November 2016 - Finish a FULL Marathon

Penang Bridge International Marathon, is one of the annual event that I will be joining since year 2010, and now it has been the 7th time I join for this event.

During my first year in USM, I was invited by my uncle to join the Half Marathon, where before that I have never think I would fall in love with any sports other than badminton and swimming. Well, I am always bad in sports activities since young, even I have trained hard. 

It was my first 21 km run and I thought I can never do it in 3.5 hours. Everyone who heard about it was having the same thought also and say that I must be crazy. At the end, I managed to finished it with the time of 3 h 25 m.

It was an eye opening experience. A journey that you will not be alone, you will see thousands of people running with you, everyone has their own reason to run: Some wanted to collect the medals; some want to challenges their best times, there are a lot of youngsters like us who just want to show off to their peers that they have come so far; there are also a lot of middle age or older people who are more physically fit and ran faster than you. From observation, there are thousands of stories you can see within the 21 km. That is how I fall in love with running a marathon, eventually you will forget to scroll your phone and keep focus on the road, on yourself, your mindset, your legs of course, when it gets hurt. 

Surprisingly it did not stop there. 

3 years later, after the third Half Marathon, my senior approach me and we both thinking if we should challenge ourselves to another level, the Full Marathon. We have been considering it since then but no one dare to really go for it. Luckily, thanks to another special friend of mine, who have not join any long distance run but decided to join it with his university friends during that time that finally encourage me to go for it as well. 

It was during my final year, where I have more flexibility while doing research for Final Year Project, I have more control of my time that I can arrange for training. Not to forget, those who spend time to motivate me for training: running in the campus, or go to the gym. Elizabeth and Sue Anne. It was 2013, my first attempt to Full Marathon, a little ran out of time, 7 h 03 m. 

I failed the second attempt the following year, lacking of exercise and also wearing a wrong running shoes. I got myself a few big blister and the feeling kills me each step I walked. I decided to give up on the run and realized that I need more training in order to keep myself in fit condition. 

Last year I go back to Half Marathon, managed to finish it without much training. 

But there are still something that I would like to challenge myself, some noise that telling me that I must try again before I say I cannot. Something that I know I need to come over, because I afraid of.(similar to talking to public, my legs shake every time I need to do so). 

This year, after 3 years since the first attempt, I decided to join again with my crazy running buddies here. A year challenge for myself also, that I wish to stand up from where I have fallen badly and the nightmare of 7 hours. I would want to prove that if anyone can do it, so do I. 

This year, thanks to the crazy marathon buddies (Lee Hoon, Doreen, Debera and Victor) that join the marathon with me.Thanks to Sue Anne that accompany join a few marathon in KL (Malaysia Woman Half Marathon, PJ Half Marathon, Pantai Bagan Lalang Half Marathon, Superman vs Batman was requested by her and I FFK her from the KL Standard Chartered Marathon), and my weekly training buddies - Hui Ying, Jia Yi and this year, surprisingly, Angelina mentioned that she is considering to join us for the gym session and she make it! From 400 m to 2 km! 

I am barely to continue the training without all of their supports and accompanies. 

This is the pride for everyone of them. You never know how much you have done to support a dream. And now, I can finally say it out loud that I have completed a FULL MARATHON.

Thank you! 

Without noticing the time is flying AGAIN, here come, the last day of November. Today, there have been two people come to me and say some words, it means a lot to me. For along the period here and growth. More to come for December?

Meanwhile, time to write down the to-do list for the coming year. And Happy Holiday to all the school kids!

Kerry APAC Early Career Program: Part 1, 2 and 3 - Completed

2016 has become a very interesting year, part of it is the graduate training program has come to live, after we had thought that it will never be happen again. But with a different mode. We participated this not as a fresh graduates but with bunch of experienced workers.

It was unexpected fun yet gaining a lot of insights for preparations for future leaders. I am sure that I am not ready to lead yet when I don't have confident on my technical skills, which I think it is important to make sure that it is important to cultivate it before you get into the management roles.

Besides of the knowledge sharing in this program, I guess what is more important is having the chance to meet new people in life.

