Uncle passed away last night. It's a good thing for everyone, albeit sad, such a pity for someone who was supposedly healthy and strong. Nevertheless, sometimes God has separate agenda for us. He is free from pain now and will rest in peace. Son and family will get through the sorrow and move on..remembering him as a wonderful man, husband, father, father in law and grand father.
On the other hand, I'm having a bad back day, having difficulty bending down :( but I've got a kitten to nurse, found it in the middle of the road.
It looks exactly like Mogwai. Let's call it Mogwai 2.0
Although, quite tame and independent for a stray kitten, he/she still misses her mom much. Always looking for something soft to suckle.
For some reasons, he/she thinks my crocs or foot smells or feels like mommy.
It's sleeping in my croc now.
Oh yes.. the lady queen cat absolutely hates me now.
Always heard about friends, family and everyone else having high blood pressure (HBP). Even my own father was diagnosed recently and had to start on medication. Many were concern and reminded him over and over to take his medication on time. Thus, I'm indirectly responsible to ensure he takes his medication.
Still, I've never really understood nor register the real complications of HBP.
I learnt all about HBP in one night, within a few hours last night, when I saw this man, my own Uncle, the youngest amongst the seniors, lying in the emergency room, on life support. The attack was silent and ruthless. His wife, son, the entire family couldn't believe what the doctor was saying...
"It's a massive stroke. A major rupture at the brain stem. Irreversible. His brain is gone. Nothing we can do. In a matter of days, he will pass on..."
We don't meet often, occasional events bring us together, and we will say our Hellos and How Are Yous. I always see him as this Tall, Handsome and fun Uncle regardless of his age.
We last met in October. He was healthy and good, apart from a slightly more aged appearance. Who doesn't age anyway? The centre of attention was on the youngest family member, the one year old birthday boy and the oldest member, my father who was just diagnosed with High BP. I had the honor of snapping a handsome photo of him with his grand children as the unofficial photographer for the night. That's probably the last photo of him...
It was heartbreaking to see my cousin, standing forlornly by the bedside, caressing the father's forehead...it must be so difficult to have to let him go.
Uncontrolled high BP causes damages to arteries throughout the body, the brain inclusive. Depending on severity, damages from a stroke can be mild, severe, irreversible or even fatal. If you have friends or family members with history of high BP, please please make sure there are regular monitoring and medication.
In summary: HBP damages arteries so they burst or clog more easily, very often. resulting in a stroke. A stroke, on the other hand, occurs when a blood vessel to the brain is either blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). When that happens, part of the brain is no longer getting the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die. Your brain controls your movement and thoughts, so a stroke doesn't only hurt your brain. It also hurts the brain's ability to think and control body functions. Strokes can affect language, memory and vision as well as cause paralysis and other health issues (death inclusive). My Uncle was unfortunate to be hit by a hemorrhagic stroke at the brain stem, the most important part of the brain i,e blood vessel in the brain breaks or ruptures resulting in blood seeping into the brain tissue, causing damage to brain cells. In short:
Stroke is the leading cause of disability.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death.
Stroke is preventable by the control of risk factors.
Stroke is treatable, but patients must seek immediate medical care.
All persons should be aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke.
The good news is, p to 80% of all strokes are preventable. Many risk factors can be controlled before they cause problems. Some controllable risk factors include:
High blood pressure (High = greater than 140/90)
Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm)
Uncontrolled diabetes
High total cholesterol (greater than 200)
Smoking
Alcohol (more than one drink per day)
Being overweight
Existing carotid and/or coronary artery disease
These are the signs ans symptoms of a stroke:
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
Sudden blurred vision or decreased vision in one or both eyes
Sudden inability to move part of the body (paralysis)
Sudden dizziness or headache with nausea and vomiting
Difficulty speaking or understanding words or simple sentences
Difficulty swallowing
Dizziness, loss of balance, or poor coordination
Brief loss of consciousness
Sudden confusion
Immediately call for medical help if you have the above stroke symptoms. Stroke is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment can save your life or increase your chances of a full recovery. Reference: WebMD
I was extremely hungry as it was way past lunch time at 2pm or later. Needed. food. fast.
Good that I had taken out some pork from the freezer in the morning.
Marinated pork.
Took some curry leaves and chilli padi from the garden.
