OUR FAMILY RETREAT.

It's been along while since we had our family holiday. Since my grand daughter has grown up a bit, my wife thought it would be a good idea to have our family retreat. So after looking for a budget hotel, we were all set for our trip  to Malacca. We started our journey from Klang at 7.00am and reached Malacca at around 10.30am . We had our lunch at the famous chicken rice ball . There was already a long 'Q" when we got there. After a few minutes we were allow to take our seats. I thought the place was over rated now as it does not taste as good as it used to. Maybe it was because of too many tourist patronising the place. Anyway we still had a couple of hour to kill so we walk around and visited the A famosa. Then it started to drizzle and we deceide we better get to our car and head for our Hotel. Check in time was suppose to be at 2,00pm , but we were made to wait until 2.40pm. And guess where was the reception? It was the guard house.! What a let down. It turn out our hotel was actually an apartment.
To be fair the setting was nice and the room was to our liking. Further more it was only for a night so we were not too concern of the place. Most importantly we had a good time together . I think my grand daughter must have walk alot and climb alot of stairs on that day.
Here are some of the photos of our get away.

EVERYBODY'S INTO RUNNING.

It's sure is catching on.This running sport sure have everybody crazy. There seems to be a run almost every month or maybe weeks , somewhere, sometown. Most of my hiking friends have joined in the bandwagon too and I can see from their status on facebook every now and then. Some of my friends are really into it and even gone international. I mean they were willing to pay for their airfares overseas just to be part of the crowb. This is also a big business and someone is reaping from this vast response and interest. I know the tee shirts company does from the amount of events that is going on. The advertisment industry no doubt will benefit too.Some events like the Standard chartered, Brooks,King of the road  are a yearly afair. Sports wear company waste no time to introduce their products. In the past people are just contents with cotton tees, now their have fit dry and even compressed wears.Oh yes , there are all kinds of running shoes too.People are spoilt for choice these days.There are alots of brands they can choose from. That's big money.
I am in no position to comment why do people run, the way they do because I had only one running experience, and I will be doing another charity run, a short one only 6km just for the fun or it and because the promoters were students. You know just to oblige.
Well if you are into this sport, enjoy it.!

compressed clothings

this is the one I had even before I was into running.

BECAUSE YOU ASKED..

Got a private message in my inbox on facebook yesterday from someone I knew a few years ago.She need my phone contact because she has something urgent to discuss with me. As soon as I gave her my number, my phone rang. It was her alright. Apparently she need a favour, she wants me to remove some of the old photos which I had taken of her from my blog. Since she her reasons was valid and legitimate I had to obliged her. She told me she is now in the film industry.Wow, that is good for her and I wished her every success. Some of the photos does not make her look good. You know image is important to a up and coming star. I spend sometime looking through some of my old blogs to removed those photos requested. It was not easy looking though the archive and our internet connection is not making it any easier. I deleted one blog site as it was already "dead". Better to have one which I can post regularly than maintaining so many right? Now I have one password lesser to remember.
Never knew my friend had  rose to a star so quickly. I was aware she did some commercial, but now a movie? It's so hard to believe. I can't wait to catch her movie soon.
All the best to you my friend and hope to catch up with you sometime to have a cup of tea. Oh yes, you owe me one autograph.

GOOD NEWS, SAD NEWS

In contrast with October which was my favourite month, November was not really a good month as there was alot of sad tidings which came with it.
Let me start of with the good Month first. It was a month where we had 3 birthdays in the family. My eldest son, who had his birthday a day after mine, followed by my grand daughter twenty days later. I was touched by a surprise birthday dinner arranged by my hiking/wall climbing friends. Since I did not show my birthday on my facebook, I was surprise they remember.
Now come the sad part, the month of November. I bumped into a hairdresser whom I had known for over two decades. After chating for a while, she informed me my personal hairdresser had passed due to canser.
I started to have my hair cut at this unisex saloon in Klang after I started working. This shop is very unique as they normally do not steal customers from each other and they know who are the regulars customers for which hair dresser.It is only if  your personal hairdressers are on leave you may choose others to attend to you. So over the years I had become very good friends to my hair dresser and when I received the news I felt very sad as if I had lost someone in the family.
A few days later I learnt of another death .This time the wife of a friend who happen to be the sister of a class mate of mine. She too succumb to canser. I just hope there will not be anymore sad news for the remaining days of November.

