Start of 2013

Started 2013 with packed activities.. Good or bad?! 

1 Jan - 2 Jan: 

8.30am: Dropped things at Karim's place, sister's place. 

10am: Met Viveen to go to Mid Valley to meet Audrey Ho for lunch, appointment at 11am

2pm: Viveen and I went shopping where I bumped into Albert Wang waiting for his wife and daughter. Viveen was looking for sports shoes, I was looking for a smartphone. Ended up neither of us got anything, we had the $, but, no stock for us. sigh... :( 

5pm: Back to Viveen's place. Went to mamak stall with Karim and Derek. 

6pm: Derek sent Karim to airport, while I went to meet Lee Nyiuk. 

8pm: Dinner with Lee Nyiuk

8.30pm: Back to her place. Showered, settled. Started talking/ sharing and praying

12midnight: Zzzzz.... 

6am (2 Jan): Woke up ready to work

7am: Arrived office, started the day

4.30pm: Left work to home, to avoid the jam and rain. Still caught in the jam for almost 2 hours

8pm: Met Ling Ling for dinner

I was very glad and very blessed to be able to catch-up with each and every one though it was kinda packed. :) 

Reflection of 2012

Time passes really fast. It's getting even faster nowadays. I wonder if it is because the sign of aging or because we are living in the world of technology where it brings everyone closer and helps us to multi-task. 

Regardless, time is something that doesn't wait for anyone. And something gone and unable to restart. We can do 'what-if' scenarios in the business world, we can delete and restart work/ document/ technology gadget, etc, we can reset a phone back to its factory setting... However, time/ life is something that we live now. Yes, time will pass, and we will age, I think/ believe, as long as we have breath, we still can restart or rather make our life correct/ better if we want to. 

Thus, I am really thankful for God. For He has helped me, forgiven, cleansed and accepted me again and again. For He never forsakes me. 

Actually, I started to think what had happened in 2012 right after Christmas and just before the end of the year. Seriously, nothing much that I remembered. I was trying to check a few of my own blogs to recall my memory. Some of things that happened, seemed like ages ago, and yet some are fresh like yesterday. 

So, let me try to just summarise what happened in 2012... 

Travel
- First time in my life that I went to US for work twice in a year. Stranded in Tokyo while transiting back from US on the 2nd trip gave me a chance to stay in Tokyo for 12-hour. 

- Stopover in HK and visited friends on the return from US. It was indeed a very good experience.  We walked almost the whole night, I think passed at least 2 - 3 MRT stations. Walked from Miu-kai to take the ferry. Went up to pun-shan (半山). Really went deep into the life of HK. From poor to rich. Also, encountered and understood what it meant by spiritual warfare as both my friend and I felt discomfort at miu-kai (庙街). And some weird smell at just that certain spot. Anyhow, we moved on as we didn't want to get into trouble, that's not our purpose. 

- Aside the normal Shanghai business trips, I took the opportunities to visit Hangzhou and Qiandaohu at 2 different trips. 

- On 1 trip, I made a 36-hour stopover in Taiwan to attend a friend's wedding in Taipei, visited a friend in Tainan, visited another friend in Taipei. Went to the 24-hour bookstore in Taipei at 11+pm (after the wedding reception at night)

- Had a family trip to Bali (first time)

- Went to Bangkok with mom, visited my friends there

- Visited a childhood friend in Houston, Texas, on my way back of 2nd business trip to States. It's my first time to Houston and we have not met each other for a long time. 


God
- Joined OCZ012 in July to Cambodia. Took up the challenge to lead a team of 12. A lot of challenges, spiritual warfare, a lot of tears. I shared Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus the Tax Collector to the youth (all boys). Sharing nothing is impossible, for with God, I M Possible. Also, learnt that, it is not with our strengths, abilities and mind, only through prayer and only when God starts to move, miracles, things happen. It is all about God's business and God's glory, not ours. 

- Healing. 2 very vivid memories on God's healing and only through faith. 
  1. My 2nd trip to US, when I was in Omaha, my right arm was in pain. It's so painful that it hurt even when I lifted my hands on the laptop to work. It could be from lifting my luggage.  As was chatting with a friend that night, I decided to stop chatting, started praying, praising God, asking and believing in healing. Then, it was better. Then, I told God, I wanted 100% healing. So, I continued to pray and praise God. Then, it was healed 100%. All within 30 minutes. 

  2. I kinda injured my back on one of the nights doing the exercise. I was in pain for few days. Then, one night, I remembered how God healed my arm, I can pray and ask God to heal me for the back ache too. Then, again, God healed me within 30 minutes, again. 

