Wednesday, December 20, 2006
The weather!
What a foggy and misty day! There are all type of weather terms you can use to describe the weather in UK. I never pay too much attention to the weather forecast in Malaysia, because it is either sunny or rainy. However I need to do so in UK as it is always unpredictable.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Windsor Castle and St George's Chapel
Windsor Castle, at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, is one of three official residences of The Queen and has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years. The Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. The imposing towers and battlements of the Castle loom large from every approach to the town, creating one of the world's most spectacular skylines. No other royal residence has played such an important role in the nation's history.
Together with Buckingham Palace in London and Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, it is one of the principal official residences of the British monarch. Queen Elizabeth II spends many weekends of the year at the castle, using it for both state and private entertaining.
There are five main areas that open to public. The State Apartments, extensive suites of rooms at the heart of the working palace. The Semi State rooms, which are some of the most splendid interiors in the castle. They are furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection including paintings by Holbein, Rubens, Van Dyck and Lawrence, fine tapestries and porcelain, sculpture and armour. Within the Castle complex there are many additional attractions, including the Drawings Gallery, Queen Mary's dolls' house, and the fourteenth-century St. George's Chapel, the burial place of ten sovereigns and setting for many Royal weddings.
George IV created these in the 1820s as part of a new series of Royal Apartments for his personal occupation. They continue in use by The Queen for official entertaining. Damaged in the 1992 fire, they have been restored to their original appearance and contain furniture and works of art chosen by George IV. The semi-state rooms include The Green Drawing Room, The Crimson Drawing Room, The State Dining Room and The Octagon Dining Room.
When the Queen is in residence the Royal Standard flies from the Round Tower. At all other times you will see the Union Flag.
St George's Chapel is one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England. The building was started in 1475 by Edward IV and took fifty years to construct. It is the Chapel of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Britain's highest order of chivalry founded by Edward III in 1348. Members are selected by The Sovereign and include foreign monarchs and previous Prime Ministers. Ten monarchs are buried in the Chapel, including Edward IV, Henry VIII with his favourite wife Jane Seymour, Charles I, George V and Queen Mary and George VI. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother is also buried here, along with her younger daughter Princess Margaret. Beyond St George's Chapel is the entrance to the Albert Memorial Chapel, converted by Queen Victoria as a memorial to her husband Prince Albert who died in 1861.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Christmas month...
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
Running in Cold
So what I do is layering myself before I start my running. This is the different between running in the equatorial country and 4 seasons country. A thin, breathable base layer, which may keep myself warm. A mid-layer of lightweight cotton T-shirt to provide insulation. And my last layer is a wind breaker jacket, which protects me from wind. Plus a gloves which keeps my hands warmer.
I started my run around 4pm and the day seem to be getting darker and colder. It is a bit late to run at this hour because day time tends to be shorter in the end of Autumn.
It is a good experience to run in the changing seasons. Enjoy the scene while running. The windy weather really killing. Anyway after 10 mins run, my body become warmer. The air seems to be quite dry and thin. Having a difficulty to breath but then my breathing slowly back to normal. I managed to run 1hr perhap just 6 miles and sweat a bit. Sweating seems to be precious to me now. :P Anyway it is a good start.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Here I come UK!
It was a 14 hours flight from Malaysia to UK. My first thought is I can travel 7 times back to my hometown. Gosh! Can you imagine, it is really a suffer for me. Basically most of the time I was sitting in front of the TV and waiting for the food to be served. :P The stewardness are so friendly.
Landed in London Heathrow Airport at 18:35pm (11/11/06), which is around 2.30am (12/11/06) in Malaysia. London Heathrow Airport, often referred to as Heathrow, is the third busiest airport in the world, after Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Chicago O'Hare. Heathrow, however, handles more international passengers than any other airport. Heathrow is the United Kingdom's busiest and best-connected airport, as well as being Europe's largest.
It was a drizzling, cool night where it is only 10 degree. I feel excited even though very cold and tired. I guess it may take me few days to overcome the 'jet lag'.
(pic) Rochester Castle view from River Medway. A castle that I will see everyday on my way back home. It is such a nice view where my house is facing the river and it is very clean. I can't resist to run in the town when I got my track suit. I believe I will enjoy my business trip very much.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Running Forever!
I joined the pacesetter members for the 10km or 21km training in
I loved the morning runs, starting out in the pitch dark, praying for firm footing and deliverance from danger. Due to we started so early and were finished before most of the civilization was brewing coffee, the running had a surreal quality to it.
I'm lucky to have some great friends as my running partners. They created my training program and led me through it. I never wanted to know much, not the distance or pace, none of it - a welcome escape from the pressures of too many other decisions. During weekend, I met them at the appointed hour and put one foot in front of the other until they told me I was done.
