butts-out

When I posted this entry awhile ago... somebody argued that cigarette butts are bio-degradable....

I found out that they're not, well... they are degradable but it will take decadess... So, it's no surprise you can see them practically anywhere...

"It is estimated that several trillion cigarette butts are littered worldwide every year. That's billions of cigarettes flicked, one at a time, on our sidewalks, beaches, nature trails, gardens, and other public places every single day. In fact, cigarettes are the most littered item in America and the world. Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate tow, NOT COTTON, and they can take decades to degrade. Not only does cigarette litter ruin even the most picturesque setting, but the toxic residue in cigarette filters is damaging to the environment, and littered butts cause numerous fires every year, some of them fatal."

from http://www.cigarettelitter.org/

pink ribbon tag

I was tagged by kim and herda .....

I had my first comprehensive medical check-up 2 years ago which consisted of full physical exam, x-ray, urine test, and also blood test... But lucky me, I didn't have to go through scary pap-smear test... Although my test did include between-neck-and-belly-button examination.. Awkward!!! But oklah... I was shown the proper way to do self-examination which is really important, and was reminded to do monthly ( i don't, coz always forget!!!!)

Its Breast Cancer Awareness Month so I would also like to show my support for this campaign here.

The rules to place this logo are pretty much simple. All you have to do is:

1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to these blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

pls pass this tag to support breast cancer awareness!

Pure Relaxation

Yesterday evening, it was raining super heavily... So me and sis decided to get some pure relaxation by getting massage before heading home...

Off we go to Helen Beauty Reflex... Good thing they had 11th year anniversary 'Buy 1 Free 1' Promotion. So.. I bought the RM60 aroma body massage (45 minutes), and I get another session for free which I have to use in a month.

I loved the smell of aromatherapy oil being used on me... I loved the pressure from the masseause... The masseause was this small lady, but her hand so kuat... I was screaming in pain when I said I wanted strong pressuree.. Cheh, konon-konon like I've been working hard....

I think this experience was much better than my last one...

My last massage (Scrub/Milk Bath/Massage) was during a trip in bandung, it was not good at all. Basically before the massage, the masseause asked me to strip everything, and the weird part was when she asked "do you want to buy our disposable underwe@r or n@ked?" Erkkkk, N@KED??? on a massage table??? N@ked on table and lying there like a fish??? Nooooo.... So I ended up buying their dispo underwear... But basically they don't cover you up like they practice here... Basically in 1 hour of lulur/massage, I pretty much feel very exposed...

So lesson learned: Go to reputable place, where the light is dim and you get to hold on to your own underwe@r. hahahahah...

So far I've had good experience in these places in KK: Cres Moment, Helen Beauty Reflex...

BIM picture

I've found my picture from photographers of BIM....

This one is courtesy of Disney of http://kangkudo.gombui.net/

This shot was taken during km17 --- note the vein on my forehead (I was on my way turning into hulk but of course still camwhoring, hahahha)

I'm canceling my run next monday... alasan: malas!

Also, I plan to get up early every saturday to go run with my niece, the longest she ran was 5 rounds (2km), such a stamina!!!

Let's see how long this phase will be here to stay...

dream oh dream....

dream oh dream....

I'm thinking of 2009 travel plan:-
1. Jkt/Bdg trip in February ( business trip)
2. KL trip (jalan-jalan, shopping, meet friends)
3. Penang trip (jalan-jalan, meet friends, and maybe finish penang international bridge Half marathon)
4. sandakan trip (see mel and maybe finish sepilok half marathon and eat lotssaaaa seafood)

i wanna go everywhere... but then again, money issues... sob.. sob.. sob... borneotrekker said, solution is find a man who is rich (note, the dollar sign on the eyes!!!), loves outdoor/travel and super-generous. But we can't expect men nowadaysss, can we? They probably would want to spend that money on gadget like 40 inch plasma tv, all types of console, gps, laptop, iphone and all sort of other gadgets.... So, work hard, earn it, and goooo travel all you can, because only then it's going to be worth it!

**i'm not exactly crazy about running marathon/half marathon... but since my friends are in penang/sandakan, so maybe I'll take the chance to do both, socializing and running at the same time... but I heard food in Penang is sooo good, I'll be too heavy too run then :(

I am currently reading this, The Gift of Travel, a book I borrowed from the library

1st half marathon experience

I am not exactly an athlete nor active person... My high school experience: never really into sports, and the 4.30-5.30pm "waktu sukan" was my lepaking time at the canteen... hehehehe.. . By looking at the list of tv shows I watch now, you can simply decide that I am actually a couch potato... except I watch my shows on my bed... make a bed potato then...