I really praise God on His healing. My personal healing experience from God. If this is not God, I don't know what is. If this is not faith, what could it be? 

- Went to Jakarta, Indonesia mission trip with the Chinese Church. It was indeed a very blessed trip. We were really treated very well. And being able to pray for, encourage my brothers and sisters there have been such a marvelous experience and blessing. 

- God has indeed blessed me in many ways, big or small. 


Changes of lives
Everything happened during my 10-day away on my 2nd visit to US on business. It was indeed very hard for me to take it, not just being so far, also, no one to talk to/ share with on the emotion part. 

- Pastor Sally went home to be with the Lord. I was thinking that I could make it back for her funeral, which I couldn't as I was stranded in Tokyo. 

- The aunty next door passed away suddenly. I told her that I was leaving to US right before I went.. there, i couldn't see her any more. Even till now, we still miss her, as we (family) normally chatted through the kitchen window. 

- News where friends mom or closed ones have terminal illnesses. :(


Easter musical drama: i was holding the treasurer position. Who said working in church is nice and friendly all the time?! hahaha.. Church is made up of you and me. And we are human too. So, extra grace, mercy and love are needed. 


On the good part, my younger sister got married. Ya. it's happy. Yet, I missed her very much everyday. Even after she has been married for 6 weeks as I am writing now. A lot of emotions. 

I started overcoming my fear (phobia) of water by enrolling myself to swimming class. I am learning breast-stroke now, improving a little in each class. :) A tadpole soon to turn into a frog. :D
Friendship: made some new friends, some friendships drifted further, some being straightened, some reconnected. On that, and don't know since when, the thought to disconnect from Facebook has come to my mind a few times already as thinking to spend more time on other more value adding things. 


2012 as an overall: God has been extremely good to me. I have been so blessed and hopefully I have been a blessing to others too. 

p/s: I realised I have written fewer blogs nowadays. Taken fewer photos. I am unsure why? Laziness? Nothing so exciting anymore? I want to discipline myself and really treasure every moment that I could by continuing to take pictures and jot down events.

work trip + stopover in HK

It was actually quite discouraged/ upset when I heard that I need to go to USA for work over Chinese New Year. It's not a matter that I didn't take extra leaves aside the 2 public holidays that I should not feel anything about it. The fact that, to be away during the festive is quite upsetting. Even though I have tried to told my boss, it's CHINESE NEW YEAR and I am CHINESE. Well, anyway, got my ticket booked and ready to fly on the 3rd day of CNY.

And even more discouraging, arrived in SF on Wednesday night, drove myself to SJ (about 1 hour journey on Highway 101). Went to office on Thursday, found out that my boss won't be there on Thursday and Friday. So, I sat in office (thank God, at least someone took me to the cubicle), and working on APAC matters.

And I also got to know a few colleagues. So.... as SF or LA has the largest Chinese, the office actually has a function on Chinese New Year which was comforting, at least. There are food, drinks (non-alcohol), Chinese character writting, dance, etc.

On the weekend, I drove the roti-car (as it does look like one) to Gilroy Premium Outlet. It was huge and I didn't get to buy a lot as I was tired walking and carrying many things. Someone said, I should have put the things in the car and continue shopping. I supposed, I kinda lack of motivation to walk to the car and back especially was doing it alone.

Then, on Sunday, I went to the Chinese town (mini) area where they have lots of Chinese shops. Got mom the ginseng she wanted. And I saw lion dance. Wow!!! Impressive!!

So, the rest of the time in SJ was just about work and more work, working in US time zone as well as supporting APAC.

It's no fun. Traveling to work is :( and I need a real holiday.


I went to HK after the US trip as the HK trip was planned earlier. To save time. I make Karim to pick up his running Bib right after we checked into the hotel. We saw some other Malaysian there too. So, as some of them have seen Karim ran or in FB, we had some conversation with them. Then, we went off to meet up with Chris (my uni friend). As on the way to the bus stop. Yeah!! Chris told us to take a bus there. He would meet us at the bus stop. We saw a lady from Beijing traveling while her daughter paid for everything. WOW!!! She took us to the HK Central Library as there's where we need to take bus #116 to meet Chris.

So, Chris knows how to get to Kowloon, I know the restaurant, and Karim has his GPS/ maps on to ensure we dropped off at the right place. Well, at the end, not quite. We went off the bus a stop earlier. Chris, still have to walk to meet us. hahahah...

We went to this halal restaurant, run by Chinese Muslim. I have seen and read in the web that this place is very popular and well known for it's beef pancake and there will be lots of people as it gets later into the night.

We shared our table with another family visiting from Urunqi, I started conversing in Chinese with them. They started sharing their food with us. It was really fun and enjoyable.

