IndoMie Showdown

Remember i said i bought back 12 packs of IndoMie from Bali. It's 11 now. Eating them like it's some fine dining food.

Was sorta bored on friday night and this was what happened.

It's me, IndoMie and IndoMee.

call me a loser. But i was darn hungry after 2 hours in the gym!!!


indon cover - looks good


Malaysian cover - notice the differences in language style?


Mee having sex - Malaysian lighter by 5 grams


Indon's version comes with more goodies, inclusive of FRIED SMALL ONION...yummy!


Even the oil has fried onion inside in the Indon's version


Malaysian version - short of fried onion - Malaysia Tak Boleh???


Side by side...ready to be cooked


Malaysian's version of cooking IndoMie


Indon Version comes with direction to do it in Mircowave! They are more geared towards cooking them instantly! Another breakthrough in the life of instant noodle!


Indon ready for the hot water


Malaysian can't lose out, join Indon friend in mug. Malaysian are darker compared to Indons.


In goes the boiling water. No turning back!


almost midnight...hungry..this is my dinner actually


Getting hot, the mee decided to melt into each other, but Indon's fairness still looked more appetising


Get a big bowl. There need to be room for two


First in, Indon's flavour


Next in, Malaysian style, Malaysian still darker!


Malaysian Sweet Soy Sauce


INdon's sweet soy sauce - same darkness, but the indon's a bit bitter in taste


Indon's chilli are real chilli paste


Malaysian gave powder form...aiya....


In goes the indon oil with fried onion


and the boring looking malaysian oil


Hurry hurry...3 minutes UP!


at the right hardness and softness which would tingle my senses...can't wait...


Drain water and scoop me into bowl using chopstick


Don't waste even one single milimeter strand of the mee....


mix mix mix and in my rush to eat, i forgotten totally about the fried onion...i threw the thingy out...damn it!


Decided to substitute the frustration with some chicken floss....


Ta-Da!!! now go and eat Stupe!


Sorry if there was saliva dripping...i was hungry... :Þ~~~


over in less than 3 minutes....damn it

The noodle were great ok. Nevermind the whole purpose to compare how different the two of them are. I gobble both of them down and regretted i threw the fried onion out. That was the highlight of the whole meal...darn...

after eating it all down and washing it with a cup of ice cold water and burping 3 times...here is the nutrition info of both the noodle...


Malaysian Per 80gram serving has has 15.59gram of fat...with 369.73kcal energy value - could burn it off with 5km of run at 6:00 pace


At 85 gram, it has more fat at 18gram with higher energy value of 460kcal - need to run 7km at 6:00 pace for this!!!!


But both mixed togehter...they are one hell of a good shit!

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Back from hiatus

Been missing for a good 14 days.
After Murphy went missing, i sorta lost some mood to write. It's not easy losing someone dear. He is like a family, the last time i saw him was still fresh in my mind. Pets are like family; you don't lose your pets. it's like losing your own child.
Apart from that, me and wife took a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of the rat chase. Been a relaxing 8 days out of the country to our neighbour's place known as Bali. My first time there and it's a mixture of feeling of between ok and not ok (the place).
Booked the rooms online and was surprised that they offer pretty good rates, between paying USD16 per person at homestay, paying USD30 plus for a room isn't bad at all. Considering you don't need to run to the nearest common toilet should Bali Belly or bad food cirit attacks in the middle of the night.
Thank god i had neither.
Bali has pretty much recovered. Business as usual at most places. Since the two bombing at Poppy Bar at Legian and Rajah's next to Matahari and the the tsunami, things seems to be moving as it should.
Scams are everywhere ranging from those hoaxes about tear-your-coupons-to-reveal-free-accomodation-but pay-a-premium-to-claim-it kinda things to taxi sapu which could put KLIA tontos to shame.
They are everywhere.
Heck, after seeing so many tourists, the traders could even speak in japanese, mandarin, spanish, italian...enough language to shame our bangla-ran business in Petaling Street.
for some local flavour at Bali, forget Lonely Planet. It's just a guide for Mat Salleh, which ultimately pay 10x the prices the local pays for food and 5 times the difference that we, malaysian, pays for the same thing.
A simple bowl of Bakso Jawa at the beach cost no more than Rp2000 for local. Malaysian and Bahasa Indonesia/Malaysia speaking tourist pays Rp5000. Mat Salleh pays nothing less than RP12,000.
Considering the exchange rate is about 42sen for Rp1000, it's already a bargain for me to eat a bowl of Bakso at Rm2 plus plus. (Bakso is actually noodle with assortments of meat ball in clear broth, where you had a choice of putting in sweet or salty soy sauce, cili or tomato).
Communication isn't much of a problem, Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesia are pretty much the same. We say Boleh, they say Bisa. We say Sedap, they say Enak. We say Sejuk, they Say Dingin. We say Seronok, they say Dingin. We say Pakcik, they say Paman. for a change, Gua, Lu all could be used without sounding too mat rock in this part of the world.
Most uttered word is Bisa Kurang? Don't pay more than Rp20,000 for a t-shirt with Bintang Beer printing. Pay Rp50,000 for 3 instead.
We spent 2 nights in Kuta, staying at Oasis Kuta at Jalan Bakungsari. They call this a designer's hotel. with 3 star rating and USD 32 per night, it's a-ok. Impressive were the 50meter pool running along side the hotel balcony/terrace. Each room has a view of the pool. The sweltering heat has both of us getting into the pool for a dip every evening before dinner. Room was decently sized but the bathroom and the toilet was a seperate entity. It's clean though, so, that's as important.