Life started after 6 months of working has become a routine. There is limited of graduates for our year (hmm, I am not sure I have know them all, but 2 were my classmates, then through badminton I have know the others from production), I have the chance to know more seniors as well through the USM seniors, Supply Quality team,  badminton, and also Thursday dinner date.

Even though the job requires me to know new people in order to get the work done, the virtual communication way has make everything to be less human more formal. People come and go, and you can only accept the changes and to deal with the new one. Without much relationship involved.

This training has become a little bit different, when it combines people from the other departments and sites, a totally different background but gather together for the classes and become teammates.

And finally it has been officially ended, marked the end of the graduate program (damn, I still missing my university life!) but also another new journey going to start.

It has become a lot more challenges when you are facing the real world. What make it worth is nor matter how tough the journey will become, I will make sure it is confirm a journey of growth.

End of this program, I need to get myself ready for Penang FULL MARATHON, which will be held in less than a month time.

And there is still other to-do list needed to be clear before end of the year.

Keep calm and keep going.

Good Luck!! for you and me.

  

2016 Q3 review - Life

It is now Oct 1st, and I finally make a move to McD to online after half a day rolling on the bed.
At work, we always have quarterly review of our work performance and we just had one last week to close of Q3 and to see what is pending for Q4 to make sure all close by end of the year.
Going to countdown 2016 to finish, it has been 9 months passed, and it has been a great year that so
much happening and changes has been made.

2016 is a great year, with the increase of annual leave days this year. I get to spend more holiday during Chinese New Year (back to Melaka, travel to Penang, and then back to Johor), then visited Adelaide, Australia in Mar, with my sister had a long stay, so take a week off and go for visit after attended my cousin's wedding, another holiday spend in Perak and Penang to attend my sister's wedding in June.

2016 also a great change year, after realizing that my body performance drop after 1.5 years working, after register the Penang Bridge Full Marathon, I have no choice but to make sure myself have more training. So it has become a more intense workout and marathons in a year.

Had Woman Malaysia Marathon in Mar with Sue Anne in Mar, 2XU Compression Run in Apr with the seniors in JB travel to Singapore, then a few short distance run in JB - Kerry Run and UTM night run, Sue Anne was too excited after the WMM 2016, but I missed out the Standard Charted Marathon as it selling too fast, replaced it with PJ Half Marathon in Aug, register for UEM Charity Run in JB, but it got cancelled due to the sudden haze visiting Malaysia. Then Sue Anne get excited again after two half marathon in a month, we go for another two marathon in two days, Bagan Lalang Run (half marathon) on Saturday and then Superman v Batman run (10km) on Sunday.

People called me crazy for joining so many run, with the suffering of the body and also the money spend. Well, after all the craziness I start to become clearer of my craziness, but no regrets.

For the 25 years of my life, it has become a great year to spend, even though with all the pains on the legs. I feel more happy and I can feel my body response well after started to really workout.
I should thanks all the buddies who willing to accompany me all these while.

Craziness will not stop after this year, but maybe a different approach, I will try to continue my workout to maintain my health. and I shall look for other new challenges in life in the coming year. Starting to plan for next year, a long journey ahead and I am looking forward to it.

Looking forward for my last fight for Full Marathon. Officially countdown for 2 months and my last holiday to Penang in end Nov.

p/s: too bad look like I cannot attend any of the juniors convocation, I have no idea why is it all falls in Oct and is a weekday. An advanced BIG CONGRATULATIONS to all the juniors I know, Welcome to the real working life if you have found your job, and good luck for those who are still looking for one.

Reminder to myself: Keep up the spirit of taking challenges. Never give up of doing what you think is right. Well, I am always lucky, because I have got a lot courage from my beloved friends and sisters.

Stay calm, Stay tune, the most beautiful scene will come after the rain. It won't be the ending, but another start.

Coursemates who started work with me in the same company.

Use the word from my friend: 

One has left us much earlier and now finally back to Penang, 

Another one leaving soon, 

One of the best memories between us two years ago. 

It will last forever, the story for our first job and the laughter that we shared. 