So, we ordered the famous beef pancake and it was super nice, beef curry and a few more dishes. It was a very nice meal. As I just got into HK on a long haul, I appeared to be very tired especially with the jet-lag. So, we took the bus back to hotel for rest.

Next morning, Saturday. I met up with Venus (mission friend) and we were indeed out for a mission. But, this is shopping mission. hahaha... :D She took me to Lai-Chi-Kok where we could get wholesale item. Wow... Shopping!! Yes.. genuine leather bag selling at the price that I couldn't resist. ;) We even skipped our lunch because of shopping.

As Karim is meeting up with his uni friend, I tagged along. He took us to Stanley Waterfront (using his new 5 series BMW wor... ). So, we had our hi-tea there. Wow!!! I love the place. It was really awesome. The weather was nice, a bit chilly, but, I like it.

We spent some time walking a bit along the waterfront. The men went ahead doing their private talk. While I was having my Canon Ixus 850IS and Karim's Canon 7D DSLR taking pictures. I really enjoyed the afternoon/ evening.

I really like that place.

As I have another appointment for dinner. (Yeah!!! Very pack schedule, that's why cannot and did not able to slot in any time to catch up with Paul & Hazel and Steve Yap). So, I met up with Li Yen (my ex-colleague from DiGi) for dinner. We had some good short time together. Then, she went home and finished-up the yu-sang that have travelled with me to States with her husband. hahahah... Couldn't wait to eat... funny...

On Sunday. Went to church with Ellen. Well, I overslept and rushed through the whole preparation, arrived 5 - 10 mins late. But, we were not late for church. The service was in Cantonese, it's interesting. :) And the sermon was lively.

After that, we went to the marathon event to meet up with Karim. I took all his things. This year, the organiser were very strict, supposed because of the increased in participants, family and friends were not allow to go into the waiting area. So, called Karim. And Steve, saw me. He kept asking me: why are you here? Aren't you suppose to be in States? I think he asked me a few times throughout the photo taking session. hahaha.. funny.. Because I am here, that's the answer.. LOL... pengsan..

After that, they continue with their photo taking session. I went lunch with Ellen. She has to go back to do her work/ assignment and so, I have the afternoon. Rested awhile, and decided to go out to walk about at Tsim Sha Tsui area. She called me and we met.

We went for some food at Australia Milk Company. Didn't know it's so near to where I stay. This place serves very nice steamed milk. And so many people line up. I took Karim and another running couple there for breakfast the next day too.

Then, we (Ellen and I) started our night walkathon. Our route: Temple Street -> Tsim Sha Tsui -> Pearl Ferry -> Lan Kwai Fong -> Hollywood Road -> 半山. It's a long walk.

In Temple Street/ Road, I saw the other part of HK, not as a tourist, but more of the background. Also, here, I experienced the battle in the spiritual realm. Physically, I really feel discomfort (so does Ellen), and there were some spots where there were certain smell. Once out of that spot (just a step away), the smell wasn't there. It's strange. It's really an eye opener experience for me.


As we continued walking, away from Temple Road, we felt better physically as away from the area that has strong spiritual battle. Also, we can see the living standard/ condition changes. From street to porch.

At the Star Ferry harbour front, I saw the big TV screen broadcasting that there was one death in the marathon earlier that morning. It's so devastating. There were also a group of Christian doing evanglism singing by the street which was very encouraging.

We had a drink at Lan Kwai Fong. My first every cocktail, which I reckon was strong. But, nice with the mint. Didn't manage to finish as was getting hot.

Then, we continue walking up the escalator, looking at the high end, and property prices.

Ellen pointed out that the old building used to be built towards inner nearer to the top. This is to allow sunlight to shine through the alley for more air, light and reduce crime rate. However, modern building is not done this way anyway. As it gets narrower to the top, it also means losing space.

Overall, I really enjoyed my each HK trip. Not just catching up with friends. There are so many things that we shared though we only meet each other once a year. I do hope and pray that I would be able to visit HK and my friends (even in Korea and Taiwan) once a year that we could catch-up and encourage each other.

Will I be back next year? I really hope that I could make it though there are some other plan already. Just hope that the timing could match.

pre-CNY 2012

It's Chinese New Year and normally we have the custom of getting together and celebrate. Though this year, I have left the company, I went back and look for them for a CNY lunch. Oh, ET (Eng Teng) left the company too. Well, as I will be away for CNY to San Jose, California, for work on the 3rd day and only returned on the 15th day. It means that I am and will not have the chance to enjoy yu-sang.

So, this was the only yu-sang I had for this Chinese New Year.