oasis kuta at jalan bakungsari
The walk from Oasis to the Kuta square will takes you about 10minutes passing by stalls that sell all things Bali (and not, like made in China stuff!!!) and also passing Ramayana Hotel, a more expensive joint. From there, it is a 5 minutes walk to the beach where javanese peddling temporary tattoos at USD1 per piece will come hounding you for a quick fix. Beware though, as some do not use henna as the dye but some caustic chemical which burns the skin and causes alergic reaction. Also around were the braiding ladies, the self proclaimed manicurist and pedicurist which charges a bomb just to paint your nails (better get these fix back in malaysia, at least you get a proper treatment). Also the every touchy massage ladies, which offer you pseudo-bali spa style on their sand covered mat. They are out to make an honest living, no doubt, which is why it still baffles me why there is still people begging on the darker lanes of Kuta.
We also found Bemo Corner, not very far from where Jalan Kuta and Jalan Legian meet. The owner, Anam, claimed to be a japanese graduate and his menu were laden with japanese words.
Only reason why we ate here was the very cheap prices, compared to the other tourist or tamu places. Even Warun Made (pronounced Mar-dey...) and Poppy Restaurant featured in Lonely Planet are expensive at Rp20k per nasi goreng.
Oh ya, by the way, in Bali, the native's name are either Wayan or Made. Made meant eldest. Wayan is the second son. So, go figure.

Bemo Corner's Menu...i can read Japanese dude!
There is a sate shop outside Bemo as well, that sell 10 sticks of sate for Rp5000. You get to choose either chicken, pork, beef or even mutton. I went for mutton as not often you get to eat sate kambing in KL, right? The sauce is uniquely Indonesia. Gone are the overrated peanut sauce and in are the sweet soy sauce mixed with some chilli and peanut paste...so, you get a thick savoury a lil spicy dark peanuty sauce that is very appetising. The sate is good to eat as it is as the marinades goes deep into the meat. Not an ounce of fat eaten, compared to our usual sate which the middle portions are fat...fat and more fat. Yuck.
After 2 nights and loads of mee goreng and nasi goreng and local delicies...we headed for Ubud. The so called centre of all things art and culture in Bali.
If you plan to go to Ubud, beware though, don't settle for the local transport ala taxi sapu, they will charge you exhorbitant prices if you aren't careful. Settle for the slightly more expensive hotel's vehicle (in Bali, cars are called Mobil....) We paid Rp150,000 for the transfer to Ubud in full aircond comfort inside a Kia Pregio. So, technically, this van like multipurpose vehicle that seats 11 only took the 2 of us to Ubud. No complain. Can't imagine sitting inside the Vios (which the local uses as taxi) or some old beat up suzuki jimny or even the Toyota Kijang (Our unser, even the old version rocks better) for 90minutes thorough the small rural road which threaten plunge into the big monsoon drain whenever 2 vehicle met head to head.
Passing by Denpasar and the junction to the more expensive Nusa Dua, we headed towards Sanur and Batuan. Denpasar has more furniture industry going on, you know, those so called *antique* teak/mahogany furniture you see in those so called teak furniture shop? well, they are mostly made in Indonesia and mostly are actually brand new...ever seen ppl hitting the table with chain and then using Kiwi (yes, the shoe polish) to blacken it to give it the *used* look? well...it's here, and everywhere!
We stopped at a painter's cooperative and bought 2 paintings. Watercolour and Pen on paper, Typical balinese style. Painter says it shows his mother and father and sister going to work in the paddy field. Was skeptical until i saw him starting to draw anohter one of a different composition. They are talented, no doubt. Parted with Rp300k for 2 paintings with wooden carving frames, which were then wrapped properly to resemble a briefcase, we left the cooperative to Bali.
Passing Batuan, which, well, filled with people doing masonry work. Stone carvings, yes, the same one you see in KL of the frogs, Buddha head which some stupid buggers buy for RM1000 at bangsar Shopping centre, cost nothing more than Rp150,000, which is actually somewhere RM60 at it's best. yes, you sucker...
We reached Ubud, passing by a lot of homestay and hotels. The moment you enters Jalan Monkey Forest, loads of art shop selling carvings of wood, stones and art pieces were everywhere. I told myself that i could spent 3 nights here, wife agreed.
We reached Graha, another so called 3 star hotel/resort in Ubud. Costing us USD34 per night, we found ourselves walking thourgh a small lane big enough for a car to goes into, one way. Nestled at the end of the lane was the so called resort. Guessed what, it's now only known as Graha Ubud, and not Graha Resort and Spa. There goes the hope to taste my first spa experience....
The room was huge. it was a room with a living room and a bedroom. The bathroom was bigger than my own bedroom in PJ. Though a bit old. The hot water only comes in after 3 minutes of letting the tap run. The place looked cosy, but a bit old. The bed comes with the mosquito net, making it felt romantic...nah...after having to sleep inside mosquito net for 2 years in RMC...it's anything but romantic...if not because of the air cond, i would rahter sleep with my body covered in insect repellent...but luckily, there isn't much mosquito around ;-)

Graha Ubud - Our room was the one right behind the tall tree.

