the extrinsic satisfaction from completing the marathon :).

Now, I dare say that I'm finally, a marathon runner. 5hours 16mins was my time, off my initial target of below 5 hours :\.

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Last but not least, much special thanks to Ms. Standard Chartered employee/vampire porn fan/detailed analyst for making a memorable day, more memorable :).

Lum's Cameron Trip '10

Time passes real fast, I'm already in the 3rd week of my Year 2 Semester 2 studies in UTAR. Soon, I'll have to deal with my thesis, graduate, get a job, get a girlfriend, make her pregnant, get married :).

In condition if I really do found someone ;).

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Recently, it's the school holidays, so my family had a trip up to Cameron Highlands again. Yes I know, we been to Cameron sometime in the middle of last year.

The trip this time round wasn't that enjoyable mainly because it was raining most of the time! At Cameron, most activities to do are directly under the sun, so raining is definitely not welcoming.

At Cameron, we can find plenty of jams there - strawberry jams, blueberry jams, rose petal jams, but WORST of all, TRAFFIC JAM :(. Cameron roads are so confined and by having bad traffic would be awful.

This is Wai and Foong preparing steamboat dinner at our Equatorial apartment :).

While waiting for the soup to boil.

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My uncle was there as well, which mean the most featured cuties in my blog (my sister is out because she's no longer cute) are there too, Chin Chin and Ern Ern :).

Awww just wana hug these cuties! Except the middle one haha :).

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Night time, Pasar Malam @ Brinchang

Buying some fried delicacies. Cameron's Sweet Potato Balls are just scrumptious, a must try!
Foong promoting Cameron's Jambu-Apple, a hybrid fruit. RM5 for 1 of these fruits :O. Actually it taste more like Jambu than Apple.

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Morning @ Market near Kea's Farm (walking distance from Equatorial Hotel)

Checking out Cameron goodies :).

Yummy steamed hot sweet potatoes! I personally like the ones with orange flesh better.

Pearl Sweet corns!


Thumbs up for their marketing strategy. :P


Foong found a riped red strawberry :).

This hibiscus is huge! The flowers at Cameron are really pretty, if I want to, I can have one album solely on beautiful flowers!

Mummy and Papa with heart-shaped flowers :).

Taking a shot with some big ass strawberry :P

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Sg. Palas' Boh Tea Centre is a must visit at Cameron!

Beautiful scenic view of the tea-valley :).

Waa macam gayaa. Haha even my dad looks macho with the umbrellas x).

Who else would be a better model for this shot ?:)

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Visiting the factory which are tourists-bound and we get to observe the different phases of processing tea leaves - with a distinct tea leaves smell.
The machine is 'rolling' the tea leaves - liberating and exposing the tea leaves' juices for fermentation.

So much in a simple cup of tea. :)

Foong and Wai among the tea bushes :).


All of us overlooking a part of the tea valley - minus Pui Cheng who's occupied with her LEO Forum.

Lastly, never forget to sink your sweet tooth into their delicious cakes and have a sip of their fresh tea at the tea house!

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13 days to my full marathon! 42.195km is quite a distance :|.

Baby Aarisa's Full Moon

My blog's 300th post goes exclusively to Sarah's new born baby Aarisa :)! Ahha it's funny how years ago we used to attend birthday parties and now celebrating a baby's full moon. We're indeed growing and moving on :).

Sarah the proud mother welcoming her new baby girl :).

Our gift to baby Aarisa - a baby car seat, where she'll be comfy and safe :).

Khy Li, Zhi Lei and Sarah. Haha Khy Li and Sarah just couldn't stop having debating sessions haha.

Last picture of the day goes to mummy Sarah, baby Aarisa and her magic bottle ;).

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I'm dead tired. Bed time, goodnight :).

Importance of Sleep

Ser Siang you're back from Hong Kong but I'm wondering why I learned so many German words from you haha.

I'm loving my semester break! Catching up with friends, parties, running, futsal, volleyball, plenty of nice food and so much more. :)
Yesterday with Siang & Wei Guan, I finally had my first meal at Popeye's after hearing so much about it.

Mmhmm. The food there just had that extra X factor. Did I mention their mashed potatoes are scrumptious :)?