And before that, we had some appetizer (supposed to be dessert) brought by Cheng all the way from Bangkok. He just got back the day before the lunch. It looks like preserved fruits. But, once tried. It's NOT. It is green bean paste inside. It's nice. :) Just that the colouring was too much! :|

It was indeed good to be able to catch-up. :) Looking forward for another great catching-up!!

cathing up

It's the first catching up with friends in the new year.

Initially, we didn't expect Karim to come back from BKK and joined us. So, we (Sherine, Boon Hwa, Michelle, Alex) planned for a late breakfast of bak-kut-teh at Bukit Raja. Especially as Boon Hwa and Alex has something to do in the afternoon.

It's really a super heavy meal especially for one who doesn't take rice in the morning. We have ordered the dried and the soup based type. Personally, I think the soup based is nicer (though I am not a pork lover because of the smell)..

The place is less pack as we arrived in the morning, later, we found more and more people and there were some who stood by the table and waited.

Later, we went to Ali Corner to have another round of catching up because Karim joined us. However, Alex have to leave due to the appointment has has made earlier.

Catching up... cheers for friendship

So, Karim told Boon Hwa to arrange for a reunion/ catching up/ gathering. Boon Hwa told me to do so. Seems like a trend. sigh... So, I just sent out FB invite, whatsapp a few, skype Michelle. And set, Saturday lunch.

As Sherine and Michelle went to took our Christmas presents from the car, uncle (Boon Hwa) and I were suppose to choose a restaurant. So, uncle took me round the entire Pavillion in my heels, and I said, just go to Ben's. sooo pengsan...

Then, we ended up at Ben's. The ambience is definitely nice and cosy for friends to catch-up. I think we were the most noisy bunch. hahaha... Food... I won't rate it as nice or so high marks. We have requested for change of water a few times as they didn't come as clean. :s

Then, what's next? Some of us, at least Karim and I, would like to have ice cream (BR is just next door). Then, uncle said, let's go for very nice coffee. So, bye bye ice cream, we went for the very nice coffee instead. That's Illy. Is it nice? I don't know. I cannot take coffee in the afternoon otherwise, I will really suffer at night (cannot sleep lo..). So, I opted for the juice, it's orange + lime + pineapple. It's eye lifting because it's soooo sour. hahaha...

The place was so packed that the waiter initially want to put us to sit under the sun. I was... arhhh... hello... we are Malaysian. We prefer to sit in air-cond, we don't need the sun so much... Thank goodness, 2 ladies left, and we had the table near the door, so, we did get some air-cond. :)

So, it's another gila (crazy) talking and laughing time together. To a point, Karim said, are we too loud? Like our shop? Sigh.. this is the line that we are so used to hearing. But, well...

And we ordered gelato too. Still, I prefer the real ice cream. So, they still owe me my ice cream. hahaha... A slice of tiramisu (which is very strong, I suppose that's good?). And a slice of don't know what cake that aunty (Sherine) cannot remember. So, I called it, the yummy fatt-gou-like cake. :D pengsan...

Karim's ipad had a share of his chocolate gelato too. sigh... we are really gila la..
Overall, I had a great time. Hope the rest did too. I wish we will meet again soon and be gila again. Next time is at uncle's house? I doubt he will open his house or kitchen for us. ;)

Meeting up

Was asked by Audrey Ho if would like to meet up with another few Finance colleagues from DiGi/ ex-DiGi. Well, that's ok. So, was informed to meet at Empire mall. Then, to my surprise, aside the few expected (Viveen, Charles, Ong and Lay), Mee Lin and Suan Suan also appeared. Wow... Out of 8, 5 have left DiGi and 3 still remain.

Di Wei is a Chinese cuisine restaurant. I would say the ambience is quite nice. Mee Lin ordered the food. Some of the food are quite nice, like kai-lan, the bean-curd with special sauce, Shanghai xiao-long-pau. The fish was overcooked and so a bit tough. Whereas, because I am not a pork lover, the mongolian pork came a bit too much for me, as well as the lat-mei-fan. :(

I did like the complimentary steam cake as well as the tang-yuan. :)

Handmade blanket

Blankets handmande by mom! She sewed each stich with love. Thanks, mom! :)

Gathering

It was quite complicating to finally fixed this gathering. Our friend, Karim, is leaving the country to join Dtac in Bangkok, Thailand soon. So, we thought of having a gathering (no one likes farewell) until we meet again. So, finally, the time and the venue set.

And, it is quite a mixed feeling of this gathering/ reunion. Happy to see each other and yet unsure when will we meet again.

We have decided to meet at Delicious, Mid Valley.

Aside food, we enjoyed the company of each other very much. Karim just got back from his NZ trip, so, he was having some jetlag.