September Post: Marathon and me

This month, countdown to the last three months for my Penang Full Marathon. This year, still don't have much confident as before. That year, 3 years ago, with all the fighting spirits to go for a better future, a motivation for me to get nearer to my love one. To tell myself that I can go through the impossible.

Life is always cruel with all the up and down. After the injury that I have gone through the following year, I downgrade myself to go back to the half marathon last year. With all the spirit gone and I am learning to accept all that have happen.

After two years of trying to get rid and to strikes for better career, I have left out my jogging habit. Part of it I don't like sports at all. I am such a lazy person back in real life. If I can choose, to work less and the rest just sit back at home and just do nothing.

I wish to have that life. I did manage to have this kind of life after start working. Go back on time, and enjoy my Korean drama. But it doesn't last long.

I start to feel the aging. With the accumulated fats that I have collected after days and days sitting in front of computer, and the tiredness when get ready to office. I realised that I need a change. A change to this situation else I will be soon collapse.

Thanks to the friends and colleagues around that loves sports. I still manage to go for badminton, marathon and hiking from time to time.

This year, I have try to focus back to running, this is the easiest sport that you can do it alone, but amazingly, you will never be alone. I have a bunch of friends that I met along the life journey join me for this crazy action.

One friend whom started with Penang Fun Run, initially call me a crazy for joining a half marathon back in 2010 (I was enter by accidentally though), become joining three half marathon this year, we run the Woman Run in Mar, she said it will never happen again, but she end up sign up for Standard Charted Run (I miss it due to lack of cash flow that time, poor me.), and crazily join me for a half marathon and 10km run in two consecutive days. My favourite friend, Sue Anne that always go crazy easily, well, only her I will go out of my rational acts.

Another few more seniors and friend that I met in USM and Kerry, who are also my running partners in crime, these are all my luck to have them to drag me in to one more marathon, some drag by me also.

Marathon, has becoming part of my life, a great spirit of never give up. Yes, you will feel the spirit when you see everyone else who join, some might be weaker than you in stamina, but all will have the aim to finish the journey or to score their best time.

NEVER GIVE UP, KEEP FIGHTING, for all the people out there to never fail to try challenge themselves.
We might afraid of injuries, we do need to try our best to avoid getting hurt, some are not reversible, but life only live once, if I don't go for it I will be more afraid the regrets than the scars that shows that I have tried my best.

I don't know what will be the next after this run in November, well I will just try my best for this one first. I shall thanks all the people who accompany me for training and joining me for a marathon.

Running alone is lonely and boring. Running with friends you get to have more courage and run faster and longer.

Last but not least, I shall thanks my crazy friend again, for waiting me along the journey under the hot sun. Thank you my friend, and continue to run. (evil smile...)
 

Recap for August

It mark down the full month of life without WiFi at home. I barely do any internet surfing, so ended up I go busy for reading with the aim to finish my book list and bring it back home.

Life has becoming more and more interesting when it started reading. New ideas and thoughts. I have been reading about how technology has come and affects humans life, some food science that I did not get to learn in university, read about life, food for life, and some other light readings.

This year birthday has become a remarkable one with all the loves one around and get a number of lovely gift from my friends. Thanks for all the surprise and loves from each of them. I really appreciate the effort.

Thanks for the teammates, batch mates, course mates, friends, juniors, seniors, boss and sisters. For one whole month I have been non stop eating good food. Of course, get to meet a few rare friends too.

First time become tour guide at Singapore bring my sayang Iznie around to explore and exercise. Get to eat two pieces of cake sharing birthday with Musuh no 2 Cik Kiah, and Bariqi, who is younger than me 363 days.

Back home for emergency, end up finally get to eat durian at home. Not to mentioned the usual menu, Chicken Rice Ball and Pork Rib noodle. Oh ya, the remarkable cheap Popcorn as well. (one pack for MYR 1.50 at the Wednesday night market!).

Went up to KL for PJ Half Marathon with Sue Anne, getting the record for 3 hour and 10 min. Good record and still with rooms of improvement. Met special Akak (Soo Mei) and have a short catch up finally after two years from USM.