Ubud is expensive. Food is expensive. But we found a decently priced Nasi Padang called Puteri Minang (yes, as in Minangkabau...now i felt at home). A meal for the both of us, rice, fried chicken, rendang, vegetables and mroe vegetables with 2 bottle of coke cost us Rp26000. One local came and ate and he paid about Rp8000 for his food of rice and vegetable. So, i know we were not overcharged.
We also found an original painter in the town of all things replicated in Monkey Forest. Trust me, the painting you just saw in this shop will appear in the next shop. Price different will be in the hundred thousands rupiah.
Wayan Lemon. We chanced upon his shop by, well, chance. It was pouring in the evening and we sorta took shelter in this art shop, thinking that it won't be of any different from the others. We were wrong. Housed inside this place was painting original only to him, and he admitted that he does buy some of them abstract painting and put in his own expression of the abstract painting. Yeap, we saw similiar stuff, but never one is the same here. The buddha painting here is not scary and fake. You know how it is when you see some buddha painting in KL which cost you rm300 for a 2 feet by 2 feet painting which the nose are either crooked, the eyes are too slanted or the lips too thin and the ears looked as if buddha himself had some major ear piercing which causes his earlobes to be hanging on his shoulder. Then again, art is relative...what pleases me doens't pleases others, i supposed, but you get my drift.
We paid in USD and also Rupiah as our rupiah was running low. We bought two huge 2 meter by 1 meter painting at a price not available in Malaysia, Not even if we bought it at 70% off at Jaya Jusco for that sized painting.
For that, we were treated to a Kecak Dance practice by Wayan Lemon (pronounced Le-MUN) 5 years old son. Apaprently, Lemon himself is very steeped in tradition and does kecak and fire dance for religious ceremony and claim not to do that for tourist viewing. He trained his son and he say this is his debut performance after taking 4 lessons and watching his dad's dance....

or click Here
The next day, we went bargain hunting for things Bali. Silver was cheap as well but beware as some are only 60% silver and some are just silver plated...and again, the same so called silver thingy anyone will buy at bangsar shopping centre or at any other so called teak furniture shop cost nothing more than RM15. The are mostly plated with silver and will turn green if the plating gets chipped as the base metal are usually well, steel or some is nickel!
We didn't get much things as we found out that the traders are mostly not very sincere in selling. For example, we loved one of the long painting, the opening price was Rp700k. We say we won't pay anything more than Rp200k for the painting and just like petaling street, as we walked away, they offered us Rp150k, which they never honoured when we turned back. So...bad business etique, no sale! sorry Pak!
The second night, we had dinner at this place called Warung Kacu at Jalan Dewi Siswata. Cheap, cheap cheap. Meal for two for less than Rp24,000. 1 mee goreng, one nasi goreng, one vegetable with loads of meat, 3 drinks and one pancake. Lonely Planet suggest some other places, which cost Rp18,000 for a mee goreng...thumbs down Lonely Planet!
It rained and poured for hours in Ubud. We sat at Warung Kacu for a good 3 hours before walking back in the rain....

Warung Kacu's View of the rain
The third day at Ubud, we went painting hunting again...we saw something similiar to what we bought the first day but at half the size...asked for the price and was qouted a hefty Rp1.2million...i didn't even pay half that price for double that painting size! More insincere traders out to make a quick buck from the tourist.
Also, beads in Ubud were not cheaper, it cost twice as much in Ubud compared to Kuta.
We went back to Wayan again. And this time, saw things we liked. We ended up buying smaller sized paintingswith minimum size of 1meter by 1 meter from him. We ended up getting 6 or 7 paintings from him that morning. Paid in USD and rupiah again and he didn't even check the exchange rate as he say that prices are relative, if we like the drawing, at least he knows a piece of him is with us. hahaha, sounded corny, but we enjoyed dealing with him.
He rolled up all the paintings and packed it nicely for us in a tube. Tied a string onto it and we have anohter longish briefcase to carry. ;-)
As we were browsing through the paintings, a group of expat came. Obviously they were regulars and they did not bargain with him for the paintings, paying a minimal of Rp150k for a 1 feet by 1 feet painting and from there on, i feel that he made his business selling to these expats. The same sized painting at other places we checked will cost the expat at least Rp250k. We've checked. And at the same time, we did feel err...guilty for pressing the prices so low. LOL.
Wife and me decided to spent a bit more to eat at this place called Dirty Duck. It's an establishment that started in 1990 and has been, by word of mouth, a MUST GO if you are in Ubud.
So, we decided to pamper ourselves and see if this place lived up to it's hype.
it rained again that evening, and we braved the rain without umbrella (yeah, graha has no brollies for tourists) to eat at Bebek Bengil.

Dirty Duck History
We reached there, the place looked expensive. We were ushered into the restaurant and noticed the place opened up to even bigger space overlooking the Ubud's paddy field. Ah...so, this is the hype la, the location and the scenery. As it was getting dark, there wasn't anything much to see, apart from the lights being shone onto the table.
Imagine when we wanted to order the famous steamed duck fried until crispy and golden yellow and was told that they ran out of DUCK?
Come'on...this is DIRTY DUCK and you ran out of DUCK???
So, we ordered chicken instead.....

The Dirty Slut, i meant Chicken
It's actually spring chicken fried to perfection crisp served with yellow rice, a spicy achar and a spicy tomato sauce with a bowl of vegetable in kerabu style. Cost us Rp48k.
Disappointed? You bet. I want my DUCK.
And so, we did the next best thing. It was still raining after sitting at the japanese style table for 3 hours and we decided to borrow an umbrella from Dirty Duck..which well...came home with us via Air Asia. :P
Last day, we left Ubud. Sayign goodbye to Graha. Don't get me wrong, the location of this place and the price we paid were cheap. We are in the middle of the Monkey Forest Road, with the art market like 10 minutes away...others paid a minimum of USD40 per night and some even paid USD80 to be staying out of Monkey Forest and need a transfer that takes them 20 minutes on wheels...so, it was sheer luck we gotten this place, despite it's shortcoming of the room's condition with roof that leaks on both nights it rained heavily.