Sherine and Michelle put in a lot of effort to make an album for Karim. Hoping he will remember us. Well, at least, he was surprised and he really spent time reading and going through all the pictures and words.

So, since uncle Boon Hwa and I had our birthday in October. Our birthdays were celebrated too.

We had a good time together.

Wishing Karim all the best in his future undertaking. Hope we will have more get together.

Day-off with Logos crews cum friends

It was since Dec 2010 that I got to know those that I met at mission trip in Turning Point, London will be sailing on Logos ship. And they will stop at Malaysia. It was exciting to know that we will be meeting again. We continued to keep in touch with our friendships via technology, facebook. Though the timing wasn't really and the schedule of the ship docking at Port Klang has been changed a few times.

Logos is the largest floating book store in the world where it will go from port to port, country to country, docking and welcoming everyone to visit her. There are many books on board for one to read and buy at a reasonal price.

Finally, Eunji sent out the schedule and we make plans to meet. It was really hard to find the time for all to meet on the same day. As both Eunji and Jay have been promoted to team leader at the kitchen while Alexandra has duty on that day. Thus, I took leave on that day and Angela is working freelance.

Both Angela and I went to Port Klang to fetch Eunji and Jay out at 9am. It was so exciting seeing both of them walking out the jetty. They ran towards the car and we gave each other a big tight hug. It was really awesome seeing them. :)

Since we were in Klang, we went for pak-kut-teh (herbal prok ribs), and Korean likes port too. It was delicious brunch.

Then, next. Since the girls preferred outdoor and Sunway lagoon was too expensive for half a day event. We went for Putrajaya instead. So, we ended up at Pullman Hotel. We took picture. Enjoyed a cold fresh juices. Then, next, cycling. Yes! It's a bit insane to cycle at about 1pm. We all had fun. If it's not because of the rain, we would have done more. It was really fun spending time together. Relaxing.. End result: I got myself really tanned. And I know it's going to take months or year to get fair again. But, it didn't really matter as long as we had a good time.

So, what do we want for late lunch? Eunji tried durian before. So, she wanted for durian. Durian has not been my friend, and so does Jay. We left Eunji and Angela to enjoy the durian while we went for Mong-kok-cha-chan-teng for hong kong style food. I had dumpling. Eunji came and she enjoyed my dumpling soup. :)

After late lunch, it was time for pasar malam (night market) at SS2 as it's Monday. It is one of the place where one is able to see a lot of things. We walked around pasar malam. Tried on the peanut soup. And it poured like cats and dogs again. So, instead of having shelter at Maybank, we went over to have dessert (hot) while waiting for the rain to stop before continue walking.

Then, Angela said, let's go for dinner though all of us were still very full. But, the dinner place will be pack if we don't go early, so, we have no choice. We ordered roast duck and fried hokkian mee. Where is this? It's at Damansara Uptown. And yes, both were super yummy. The Koreans love the lard so much! And the noodle was so tasty that though we were full, we still kept eating. So, all of us ended up with no more waist (ie, fat). Then, we went off carrying our stomach. It was really way too much food for the day.

Instead of heading back to Port Klang, we would like to spend more time still. So, Angela said, let's go to Sunway Pyramid. So, there we were. Walking and enjoy the lights. We ended the eating spree with Starbucks. :)

Then, it is time to send the girls back to the ship. We prayed in the car before saying good-bye. Really, after this, we really do not know when will we meet again. Yet, surely, we will meet again. :)

Take care and God bless you my friends. It has been a blessings to know both of you, Eunji and Jay. And Alex, we miss you so much.

Lunch

Called Pastor Mabel and Yen-Ching for lunch on a Friday. Then, they decided to visit this newly opened Taiwanese restaurant at Era Walk. The ambience is really cosy and nice. Personally, I find the food ok, edible. But, I may go for other options the next round. ;)

One day trip Taman Pertanian Bukit Cahaya Shah Alam + Pulau Ketam

Got to know this trip through Chinese Church Service. It's a day trip with the young working adult. Since it's on Malaysia Day (public holiday) and I wanted to exercise - Taman Cahaya to cycle. I have decided to join them though I only know 1 - 2 person in the group.

We met in church at 7am. As usual, there are people where were late.

We arrived at Shah Alam (with some guidance on GPS and personal GPS - my friend through text), we managed to reach there by 8.30am. It was flooded with people. Everyone rushed in to line up for ticket. Next, everyone rushed to rent the bicycle. Then, us? So, some said, very hungry. Took time for breakfast. So, we knew no chance. Thus, opted for free bus.

The weather was hot, sunny + humid.

