Update About Her

Last night, We give her an advance Birthday Celebration at her place. Her house is packed with her friends, old and new ones. We want her to remember how happy we were when she leave us here...temporarily.

Yep, we know and we all praying that she will be back again here in Malaysia to continue and work for her dream. We all know that God will give her all the strength she will need to face her situation today. That God will heal her, that He will guide her, that God will touch the hands of the professionals who will help in curing her.

Standard Chartered - Kuala Lumpur Marathon 2010

Finally, after a short preparation for this event, me and my friend, managed to finished it! We tasted the 10km of sweat, a bit of tears and foot blisters of my 4th marathon to date.

Its a fine morning.. a rainy, but fine morning. Good thing, the rain finished before we started our race. I just pity all those who join the 42KM run since the rain was on its mids when they started.

We arrived at the venue around 6am from my friend's house. The atmosphere is so intense when we reach there. There are lots of participants, from 21 and 10 Kilometers who are busy stretching and doing their pre-marathon routines. I just watch them and enjoy the moment. In my mind I say, "This is it, I'm not a newbie anymore.. I will surely love this!" Though my stomach and bladder isn't say so. They are nervous, nervous that I felt some butterfly in it and my bladder told me to go and search for a comfort room!

It was 6:52 when Me and my friends decided to queue on the starting area and condition our mind for the run. I was busy listening to David Cook's "The Time Of My Life" (not the "Dirty Dancing" theme, but the song he sang as his Final Song in American Idol) when the announcement was given for the race to start.

There are so many 10Km participants that it took us 2 minutes before we cross the starting line and record my starting time using our D-Tag attached on my left shoelace.

Run...

... Walk!

Run...

... Walk...

... was my technique earlier. I don't want to force my left foot which is still recovering from the sprain I got from the Badminton tournament last time. I am expecting to finish the race at an hour and 20 minutes, 20 minutes shy from my time on the last Marathon in Cyberjaya.

Its still early and here we was, watching the busy road of Kuala Lumpur while running. I'm counting if we are near to the finish line.. it looks like forever for me. I'm not aware of what song I'm listening to, or what song I have listen on my iPod anymore, I'm busy thinking where was my friends? Where was that drinking station after 4Km, isn't it 4km yet? Yep! 4000 meters and I'm already thought those things.. so Imagine what more did I think for the last 6km of the run!

Familiar places... KL Sentral, Indian Town, Police Station and now Jalan Sayed Putra. Finally, I saw the drinking station, and like the others who are thirsty, I queued and get my two cups of 100 plus from the table. I saw 4 portable toilet on the route but ignore to pee..

My run continue...

KL Railway station. I thought we are already near to the finish line because I haven't notice any "Mark Sign". I check my phone just to be surprised, 39 minutes? It's already 39 minutes.. I calculated 3 minutes more and I will reach the finish line.. that was fast.. what happen??? My mind was set that I am already near.. but it was a mistake! I haven't remember that we will cross the back of the KL Station twice as stated on the 10km map.

We turn left going to the Lake Garden, its an inclined area and it adds the burdens on us, runners. Most of us just walk and started to run again after we reached Jalan Cenderawasih and Jalan Parlimen.

It was in the last 2km to 2.5km when I noticed a commotion ahead me. It was, I think, in Jalan Raja Laut before Sogo Mall. Though still far, I saw a man lying on the side of the road, surrounded by some of his friend (I think). Some of them was shouting.. Mani! Mani! Mani! Many or Manie, I don't know what word they calling. Then all of the sudden I felt nervous, I thought that man lying there was my friend Manny who got separated from me earlier in the race. it was about 40 meters when I heard them clearly.. they are calling for Medics! Maybe their friends need someone who have oxygen... in my iPod, Regine Velasquez is singing "Babalik Kang Muli".

I passed near the group to check if its my friend.. Good Heaven, I thought... it's not him! Then my eyes got wet... Yes I cried! I felt sad about what happen on the guy there while listening to the sad music.. thinking, how if its me lying there? Or my friends? What will happen?

I pray that he would be okay.