After shopping at Mid Valley, we geared up for Zouk, though I got to admit the previous time I went there on Yong Meng's birthday was somehow more happening, still I had a good time :). Knowing clubbing ends at 3am, I reached home at 4am. Had only around 2 hours of sleep, and I woke up for a run at Lake Gardens which lasted 2 hours.

Running around Lake Gardens (ideally 7am-9am) accompanied with good weather is damn soothing. From running in this kind of environment, I find solitude.
Besides the fact I slept barely 2 hours, and clubbed yesterday intoxicated with alcohol, I'm surprised I actually have the energy to do a long run this morning. So today I randomly wanna share a little bit about sleeping.

Don't you just love sleeping? But teenagers and busy adults have higher tendency to have insufficient sleep, which would result to sleep debt due to physical and mental fatigue which is unhealthy.

An adult actually needs approximately an average of 7-8 hours of sleep daily. I mean which of us actually sleep according to the required sleeping hours? Sometimes it's just the matter of changing late night habits. However, apparently sleeping too much would just have as much bad effect as lack of sleep according to studies.

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Do you actually know the importance of sleep?

1. Prevention and cure of dieseases
Sleep helps the body recuperate from several diseases and other health problems. The insistence on rest when you suffer from even a minor headache, is not without reason. It is only while you are asleep that your body gets a chance to repair it's damaged cells and related functions, and strengthen the immune system, thereby preventing the onset of other health problems. Also, sleeping well can help you deal better, with the physical and mental stress that your body and mind are subjected to on a daily basis.

2. Enhancement of Memory
People who generally sleep well would have better memory according to studies (I think that's my brother's secret to excellent grades :P). Proper sleep makes the body and mind alert, and ready to receive and learn new information. Burning midnight oil to study might actually be ineffective if you wish to absorb a lot and score well.

3. Enable you to grow taller!
When we are asleep, our body produces growth hormones, especially among children, teenagers and young adults. Apparently sprinting, weight lifting and hot shower trigger production of growth hormones too.

4. Effect of Sleep on your Mood
A bad night sleep would usually result in bad mood. You are bound to be irritable, and distracted, only because you're going to be sleepy throughout the day. It is bound to end in a bad day. On the other hand, notice your mood on a day when you have had the necessary amount of sleep. You are going to be perky, ready to face the day and generally in a good mood.

5. Maintain Relatively Healthy Body Weight
If you are wondering why you're still putting on weight after adhering to a strict diet, it is because you're probably not sleeping enough. Sleep affects the metabolism of the body, thereby resulting in how we lose and gain weight. Lack of sleep causes the body to preserve carbohydrates and fats, in an attempt to use them to deal with the prolonged physical and mental stress on the body. As such, your metabolism is affected, and you may develop a tendency to put on weight. Sleep deprivation also leads to hormonal changes that may affect your appetite. (Read this if you want your diet plan to work, Denise :P)
6. Prevent Onset of Sleep Disorders
Insomnia is an example of sleeping disorder, characterized mainly by lack of sleep, these can result in increased hypertension, the risk of stroke and heart disease, and a lack of ability to deal with stressful situations.

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Now you know how important sleep is!

Sleep well, and lead a healthy life :).

Happy Mother's Day Mummy!

What is the occasion on the 2nd Sunday of May?

Mother's Day!

Hi mummy.

Mummy here's a little note for you, the least I can do to show you how much I appreciate and cherish you.

I love you because;

1. You work hard in the office, but still come home and cook delicious meals and boil yummy soups (of course we as the children helped).
2. You wake up early morning to go market to buy the most fresh vegetables, fishes and meat, but still spare time to tidy up the house (of course we as the children helped as well).
3. You are relatively short and petite but nurture us into relatively tall and steady body frames with sporting abilities. Pui Foong's not bad - she got a gold medal for tug-of-war(tarik tali) hehe (cause of her body weight for being well-fed :D).
4. You are constantly nagging and reminding, though you know we are aware of the situation - you always like to make sure and being concerned:).
5. Like the first few times I took up driving, you make sure I know where the accelerator and brake pedal are. LITERALLY.
6. Mummy you are so sweet - just like the peaches jellies, and 'tong sui' you're so good in making.
7. You seem to be in budget constraints most of the time, but never fail to give us pocket money when we needed them.
   