Goodbye Ubud
We made our way back to Kuta via the same transport that we took from Kuta. I do not trust the local taxi/taxi sapu as they all looked suspiciously, suspicious. Also, the plan to take the local bus, which is essentially a converted van with cut out windows and welded on seat for Rp35,000 per person was duly scraped as we do not want to be on some roller coaster ride. Travel in luxury? in many ways, yes. Do not compromise on safety, especially when you are with your loved ones.
We checked into White Rose. The priciest hotel so far i've booked at USD 38 per night. This place is right behind Poppy Bar and at the junction where the first bomb blew off, which now has a monument build to remember those that perished.
White Rose is smack in the midle of Jalan Legian, right infront of Poppy Lane 2, otherwise known as the new poppy lane. Since the bombing, Poppy 2 has ceased to be popular and the crowd went back to Poppy 1.
We went to the beach and Poppy 1 to check out some final gifts for family and ended up seeing a full cultural/religious proceeding.
In the world where modernism and religion meet, you get to see ang moh surfer walking to the sea to surf the waves while the locals religiously sat at the beach praying and offer offerings to the Almighty.

West meet East

Sunset praying
We then went to Warung Bambo and again, this place wasn't listed in Lonely Planet, it's is right in the middle of Poppy 1 and the food was served in big portion and the price was afforable without making you feel very tourist-sy. For a sweet sour chicken with rice and a plate of nasi goreng and 10 stick of sate plus 3 drinks, it cost us Rp40,000. Not too bad.
We manage to eat the local dishes again, each time at Rp5000. This time it was twice Bakso and once a sweet dessert which consist of coconut milk, tapioca, black glutonious rice...something like our local bubur cha-cha. I tried to pay Rp2000 as the local does, but was told off sayign that i'm a Tamu and should pay Rp5000. Not one to argue...i paid the price, for trying to be smart. :P
The last day in Bali was spent walking around saying goodbye to the place. It was a Full RnR day in White Rose where we enjoy the place as it should.


Panorama shot of the place
It was goodbye Bali, till we meet again.
Later that night, armed with the balance of rrupiah i has which totalled Rp49,000. Me and wife headed to airport to board our plane back. The airport was a major ripoff, if you think KLIA or LCC-T is bad, then be prepared for Nguh Gah Rai Airport. One Ol' McD Big Mac cost us Rp16,000. Enough to buy 2 for dinner with spare change of Rp7,000. The balance, for all it's worth, could only exchange for two pathetic ice lolly known as Paddle Pop. That one also i had to bargain (yes, bargain!) with the sales person for the release of the 2 popsicles.
Oh well, i still have Rp400 left...
The flight via AirAsia was bad on the return journey. You see Malaysian rearing their ugly head again, flight wasn't due until 2 hours later but people are already lining up to enter the departure gate.
And when the gate opened, hordes of people, sorry, MALAYSIANs, rushed to the front, giving excuses like "My wife's pregnant" or "i got an infant/child with me" or "my old man is boarding with me". In actualy fact, the woman that claimed to be pregnant are nothing more than just fat. The Infant/child are most probably some underbuilt kids after SPM and the old man in question haven't even qualified to be called a senior citizen.
Oh well...
Malaysia...i welcome you back to your mother land!

:D

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Murphy Boy is missing.

It's been two days.

Murphy, our Shitzu, sorta ran out of the house and i supposed he was dog-napped.

Not been the best of experiences, what more that this chap hasn't gone out of the house at all.

You don't lose a pet. It's like losing a family member.

Yes, we are all upset.

Posters has been pasted all over Bandar Utama area and we do hope someone will find him and return him to us.


The last pic i've taken of him a day after my wedding....

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Sg Pusu March 2006

Was enjoying the coolness of the river at Sg Pusu after riding offroad for an hour or so.

Jumped right in, and felt something crawling on my left ankle.

moved out of the water, thinking it was a dead leaf.

But dead left don't move, right?

and here is what it was...




Pacat Attack or view here


comparison of the grand daddy and the small kuci or view here


:D nope, i didn't get sucked dry...yet.

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Wedding Pics Galore

as per requested...

:D



The girls which enjoy torturing me...
pic by Norman


we were made to sing...i f-ed up "you mean everything to me" lyric went haywire...definately NOT Paul Anka's material but ABSOLUTELY better than MAWI.
pic by Wilson


At my parent's place...we looked like we came from the olden days, ain't it? The Kua Aileen is wearing originated from Eng Choon, a hokkien village in Xiamen. Can't get anymore authentic than this!
pic by Lanatir


the bride, the groom, the buddies and the babes.
pic by norman


Waiting in church for people to come in...it's pic oppurtunities with my bestmen and lady!
pic by Norman


The Flower Girl, my cousin. Some say i posed as if it's GQ's magazine...hahahahahahaha
pic by Lanatir


can't get anymore Muhibbah than this...Indian, Chinese, Malay, mix races, confused races...Malaysians!!!!
pic by norman


Iqbal holding the ring as my bestman, to be blessed by Father Simon Le Broy
pic by Lanatir


can kiss the bride la, but no tongue action okaaaay!!!
pic by Wilson


After church with my closer friends... Thank you all!!!
pic by norman


here, looking at cha!
pic by my sis, Ee-Svun!

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Finally...

After 4 years of knowing each other, 2 years of planning for the marriage ceremony, 1year 5 months of legally being husband and wife, 4 weeks of actual planning for the ceremony and one full day of fun, laughter and heart warming moments....

may i present to you, myself and my legally and officially (from both law and tradition point of view), wife.


Photos by Lanatir


Photos by Lanatir

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Penguin 6 - Stronger than Iron.

Was so delighted to see Terence finally penning his thoughts again.

While running that day, there were once or twice that i got bugged by the pain. But i keep thinking how my wife would laugh at me if i did not finish...and also how much you wanted to do this race (the 42km). Only thing is, i got to do it and i managed to get the finisher's medal.