I continue...

It's my final Kilometer, I saw the tents made by the organizers. I am near the finish line.. and this time, it's for real! My clock says, I been running for an hour and 15minutes, 5 minutes more! There are lots of people cheering for their friends, family and loveones. Other are just watching the event. Gathering pictures of the runners along the way.. and now my final steps! I crossed the Ark with a big happy letters "FINISH".

And everything are a very very sweet experience!

Weekends: Finals, Run, Friends

I haven't heard any news whether our badminton final will be set this coming Saturday. If it will, I do hope they schedule it in the morning.

My weekend would be very busy for sure. Sunday will be the day of our KL Marathon. I wasn't sure yet if I will get my Race kit personally or will ask someone to get it for me. If Saturday final will pushed through, then I have the whole afternoon to visit Titiwangsa where the Race Kit Collection Centers for the marathon is located.

I have no running/jogging practice for a few days now due to the sprain on my left foot which I got from the badminton game last weekend. I hope the sprain healed soon. If not, I will force to just walk and be left out on the running route.

____

Had an hour swimming practice last night with Thess and Allan. This is to test my breathing to check if I still can stand doing one routine for a couple of minutes without resting. A great cardio exercise too, so it will benefit me for my upcoming run.

____

By the way, I met some new great guys from the LBC cup. I learned that they will join the run too but in different distance. Hope to see them along the way. They are pretty cool and quite friendly. Atleast my world will not rotate in Cyberjaya alone...

Tiring Melaka Trip

Just got back from our tour in Melaka..

It was so much fun.. I really enjoy the place. Its like Fort Santiago or Corregidor of Malaysia. I only have an issue with the weather in the place.. It was so soo sooo hot that I sweat my butt while walking around.

Since its Saturday, there are lots of tourist and local people around. There are plenty of places to visit and things to do so your time will not be wasted. Just ready your pocket since most of the places will require you to pay :D. Business baby.. business!

It's very tiring but yeah a fun day.

I will specify the things I done there soon.. hopefully if I got and extra time. :D

Long Weekends (Holy Week)

I'm going to have a long holiday starting tomorrow to observed Holy Week. I didn't practice much of me being Catholic actually which I think is not disrespecting the customs I grew with. It just that I'm not a practitioner, I still pray, I go to church, doing what I know (for myself) is right.. but thats it...nothing more.. nothing less.

So, when I learn that long holiday will fall on my off Saturday, me and my friends plan how to make the most out of this rare opportunity. Like last year, we went to Perhentian Island in Terrengganu and spent the days away from work to relax.

This year, we hope and plan to visit Sunway Lagoon in Petaling Jaya. Were planning to go there on the 2nd since one of us still need to work on the 1st of April. Still do hope that this year's Holyweek be a peaceful and happy week for me.

Switch Your Head Gear On!

"On your mark... Set... Go!"

Those words signal us to go and make a new history for the first Energizer Night Marathon in the country held in Cyberjaya, Selangor. My third marathon to date and my second night marathon of the year.

I was so happy that my pre-run training help me alot to reach my goal. Though my friend Shai, who I always ask to jog with me didn't registered, I'm grateful that she supported me to this event. Together with some friends, Nog and Bea, and other runners and the crowd, the event became a success.

Again, Nog run on the same category as mine. We started together but since there are lots of runners and I think we both want to maintain our pace, we split our way. The first 2km of the run is really a struggle to me, my mind is not focused and I was worrying about my leg calves. I'm having a back pain early that day and my mind was not set properly about the event. Keeping my running pace is a problem too. Seeing those more fitted runners run as if its nothing to them felt very intimidating that you want to compete, you want to push your self, you want to sprint!

But the past experiences gave me lessons that pace and distance running has a step by step procedure that you need to keep in mind. You need to save your energy for the last kilometers of the run and best of all to keep the will to go through, keep running and keep motivated.

And so I keep going, checking my cellphone which I used as a stop-watch once I reached every drinking point stationed on every 2.5km mark (which I doubt since I only remember passing 3 drinking station points). I keep going and did not stop running until about 4km to walk and started to run-jog again after a minute of walk to rest. I continue the process for another 3km, walk for every up and running on down slopes.