8. How funny the fact that you - a lady in her late 40s, still watches WWE when I gave up watching WWE like 3-4 years ago. (Guess who's her favourite wrestler?)
9. You, being a warrior - bore me for 9 long months in your womb. A total of 4 of us. I know it's no easy task (after seeing how tough it is for Sarah to move around being 9 months pregnant), in addition to the fact of raising us up! Much thanks to Papa too.
10. You never, ever fail to love me.

Thank you mummy for all the things you've done and being an amazing woman, you know me, Wai, Cheng and Foong appreciate you very much and even Papa too(although Papa is cool and quiet most of the time with the newspaper).

You and Papa should be relaxing more and don't be too stressed up with your work, because it's never ending. You both should know that 4 of us have grown up well, educated and matured. Tomorrow's your day, sorry I can't be back yet because I'm still stuck in Kampar waiting to sit for my last paper. Till then,

Happy Mother's Day =3 even to all other loving, deserving mothers out there!

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On a lighter note, I google-d your favourite wrestler.

Yeap, my mum likes Batista, ew. =_=

Langkawi in 48 hours.

A year ago, a group of us were selected to become the committees of UTAR's Sports Club, all of us were total stranger to one another. A year later, which is of current date, we been through so much together and had bonded really well I have to say. This batch of committees certainly is one hell of a fun group :). To 'celebrate' the end of our reign as committees and before stepping down, we went on a trip to Langkawi Island, despite not able to have all the committees joining in a 2 days 1 night trip. I know you must be thinking "Heck, you go all the way to Langkawi just for 2 days 1 night? At least 3 days 2 night laa." Well, it's because our final exams is around the corner and we can't afford to be away for too long.

So, there were 8 of us, Kelvin the chairman, Emel the vice, Amanda the secretary, Yong Wei the assistant secretary, Adeline the treasurer, Sean the badminton captain, Wai Loon the table tennis captain and myself the volleyball captain.

We left Kampar at around 2am and travelled north to Kuala Perlis in 2 cars - Kelvin's and Amanda's.

Meet team Amanda :).

Adeline, the 20 year old who's graduating middle of this year :\.

Our yawning driver, you can't blame her since she was driving during the wee hours in the morning.

Adeline massaging her darling driver :p.

Haha Adeline is such a cheerful person she smiles even when she sleeps :).

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At 4am, we reached Auto-City at Juru to have McD for breakfast :)

Smiley faces despite it's very early in the morning haha.

Wow car models phweet :)

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Reached Kuala Perlis at 7.30am to catch the 8am ferry - one way ticket cost RM18 each.

Langkawi here we come :)!

Excited faces upon reaching Langkawi Island after an hour ferry ride:).

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Reaching the island at 9am, 9.30am is our snorkeling at Pulau Payar. The snorkeling cost RM90, inclusive of ferry rides, lunch(yuck), snorkeling equipments, etc. But I have to say the marine life there is so beautiful and it was worth while :).

In the ferry on the way to Pulau Payar which is 45 minutes away from Langkawi :).

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Transferred to a small boat to go to our snorkeling avenue :)

ML the size L and Kelvin the XL ahah.

Sean, Wai Loon, Adeline, Amanda, Yong Wei and Emel :).

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Hello Pulau Payar!

Right before entering the water :).

Jom snorkeling :D!

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Fishes :D!

Us with the fishes :)

Wai Loon the Koo Tin Lok(Louis Koo) looking good getting close up with the fishes :)

Getting friendly with fishyyy.

Did I mention there were young sharks? 3 to 4 feet long! This is Emel, spot the young sharks!

Nice shot, this can go up as my calendar picture ;)

Our pathetic lunch :p.

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Volleyball time!

Wow volleyball girls :)

Me hitting the ball up!

Sean give the ladies some taste of manly volleyball skills!

Hahahaha Amanda schoo cute:)

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Rapped up at around 3.30pm, feeling all exhausted already.

Exhausted Adeline :p

Despite being so tired, we still have the energy to snap some shots ;).

But not long later.. all into slumber mode already haha.

LOL WAI LOON new facebook profile picture? haha.

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Back at our apartment - Seri Lagenda.