So, it's actually quite a shock for me/others when I decided to join the 1st Borneo International Marathon in the half marathon category. It was actually Borneotrekker who was playing with my head sometime in May, like joining half marathon is easy... But we've decided to sign up anyway just to get early bird special price, RM40...

Funny eh, when we signed up and introduced ourselves to the BIM organizer, we said..."oh, we're not joining marathon, half ONLY".... Eeeee, like half marathon is 100 metres race....

So, ulai and I signed up in May... My training seriously was inconsistent... Due to work commitments, there were weeks when I was working late, and I could not squeeze in training in between... There were weekends when I went home to parents home, where I had to babysit in the evening. Also, there were days when the weather was great but I was just simply lazy or use the excuse tired!

Running places: so far I ran at ums track field (4oomtr/round), around likas lake (~1km/round), and ums area (once, coz people were honking me, and I HATE that)... I think can have many potential running areas, eg. the new waterfront place in likas or alam mesra largest (private) park?

Frequency of training: 2-3 times a week when I'm rajin... 0 times a week when I'm lazy... But due to ramadhan month, i just simply too tired to jog/walk, so I only squeezed in two weeks training in ramadhan. I think it would probably help if I had a regular training routine before ramadhan month, then probably running while fasting is not gonna be so bad... Most of the time I ran in the evening, because I wouldn't want to sacrifice my beauty sleep for 1km of run...

The days before were quite nerve-wrecking, the thought of running TWENTY-ONE KILOMETRES seems so SCARY. Trust me, this is where preparations helps. The longest I ran in training was 9 kms and I never had long run in the morning... But when you're prepared, it's not going to be so bad... So it's quite scary to think of the unexpected... Worse, the big P came at this time! Yikes, goodbye energy, hellooooo cramps, mood swings and backache (i still don't get why i get backache/thigh ache around that time of the month)

free running vestchip all tied up on my shoe

The night before:
Pasta party.... the food was okay. There were many runners who look very athletic I tell you. They were from many countries, also kennysia and catwoman from singapore were there at the pasta party as well. I tried not to eat too much because I was afraid my stomach would be digesting too much while I sleep. Even though initially I planned to sleep around8.30-9.00pm, I only fall asleep at 10.45pm... So much for the excitement!

The morning:
I was awakened by a good luck wish at 2ish in the morning, and could't sleep after that. So while waiting until 4am, I watched my show on my bed to relax... Hehehehh... 4am- hot shower, breakfast and water, water and more water in between...

before the run: photo credit to http://81lions.blogspot.com

I got to the stadium around 5ish in the morning, and the others were already there. Saw sabah's own iron-lady fiona lim, kennysia, a lady who ran in catwoman costume, and also another lady with orange wig+tutu skirt... It certainly makes this run more fun and colorful isn't it? I went straight to warm up and stretch... Around 5.45 am, the runners for half marathon were asked to lined up at the starting line, as usual the slowest would be at the back, and the real athletes at the front... No need to ask me where was I, of course among the last ones...

The siren starting... the runners started running.. I for one, trying to control my pace, I wouldn't want to go so fast in the beginning and go pancit at the end... So slow pace for me, even though surely I was among the last ones... The first hour was pretty much okay, it wasn't too hot and slightly breezy, so running surely was easier... It wasn't long when I reached Jesselton Point, the 4km mark... I was still doing ok.... and still tried to mantain my pace....

So... next we went and passed the central market, wawasan plaza and headed to sutera harbor... by that time, the sun was out, I started to feel the heat, OMG, it was hotttt, I was sweating like crazy.... This was the time when sponging helps. There were few stations where they provided sponges soaked with ice-cold water... In that heat, it such a pleaaaaasssurree to sponge everywhere, from face, to neck, head, hand, body... basically everywhere where I needed refreshments...

Runners had to go into sutera harbor to pass the 10km marker which is basically halfway into the race... I decided to take my power gel there assuming BIM was gonna provide power-gel for the half marathon runners. But I was wrong, the power gels were only for the full marathon... Suddenly menyesal pulak to take the powergel so early in the race, if only I've known I would've brought two so that I can use another one at the end of the run. Starting from the 15km mark, I started to feel tired... I feel like I was weighing 100 kilos... My pace was slower, but I tried to run anyway... It was hoootttttt..... The toughest run was from km 17 to km 21, because the running path wasn't shaded and I can't tahan the heatttt.... and my feet was starting to feel heavy... I did walk a bit on my km 18 km to km19.5... But once I saw the stadium, I knew the finish line was there.... so I ran as I can... trying to remember the feelings... The feelings finishing up at the end of 21 km run... If this would be my last half marathon, at least I want to remember that excitement, the joy of finishing...