Birthday celebrations with my colleagues is the one unexpected. I was expecting myself to go home and cook for a simple meal. Then Debera was the one who called me out for dinner. And suddenly everyone appear.

IT was unexpected two years I have been staying in Johor as it was started as a very boring place to me. Comparing to Melaka and Penang. But ended up with these group of people that I finally make it another home for the journey that I have gone through. Not sure if I will come back again in the future, but it has make it a memorable two years and I am sure I will find it hard when it is time to leave.

Should have another Half Marathon as part of my training for Penang Marathon. But suddenly the haze come and it cancelled. So I have extra time and drive to Batu Pahat to meet my long lost girlfriend, Adrina, to celebrate both of our birthday and catch up with her again.

Had a few more rounds with Debera, Jia Yi and Sarah. Thanks for the treat for the Korean BBQ.

Met Miin Shan at the end of her internship as well. My little girl has become final year student now already. How time flies! She is always 7-year-old girl that I kept in my memories.

Thanks for the special birthday gift that I can request by my own. Although I think I should request it more. But I appreciate it. Thanks for the gift from ladies, I am start getting my mood on for the next journey and will sure bring all your love with me.

It will be another long list for the thank you and appreciation. All and all, a simple thank you and I appreciate each of you that have remember this one simple day and make it special to me.

A quarter century it has come. 

Wish myself faster get a bf, 

Wish myself to love myself more than yesterday,

(I know I always did! but under request too)

And last wishes keep it for myself. 

Thank you! Terima Kasih! Xie-xie! Arigato! Merci! 

Jul - A month with an ending and a new start

Jul is approaching the end again. I dont know how I spend it again.

Probably it is just an usual time passing by again. What is the main focus this months was back on track and workout. It has become routine for a weekly gym session with Hui Ying since she participate in the 2XU compression run in 2015. What make it different for me this year, I am going to join the Full Marathon again to challenge my limits and also to see how far I can go.

Marathon has become part of my life back in 2010 so that I will be continue watch out my stamina and also body health. This year, becoming 25 years old, I am thinking to go for some changes to life and thus 42.195 km has become one of the target again.

The month of July begins the painful training, I went to Mount Pulai twice in a week thought want to start make good friends with the uncles while enjoying the nature but it happens that I saw a news post that it is closed for public due to too many life threatening cases happened there. Thanks to my buddy Chian Yit for accompany and both of us got wet due to rain. And the second session with Sarah, Thong Thong and Leslie, a good weather.

Then Jia Yi has become actively call me for workout, whether gym or the route at Taman Merdeka. It is usually for me to run on a treadmill for about 30 min for  a distance of 3 km, but she motivates me to go for 5 km at least. of course, longer time needed. And yes, I need to make sure myself go further than that when the marathon gets nearer.

Birthday
Jul has become a month for PIZZA due to it is Debera's Birthday! Thanks to her I have try on 6 pizzas in a week.

There are a few of the important persons that are born in this month, firstly is my beloved daddy, which I used to call home on this day and wish him if I am not at home. I seldom call home but this is the day I usually does. Even it might be just a 5 to 10 minutes call.

The nearest to me now is Debera, one of the best buddy I met in Johor Bahru. So this is the only birthday celebration I had. The longest I can remember and still keep in touch is one of the Genting buddy back in 2008, my first job batch mate. Although I keep forgetting the date of his birthday. He used to put on FB is 31st Aug. One friend that I did not manage to wish is Sock Ting, this month I gets a little bit emo so more focusing on sports and also reading.

Reading
Thanks to the limited WiFi connection at my current house, whether it easily get disconnected or the 20 GB in a month, I finally back to my reading as well. It has been quite a long book list that I have bought back and the reading speed has been slow down due to me falling to the drama again and again and time wasted.

Back to reading. Recently my favorites are about foods and also how to make your life simpler. There are a few books that I have read and it opens my mind about the globalization of food supply, some reading about how the technology has change the way we eat today, and also how it has been influencing and impacting the whole economy. Interesting to read, something that I have never come across throughout my degree years while learning Food Technology.