And it's dedicated to you. So, get well soon, as i want you to give me the KLIM's 2007 medal to me! :D

Again, pls give me your address, email me at opstupe at gmail dot com as i want to send you my finisher's medal of KLIM 2006 to you.

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The Day I saw Harith Iskandar...

Blimey.

How embarassing could it get for myself?

I was at Petronas Station at Mutiara Damansara yesterday to top up my TnG and get F1 tix for me and my bestman.

I was too engrossed in trying to get the tickets when as i was about to decide, i noticed a man standing right next to me which stood about my height and was quite imposing.

I turned to my left and gosh...

all i could say was: "Hello Sir"...

There i was, in my site's attire with 2 (T-W-O) camera on my waist for my disposal and all i did was stood there...smiled to myself...while Harith most probably gotten worried if i'm gay and i basically just frozed there with a smile on my face...

he then walked away to the fast food counter next to the station's supermarket and gotten something for himself before he leave in his sleek black car...

and there i was...still standing there...wondering why my right hand didn't whip out the blooooooodddddyyyy camera.

and to add salt to injury, i bought the wrong parking location for F1!!!!!!!

Man...

And Harith, if you are reading this (fat chance you will anyway)...it is nice meeting a Star like you!

:D

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KLIM 2006

To qoute IronDoc's word " There is only 2 speed, slow and very slow".

That was what happened yesterday.

We were flagged off at 5am. The legs wasn't feeling good, perhaps it's the butterflies in the tummy that caused it. I've never ran longer than 21km. And having said that, i could count with my fingers on ONE hand how many times i even completed pass the 21km mark.

Anyway...

I ran with Doc and Steve initially. The two IronBear and IronDoc. Felt good the initial 30 minutes but i know if i were to continue with their pace, i will not be able to finish the race. Bean and Bacin were already out of sight. So was Soon and Chiah.

Chiak lat.

Then Doc spotted Adilah. Ran up to her and scared the morning shit out of her by suddenly running next to her as if some stalker that gained a few kilograms of guts.

Adilah told me she just wanted to finish the run within 6 hours. That sounded like what i wanted to do. Hence, i decided to run with her, or should i say, let her run with me.

The first 10km from Dataran towards TUDM airbase passing by Midvalley and Taman Desa seems to be pretty easy. We maintained a decent 10km/h pace and if we could maintain that, we could be very well finish in 4 hours. Yeah right.

We ran towards Bukit Petaling thereafter and passing Dewan Bahasa Pustaka before turning right towards Jalan Loke Yew. Passing by the Federal Bakery roundabout and up towards Bulatan Tun Razak was the KM18 mark. Well, i did feel sorry for causing some jam along that single lane next to UE3 shopping complex.

At the Bulatan Tun Razak, we turned left towards Menara PGRM where row and rows of buses were competing with each other on their emission of fresh carbon monoxide and soots. Running along Jalan Peel Purple suddenly ran next to me and said i didn't wait for me..Well, i thought she was like KMs upfront already. Having said that, she went on running and ran far far far...

From Jalan Peel, i knew my leg felt kinda funny by then, the outer portion of my lower knee, i suspect the tibia started hurting. Not good, less than 20km and this is happening. At that point Adilah pointed to me an advertisment that says,
"Add Maths Tuition, if you Fail : 013XXXXXXX". We laughed our heads off...does that mean if you fail, you call them? or if you fail AFTER taking tuition with them, you get a refund?

We passed the KM20 mark right at the junction to Pasar Road and we ran towards Bulatan Kampung Pandan. Traffic started to get busy and at KM21 mark was where we would register our KM20 mark. (don't ask why there is a 1km diff, maybe that 20km mark is actually 19th???)

The time is now 2H20minutes. I've setted my personal best for 21KM race. Last year i did 2H22min in KLIM for 21km. This year, in my attempt to be a marathoner, i did 2H20Min. Feeling happy we ran pass the Indonesian Embassy and took a longer than usual break at the Shell Station's water station as Adilah needs to go to the loo. I stopped and cheer the marathoners on by offering them drinks and chatting with the drink helper. Then came Shen, my newly acquired friend (friend of Anna and Adilah).

We ran towards Starhill where a sudden influx of 7km and 21m runners flood the road. Wow...not alone anymore and definately NOT last on the road! :P Then came the irritating Nike booth infront of 12SI...Hit the wall...Don't give up...Just do it...There is no finish line... err...i don't need to be reminded that i still have 20 odd KMs to go. This stretch of the road is actually the longest without any visible water station until near the Maybank infront of Maju Junction. From there we turned left towards Dataran Merdeka where a numbers of 21km runners are finishing/doing their final 1km sprint to the line.

My knee started hurting teribbly. and i resorted to fast paced walking. Turned off at the junction near Dataran and started running around the EPF building towards Pertama Complex again. At that portion, we split up between the 42 and the 21 runners. Me and Dilah ran slowly (or extra slow) from KM26 onwards...fumbling at our maths over how many more KMs to go...i told her 12, she said otherwise and we both know that at that point, it is not good as sign of fatigue started to sink in. No, we haven't hit the wall yet. There is no wall, imaginery or otherwise that i saw.

Running past the old National Library at Jalan Raja Laut towards Chow Kit, i did catch a glimpse or two of some pleasure ladies sitting on the sidewalk still hoping someone would subscribe to them at that early hour. At this point, my knee hurted so bad that i was only walking as fast as Adilah is running. Reprising our funny moments at last year's Gopeng race where she thought i was walking to wait for her only to run again when she is right behind me...we laughed it off again...and again. This time, i'm close to tears with the pain. Every water station from then on was used to bath my sorry knee with ice and more ice water.

