Weekend at Kiasu-land

I was out of the country and I didn't feel that I was in a foreign land. I was surrounded by Malay, Chinese, Indians...but wait, there were no banglas. Singapore is a very organised and well-managed country, perhaps too organized. I won't comment much on this as I was there for only 2 days.

Back to the main point. I was here for a gathering which I anticipated for one and a half year. The only setback was that we couldn't keep in touch well because there's no wifi outside Changi Airport. Anyway, I made full use of my time there at Sentosa Island and Marina Bay. I didn't take any pictures there but Gardens by the Bay is a nice piece of artificial beauty.

Well, about the wedding. I wondered if Marco is the son to the richest man in Singapore but a wedding dinner in the Flower Dome is very $$$!!! It was a romantic and grand wedding (Probably the most 'eye-opening' I've ever attended). But the most important thing is the reunion with my HYLI friends. It's glad to see each other again. A night of laughter, teasing and laughing at our differences, appreciating the wonderful chemistry and camaraderie. (Where can you find  a bunch of friends who are willing to travel all the way to you wedding despite having to know them for just one week). We discussed about our next reunion in Malaysia and they were busy learning the Malaysian's way of speaking. The conclusion is you just simply add "lah" at the end of every sentence then you will be very much a Malaysian.

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people, my Singaporean friend (who is half a Penangite) fetched me to my friend's place after the wedding. I had a wonderful breakfast and good chitchat with Ivy and headed over to meet the Doctors. They force-fed me. Being a doctor, they should be merciful!!! =DDD

I rushed to the airport as I was a bit late. Dr. Cheng refused to let go off my arms at the MRT. But still I managed to reach on time.

This is my first time travelling to a foreign place alone without feeling lonely, not a single moment.

I am missing my friends badly. I don't really miss Singapore. The next round will be Malaysia and I am all ready to become a good host for my friends. =)

Till we meet again.

Bruised Yi, not Bruce Lee

This is the diary of an athlete.

Athlete, always share their best times.

Have you ever seen athlete showing their bad times? Except LCW No, RIGHT?

Here's the thing. Being a track athlete for many years, I like to go around the track and play with javelin, triple jumps after finishing my routine. When I retired from the track, road race is my only choice. It's kinda bored sometimes when the route is not as scenic as I want. Ahem...one day I decided to add some spice into my regular training (apart from hiking).

This is my souvenir from the Viper Challenge.

hmmm...it doesn't ache, but the bruise is quite obvious.

If you cannot feel it, it's not an injury because it should be painful.

Those scene in the movie aren't that real but I do respect actors who never use stuntman in action.

Tabik!

Ultra Fine Dining Experience

It's not my first time attending fine dinner. But this was a spectacular one.

Appetizer :
A piece of cracker, a thin slice of fish dressed with a few petals and leaves served on a plate at a size of a steering wheel.
In short, a bird feed. This is not cool at all.

Main course :
The name of the dish is so long that even the acronym goes like this "GHFACCFPMSYVALSASSS".
In short, a fish dish. The portion was as much as the wording that I had hard time finishing the dish. But in the end I did because Hake fish is not the kind of fish which you get to eat anytime.

Presented a Toast in a non-Toastmaster event. Couldn't be counted as a project speech because there's no evaluation but I was complimented by Datuk Dr Rebecca. =D *delighted

Dessert : Gelato perfecto! *double delight

Overall : A night of camaraderie.

The comfort zone

The truth is I never like to speak in the public. I prefer small groups where idea exchange and information sharing is easier. Since I join the Toastmasters, I begin to feel comfortable speaking to different people at different occasion.

Five years ago when I joined UM Toastmasters, my comfort zone was the piece of chair which I was seated until president Kimmy pushed me to do my ice breaker speech.

Three years later after I have done 10 speeches, I was no longer a seated person in the room, juggling with multiple roles, smiling wide as I was no longer the shy girl. One of the important lessons learnt from K. Logandran, to become a real learner, you need to put your ego aside.

Two years ago, I actively participated in other Toastmasters Club activities, club contests, as test speaker, being evaluated openly. Soon I realised that I no longer fear of making mistakes. Yes, the reason why I fear of public speaking is the fear of looking bad in front of the public. K. Logandran's word replays everytime I speak.

Now, I can easily give a 5 minutes speech of the cuff. When HYLI called me to present a toast for the upcoming send off dinner, I said 'yes' without thinking twice. I mean why waste time thinking over something which you will do in the end, i.e. if you feeling like farting now, why wait till tomorrow.

I would say it is my first time to give a toast, moreover in front of VIPs, reporters and many professionals. So I'm all prepared to give my first public speech outside my Toastmasters zone. A new comfort zone to discover.

OK, just do it, then freak out later. 

Demokrasi dikebumikan, rakyat diperbodohkan

My first exposure to political awareness was during my teenage. The documentary about Margaret Thatcher's dictatorship, started Falkland war just to remain in power.

Malaysia's dictatorship is even worse. Be fooling it's own people, sold itself to the foreigners. Mahathir and Najib are 10 times worse than Margaret. No, 100 times. At least Margaret never take on her people.
Frankly speaking, no one would blame Najib for the deed of his father, IF he played fair. His father is the demon that instill hatred among us, the Malaysians, he is indifferent, another demon who buried our desire for unity and betterment.

Never belittle the intelligence of your people. The fight has just begun.
Genggam bara api biar sampai jadi ABU!
我们追求民主的渴望，远胜你那肮脏的手段。

When darkness could be the new bright.

The law of attraction is similar to the principles that I've holding for years.
It's kinda scary when your thoughts lead to your most desired.

At once, things that are seemed to be so firm disappear.

When I start to forget, it comes back to me.
I wonder what else awaits me.
The path seems so uncertain but I knew it's my desire.

When I want to give up, it gives me hope.
I anticipate what's installed for me.
The light seems so dim but it's not complete darkness yet.

I wish to stop thinking about it.
I just don't know how to give up.

I wish I can be a little less tough
Or pretend to be weak.
So it will stop.

Once again, I'm lost in the sea of uncertainty.
Please stop, please stop.

Fear

I have been fearless

occasionally nervous during competition.

Sometimes I want to know, what am I really fear of.

I finally registered for my first marathon. Although I have ran more than 20 road races, 80% of my races were 800m or less. I was restless these few days and I finally know one of my fear.

I am fear of things I've never done. I am fear of not being able to complete what I have started. Yes, I am so scared if anything is going to happen on 30 June 2013.

Although I know I will pretend that I am tough enough and I will say, "I am fine", I am really scared. I think if I can choose between running a full marathon or death, I'd choose to die.

At least what I can do right now is to prepare for it, train as hard as I think it is needed.

Hopefully by that time, I will be ready to face my fear.