We only spent half a day there as it's really nothing much. Some of the places like 4 seasons house was closed for renovation.

Then, we decided to go to Pulau Ketam. Where's that? OK. We knew, it's at Klang. But, where to take the ferry? GPS. Now, GPS couldn't locate it. So, we asked. Someone said, very near. Gave some brief direction and off we went.

Waited for about 30 minutes for the ferry to come. A returned trip costs us RM14. The ferry was old. And yet, it's taking more passengers than it should be. We have passengers standing, quite pack, in the ferry. The entire journey was about 30 - 35 minutes from Port Klang. I didn't feel comfortable, the ship would sink kept appearing in my mind. If anything happened, I can't swim. Maybe I will end up floating to Sumatra?

So, what's so nice of Pulau Ketam? We had late lunch. Seafood. A lot of people went there for lunch. It's really a very typical villange life. I think we can get better seafood, just the price that matters. Other than that, it's nothing special. oh... Yes!! Something special, normally, we get oyster fried with egg. There, we get to try clam (la-la) friend with egg. It's quite different. :)

So, we headed back for the ferry at about 5pm. Reached Seremban about 6.30pm. It's a long and tiring day. Well, at least I have been to Pulau Ketam. :)

Liyen's farewell

Another ex-team member left the company. We had a farewell lunch cum reunion at F4, Subang industrial. :'(

Happy Birthday - Karim

It's a day to celebrate. Somehow we booked the day earlier, much earlier. And was trying to confirm and confirm.

As our friend loves Japanese food so much, and he choose Rakuzen.

Earlier I got a message 'commanding' not to get any cake as there's a cake ready. It's weird as no one knows what kind of cake. Anyhow, knowing our friend likes ice cream, I went ahead and bought a small ice cream cup cake.

The dinner was ok. It's a friendly and polite dinner.

Happy Birthday, Karim!

SCKLM2011

A friend, Kamal, has been asking me to join marathon since some time ago. For this Standard Chartered, he has suggesting me to join him for 5KM fun run. I went to check on the web site, it's quite costly especially passed the early bird registration. Instead, I saw the word 'Volunteer', after exploring it, it seems quite interesting. Thus, I signed myself up.

It was quiet for awhile unsure if I have been chosen. Then, came the email saying that I have been chosen and will be involved in Route Marshal. The email read that I need to go to Bukit Jalil stadium for a training a Saturday before the run, and on the event itself,I gotta be at the stadium at 10pm on Saturday and the work won't finish till 1pm on Sunday. I read the mail again and again disbelieve on the time required. Thus, I rang up and they said, ya, NO mistake, it's correct. So, I started thinking, should I withdraw.
The training Saturday came, I went for the training. More of a briefing, it finished within 1 hour. Still, I was thinking, should I go for the real day? At least, I make a friend. :)

The weekend. So, I have decided to attend. Well, since I have not done this. It would be a different experience. So, I went to the Putra Stadium/ Hall for the 10pm registration. Then, changed into the volunteer t-shirt. We were given some small snacks and a movie to watch. Then, we were gathered according to our team at 12am. We were (supposed) to be given briefing by our team leader. But, my team didn't get any briefing. We got a bag filled with food and drink, hat, whistle. So, we continued to wait till 2am to be depoted to our station.

Each team covers a radius of 3KM. So, our team started at Sg. Besi highway till the turning at Dewan Pustaka which is about at KM12. We were there waited since 2.30am and the race only started at 5am. So, the first runner would only arrive at our place at 5.30am, fastest. So, we were there walking up and down, feeding/ donating our blood to Mr. Mosquitos. It's a long night and morning. Long wait.....

At 5.45am, traffic police and the official workers riding their bikes came to our area and told us to get ready, runners are coming. So, we stood up (trying as we were exhausted after a long night) awaiting for the runners. The runners from Kenya. Their pace is really steady, a group of them. Even the females.

Then, we saw more. Instead of doing the marshal role, we were more of supporters. :D We saw pacer at 2.30hr, 3.30hr, etc. carrying a big ballon with them. And we saw different ones wearing different costumes. It's facinating and eye opening. I was trying to spot some friends who participated in the run. Well, it's too dark and I couldn't see anyone. Also, I was struggling to open my eyes. We literally sat in the middle of the road trying to cheer them.

Though the road was closed, we also saw how Malaysian still force their way through. Driving attitude definitely needs to improve. Guess what? The bigger/ more expensive the car, the greater the attitude problem. sigh...

So, I believe we finished our duty at almost 8am. Where a bus came to fetch us back to the stadium. Waited to get our token (RM40) of appreciation, sandwich, I went home. I was really tired. Not the work, but, the waiting time.