Cut some garlic.
Boil some spaghetti noodles.
When done, added olive oil, garlic powder, pepper, and some dried bottled Itallian herbs.
Oh..added some fresh milk too.
Don't ask..what recipe :D
I had Olio in mind..but then I have some fresh milk that I'm trying to finish..since there's curry leaves..so I think I was trying to make it fusion spicy carbonara?! But then I added in last night's Chinese Herb Soup as stock too.
LOL!
Anyway...preparation..very simple.
Cook pork with leaves and garlic and olive oil...and add spaghetti. Done.
So...2013 is on the way. I always feel melancholic during this season. Year end and all..the mind won't stop thinking about how the fast the year has gone by, especially this year..it seems like just yesterday that I conveniently took the leap of faith to go into 'entrepreneurship'. I've yet to update about how it has been ..simply because I don't know how to conclude yet. Let's settle that in a later post.
For now..yes...what do I want to do in 2013?!
Two things in mind for now...
ONE:
Just yesterday..while in the shower at 11pm, I had this urge to do another Half Marathon. Not any other Half Marathon but the Standard Chartered KL Marathon. I didn't get around to do it in 2011 due to a back injury, and never got around to do anything more than 15/16km since then.
Not that I'm 100% well now...but I think I'd like to at least do the SCKLM Half once, get the official certificate, hopefully with a good time. That'll be nice, eh? SCKLM is the only run that provides a personalised cert, with officially printed name and finishing time and physically mailed to the runner.
TWO:
I've been seriously thinking about going to Paitan with EL in March. Since, I did not travel at all in 2012 and not sure about 2013 due to unstable finances, this will be a good chance for me to get out and about and at the same time do some good, not only to the villagers of Paitan but also my own soul.
It won't cost much, estimated less than RM1K definitely, it won't be a luxurious holiday but definitely a rewarding and worthwhile experience.
Yup..only two things..for now. I don't believe in being overly ambitious. And if you noticed..so far there's nothing related to the dollar sign. So much for being an entrepreneur...*rolling eyes*...as much as I love certain aspects of materials e.g being brand conscious and all....oh well.
Had I mentioned how amazing the members of M.A.D.E are? I'm not saying this just because they are my fellow MADEs and friends, in fact I actually do not know this bunch as well as I'd like to.
Only 2 of the bunch were my ex class mates, even that we have not met for years until M.A.D.E was formed.
I did mention in previous posts how I was awed by the level of commitment and dedication despite everyone's busy and hectic lives at work and at home.
You'd probably have an idea if you've been following this site. If not..let's just say M.A.D.E consists of a bunch of friends who put aside personal differences and life commitments to come together hoping to Make Some Difference.
Sometimes I can't help but wonder if I'm half as good as this bunch of wonderful souls.
M.A.D.E raised over RM23,000 in the recent charity drive to support of the Paitan Kindergarten project in Sabah. A representative was just in Paitan few weeks ago (trip was organised by The Catholic Parish of St Francis Xavier, Singapore)to present the cheque to Sr Dorothy (who was responsible for starting the first kindergarten seven years ago, to date, she has started eight kindergartens!).
We met up recently for a Thanksgiving and pre Christmas potluck dinner. It was also an opportunity for us to catch up on EL's experience in Paitan. As expected, it was an unforgettable lifetime experience. I'll post some pics on her behalf in another post, if I can get hold of some. No promises. Alternatively, wait till March, if I gather enough courage to tag along with her on her next trip to Paitan :)
Meanwhile...yes..I was saying this bunch of MAD(E) people are so talented. Look what they prepared for the potluck :
Awesome Prawn Salad
Amazingly delicious Chilli Beef
Garlic Roasted Chicken YUMMY
I think this is Caesar Salad
I never liked Lasagna..but..this is unbelievably NICE!
This didn't have a name...but it was really really nice..think: bacon, cheese, potato, sausages..and lot's more
Butter cake & Chips with Salsa dip..O M G
What happend to my dish?
Well...I did a second attempt on the Oven baked Baby Ribs.
It looked quite good actually....when it came out of the oven.
Agreed?
So..I'm never really that good or even cared about food presentation. What I did was..just cutting them up, put in the some plastic container..and off I went :D
You can imagine..how Out of Place my ribs were...when put next to all the above.