PONDERING

I just had my birthday a week ago. This year I intentionally hid my birthday on facebook.Suprisingly a few of my friends still remember my birthday. All it took was on person and soon wishes kept pouring in. I was a bit disappointed though, the one most dearest to me forgot my birthday until a few days later. Maybe after seeing all the birthday wishes on my wall.She claim she was busy and had just started working. Oh well I will give her a benefit of a doubt.  A year past and year older and another day nearer to the grave.  I did not really celebrate my birthday, though I was hoping she would at least have dinner with me but that did not happen.Maybe it has got to do with age, as one grows older, one yearn for the love ones more than anything in the world. I don't know if it is true for everyone,but that was how I felt. Nothing is more important than family and moreso on my birthday. Just to have your family around you is better than any presents.
 I just had a simple meal at hope on my birthday. But on the eve on my birthday a few friends gave me a a dinner treat at on of the Thai restaurant in Petaling Jaya.So thoughtful of them.
In two weeks' time my grand daughter will be celebrating her 2nd birthday. At least that's one birthday I can look forward to.

A LITTLE UNEASY, A LITTLE GUILT

It's been over a month since one of my friend and regular hiking partner with me injured her ankle. She is still under treatment and her leg is still swollen. I felt so bad whenever I see her facebook status stating her condition. I also felt guilty for having invite her to join me in my hike. I mean if I had not invite her maybe she would not have injured her ankle and suffer. She was an experience hiker and had gone on many hiking trips with me and some of her friends. She was just coming down the slope and just slip and twisted her ankle and that was it. No fall  at all and yet the injury was so serious and months later still no progress. It was also remind me of another friend whom I invited for a rock climbing activity. After some climb I invited her to try out the bouldering wall and while climbing she could not hold on further and let go off her hand and landed on the pad on the floor and there was a craking sound and she yelled out it's broken. I thought she was joking and seeing her in pain I knew it was serious. I got the person in charge of the place to call an ambulance and sent her to the hospital nearby. By the way the wall from where she felled was not that high only about 4 feet above the ground. It took her months to get back on her feet again. I felt so bad and kept on telling her how sorry I was for inviting her and despite her saying it was not my fault and it was an accident, I just could not put that guilty feeling away. Have you ever been in such a situation?
Perhaps I should stop inviting people to join me in my activities? What are your thoughts?

RUN WITH THE WIND

my friend who came with me but could not take part.

 

This is my first and my last 5km run. I did not really sign up for this. I got conned into it. My boss informed me there was still a few place left and requested me to support. I was under the impression it was a walkaton, so I told him ok and gave my particulars. It was only days later I learnt it was a run.Well I am not one who go back on my word, so I turned up this morning. There was already a big crowd when I got there. I was surprise I ran non stop till the finish line. Since I was already there I might as well put it my best and enjoy the run and that was what I did, and I just wanted to complete the race.
I had not practice as I thought it was a walk and I join for fun. Only practice I had was body combat on friday night , a hike on satuday morning and then body body combat on saturday afternoon, and my feet was already aching. I was almost tempted to go for body combat on sunday, but gave it a pass , I I figure my legs need some rest and I was glad I did.. I guess all those body combat and hiking really pay off. If I sound a bit boastful, let me qualify myself. I did not do it on my own strength. It was God who enable me. All glory to Him. Even though I finish the run without much problem, but I don't really enjoy running as much as I do Hiking, so I guess once is enough for me.
I survived the run,but unfortunately my brooke running shoes did not. All the pounding must be too much for it. Time to get a new pair, but again not. I aint running no more
My comment on the run: I wished it was more organised. My friend who came with me could not take part, as they did not update their records, plus the tee shirts was given out to those last minutes comers. She was not the only ones who could not take part due to this hic cup.