My heartrate was doing great, barely even pushing myself but my knee was giving me a hell of a time. We touched KM30 opposite National Library in 4hours 4 mins. At this rate, we could be doing a 5h30min if we continue to run at a steady pace...well...IF.

We ran/walked along Jalan Tun Razak passing General Hospital and towards Bulatan Pahang and the blocks of public housing that is being demolished. Jalan Ipoh was just upfront and we ran passed the MIC HQ where there was so many people we thought they were actually cheering for us. Passing PWTC, it was a relief to see KM32. Adilah told me that she will run for it from KM34 onwards. I know i would be alone from then.

With more Ice Knee bath at KM34, Adilah ran and occasionally looked behind to see if i'm still in sight. I walked and i limped and i tried various running postion to ease/lessen the pain on the tibia/knee. Found out that if i run with my right leg pointing outwards to the right the pain was bareable...and so that was what i did, running like some crab.

Nearing Parliment, i suddenly saw runners on the flyover above...secretly hoping that i don't need to be running up there as Lake Garden was actually just 200meters up front...i was dead wrong. at KM 35, the race official told me i'm doing 5h3mins. Good. 7 more to go. I guess this was what Doc told me last year about the daunting run along Jalan Duta. I ran towards Jalan Duta and i saw Azmar on his bike. He accompanied me from there on, giving me encouragement which i greatly need. Knee was hurting really badly that even walking was a pain, had to resort to pointing-toes-outward-walk-like-crab from meter to meter. By then, i have 5 more KMs to go. I still have a good 40 minutes. Which i was starting to afraid that i might not be able to make the cut off.

Made the U-turn after the flyover to Jalan Damansara and saw Adilah on the other side of the road. i began ti run whenever i could, gritting my teeth and blocking my pain sensor off. it doesn't work of course. At that point, i was just telling myself that not going for Ironman this year was perhaps the wisest choice as i don't think i could get passed the 180km cycling to run a marathon like these.

At KM 38, i literally soaked my knee in the ice water. The Evil sweeper bus was there too. I ignored it, almost wanting to punture it's tyres to immobilise it, just in case they ride up behind me and ask me to give up.

the next 2km from the Duta Vista to Wisma Pertanian was a real big pain. Running/walking uphill like a crab and the sun was already shining and cooking my head and my back. I know most people would had already completed this run without any problem at all. And there i am, struggling with my own incompetency.

I reached the final 2km soon after. It was downhill from there on along Jalan Jaafar Onn near the Work Ministry and towards Bank Negara Back Entrance. Bank Rakyat was in sight and i know i'm THAT near to complete the run.

Bandit waited for me at KM 41.5 and cheered me on. Found out this dumbass buddy of mine did his first 21km in 3hours 59mins and 10 seconds. 50 seconds from cut off time. Well Done!

i know i touched 42km as i reached the Bentend Dataran. Marathon, being such decieving is actually a 42.195km distance...and that was my last 195meters to go. My watch showed my heartrate to be pumping at 130bpm and i have a comfortable 10 more minutes to go. My final dash, which i believe was a jog bordering on a slow walk took me to my final 100meters...where host of ambulance were waiting. Then on my left, i saw my loyal Light and Easy buddies cheering me on. With Doc having in his hand what looked like my camera..snapping me running away. Then i saw Shine and he gave me a spank on my butt. I saw faces that were familiar near the line.

I felt estatic. Nevermind the pain.

Nevermind that i almost made myself DQ by possibly running a more than 6 hours marathon.

I smiled, posed for the camera doc was holding and duly crossed the line in 5hours 53 minutes. I posed for Anna and the all her climbing buddies were there to cheer me on. I did it. I stopped my watch after i passed the second chip detector at 5hours 55minutes and 3 seconds.

Doc was there to help me. I can still hack it, i'm not tired. Just my knee were hurting.

And so, i did it within the cut off time of 6 hours. My first marathon. And this is for you, My friend, Terence Leong Kwok Onn. This is for you.


The early runner - Purp, Bacin, Bean, Chiah and Me



My unofficial running partner -Adilah going for the final 100 meters


Adilah sprinting for it...5H 41min


Almost there...where everyone?


Oh there you are Doc!!!


Got hensem enough or not?


Finished the whole 42KM and chatting with a few fans...hahaha..i meant Soon KT and gang which breeze through the 42km, unlike me.


Britney Stupe - Thanks Anna for the pic and Thanks for being there to cheer me on!


The Light & Easy Gang that has now turned into Long & Endurance people...


The two sluts in making... Bandit and Bacin, Lovely couple ala Brokeback Mountain.


Let this serves as an inspiration to all of us...This uncle is 73 years YOUNG. Seen posing with IronDoc. And yes, Uncle finished the race before the 30 years OLD me.


My watch's time. I burned close to 7000 kcal, but i didn't use it as an excuse to down 10 Big macs...thugh i wish i could. Was nursing my knee after the race

Unofficial timing:
Ashley : 4:11
Bean - 4:14
Azman - 4:30
Doc - 4:50
Steve - 4:55
Bacin - 5:10
Purp - 5:15
Adilah - 5:41
Stupe - 5:55
Shen - 6:08

Official Results HERE

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2 days to KLIM.

less than 48 hours away.

Supposed to check into the starting line at 4am. Run flag off at 5am.

Getting butterflies in the tummy. Virgin marathon. Just like the first time, it will either be painful...or pleasureable.

Doc wrote a long report on his Ironman effort...i felt like crying reading it. It sort of inspire me to NOT to worry about this weekend's run.

Someone having done the Ironman does give them the edge over everyone else that hasn't.

Lets hope my first effort in my first marathon turns out to be a bitter sweet memory, with experiences to learn from and incidents to smile upon.

