It has been that long huh?
First race in January didn't turn out well.
been lagging in the fitness aspect of my likes in life.
sucks big time.

First race of the year. Dup dap dup dap..scared? Anxious? Excited?
Was I thinking when I decided to sign up for the duathlon? Apparently not. I am not doing both discipline though. Just the cycling part. I think I am almost embarrassed just mentioning it. Why? Because I haven't been faithfully training for it. Other competitors are. But no backing now. Wouldn't want to let down my runner-partner. So race I shall endeavor.

Tis the season to be thoughtful

2014. After 14 years of teaching English, I was reassigned to do Health and Physical Education. And so, my England will soon be going down the ditch.

Oh. My change of diet had resulted in a much diminished cholesterol reading. So happy was I that I rewarded myself with some sinfully cholesterolly delicious foods. Dang. My spots were clearing up and skin was getting much healthier too. Nemain. Tis January, will slowly return to the healthy foodstyle again.

But. I am tired. Soul is ailing.

2013 is nearing it's exit. Most would regard this last day of the Gregorian calendar to ruminate (oh sounds so dairy-like), to reflect, to examine, to consider the happenings of the year and perhaps reaffirm a vow to achieve what was not achieved.

Sure, it's easier to come up with new to-do lists at the start of each year, so as to give the self a chance to actually do something, and be able to put a mark at any successful endeavor.  No need laa... everyday's a new day. Taking life one day at a time.

It has been a year of acquisition for me I think, which, the biggest of all, was acquiring a brand new 4x4 ride. An Isuzu Dmax four wheel drive. I like the feel of almost invincibility it gives when I'm behind the wheel. No more pressing down on the brakes and easing on the speed when I'm going over a bump or potholes on the road. Not so much anyway, I ran over most slight bumps and potholes with my sedan. No more feeling vulnerable when it's raining cats and dogs outside with the wind bending down weeds. Driving has taken a new chapter!

Still fluttering, still unsure.. what is this life all about?

Read somewhere that life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself. So, I guess, being creative in living should be tops in my list of purpose in life.

Glad I didn't buy a DSLR camera.  I don't think I'd know how to frame any subjects. Thus begins my adventure with GoPro.

 I am quite delighted with this shot of Amber.  The frozen water droplets are wow amazing.  A single snap with the HD GoPro made this.  Of course the hand blurring the lower left portion of the picture is a bummer but the water effect? I like.

Aah... so called selfie pic. underwater snap.  not photogenic at-tall. 

Another selfie.  (who created this term selfie anyway?) An experiment in picture editing.  Simply picasa.

Oh. This one skodeng from EDY's instagram pic.  Yea.. Merdeka Parade in Likas.  I decided to try my newly acquired chest-strap for my GoPro.  On restrospect, putting GoPro on my chest wasn't a good idea.  Putting GoPro(henceforth to be named GP) on my chest didn't give a satisfactory angle.  Watching myself maneuver the bicycle handlebar was quite distracting. Next time I should try putting GP on top my helmet.
Oh.  This Lintas hormat for bicycle was under the Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu's Bicycle Club.

Cheat Day

Went to PJ initially to get some tofus. Tofus only.  My mistake was going there with a grumbling stomach.  The smell of roasted meats and fish was still strong in the air.  Iftar was less than an hours time then.  Had I been fasting i might not have been tempted so much by the smell.  But i wasn't.  So, four blocks of tofu were soon in company of a slab of roasted ikan pari, a container of white rice, a tiny portion of rebung masak lemak, and a side order of kerabu brinjal. Cheat day my toochus.
   But never de mind, I didn't wallop abis the rice, finished the pari panggang and rebung though.  Tomorrow back to my oatmeal breakfast, some mihun soup for lunch, and broiled greens salad for dinner.  Lost about ..hmm... let's see.. 4kg since I began my much diminished calorie and hopefully cholesterol intake of diet, 6 weeks ago.  6 more weeks to go before I do another blood test.  I haven't touched a single udang and ketam since then.  My intake of red meat has also been greatly lessened.  Not much oil and goreng-goreng stuff either.
   Let's see if I can manage to lower my cholesterol level.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Freddie A.J.