So..... I ran... I crossed the finished line in 3 hours and 16 minutes and got myself my FIRST ever finishing half marathon medal... At least 1) I didn't faint 2) I didn't quit half way even tho I wanted to 3) No significant injury (legs cramp) on the way and finally the most important one 1 FINISH!

me and herman showing off our medals

me and ms borneotrekker (erk, sunburn faces?)

Trust me, it truly is a mind over body thing... God, I used up all the motivation lines out there... From "you know you can do this uji" to "you can do this as long as you set your mind to it" to "don't give up now" to "your body can do more than what you think" to "you only fail when you don't try" bla bla bla... Now, I'm a certified motivational speaker. Hahahahha...

Had a free leg massage afterwards... That felt soooo gooooood... I rewarded myself with coffee bean carrot cake... and short nap in the afternoon... I woke up around 1ish pm, and started to feel nauseated... Like I-need-to-vomit-now nausea... I tried eating bread, and sipping gatorade but no luck because after that I vomited everything out (ewwwwww)... I think that was like the marathon hangover??

Post-Half-Marathon: Stomach was quesy but now is okay... Sunburn face.... quadriceps in pain, stomach muscles in pain and I'm limping.. erkkk... Note to self: Adequate training would've lessen the post-run muscles strain/injury....

But I'm glad it's over... So what to do with all the running gears? Am I running again? Yes, but not for another month... or maybe wait until the sutera harbor run. Heheheheheh...

For next time, what helps:-
1) Good preparation(including morning run)
2) Good night sleep
3) Power gels during the run
4) Training buddies
5) Schedule and sticking to it

Thanks for the luck wishes and also special "thanks" borneotrekker yang paksa me join in the first place... Now, buy me a free massage, my feeeeet is killling me...
Okay, now I've gotta rest my wrist and fingers

i survived!!!

I survived my first ever half marathon (21 freakin kilometres)!!!

I finished in 3 hours and 16 minutes... well, not quite a world record, and u know what... the best for half marathon is 1 hour and 11 minutes! it truly shows that there isn't a limit of what our body can do....

aftermath: my stomach and quadriceps hurt... but finishing feels great!!!

i will blog about it later with more pictures!

off i'm go

will be leaving in a bit for my run...


wish me luck!!!!

Test

Mobile blogging
***yeay! i finally get to blog from my phone!!!!

3R

Reuse... Reduce... Recycle...

To support the 3R.... I have bought few reusable bags, some more fancy (envirosax) and some less fancy (rm2.99 giant reusable bag)... Yes, fancy reusable bags are quite expensive, but it's fun and they're pretty.... So, what's wrong of wanting to practise 3R with fancy things right, it makes things more fun... I even bought jessie & lulu so my niece could use it when we groceries shopping together... Instilling green in kids? BTW, she loves this bag, and insisting on putting everything in here...

But imagine my disappointment when I was trying to use these bag @ Giant. The cashier said I MUST use their (super-thin) plastic bag that can bocor anytime on my way to the car. The reason is.... for security reason (like i would steal stuff!). Okay, that's my 1st experience... Then 2nd time, I bought their giant bag... that time I finally get them to put in my stuff in there... I went ahead and asked them whether it would be okay to bring the bag, and reuse that for my next purchase... And guess what she said, a plain and simple "No". So, I immediately pointed at the bag and said, "oh even tho in the bag it said reuse and recycle?". She simply shrugged. I think I will write about this and put my comment in the comment box...

It's such a disappointing thing actually, especially for big corporation like giant. I know in KL, places like tesco and jusco are already promoting less plastic-usage by their reusable bags. Tesco is selling their reusable bags for 99 cents, and if your bag is damaged, you can get a replacement for free...

I'm teaching my 4 yrs old niece to ask this question to cashier when the cashier insists to put stuff in plastic "But plastic cannot be recycled, and it takes 500 years to decompose. So what do you think?".... Let's see what are their reactions. hehehehhe...

Please click here on tips to reduce plastic (and paper) bag consumption

and be informed by these facts and figures regarding the true cost of plastic bags

I think I will only go to places which supports green.

raya photos

am taking the advantage of FULL carbo-loading during raya period... Rendang, ketupat, nasi himpit, soto, raya cookies..... all goes into my stomach without second thoughts...