This medal is for my Granddaughter, Darissa

3-2-1 Action

When I was approached by a hiker friend to accompany a tv crew who was doing a tv magazine show “Get Fit, Get Focus, a 13 episode Tv programme which focuses on encouraging a healthy lifestyle,simple fitness exercise that could be done anywhere together with healthy eating and general health tips.It was directed by Jason Chong a well known actor turn director.

I had no idea I would be part of the ‘cast’.  Since it was suppose to be a documentary , I thought maybe they will just film us as we hike up the hill. Sunday 8^th 2013 will be a memorable experience for me as I a first hand insight how they make films. It was really time consuming. Since this was no drama show ,one take was all it took for all the shooting. A few hikers from MNS(Malaysia nature society), The trekkers and the Tabur Hikers on on location at Tabur west on 8^th September,2013.

It was a fun hike and I get to enjoy my couple of minute of fame when I was interviewed.

Do catch the show once it is aired on TV.

Credits: Photos thanks to Barry Kwan, Adrian Yeong and Christopher Leo .

 

with some of the hikers and tv crews

A tv crew help to mount a gopro camera on me.

My few minutes of fame

taking a break before the next shoot

with one of the female 'star" my friend jessy

With the director,Jason chong

Christopher introducing Tabur

shooting one of dangerous part of the climb

HELLO WORLD.

My first grandson and my second grand child Jonas was born on 16th August,2013.
His mother was in the labour room since 11am on the morning of August 16th, though she was admitted a day earlier.  I got a call from my wife at the office around 4.00pm and together we went to the hospital. After waiting for a while Jonas finally deceide to make his appearance at around 4.42 pm.
These are some of his photos.

Jonas Lim

with grandma ,

MY WISH LISTS

During the past few months there were a couple of death.Some were church members, but I do not know them.Yesterday there was a posting from friends in Johore of yet another death. This guy was only 49. The reason I am writting this is not that I am afraid of death.This is something everyone has to face no matter what religion you believe in. As for me I am well prepared and in fact am looking forward to it. It is a far better place to be in, to be with God our maker for eternity bliss.  One thing for sure we do not know when our number will be up and we certainly have no control over it. It is up to God to decide when you will meet him.  So with that in mind, I know there are things I wanted to do, so it is better to do it when I can, because I do not know when I will go.
I will be honest,there are so many things I wanted to do, but at the same time I want to be realistic and zero down to those that are doable for me. I do not have a fat bank account, so travelling to far and wide is not something I want to place my hopes on. So I will just list a few I know I can comfortably safe and plan my trips.

Wish list no. 1: The pinnacles mulu national park.Ever since I saw a posting by one of my friend who had been there, I just fell in love with this place. My target is next year and I hope to be able to save enough by then to make that trip.

Wish list no.2 : To join a mission trip to Thailand at one of the homes for girls rescued from the fresh trade.  There was a trip this year, but because I just join a new company, I could not obtain leave and so missed the trip. God willing hope next year or the year after that I can make it. Here is the video link .
Well since time waits for no man, better do the things we want to do before it is too late.

Well these two are my priority, and if there are other trips then it will be a bonus.