Like most beginning runners, I ran too much too soon. I ran too fast and too far. I discovered what I was running from. I was running from where I had been, where I was, and where I was headed. But like so many runners, no matter how far or how fast I ran, I always ended up right where I had started, with myself.
Running is both a reward and an education, a chance to learn something about a new community and renew myself for the job ahead. The wisdom, tears, and laughter we shared gave me an insight and appreciation for my friends that I have not had since I was in college. It is a good thing too because come to race day, I ended up needing these friends more profoundly than I expected. Thanks mates!
I have seen life as a non-runner and as a runner. I can tell you with complete assurance that I’ve chosen, and will continue to choose, running. Without running, there are no runners and I have learned that a runner is everything I hope to be.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
The pm day!
Finally, I have become one of the pm member. The excitement was filling up my mind. To me, pacemakers club is a club that consists of runners that full of talent and passion. They run with passion, determination and pia spirit which really inspire me a lot.
It is really an honour to be one of them. October 17, 2006 is definitely another day which will be marked as a significant day in my diary besides my birthday. :-) I would say it is a lottery to me. ^-^
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
When You Believe
I would like to dedicate this song to all my friends and who ever that are in the battle of life. Hope you like it. :-)
Many nights we prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hope for a song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know theres much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could, whoa, yes
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe
[Mmmmmmmmmyeah]
Mmmyeah
In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer bird
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
My hearts so full, I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say
There can be miracles
When you believe (When you believe)
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill (Mmm)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve)
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe
[Hey]
[Ooh]
They don't always happen when you ask
And it's easy to give in to your fears
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see the way, get through the rain
A small but still, resilient voice
Says hope is very near, oh [Oh]
There can be miracles (Miracles)
When you believe (Boy, when you believe, yeah) [Though hope is frail]
Though hope is frail [Its hard]
Its hard to kill (Hard to kill, oh, yeah)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve, oh)
When you believe somehow you will (Somehow, somehow, somehow)
Somehow you will (I know, I know, know)
You will when you believe [When you]
(Ohoh)
[You will when you]
(You will when you believe)
[Oohoohooh]
[Oh...oh]
[When you believe]
[When you believe]
Thursday, October 05, 2006
My maiden LSD in Miri
One of the uphill route around 4km
Date: 1st October 2006
Time: 7am - 10am
Distance: 20km (From Tua Pek Kong Temple to Luak Bay Esplanade and back)
At last, the rain getting smaller around 6am, meet up with Fook at 6.30am, we head towards the starting point at the 1910-built Tua Pek Kong Temple situated at the intersection of China Street and Bendahara Street which together with the area bound by Jalan Kingsway and Jalan Brooke formed the Old Town. Beside the temple, there is a fish market. So it is a bit crowded with cars and people.
It is a breezy day after the rain. We slowly ran toward the outskirt of the city and not many cars on the road. The refreshingly green and pleasant surroundings certainly pleased me. We came to the first uphill when we were about 4km mark. I tried to run up slow and steady. Most of the time we ran at the pedestrian area where it is safe for the runners. After 7km, there are few newly built seaside mansions of which are owned by timber tycoons who use them as weekend homes. It just a keeping-up-with-Joneses and lifestyle diversion for them. Voila, we reached the 10km mark where the Luak Bay esplanade is located.
The first thing which crossed my mind the moment I reached the seaside was follow the move of one of the scene from 'Bourne Supremacy'. My favourite movie that motivate me to run by seaside all the time. I think I am addicted to that already.
We spent some times enjoy the beach side view. This is the best natural and break site that you don't want to miss it. A great place to escape from the hectic life. The water is wild with big waves. No bikini gal as it is still early I guess.
Luak Bay esplanade is where locals meet for a relaxing evening; where children gather to play with sand, splash around in the sea and frolic under the cheerful sunshine. A good place for barbecues, seaside picnics or simply just strolling on the beach while enjoying the cool breeze.
On our way back, it started to rain again. It is quite heavy so we were forced to stopped by at Taman Selera. Taman Selera is the oldest recreational park in Miri, it is situated in Brighton about 3km from the city center at Tanjung Lobang. Besides the golden sand beach, children's playground and outdoor facilities, there is an open air hawker centre which is a popular eating place with all sorts of delightful local food. You may enjoy the beautiful sunset and feel the cool sea breeze as you listen to the sound of the splashing waves.