It was an interesting experience being co-emcee for a singing competition.  The committee had tried to a few famous local celebs to do the hosting but because of financial  constraints, the plan was scrapped.  So, I guess I should feel honored being chosen to be a host.
   I had no idea what to wear but I immediately knew I wanted to wear a hairpiece.  I went window shopping for something to wear and formulated ideas in my head as I passed by mannequins after mannequins on display. And I also decided I wasn't going to feel unnecessary stress going on stage. I decided I was going to enjoy being the center, well..almost center, of attention.

So, on the second half of the competition (which was divided into solo and duet), I donned a pink wig.  My get up was kind of drab so I thought a little color would liven up the atmosphere.
It did. And I enjoyed my 1 night of fame.  And the subsequent few days (can't be patting myself on the back too much, I'd wrench my arms out of their socket if I did) of compliments and admiration for my spunk.  Oh well.

A brief snap of the great SM Mall in Clark.  After getting off from the airport cab, we got on to  the Suzuki Highlander belonging to Regore's Travel. Off to busy Manila! 

Couldn't resist. A Roxy boutique, all on her own.  Bought a few shirts of course. Didn't have enough moolah and time to drop by Quiksilver + Roxy store, which was only a few doors down.

Tidak sah go to Manila if I didn't try the balut. Ate two.  Taste-wise, it was not bad
if you can disregard the look of it.

My Christmas give-away to cousins .  Girl cousins only.  I quite forgot about the males when
I went shopping mad in Manila.  

Birthday and new year gift for myself.

Right. Forgot to realign the position this pic.  Birthday present from good friend Mona and Cody. 

2012 passed by so fast, blinking seemed like a walk in the park.

Going to be a hectic 2013.  Just hope I can keep my head above water.

The Bicycle Story

At Spring Trading, Kg. Air was where I bought my second set of wheels.  Not another car, but a bicycle.  Who'd've thunk?

Now I'm not the best of cyclist..yet (yet.. mayhaps I'd grow to be a more competent cyclist).  I am not too confident of my motor balance.  I don't have any problem getting on one and pedalling off.. however, i have this fear that  I would embarrass myself in falling off a bike while applying the brakes to slow down or to stop.  Not enough hours put in the cycling process maybe..no practice..therefore no perfecto..

So far I have joined my friend Freddie on two road cycling outings. I decided to venture out on my own and cycled in the vicinity of my neighborhood.

With XDS aluminium frame, Fork : Rock shox, Cassete : Shimano Deure, 10-speed. I'll try not to let this baby sit like a furniture in my house.

Funny how sometimes opportunity pops into your door.  Danum Valley is one of THE place that I fancied visiting.  It is in my list of must-go.  I was offered a place in a limited Environmental Education Course participation from the 11th-14th this month.   Actually I was called in to replace a friend who couldn't attend.  

My luck.  

The planned activities were interesting, on paper.  However, due to unforeseen circumstances, most of the activities were not carried out.  There was early morning bird-watching session.  And oh.. the 3.2km hike to Tembaling Waterfalls.  

With Japora inside the hostel

At Tembaling Falls

(picture courtesy of Mona and her amazing Canon camera)

***************

The Annual Staff Dinner was held in Grand Borneo 1B on the 2nd November.  I did my best scouting for a red dress to wear during the dinner since the theme for this year is Glamorous in Red.  Hah.. mine is color closer to orange.  This was the only 'safe' design I could find that fit my size.. (cuz dang.. I put on some unwanted pounds)

I had decided to go to Ramlah's for the make-up and hair.  Just felt like looking different that night.  And I did look different.  With the fake eyelashes and the curled hair, I felt like a retro HongKong artist. :)

There was lucky draw that night (which I think shouldn't be dubbed so, as all who attended went home with a gift).  The only lucky element in the lucky draw was the kind of gift that you won.  Some went home with tupperware containers, some with stainless steel cooking pans, hampers (foodstuff) and the most expensive was a night's stay at Berjaya Palace.  I went home with a hamper.

Oh well...