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Tracking Down Gobi

After almost 13 years, i'm still wondering where one of my batchmate in RMC is.

I knew he went back to Kuantan to do his Sixth Form after RMC, but since then, i've not heard of him anymore.

As i was driving back today from TTDI, i saw something that put a smile on my face.


My dear friend, i didn't know you are a Robot In Disguise

Now since that the internet is a powerful tool, i hope this episode of *Jejak Kasih* will bear some fruits.

So, if anyone every come across this chap by the name of Gobi Maritamuthu, pls, kindly let him know that there are about 30 people looking for him. And yes, we miss him loads.


Gobi is the one in circle, the rest of the class are looking for him

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OP Ramli's Adventure.

Hi all,

It seems to be an exciting adventourous weekend for a lot of people. My rugby team thrashed another team 23-8 in the Selangor League (Second Division), The ironman action in Langkawi and now, OP Ramli, the same guy that pedalled solo up north to down south and up to the east coast last year has officially started his 1000km Trans-PeninsularBorneo journey today!

He has dedicated an url for all to follow his progress.

Good luck sir!

The Ultra Pedalist

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Langkawi Ironman - 26th February 2006

Well done to all Ironman and Ironman Wannabe.

It was at 8.45am when i sms-ed Azmar to check if Doc, Steve and Zabil has already started cycling.

Azmar told me that they are still in the water, as since after paying RM910.00, they decided to go snorkelling.

It was later when i found out that Steve was out of the water first, then followed by Zabil. Doc was unfortunate as he was seasick and at 3.2km, hauled up after he vomitted in the sea. In short, he was deemed Disqualified. However, the organiser let him carry on to test the course. This meant, at that point of time, it was only Zabil and Steve still going on for the Ironman title.

Doc happily went on to do the 180km cycling. I guessed being DNF-ed was bad enough, but his spirit and tenacity (apart from having paid RM910.00 entry fee) fuelled him to complete the whole tortorous circuit.

At about 4pm, i again called Azmar. This time, the response wasn't very favourable as Zabil was suffering from cramps. He wanted to do the race in 14 hours. Something he envisioned do-able. But Zabil was still on the road, pedalling away.

It was a totally different story with Steve as he was still pedalling as if it was some weekend ride. Canadian bear going strong still!

At 5pm, i was told that Zabil bailed out and jumped into the ambulance as he had cramps all over his body. Painful. hearing it has also made some of my muscle in my body tout and having their own cramps.

Steve has completed his 180km cycling in a flat 6 hours. That's an impressive 30km/h average that he did. Now, having a weight in excess of 100kg and still being able to do that was utterly and obscenely impressive.

Doc was about to complete his cycling league and there was no stopping him despite already being DNF-ed after the swimming course.

At that rate, i reckon steve would be done by 10pm. His personal best for 42km was last year in KLIM (which was also his first marathon) which he did a 5hours 3 minutes race. So, i reckon, with fatigue thrown in, he will only take at most anohter 6 hours of slow and steady running.

My guess were right. Steve complete the the whole 3.8km swim - 180km bike and 42km run in 14hours and 45 minutes. Well done Ironman Steve!

By 7pm, Zabil is already back at the starting point nursing his body.

Doc was still going strong. Azmar, being the sweetest soul (girls, he is still single and rocking) actually accompanied Doc while he was running /walking.

A call to him at 10.30pm says that doc has about 25km more to go. Then, Azmar's battery went dead and i called Doc's phone, of which Azmar was holding. Spoke to the hero and he was in high spirit, stating that a lot of unknown people called him to wish him luck (fyi, those unknown people were the Old Putera's of RMC!)

Azmar said that doc will only be done by 1am in the morning latest. Of which he won't make the cut off time already (but who cares? it's thehuman spirit and will at work!)

Ironman Doc finished the course in 16 hours and 45 minutes. Bloody impressive as well, if not because of the DNF at swimming. Don't worry Doc, that 3.8km swim is just a small portion of the whole race. Steve is ultra super, you are super super and zabil was super.


Stupe Iron-Man

It requires more than just human value and strength to finish the whole course, and of course, make the RM910.00 entry fee worth it.

To Azmar and Karoline, which was in langkawi to support our buddies dream of becoming an Ironman, i salute to the both of you. Many would rahter just sit at home and get the updates, but you oth actually went tehre, gave support, ran, walk and cried with them as they cross the line.

Congrats again to all the 5 of you Light and Easy buddies!

Now, can you all please excuse me as i will now worry about my pending virgin marathon this weekend.

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Ain't No Cloud the Sun Can't Shine Through.

Whenever i feel down or meloncholic, i would always remind myself that there is always sign and indication that things in life are much better, or not as bad as it is/was/were/are.

And yesterday, after sending my boss' kid back home, i couldn't resist but to stop by the road side and snap this pic. Though it was nothing as spectacular, but it was the moment that counts.


Ain't no sunshine when she's gone???

Things has been pretty hectic and jagged for the past couple of days/weeks. With Wedding prep making or taking the most of it. It all suddenly seems surreal. A year ago, we told ourselves that it's well, ONE year away. And yesterday, horror of horror, it's 3 more weeks to go.

Well, most of the important stuff has been done. Nothing much to be worried about.

Then, it's the lack of training for the KLIM next weekend. I swore i will be dead if i even do the Langkawi Ironman this weekend.

But whenever these thoughts of the wedding ceremony and sports comes up to bug me...or when work gets crazy at moment like these...i remind myself that there is never a cloud that the sun can't shine through.

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Fire in the Hole!

Fire right in front of my office at the indonesian squatter area!!!

pics to be uploaded soon!

going to sibuk for a while!

OK Back!!!