SOBSSSSS :'(
Here's EL helping me to rearrange the ribs onto a nice clean plate :D
We stole some leaves and baby tomatoes from Sharm's salad...and voila ...!
Once upon a time, back in October, a few people commented that I looked like I've lost 'a lot' of weight. So..I became somewhat conscious. While I liked to take the comments as a compliment..I was kind of worried too. I started trying on smaller sized tops and shorts that was tight some time back, la la la..it sure felt good when I could fit in..and even felt loose :D
But at the same time I didn't wanna lose too much weight. I work out for health and fitness not to be thin. Coming from a family with history of cancer..losing too much weight means trouble. I stepped on the weighing machine to check and saw that I was indeed lighter at 54kg.
So I started eating more. A lot more.
In the last two week, I noticed the tummy building up...and waistline getting tighter :D
Dang..!
And at this time ..the sinseh had to ask what kind of exercises I do actually...cos the legs are not healing as properly as he expected. So.. I had to (reluctantly) tell him..what I actually do in the gym : P
As expected...he advised to cut down all those kicking actions .... dang.
BUT.. I've gained weight.! I weighed 56kg today. wth!
The legs are definitely better compared to before but.there's just this stubborn 20-30% that won't go away e.g it hurts when I sit cross legged and when I move the thighs closer to the body. He still thinks it's the groin..some where in the groin there's a twisted vein he said. The last treatment was really painful. I lost count how many times he went to and fro deep in the groin and the inner thighs..and how many times I wanted to sit up and leave.
I don't look forward to the next visit.. I think I'm better... no need to go back?
Did a google check on the net about groin injury..found this ..he may be right after all:
Once upon a time, a wise man said this to me: "you will be cured. do not accept that you will have to live with these problems for life. when you are cured..you will find the passion and energy to do lots of other things in life .." I can't remember when was the first time I met him ..must be sometime before 2008. Before I met this man, I was always lethargic with muscle stiffness and multiple types of body aches. Neurologists said that its side effects due to scarred spinal tissues post transverse myelitis. Basically, it means..I'd have to live wiht the side effects and they are permanent and I should be thankful that they are minor. So..I never thought nor did I have confident to go back to physically demanding activities. I daren't even take up the challenge to concur the Mount Kinabalu with my colleagues then. I'd joined the gym for years but I only went for yoga classes, occasionally. Subsequently..I thought I'd just grow old learning tai chi :D Until I met this sinseh.. he told me..that he will treat me back to good health. He told me..he was terminally ill when he was a very young man, doctors told him he will not live longer than a few months. He learnt up traditional chinese medicine and slowly fought off his illness day by day, year by year. He treated me with his pendulum accupuncture technique accompanied with some medication. Initially it was a weekly visit and as I feel better I tend to go less and less. In recent years I only visit him once in a few months or as and when I feel the need for maintenance.
I strongly believe that it is because of him..that I'm able to go back to be physically active as I am now.
He hasn't been well in the recent years. My last visit to him was early this year, he was recovering from a second or third stroke. I told him that other doctors in the centre were not as effective as him..he said:
All of you say the same thing, when I'm not around anymore..how? It's as if he was preparing us for his passing. Strange enough..I didn't feel the need to see him again after that. Well..I did think about going in for "maintenance" but I've been going for that vein pushing treatment for the legs..I didn't want to spend more money on accupuncture..which I don't feel any urgent need for.. We've heard that he has been very sick recently. His old friend - cancer - has visited him again. Unfortunately, this time he's too old to fight off those nasty cells. Just heard that he had passed on. RIP. And..Thank you.
Location: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Some young chap in tshirt and jeans calling me AUNTY came by the house and started the conversation by 'warning' about unsafe water 'due to recent cleaning by the authorities'. He used sentences like .."please don't boil and drink water from the pipe in the next two days" .."are you like aunties and uncles from the row of houses behind you, who boil and drink water from the pipe" .."like them,,can you bring me a glass of drinking water, so that I can test for you" I walked away. 1. Very obvious it's a scam.. 2. He called me AUNTY..(repeatedly!)
Googled and found many write-ups about similar scams in the overseas.. Click HEREto see one of the many
Yesterday I met someone for a work meeting at a bistro at a hotel lobby. Guess how much was the latte / cappucino ? Yes..it was a fairly big glass / cup and we sat there from 4 till 7pm.