Then I let my motivation push me to finish the last 3km of run. So what keeps me motivated? Those friends waiting and cheering for us on the finish line, those people who run for a cause (what ever reason might that be), and those people, despite of old age, challenge themselves to participate in the event.

And the sweetest moment of all came, the time I saw the finish mark, that huge ark that welcomes you, greeted you and somewhat whisper to me, saying, "Good Job".

___

My un-official time based on my cellphone is 1:02:03:04.

Update...

My journal wasn't been updated for a couple of weeks. Like eating, I think I slowly loosing my appetite.. hahaha.

Anyway, I been quite busy in two months now, taekwondo training and competition, Sony Ericson WTA tournament and Marathon.

February 6 and 7 dated my first Tae Kwon Do tournament. Two weeks prior to the date, I been very busy training for 3 hours, 3 days a week. It combines my preparation for the competition and for my marathon a night before the BIG day. Its really a rush training since the students were been away for End of Year holiday.

__

9pm, February 6. My first night marathon in Putrajaya, Malaysia. My 2nd marathon to date. Together with my friend, Shai, I join the 7.7km fun run. It was a sweet experience but not sweeter than my first run. I was holding back to run fast since I'm worrying about my leg calf and muscles to contract. If it happens, my taekwondo tournament the next day will be doomed. I finished the race at 9:42pm... yeah 42 minutes after the starting time.. Well, I really thought I might get a medal that time.. but still I got none. Since we have nothing to do after the race, We decided to walk going home and took some pictures in Putrajaya's beautiful lover's bridge :D

__

7am, February 7. the Big day. I received an early sms from our group president, Eddy, requesting us to be in the competition place at 7:15. I did not inform him about my activity the other night, so he is expecting me and the rest of the team to be physically fit in that morning. He calls an early meeting for a run-through of the event. Since MMU is the organizer of the competition, We, the demo team are set to perform. I came late.. I wasn't able to join in the run-through. He says its okay. hehehe.

My fight was set to start at 9am, but the program proper started at 10. In my mind I thought, "bruises will be all around my body before We perform". I watched some fights, between the lower category, to observed and see how they move and play the game. Some of them didn't use the whole place to move and chase their opponent. No solid kicks and their stamina are very low. They are panting too much on the first half of the game.

My two teammates won their first match by a no-show opponent. I was next, the butterflies on my stomach started to bother me. I was nervous. I saw my opponent and it add ups the bad thoughts I'm feeling that day. Eddy is in my back telling me what to do if he thinks theres an open spot and possible points which I follow. It was a great match, a great experience and I can't wait to be part of the next tournament. I got a bronze :D

__

2pm, February 28. Sony Ericson WTA Kuala Lumpur Open. After attending the mass at the City, Shai and I went to Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort to watch the final match of the first WTA in KL. I was excited to see one of my favorite players, Elena Dementieva, who I called "Mommy". She is soooo pretty. I still love her though she didn't win. She is good but her opponent, Alisa Kleybanova is superb. Her ball placements are excellent that Elena can't break her serve or even save her own service game.

No Enough Sleep

Haven't had enough sleep this past few days for a couple of reasons..

First, I'm enjoying and killing time every night updating my MW account in Facebook...

Second, I'm browsing and re-watching movies that I already watch before. Its not my intention to re-watch it actually.. I only realized it when I'm already halfway on every story..

And last, Neighbor hopping. Two consecutive nights we and my friends agreed to watch horror movies. Thursday, we forgot to borrow an S-Video cable from another friends so we only had a long chitchat. Last night, we already got the cable to found out that the television doesn't have a port.. hahaha.

We head home around 230 am. I woke up 7am today since I need to work. I really need to have an energizer like coffee but I don't have anymore stock. I didn't notice its been a week now since my last cup. Hmmmm

We will be having a few days off next week. I don't know if we still going to "Sunway Lagoon" as every one requesting long time ago.