Overall, it's a good experience. :) And well done to all runners. A big thank you for all volunteers.

Farewell

Aw Wen Wey, our team member, decided to leave us to Oz with wife.

We (Business Performance & Analytics, Technology) were so close with each other then, and decided to meet up more often.

Rather than a farewell, it is more of reunion for us.

So, we met up on 11 June, at Tasty Pot, Sunway, for steamboat. It was awesome! For me, not so much the food, but, the companion. I think all of us just hope the night could last.

Then, again, we meet up on 13 June for dinner and some dessert.

It's been hard to say good-bye. I believe friendship will stay if we want to. And so the quote below shared by Aw to us: No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth. -- Robert Southey

Impromptu PD

I was online and so was Fong. Suddenly, we started chatting and decided to went to PD. It was almost 6pm and yet the sun was scorching hot. I wonder what would we do if it's summer where the sun doesn't set till 10pm.

Anyhow, I went to pick her up from her house, and on our way to PD.

It was a public holiday and so the traffic in PD was awfully packed.

I insisted to go to Teluk Kemang as mom said it's a nice beach. I can't remember when was the last time I went to PD and beach.

So, we arrived after driving and jam for some time. It's worth it. The sunset was so beautiful, the waves, the everything... I like it. And surprisingly, it wasn't as humid as my past beaches experience. This was different. And I like it. :)

After taking some photos, we decided to eat. Well, it's just 2 of us, so, it will be too much for seafood. Further, my PD friend won't really able to direct us. And we both don't mind having Malay food. In fact, somehow, i was craving for food. hahaha.... So, we saw some stall nearby, and so, we started to order: satay, otak-otak, mee rebus, mee goreng, cendol (dara), lychee.. and I was thinking burger, but, might be too much. Yeah!! It was good meal. Maybe because I just got back from Shanghai too. :P

Then, we went back to the beach and it was dark. Yet, it was nice. As it's getting dark, we decided to head home. On the way, we stopped at another beach where we saw on the way to Teluk Kemang. This beach is brighter as there have lights.

Even so, the beach was still have quite a number of people.

It was an awesome trip. I like it. :) Getting away to somewhere without plan is good. I had similar experience in NZ where my friends just pulled me for a weekend get-away from Wellington to Auckland. It's a crazy 8 - 10 hours drive (1 way) and just over the weekend. :D

More about this trip can be found in this link where Eunice had more details. :) I am just too lazy.. hahaha... http://euniceta.blogspot.com/2011/06/another-impromptu-trip-to-pd.html

Seafood

As I missed Malaysian food so much + all of the (Analytics & Performance) members missed me so much. We have decided to meet up even when I was still in US that we are to meet up.

So, I was back. And they took me to this place, Lala Chong, at PJ. Well, we ate. We all have a good time.

Thanks, Wen Wey, Li Yen & Ricky. And, most importantly, it is a reunion dinner for us. :) We enjoyed each other's company so much that we don't really want to go back. Just sit and chat. It was just amazing that we have such close friendship.

Change in March

It's been a long while since I jot down something in my block.

March 2011.

It's a month with change, it's a month with a lot of difference feelings, it's a month to remember.

Decision make to leave DiGi - the company that I once prayed and longing to join not long after I graduated, found out no chance to go into the industry (banking/ brokerage) that I have dream of since school time (it was recession when I graduated). DiGi, it was small and young then, but, I wanted to join, I don't know why.

One day, DiGi called me for interviewed. I think it was the moment. And I was offered the job. And 11 March, marks the day that I left DiGi. The day. The day that was raining or drizzling the whole day. The day where I left DiGi quietly, except TMT 'forced' me to say a formal good-bye and some 'managed' to hug me.

I am not a person who knows how to say goodbye. And I think saying goodbye means will never meet again. This will sadden me and I don't like to feel sad. I would rather to keep it and have the hope to meet again.

March 2011.

It's the month that I joined new company, PayPal. It's the first time I resume a regional role.

March 2011....

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, 2011

I was make known about the SCHKM even prior my Dec'10 mission trip. Then, I said, I wanted to tag along (unsure if I was welcome or not...). When I was away in London, I was told to book ticket to HK. Still, I was unsure if and should I go or was it because I was too pushy that I wanted to tag along. So, I only booked ticket for Karim. Then, he said, he wanted me to go along and so I bought myself a ticket too. :) But, why do I go? Yeah!!! I wanna meet my friends there.