A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

Today is the day of my daughter's school project held at the charco restaurant She was to prepare 4 course  and invite 40 guests as part of her exams. After the lunch one of friend asked the question why do the school require her to invite 40 guests ? Should the test based o.n her cultery skill? If she cannot get 40 people to test out the dish will she  not make the grade? What a funny ruling.  Anyway she passed her exams and I am glad for her. Total attendance past the 40 mark.
Here are photos of some of my friends who actually make it, even though there were so many who click coming and maybe in the event.

the main course

the chef herself mingling with some of the guests

dessert

AN UNFORGETABLE HIKE

Tabur ,especially on the west side has always been my favourite place. So it's no surprise I took advantage of the holiday yesterday to organise a trip there with a few friends. One of my former Body combat instructor even join us, but she swore after the hike she will not come back again. But I hope I can make her change her mind. Whenever it is a public holiday this hill will be packed with people and yesterday was no exception. However one thing that troubled me was people always bring in newbies and they I am sure they were not informed what was in store for them. Alot of them was teriffied during the climb , good thing there were always good samaritan like Ben, who is a regular visitor there  and when I am there I would lend a hand if I see such people. I had the opportunity again to lend a hand at one of the "dangerous"zone and while assisting some of them to climb down, my son's camera which I took without his permission took a plunge down hill into the plantation, it hit against the rock and ricohet and rolled all the way down hill. Ben was kind enough to went to to retrieve it even without my asking for help. Such a kind soul. Unfortunately he could only find the body, the lend an expensive prime len was no where to be seen. When I told my son about his lost he was angry for a day, but this morning he tested me saying he wasnt angry at the loss , but was concern for my safety. It brought some tears to my eyes when I read it. Anyway back to my hike, my body combat instructor suvive the hike although with some dificulty on the rock climbing part. So after resting for a while, we make our way down hill and heard someone crying. On approaching we saw the girl, earlier up the hill whom we saw was struggling with each of the station/peak.  She had twisted her ankle. Good thing I had my first aid kit with me and one of my lady hike help to bandage her up and shouldered her downhill. As if all these incident was not bad enough , on the way back to our home my driver drove like a maniac and even was tailing a car very close. Another friend who was sitting at the passenger seat in front told her off, but she did not heed to her advice and kept doing it .Finally my friend blew her top,(I dont blame her I would too) Latter she posted on her fb status how this friend was trying to show off her driving prowess , but why put other people's lives in danger doing it?  Then this driver friend of ours what'app me and complain about this status. Some people just got an attitude, and can't see their own mistake!
Today my friend update her status again saying "Today I will be the driver to fetch a few of my beloved guests in my car, no worries, even though my driving skill is not so professional, I will ensure and promise you will have a safe ,comfortable ride and enjoyable journey with me" Of course that driver friend saw it and complaint to me again via whatsapp, and even threaten she will pull out of their coming kk trip. Why don't she grow up!

A BLACK DAY FOR MALAYSIA

We have just  had our 13th General Election. Pre Election period, there was a strong indication and excitement in the air every where. All ceremahs were fully packed. Even the one I attended when I was visiting Kulai on a hiking trip it was packed to the maximum and everyone was shouting ubah ubah. There was high hope we would get a new government come may 6th. The signs were there. This morning around 2.30am as I checked  my facebook to catch up on the lastest report on the Election results I saw a lot of black profile staring at me. Barisan Nastional had won the election  and you can be sure it was not via the ballot box,but through manipulating the ballots(new boxes produced upon recount) and some foreigners who were allowed to vote.There were photos and videos of these 'phantom"voters who came by the bus loads, but the Election commisions  had denied them.
 The people of Malaysia have been robbed of their victory . There is no honour of winning by   cheating.It is people without any dignity would resorted to such shameless act, How can such one even be Prime Minister?
 Our hopes of a better Malaysia have been crushed.. This is a very sad day for Malaysia. How long must we wait before we see a new Malaysia, where everyone will be treated as equal and where we can proudly called ourselves as Malaysian?

NOW YOU KNOW WHY BO JIO

Have you ever come across people telling you why bo jio? whenever they see your posting to a certain event or places you have just gone?  Bo chio in hokkien means no invite(why you did not invite me)
It happen to me so often and the reason I stop inviting is because of this:-

If ever they do ask again maybe I should sent this this:-

That ought to get them off my back.

P/s  Jio also means banana in hokkien. :D