BFF's

Had a long conversation with one of my long lost friend this morning through YM! She's been staying with her mother in Austria for more than 10 years now. We hadn't had contact since we graduated in High School not until last month when she added me on friendster.

We tried to set a comfortable time for us to chat since we have different time zone (obviously) before. But didn't materialized due to some conflicts. She stay awake to catch me today. Nice.

She: long time no hear
Me: oo nga eh
Me: sus kailan pa kaya yun.. highschool pa ata kita huling nakita susme
Me): tapos bigla bigla nawala ka nalang
She: uu nga
Me: sabagay panggabi kasi ako dati nung college.. paglabas tambay na dun sa quezon city circle para magkapera
She: ano oras na dyan
Me: joke
Me: 841 am
She: gago ka tlaga
Me: hahaha.. extra income din yun
Me: kaso mahina bentahan. mali pala lugar ko dapat pala sa pasay
Me: hahaha
She: bruha may pumatol nmn ba?
She: =))
Me: hahaha. wla eh bargain na nga wla paring kumuha
Me: sabi ko nga.. pang samalamig man lang
She: hahahahhaah
Me: wla parin hahaha
She: luka

Like what usual conversation by two people who don't have news to each other for long time, we first ask how each personal life's going. She's living a simple life being married and having 3 kids there. I always insert my willingness to visit them and travel on the country to personally see the sceneries found in the movie "The Sound of Music" hehehe. Shes willing to adopt me for a couple of days in case the plan is set.

We talked about some childhood memories. Games we play, childhood friends, classmates, teachers etc. In some moment we thought we are kids conversing about everything we just experienced. Its very relaxing.

The chat last for 3 hours. She said she will take some rest since she need to bring her boy at school. We plan to catch up again soon.

Kicking Fun

Had a great time last night. Laughing out loud, smiling all the time and talking about anything under the sun with my kicking friends. It's one of the great times I had with them. Now I really regret that I haven't had the chance to join them at the binding camp. I'm thinking, if We are this lively and happy in a simple gathering, how much more in a plan gate-a-way? Wahhh...

Oh anyway, this happen while eating at the Hostel Canteen in the University after our Tae kwon do training. Actually I already took my dinner at the terminal after I finished my work so I'm not that hungry. I just ordered beef burger for a snack.

Btw, the group already appointed a few people who will stand as the team officers for this year. From President down to Treasurer. If my counting is right there are atleast eight (8) people who will help the group on its goal and objectives. I still haven't memorized all the names of the members since my memory is really bad in remembering it (sign of old age.. hehehe). The few that I know are: Eddy Beh, Derek, Jie Jun(JJ), Nazim and Rizman. The other might take me some time to remember.. hahaha

We also formed groups for the Sparring and Demo team, I joined both. We started the training for Demo last night after the training in preparation for the upcoming "Martial Arts Fest" on 10th of August. Though I will not be available to join the team that time, I still register myself to prepare for future Demo activities. Two sets of extra training was been set within the week, we need to insert extra effort since the date is near. Monday and Wednesday night are the chosen days for this extra training. Another training is set later at 8pm.

We go back almost midnight. I took a quick hot shower to wash my stink before sleeping.

Jogging, Bonding, Planning

We had a jogging session with my kicking team last night at MMU oval track. This is where I practice my stamina in preparation for the coming marathon that I mention on my previous entry.

The session started at 1830h and I came late. I thought they aren't arrived yet and wait for a couple of minutes to check when they passed in front of me running.. hehehe.. shy shy shy... I tailed them and keep my pace near them for about 4 rounds. I walk around the oval after my first four lapse and done another 3 lapses before we stop.

Eddy gathered us around to say a few words about the binding camp. He discuss some of the activity that they plan to do there. He also brought the "Demo Team" plan for the coming Martial arts fest at the University and the IIUM Invitational Taekwondo tournament. The tournament will be held at Gombak, Selangor this coming August 7, 8 and 9. Two disciplines are open one for 16 to 18 year old jins and the intervarsity which is open to all (no age limit). I want to joint here since I don't have duty on that saturday. I just forgot to ask him if its okay to join for two days only since I cant take a leave on the first day of the tournament (Friday).