Committee meeting, serious ni.. haha.

Slyvester and Tweety :)

Pretty Adeline and Emel :)

This is Wai Loon - the joker of the trip and I :).

The girls feeling refreshed after their shower :)

&.. a picture before dinner :).

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Off for dinner!

All of us in a Serena, that cost us RM150 - pretty economical considering we have so many people :).

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Dinner at Wonderland, while waiting for the food.. :)

The night that Amanda almost lost her voice :P. But she regained it soon after :).

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After dinner we head to Pantai Cenang for a walk and look for souvenirs. On our way there, we saw a lightning strikes a very tall coconut tree and it was on fire.

So close to the action.

It was already raining by the time we reach a Arts and Crafts souvenir shop,

Auu-uhh(owl) for Amanda's mummy :).

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We had bowling after that,The petite powerhouse plotting her strategy to defeat us in bowling lol.

What a memorable game filled with laughter haha :).

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Langkawi is probably one of the rare places where you see beer being cheaper than other drinks (soft drinks, mineral water etc). So we bought some beer to drink back at our apartment :).

After that, at around 1am, Kelvin suggest we go for supper cause he's already hungry, but Amanda's engine sudah ka-poot. She was sleeping the whole time at the restaurant :p. By that time, I was in the verge of falling asleep too because I have not slept for 40 hours already :(.

But others still steady :)

Cheers!

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Next morning, 9am, off we go to visit the Sky Bridge, and foregone the chance to visit Underwater World due to time constraint. Amanda, you can visit the penguins next time :).

On the way to Sky Bridge.

At the entrance of the Oriental Village before taking our cable car!

Cheerful smile from our local farmer :p.


Spot Sean!


Before taking the Cable car - a ride up cost RM15, but stated originally RM30. Only Malaysians with MyKads are eligible for the 50% discount. Imagine how much money they sucked from the tourists :p.


The Telaga Tujuh waterfall seems to be drying up :(.


The girls enjoying the scenic view from the top :)

All 8 of us over-looking a part of Langkawi Island :)

Meet your new local farmers :).

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Getting over to the Sky Bridge;


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Here we are! Sky Bridge :) - Spectacular view from the top.


What would the trip be without any of you guys :).

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At the peak;


Just yesterday we were snorkeling at the sea and the next day we are 705m above sea level.

Nice legs Wai Loon :p

Time to say good bye to Oriental Village.

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After that, we went to alot of Duty-free shops to do some heavy chocolate-liquor shopping. You all like my 'Kisses'(Hersheys), don't you :)?

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Due to time constraint, and it's pretty late already, we rushed to the jetty and had a late lunch a KFC.



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Heading for our 6pm ferry, passing through the customs first. If you guys go to Langkawi and bought too much liquor which would be taxed, I suggest you carry by hand in a plastic bag because the customs only check your luggage back and not your hand-carried plastic bags:p.

Au revoir, Langkawi!

Amanda giving her darling smooches. :p

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Sunsets - beautiful :).

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Awww 2 cuties and 1 cutie wanna-be :).

All of us enjoying the sunset!

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We even spared some time for jump-shots :p


Hahaha.

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For dinner, again we have it at Auto-city. Wanted to eat at Tao but the last call is at 10.30pm which is the time we arrived. So, we opt to eat at,

Boston.

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That time was the match between Chelsea and Stoke, I can be seen watching here. LOL @ Kelvin's expression :p.

The first half - Yong Wei, Emel, Sean and Kelvin :)

& the other half - Wai Loon, myself, Amanda and Adeline :).

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Later on, we had super lame joke session which made us almost laughed our guts out hahah. Auto-city is our last stop, and off we go heading back to Kampar. Then, all the girls in team Amanda slept and I took over to drive back :).

Among the chocolates and liquor bought :).

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I can't deny the trip was utterly enjoyable, there was never a dull moment! All the funny moments from Wai Loon's queer way of waking up, Wai Loon's speedy bowling style, Amanda being deemed as yummy by the fishes, peeping the hot white lady at Sky Bridge and so many more. It was great.

I never thought I would have so much fun in 48 hours. Cheers!

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P/s : Happy Birthday Wei Guan and Congratulations Sarah for your new born baby girl :)!