Then, I started to look for hotels and told my friends that I am coming. It was so exciting. And yes, I wasn't running at all. I just go 'keh-poh' (busy body)... :D

Our flight was supposed to depart at 9.30am, but, it got delayed by 2 hours because the computer was down and the radar was down too. Gee... the cabin door was then opened for emergency purposes and we were served with nuts and drinks. Still, it didn't satisfy me. :( Well, think of it, the journey was supposed to be 3 hours and we gotta spent 5 hours in the flight. It wasn't a bad deal, uh?! hahaha...

So, we got into Hong Kong late. We stayed in B P International Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. It was not so bad. Small, yet clean, tidy. And the most important is it is near to shopping area, food, MTR. I would go back to stay if I ever go to HK again.

After checking into hotel. We went out to shopping while waiting for Chris to meet us for dinner. Karim did lots of shopping, until I almost got myself a job in the Royal Sporting House too. ;P As we walked to the dining area, we saw StandChart having some mascots promoting the marathon. Oh.. the weather. It was a bit cold and I really love the weather as Malaysia was really cold.

Then, we went for Pakistani food. It was nice. I was hungry but ate little. ohh... it was a tiring day...

Next day?! Oh... must remember to collect Karim's running pack. So, we went to Victoria Park. Wow... it was awesome place. Many people were doing picnic, exercise, collecting pack. Most interestingly, the work to prepare the finishing line was on-going. We took lots of pictures, we met a Philipino Chinese group. Ya. They were running too. And so was Karim, not me. :)

Then, we walked/ shopped around at Causeway Bay. Karim's friend, Lim Eng Wah, met up with us and we had lunch. I think it's really nice meeting up old friends.

Timesquare is where we went next. And guess what? We saw tulips!! I love tulips!! :)

We were told another Malaysian running friend, Cynthia (?), fall sick. So...? We went back to hotel, put our things, took some medication and head to Mongkok to visit her. arh... Mongkok, very happening place. Quite complicated. I don't quite like the place. hmm... My friend, Ellen, a friend I met in 2009 at the mission conference trip, she came to meet up with us for dinner. oh.. Chris came to join us too. So, we went for Japanese food. For me, it's not so much of the food, but, the company of friends. Yeah... Nice catching with friends who shared the same vision, passion. :) Karim didn't join us for a show. Ellen's friend, Eunix Lee 李卓庭， a Hong Kong pop artist/ singer, was singing/ having a show. We went to visit her. Then, I found out, they are Christian too. Wow.... what really encourages me was that seeing the real artist busy life, smiling, taking picture, giving autographs, and yet preparing to sing/ perform on stage. I saw her prayed before going on-stage. Ellen asked if I could pray for the team when the whole show was over. Yes. I would. We prayed. It touches me more, they are not ashame to group together to pray. We prayed in the mall, in the corner. Wow.. it was a good experience.

Sunday came. I walked down to the starting point with Karim. Ya.. taking his jacket, bag, etc right before he started the marathon. I thought of getting a bit more sleep before heading to church. Well, it's hard. :( I went to a church at Tsim Sha Tsui, ECC International at YMCA. I found this church on internet. Joined them. It was a short and yet awesome Sunday Service.

Thereafter, took MTR to Causeway Bay. Gee.... it was really jammed pack with people. Why? Because a lot of road close and so many people took MTR than ever. I reached the spot at hour 5 thinking and wondering where's Karim. After about 30 minutes, then, I received a text. Gosh.. He was at the waiting area waiting for me. Then, I found out, he did the full marathon, 42KM, in 4.56 hour. Gee.... That was a great job done!

hmm... ok... I rushed there, seeing him standing in pain and cold. OK. I feel sorry. :s Seriously sorry. So, how? Wanna take a taxi back. But, wait, road were closed, so, no way we can get taxi. We just gotta walk really slowly to the MTR, took train back.

Yeah.. the afternoon, since Karim was in pain, I went out with another friend, Venus, a friend I met at mission conference trip too. She bought me egg tarts (yummy), almond cookies, and more cookies. So, Karim resting in the hotel, while I went out. hahah... We went to Tsim Sha Tsui, Star walk.. of course, prior reaching there, we went for some shopping. Walk is the thing. We walked a lot.. really a lot.. And art gallery. wow.. all the lights were awesome!! There were amazing. So, we had dinner, huge portion of noddle which I only managed to ate a quarter. It was funny. I couldn't stop but kept laughing. As I asked for more coriander, so, it came as it whole bowl of coriander was what I ordered.

Yeah!! All my friends complaint (as usual) that my trip to Hong Kong was way too short. Yeah!! I wanted to go to Noah's ark exhibition, the outlet malls, etc.. No time.. I wanna go Hong Kong again. And Ocean Park.

Hong Kong friends!! Thank you for making my trip such an unforgettable one. I love you guys! :)