Keep my fingers cross...

Happy Birthday :D

Not me but my two friends... hahahaha.

One, celebrating her birthday here in my adopted country. And the other, on my motherland at her home taking some rest.

Both of them are special to me... seriously. They just like my mother and sister outside my home. The other shows me the truth of life, dealing with different kind of people and the other showing me the meaning of life, buy showing the good side of everyone. Not that they lectured it to me... I learned it by observing them.

They have the opposite personality... the good and bad, the negative and the positive, the pessimist and the optimist...

Oh well, It's nice to have surrounded by different kind of person with different kind of personalities and have different views towards life.


And before I forgot the reason why I blog about them... I am here wishing :

Happy Birthday to both of them!

Weekend Gate-away

So I been to Genting Highlands last Saturday with two of my friends. One, who visit the country due to training for a couple of days which he extend for pleasure.

As I mention on my previous post, this is my nth time visit at the place. Its an amusement park which you can compare to "Star City" and or "Enchanted Kingdom" (Okay, I haven't been to Enchanted Kingdom even once - not a big deal :D ). The only difference is that Genting Amusement park is situated on the top of a mountain. It's like you are in Baguio City!... but much colder.

Okay, I'm enthusiastic the morning I woke up that day since, finally, for the 3rd times of planning to bring my friend, I can now show him the place. The only motive on my mind is to have him experienced the 25 minutes ride on the longest sky cable in South-east Asia. Yep, 25 minutes ride on a hanging carrier above the stiff mountain. But he didn't look so troubled when we're there... deep sigh.

Anyway, We wasn't able to try the rides since the fog is soo damn heavy. All you can see are the clouds covering everything. We just decided to hang around at the "Indoor Park" and take some pictures. We take some below the replica of "Statue of Liberty" of U.S, the famous "Eiffel Tower" of Paris, France, and Malaysian pride "Twin Tower".

Well, he told me that he enjoy the trip :D hehehe.

Hope we could experience more in the place on his next visit.

Sunday

Its second Sunday of the Month... another schedule for Pinoy Mass.

I woke up early this morning to prepare for the day. I urged my friend to woke up though I felt he is still sleepy (sorry pal). He is also scheduled to depart going back to Philippines at 1200h. I told him last night that I need to attend the Filipino Mass and join the Choir. "It wasn't a problem" he told me and we were agreed to leave my place at 8:00am. Our service is schedule at 09:15 So I still have time to reach the church If I will take the 08:45 fast train from Putrajaya.

We are still tired because of the last day activity. We went to Genting and took a swim in the Clubhouse pool in our area when we got back.

Buses in our place are departing per schedule. Unlike weekdays, which has 30 minutes interval, weekends has one hour. You are lucky if they follow their schedule and catch the bus which will arrived our place after 15 to 20 minutes of their schedule. Unfortunately, we missed it so we just took a cab to the station. We arrived at 08:40 and bought tickets, one for me, going to City Central, and another for him, going to International Airport. Our schedule is the same and we separate after our trains arrived.

I reached the City at 09:05 and head for another train station going to the church. Luckly, I arrived on time. My friends are still setting up the place.

The whole mass goes well, we sang our heart out at the choir stand.. two of the songs are well sung.. one for the offertory, "Take and Received", and the other for the communion, "Panunumpa". The rest are... (you know what it means :D )

I love both songs, and was so grateful that the other didn't force to sang it. They used to shout every songs on our previous masses together with the other who mis-sang the songs due to unfamiliarity... they are the ones who didn't show on every practice.. sigh

I will tell ate Rizza soon if she can restrict the people who didn't practice to join us in the choir stand. It's a waste of our efforts to make the songs pleasant to listen because of them.

After the mass, we gathered up to the Old Parish Hall to celebrate 'Kuya" Jess son's Birthday. He is celebrating his first birthday here.. yipee. The foods are awesome. I stuffed my self with different "lutong bahay" foods that I missed.. yay

After resting for a few minutes, I go straight to Midvalley Mall to try my luck if I can get a movie ticket to watch "Transformers". Luckily, with my other two friends, we got tickets!