Here are some raya shots

i think tisha looks angelic here.... ahahhaha.. but u should see her during raya, kept digging in the glass cookies jar...

BIM is days away

BIM is only days away, THREE days to be exact...

Borneotrekker asked me about my list... So here it is...

Before:
1. Buy gatorade, 100plus, 2 power gel (already bought 2:strawberry banana-1x caffeine & double latte-2x caffeine @GNC) (done)
2. (Decide and)Wash sports bra, shorts, socks to be used during the race and set it aside. (done)
3. Pick up registration pack (on friday-lunch break) (done)
4. Finalize mp3 songs for 3.5 hrs. Get rid of song that has lyrics like these "why am i doing this" or "time's so slow" or "i must be crazy" or "i can't go back in time"... (done)
5. Attach bib on vest. (done)
6. Attach chip on shoes (done)
7. Separate car key (leaving car alarm & 1 key only) (done)
8. Carbo-load... Carbo-load... Carbo-load... (done)


The day before:
1. Prepare post-race stuff in a bag: extra clothes, water, slipper, some cash.
2. Charge mp3 player to full
3. Charge phone to full
4. Drink plentyyy of fluid.... Aim: 1 ltr every 2-3 hours
5. Lay off running gears: top, running vest, shorts, socks, shoes, phone, mp3 players, powergel
6. Go to pasta party and carbo-load!
7. Sleep early

The morning:
1. Wake up at 4am
2. Breakfast menu: Strawberry wholemeal bread topped with peanut butter+nutella and half cup of coffee ( i know coffee is a no-no, but i can't start my day without coffee!)
3. Drink at least 500 ml fluid 1 hour before
4. Make sure I don't forget these: powergel, mp3 player, phone and post-race stuff!
5. Sunblock! Sunblock! Sunblock!

Pls let me know if I miss anything....

Eerrrrkkkkk, I'm nervous... Those who are available on sunday, plss come and cheer us up! And I'm all available if you want to give me good stuff to look forward to(eg, want to belanja me coffee bean after race or full body massage)...

Until next post...

makeup & skincare

Today's entry is for girls only... warning: product review!

I am trying Clinique 3-steps... Let's see if I'm rajin enough to follow the regime when I come home late at night. I'd probably just wash my face and go to sleep straight, and say forget-it to toner&mosturizer. Some says the combinations of 3-steps can be drying on certain skin. For me, the last time I tried the facial soap(bar), it was certainly drying on my skin. So to avoid flaky skin, I choose the mildest of all, facial wash extra mild and toner#2 for dry/combination skin, then followed with dramatically mosturizing gel (oil-free) courtesy of mel who bought it from faraway.

I so like makeup of jlo... Very natural, glowy healthy skin!
Basic makeup:-

Mineralize satinfinish: light coverage, dewy-looking(not matte) and it has SPF15. But... as I said, it's pretty light coverage, and doesn't last as long as studio fix, so sometimes skin can look oily esp on a hot day.


My fav concealer:Studiofinish perfect to hide blemishes/dark circles. The best part of it, I only need very little amount of this, so this one small little pot can last quite awhile.Select Sheer Compact: Hmmm, other than the color is perfect for my skin-tone, I don't think there's anything special with it. I encountered few powders which can look-whitish/greyish on skins (wrong color!), so this is perfect for me. I think I might try body-shop one next time...
I don't really do the perfect-matte-full-makeup, so my foundation which I bought in march last year is still not-finished. Even my concealer still not 1/4 finished.... So, I guess you know how ugly un-polished I look most days.

Advice to girls: i think foundation is the most important makeup, so picking the right color is important. Your foundation is like your face pallete. So, if you have a perfect blemish-free skin, you are truly blessed. To draw colors (eg eye shadows, blushers) on a clean pallate is much better right? So, to choose, we want a color that blends with our skin-tone (read: definitely not lighter or else gonna look like a mask)... Frugal tips: If you find a (cosmetic counter)'s foundation that suits you, maybe you can bring leftovers of foundation and look for the same shade in drugstore. The same goes with compact powder.

Sure, makeup is fun, the blending, the brushing, the mixing and matching... But the worst part of all is removing every little trace of makeup at the end of the day. Don't even mention if putting on eyeliner/mascara, it takes many-many cotton balls with (gentle) eye-makeup remover to get rid of em. I guess that's the reason, I don't even care putting those two on. I truly salute those yang never without makeup, meaning those who take-off makeup for prayer at noon, then put on makeup again after that, then take off again in the evening. That's plentttyyy of work!

So, girls.. have fun with your makeup!