Update

Fire spread so fast. Wifey called to ask if i'm ok. Wondered why she even asked that.

Only when i opened the office blinds did i saw what was happening.


Holy smoke...view from my office


Was told that fire just started like 5 minutes before i asked anyone there...here it is, at the height of the fire


Zoomed in 4X as there was an explosion, definately a gas cylinder.


Heros came and help put out fire, fire spread too fast, Firemen came in less than 10 minutes


Go buy number, it's 7955


What's left of the Kongsi, supervisor said about 50 indonesians has all their belonging burnt. most were at work at the nearby sites.

I suspect the fire started because of short circuit. It was raining heavily when the fire started. Let this serve as a lesson to the other one major big kongsi right next to the TNB sub station just down my office.....

ps- pics are taken with a 3 days old K750i...wifey bought one for me when she got one herself! ;-)

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missing..and here is the excuses.

Been rahter busy doing a few things at the moment. Top of the priorities now is the wedding preparation. So far, me and wifey has gotten loads of things off the mind and with a lot to deal with too, where families are concerned.

we've:
1. done the food testing.
2. did my suits.
3. did her gown and dinner dress.
4. did the cards.
5. did the mass booklet
6. gotten a car for wedding
7. did the flowers thingy

outstanding items seems to be piling up by the days too.
1. not done the wedding invite list and seating arragements
2. not send the wedding invites
3. not printed and photostated the mass booklet
4. not collected the suits
5. not collected her gown and dinner dress
6. not finalised how many places for vegetarian seats

i know i missed out on some items, and i know it will come in as the days goes by.

On the working front, been rahter free where work is concerned, not really a very good year for me and boss though as so far, we've not secured any projects. Loads of talks and discussion and if you do see me peddling for a job in 6 months time, you'll know why.

On the sports front, been NOT doing enough running. Due to the weather and the wedding prepartion which took up most of the time we could have. I'm still running the KLIM, no doubt, should be able to finish it below 6 hours (LOL). Missing a few runs here and there and not a good thingy actually as i aspired to join more races this year.

Now, with the Duathlon calender almost being NON-EXISTENT, meaning i'll be doing 3 races short.

My Explorace race with Bandit will only take place end of April, which is a lot of time more, considering. We did our promo shot in RMC (Thank you Tuan Commandant!!) with us as usual slutting and whoring infront of the camera.

Even before the race starts, me and Azly has been talking about what we want to do with the bounty when we win the race.

Well, once could only wish, ain't it?

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Happy Valentines Day Y'all.

Spread the love will cha?

It's Valentines Day and All i want to say...
Even if i looked everywhere and searched the whole world through,
My dear readers/stalkers/criticisers,
I wouldn't have found someone as wonderful as all of you!

:D

Ee-Van

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Building a plane?

Read in yesterday's NST about an OP that is currently building a plane.

Yeap, a plane.

OP Lee BL sir, i must say i envy you for being able to do what you are doing!

News Excerpt:



Dr Lee and his flying machine
By Sumitha Martin

Meet Dr Lee Boon Leong — cardiologist by day and experimental aircraft builder by night. The 57-year-old doctor, who has been flying planes since the 1970s, is building an RV-7, an experimental two-seater aircraft made of aluminum alloy.

The RM200,000 RV-7 is his second attempt at aircraft assembly.

His first, a Trike, was completed in 2003 and it flew for 16 months until it met its end in April 2004 when Dr Lee crash-landed in Kota Baru.

The doctor, who learned to fly at the Royal Selangor Flying Club and has since clocked 250 flying hours, is building the RV-7 for a number of reasons.

Mainly, he wants the freedom to "bush fly" — to land an airplane "anywhere" — and have the ability to service his aircraft himself, before taking to the skies again.

"I can’t do this with conventional light aircraft because Department of Civil Aviation rules require such planes to be checked by certified engineers who cannot be found in remote areas," he said.

Successfully completing his RV-7 will give him the necessary DCA certification.

His long-term goal is to fly the route taken by fighter pilots of the US Tiger Squadron from Burma (now Myanmar) to Chongqing, China, during World War II.

"Yes, people think I’m crazy," he said of his aircraft-building, explaining that it’s the challenge of "getting it right" that excites him.

It’s a challenge that is time-consuming — of the 2,000 hours of building time needed, Dr Lee has completed 350 and hopes to have his aircraft ready in two years’ time.

Unlike the Trike, which took a mere 50 hours to build, the RV-7 is serious business.

The plane has more than 600 parts and it will need "some 50,000 rivets to be set with precision" and "each part of the plane will need to be perfectly matched with the other".

The scene in Dr Lee’s shoplot workshop in Kota Laksamana bears testimony to the work in progress — scores of shiny blue metal sheets, a welding machine, all kinds of gadgetry and lots of nuts and bolts in plastic medicine bottles.

The amateur engineer himself sports overalls, boots, ear plugs and protective eyewear.

The doctor is at his workshop every night, after a full day at his private medical centre located five minutes away.

So passionate is he that he has travelled to the Blue Mountains in Australia, Arizona in the US, and Yorkshire, England, for necessary training in bush flying and aircraft assembly.

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Sunday Medium Long Run.

Bukit Aman - Hartamas - Bukit Aman - 20km

report and pics here: Azwar's Site

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Congrats to you Bro!

What a season of festivities.

Firstly, Welcome back to all of you and Gong Xi Fa Cai. May the year of the dog serves all of you more luck, health, money and love.

Secondly, Congrats to you bro, Surin, on your engagement on the 28th January (yes, that's on the Chinese New Year's Eve) to yuor now Fiancee...

Maythe both of you have loads of fun and laughter and happiness when you both tie the knot end of this year!

Many congrats!

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