We continued our journey after the rain became smaller. Our LSD ended around 9.45am. Although it took longer time as we did but it is indeed an enjoyable LSD I have ever had. I would rate it as a 5 stars LSD route with the combination of uphills and downhills, seaside and greenery view plus windy feel. Thanks to Ah Fook for the leading and route survey.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Communication
Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, or so it seems, when you consider the widely different ways we think, feel, and act. The problem is we too often forge our differences by expecting our partners to think and behave as we do.
Men and women, quite simply, don't usually have the language it takes to communicate effectively with one another. We place different values upon different emotions, different ways of being. And then we get so frustrated when our significant other doesn't behave the way we think they should!! How frustrating and difficult for our relationships and also unnecessary.
Take an example, a woman relieves stress by talking about it, which the man may interpret as an accusation or request for a solution. In terms of woman it is just sharing a problem which she wants to be acknowledged. The man on the other hand has a basic instinct to give a solution because men do not discuss a problem unless they want a solution.
Sometimes the war between the opposite sex can be as terrible as the real war. Do you think so?
Friday, July 07, 2006
松下的人生观
Monday, July 03, 2006
My second English Novel Book!
The book - Angels and Demons which written by Dan Brown (the bestseller of The Da Vinci Code) is another book that the story line is almost the same as The Da Vinci Code. I read it quite slow at the beginning. Quite boring. Anyway it turned up quite exciting in the middle part.
The story involves a conflict between an ancient group, the Illuminati, and the Catholic Church.
This book deals with moral issues such as the debate between science and religion. It outlines many of the internal workings of the Vatican as a plot to blow up the Vatican unfolds during the conclave.
Angels and Demons has many similarities with Brown's other books -- all events happen within 24 hours, it starts with a murder, and then takes a breakneck pace through many European settings. In this book, much of the artwork is by the noted sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Just as with Brown's other novels, there is a mixture of fact and fiction that some readers find entertaining, but others find inaccurate and misleading, to the point of promoting conspiracy theories.The book's popularity has led to a corresponding increase in tourism to the book's locations in Rome.
Ok, stay tune for my next book .....
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
选择或抉择
记得婚前选择你所爱的,婚后爱你所选择的。
Thursday, June 22, 2006
人生的旅程
人生之中 , 未必每段路都尽然能够走得很如理想 ,只要自己有去向 ,有目标 ,有清晰的前景;每个阶段 ,都就像踏在一块跳板之上 ,只要自己在任何时候都一样的把握 ,和同样的勇於付出 ;过程中, 每个人都 一定有迷惘的时候 ,只要你不放弃;那麽 ,任何时候都是你突围而出的时候 。
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
爱情语录(2)
人喜欢把自己塑造成悲剧的角色,获取同情的眼光,然而这样的心灵种子只会再度吸引到悲剧的故事上演,就像身上有块磁铁只能吸引铁钉而不能吸到美丽的宝石。
爱情语录
幸福是一种感觉,一种境界,不是物质可以表达,不是金钱可以衡量,不是名利可以炫耀,所以每个人都配拥有幸福,它并非专利。
Monday, June 12, 2006
Friday, June 09, 2006
不要抱怨
但是,不要抱怨,除非这样做能帮助你改变事实,或是为你解除烦恼,否则,千万不要抱怨。
因为无谓的抱怨,只会把你自己陷入一个更痛苦的深渊,愈来愈无法自拔,让你再也看不到外面的世界。
没有人喜欢听到你喋喋不休的抱怨声,没有人喜欢看到一张怨怼不满的脸。这是一件损人不利己的事。
对命运也好,环境也好,要不然就欣然接受,要不然就默然忍受,如果都做不到的话,那么就反抗吧!只是千万别抱怨。
Thursday, June 08, 2006
忍耐
在愤怒中安静,
在激动中自持,
在冤屈中沉默,
在危险中镇静,
在寂寞中恬然自得,
在苦难中泰然自处。
你要把眼泪收起来,把笑脸摆出来;
把伤口遮起来,把胸膛挺起来。
你要在心口插着一把刀的时侯,还能笑得出来。
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Thorn of flowers
爱一朵玫瑰,并不是把它的刺除去,
而是学习如何不被它的刺刺伤
及不让自己的刺伤害心爱的人。
" We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person"
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Life long learning
Recently she is so enjoy sending sms to me after my dad give her a good lecture. I am so proud of you guys. Life long learning....
Monday, June 05, 2006
Another achievement!
Total: 60km
Start: 12:05am
Finish: 7.50am
Team mates: Hoo Ching Chong, Ching Tai, Tey Eng Tiong, Kenny Choo, Tan Khee Meng & Phyllis
The pain and suffer tend to blur with time and only the sense of accomplishment and camaraderie remain after 3 days back from Hatyai.