The other topic is also related to my current situation. One of the author he try to simplified his stuff by control it under 100 things for a year. There is also book related to some Japanese lifestyle that encourage minimum stuff at home （极简生活）. It suits my taste, being a lazy person in life, I am looking forward that my house will be of minimum stuff so that it can be clean easily. Meanwhile, it makes you values all the stuff that you have.

Cooking
While trying to focus on workout and reading, cooking is also one of the tasks for the month. After a whole month of heavy meals, I am running out of money and there goes the cooking plan. Well, still the beginner in cooking and again, being the lazy one, I am proud to have my meal ready in 10 min!

Well, pretty simple time to go for my work-life balance target. August is coming, looking forward for a whole month of celebrations. Hint: My birthday is coming soon! But no more cakes please. Gift are most welcome, and... and... I like FOOD!

Jun Part 2: Being A Lucky Person

Finally got back my WiFi at home, after five days. What a good timing!

Jun has been really a month full with fun and activities!

After return from Perak/Penang Trip, the following week I have a date with senior, Lee Hoon for a promise that I have made some time ago, which is to find a place to jog or so called training in Singapore. The marathon run registration fee is becoming more expensive when the popularity goes up and not mentioning those in Singapore which is three times Malaysian Ringgit!

She asked me if the thought is going for real and then there goes the weekend on Jun 25, 26! Although not much time to plan on the schedule, I did end up really enjoy the trip. Smooth traffic on the Saturday and meet up with my buddy, Andrew to catch up for a brunch. Then meet up with Lee Hoon, she bring me to all the places that I wanna to go. Hehe. We made it to the the second hand book heaven, Bras Basah Complex to search for 2nd hand magazine for my training the following week. At the same time, we found a lot of interesting shop located in this complex and have fun exploring it! Then go to International Music Day at Alliance Francaise le Singapour. The first thing fun is back to old school time to enjoy our music and performance, secondly, it is the first time I am so near to a French environment! I had a Level 1 study in university, hardly understand French language, but long before that it is one of the bucket list travel to France to witness the Eiffel Tower in real!

Then, followed by Sun, go to the Macrithie National Park for the jogging. Another reservoir that I see in Singapore, after the Lower Seletar Reservoir and this is a real place for some training, it is a 11 km trail with most of the places cover under the tree, so not hot at all! Having fun looking at other handsome running at the same time! The place is almost flat, so we have quite some running except for some place the rock is slippery which we have to slow down to avoid injured.

Macritchie Reservoir

The Tree Top Walk - 250 m of one way walk 

on top of all the tall trees and nature. 

Initially I thought it is not scary at all. 

Keep back my words after 50 m walk. 

Start walking fast before my leg start shaking.

After that, had a great shower and then meet up with ShuChen for lunch before heading back to where I come from. Back to Johor, the traffic was smooth as well.

Come to end of Jun, I had the APAC Early Career Training Program Part 2. Unlike the first part, this time we are meeting up the same group of people, more familiar faces, although less people. More learning come in for the three days of training, communication skills, presentation skills, and this time we had a finance workshop plus a megatrend presentation.

Meet back MiniUN Team in part 1 on the first day! 

Then they changed the team so that we are better mixing around.

This is my team no 2, Malindo, 

originally from Malaysia and Indonesia.

I made a promise at the beginning check-in time, to be ready to practice more of my presentation skills and build my confidence. Throughout these three days, I did enjoy it although not so much night outing and drinking session like what seniors told us. Well, my drinking ability is still a toddler, better not to drink so much too.

Team photo 2, after we won the presentation.

A good ending for part 2.

Soon after the training, bring one of my colleague from Thai to go visit my hometown, Melaka. Well, not much to travel, only that her travel plan is to go to place with good food, and I think Melaka fit it well. But it is a hot weather and we really feel exhausted in the afternoon.

I hope she did enjoy Melaka and the food. Happy when she commented "A-roy!" (HoChiak in Thai)

Finally, end of Jun and there come the Raya holiday. To be continue...