DisAp

This is a late post...

As I promise before, I will update what happen on my next meeting with Missai.

It didn't turn out to be as good as I planed it and I am totally disappointed. Missai told me the last time we met that they will be dismissed earlier on their training but it didnt happen. They still consumed the whole office hours and even extend for a couple of hours. I called her at 630pm after I finished all my backlogs for the day and found out that they are still at IBM plaza. I told her that I will be late since travelling from Cyberjaya to Kuala Lumpur takes about 1 to 1 and half hours.

Afraid of disappointing her, I took the express train which cost me a couple of bucks just to meet her on time. When I was already at KL Sentral, I called up to check where they were. I ate to Mcdonald when she told me that they haven't reach the train station where they will take to go to KLCC.

So after I ate, I decided to go first and bought some present from my friends in Philippines. I bought some chocolates, candies and tea which I promise to give to s'Ela who sent me a kilo of dried squid from Cebu! I window shop to my favorite stall to check if there are some interesting shoe which can fit me for casual gatherings and gimmicks when I notice that its almost 930pm and I havent got any message from my friend. I call her and found out that they are already at the station ready to depart going to our meeting place. They told me that they will send me a text message once they arrived.

Waiting still, I decided to proceed to Parkson and fed my eyes with some expensive cloths there. After an hour I received and SMS from them asking where I was because they already reached the place. Hurried and nearly pissed I went to the train station to check if they are waiting for me since thats the first set up I told them to do. To my dismay, I haven't found them on four corners of the station and learned that they are already outside the KLCC near the fountain where lots of peoples stayed to take some pictures.

I met them outside the building with two other guys who I don't care who are(bad). After taking some picture around the Twin Towers I ask all of them if they still want to shop at Chinatown to buy some tokens and gift for their friends. One of their friends suggest to take a bus which wasted our only little time to go to the place. Without telling any word I follow them and listened to all their stories about what happen on that day when where already at the bus.

Reaching our destination, we found some of the store people busy fixing their things to close. We then separated to look for some interesting things and met up after a few minutes. So exausted I told them that it is nearly for me to go back because I want to take the last train going back to Putrajaya/Cyberjaya station. After exchanging some thanks I go back while thinking how bad I had that evening :(.

A had a great night yesteday with my old friends from Philippines. She is here in Malaysia for a week training. We just worked for a couples of months at Part Center in my newbie year but our friendship remains when I transferred to other department.

We just had a dinner in Secret Recipe at One Utama near the hotel where she's staying since their training ends 1900h and there is no time for us to travel going to KLCC as our first plan anymore. I met her two co-trainee from Thailand and Indonesia which are both funny. They are not that good in communicating through Mother Language but they are all heart out in expressing whats on their minds which makes everything okay.

After a few conversations I found out that all three of them were all first timer in this country and they are all eager to hang around the city. I just told them to plan a visit to China Town to buy some cheap souvenir stuffs and of course at Twin Tower which complete their visit in the City.

Missai is always telling me that she had'nt got any decent meal since she arrived here and requesting to have a good dinner to me. That's why I recommend the place since I know the shop will answer her prayers. I'm right! She requested another order of rice after exchanging foods with me. She actually order Chicken Kebab which I boastfully recommend to her as good as the other. I order Chicken Cordon Blu as I always take whenever I eat on the shop. Its a course of deep fried rolled of chicken with ham and cheese seved with potato fries and salad as side dish.

After the meal I offered her to try some of the cakes which are far different from Philippines when her two friends told us that they will walk around the mall first. I would like to gave her White Chocolate Macademia but the waiter told me that it is already out of stock. I just ordered Chocolate Indulgence as take out since Missai told me she is very full. Funny is, she told me she will take a bite to taste how good the cake is... but didn't stop eating it until it was finished. I then offerred her to try two other more and bring it to her room.

We will meet again this coming Friday...