I would like to thank Tey Eng Tiong (marathon expert) for inviting me to the race. Being adventurous (and NOT totally crazy) and hardly a second thought, I decided to give myself a try for this special Ultra marathon (in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s ascension to the Thai throne) in
My aim is focusing on race completion rather than being ..World Champion.
We met some Malaysian runners (from
Let the real fun begin!
It was a starry and light wind night. I wondered what am I doing here in another border at the midnight and not on my bed. I started with a slow pace as I don’t want to end myself up to go back in the ambulance. Tey, CCHoo and Ching Tai were in a steady pace too. However Kenny Choo and Khee Meng were already out of my sight. Two team leaders were competing with each other.
Along the way, there are some cyclists who act as road marshals. They will lead the runners along the way to prevent them from getting lost. Thanks for their flashlight for showing us the route while we pass by the rubber estate road which was so dark. Some runners alerted others by shouting out before they crash with each other. Overall, the route is flat and straightforward. Not many turning points.
The first 20km flew by and the heat wasn’t yet oppressive. My body was hardly drenched with sweat. This is the advantage of running at night that you don’t need to worry about the heat taking you out of the race. Water stations were seen at every 2-3km. They provide plain water at most of the water stations. Some water stations will serve with watermelons, ‘Fanta’ drink (a soft drink brand produced and distributed by the Coca-Cola Bottling Co), sweets and Jelly but hardly any bananas. Most of the time I will use the plain water to refresh myself.
I met Ching Tai and Tey at 30km marker and my watch showed 3hr5min. Voila, I am half way through. As usual, Tey will never forget to take the picture.
Then 3 of us ran together after the 30km. When I was at 38km mark, I thought I have 4 km to go to end the race. I kept thinking why the Thai King is celebrating 60 anniversary and not 42. “This is not a marathon, the night is still young, mate”
Anyway, it is too late to regret now. I kept on my pace and my legs didn’t give me much problem except my feet has begun to blister. The sky was quiet and even though all the sleep deprivation there was no hallucination. I felt awake maybe because of the excitement or the effect of coffee before race.
Another 18km to go when I cross the 42km mark. Tey told me that you may start to count down. I was bewildered, will it be too early?
“Running over a long distance is tedious at times and you will begin to replay past events in your mind, but also focus a bit negatively on what is happening at the moment and what you wish were happening.” This might be a good method to overcome it.
It will be a lonely journey after 46km as Tey was forced to stop for a break. Ching Tai was 1km away from me I guess. I hardly saw any lady runners on the way back. Anyway, it is quite safe to run alone while enjoys the rural view.
Looking at my watch, 5h30min, 10km to go, hmm arrive at 6h30min is a dream for me. Never mind, I think I can complete within 7 hours. I guess I have to forget about the free ride from ambulance as I hardly see any medical support car on my way back. Hmm, what if someone need it?
The sun slowly illuminates the globe for us and the morning temperature is still bearable. I was starting to keep an eye for the marker because every single km less will make me great. “You have 5km to go, keep on it”, a bike marshal told me. I was lightened up!
Another 3km to go but it is enough to torture me as I was almost out of fuel. My legs were reluctant to listen to my order even merely 3km away. Luckily I met a woman veteran runner at the water station who stopped for a break. We were so happy to see each other. She spoke to me (in Thai) and I told her that I am from
At last I saw a cheer team welcomed us with big hand at the finishing line in 200m. Yeah! Finally, I am there.
I managed to finish in 6h50min, which was a good deal slower than I thought, but, hey, does it really matter? This is my first most significant run of my life. Another step further….
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Finally found someone....
I FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE (Barbra Streisand & Bryan Adams)
I finally found someone, that knocks me off my feet
I finally found the one, that makes me feel complete
We started over coffee, we started out as friends
It's funny how from simple things, the best things begin
This time it's different, dah dah dah dah
It's all because of you, dah dah dah dah
It's better than it's ever been
'Cause we can talk it through
Oohh, my favorite line was "Can I call you sometime?"
It's all you had to say to take my breath away
(Chorus)
This is it, oh, I finally found someone
Someone to share my life
I finally found the one, to be with every night
'Cause whatever I do, it's just got to be you
My life has just begun
I finally found someone, ooh, someone
I finally found someone, oooh
Did I keep you waiting, I didn't mind
I apologize, baby, that's fine
I would wait forever just to know you were mine
And I love your hair, sure it looks fine
I love what you wear, isn't it the time?
You're exceptional, I can't wait for the rest of my life
(Repeat Chorus)
Whatever I do, it's just got to be you
My life has just begun
I finally found someone