But still... each drink was RM25! wth.
If I knew earlier..I would have suggested to cross the road to Pacific Coffee at Farenheit ..each of us can have many many cups for RM25!
Not that I picked up the bill la..but still.
So..ya....I just wanna say..that price doesn't come with quality all the time.
As you may have read in the recent posts..I was going hoo haa about LewisGene...a new humble outlet at Solaris Dutamas.
RM13.90 with pancake
Well..not a posh environment..but..its cosy and comfortable. Why not?! For RM13.90..you get really good coffee and snacks. Go figure.
And then..there's my all time favourite, Espressolab at an open corner at Garden's Mall. Limited seating..not exactly air conditioned. Pretty open setup as seats are located along the first floor link walkway of Gardens - Mid Valley.
RM10
But it's really really good coffee for RM10. And..it's really kind of nice sitting in the midst of the the hustle bustle..especially when the weather is cooling.
This was from Jin Yi by Cofffee Ritual, when they first started in D'sara Uptown. Looking awesomely good at RM7.50.
RM7.50
And this.......
I don't even know what to say about this. It was from some posh bistro and cafe.
Some biggie with several outlets across town...
And no.. the pic was taken before I took any sip..it looks exactly like this when it arrived. LEt's not even talk about taste...
And guess how much it was? I can't remember the exact price..but it's definitely double digit..RM12..13 may be.
Without fail, each visit is a dilemma for me when deciding what to eat. How I wish I could be as loyal as Jenny who would always go for the best selling Beautiful Mess and nothing else.
Yupe..I've 'flower hearts' directly translated from the Cantonese proverb, it simply means..many hearts..someone with many hearts cannot stay with one lover. LOL.
But then..I'm a blogger and a foodspotter...if I always stick to one kind of food on the menu..I'll have nothing to report!
Yay..so..each time I'd make sure I try something new ..no matter how much I'd wanna have a mess with the favourites ...Beautiful Mess and my personal favourite Jam with Elvis.
This time I had the Chicken and Egg Dilemma.
As much as I prefered beef..I made it a point to have chicken this time..and this was recommended.
Chicken and Egg Dilemma
Verdict...?
Oh well...I miss the Beautiful Mess...and Elvis.
Next visit? It will be between Beautiful Mess and Elvis.
I really enjoyed this. CLosed to 50 mins long..but definitely worth watching. Not sure if they've shown on on NatGeo yet..and I probably don't watch idiot box often enough to have noticed it while it was being aired.
If you have not seen it..enjoy!
By the way, the orang utans were cute but Datuk Michelle Yeoh's even cuter speaking Malay :P
Ouch..not that I felt the pain. A gym mate asked me to 'practice' kicking (the punching bag) with him. So I kicked..and kicked. Left foot was not as strong and it was painful..the punching bag's really hard you see.
I'm much more stronger on the right side..and I can kick really well on the right, and I don't feel pain on the right leg (side effects from TM). So..I didn't know I was kicking too hard, lol.
That's just one of the three bruises spotted. Foot feels slightly sore now.
The music event on Sunday was a huge success. Friends, family, regular customers of Mandolin and many others came and donated generously. It was unbelievable.
Music Madness Event : RM14,500 Charity Book sale collection: RM 7,300 Total collected as of 5 Nov: RM21,800 (with donations still pouring in). THANK YOU, on behalf of Sr Dorothy, the children and the community of Paitan to all who helped in different ways.
I went back on Friday, we were there from 9pm till past midnight. This place comes alive at night! It was buzzling when we left eventhough it was so late.
Simply love the environment. Nice music to chill and relax. Staff are nice and friendly. Coffee was good of course.
Was there again yesterday evening..it was very quiet..hardly any customers, but it felt so cosy and comfortable....love it love it.
Cappuccino and pancake
They have this great promo between 2-7pm (not sure until when) : Any coffee with snacks choices like pancake, waffle (with ice cream!), frech toast or muffin for only RM11.90.
May be because it's a new route that we've never ran before or the pleasant weather. It was cooling, traffic was very light, air was fresh...so fresh that I swallowed a tiny leaf that flew into my mouth !
Congratulations and Well Done - Great Eastern Malaysia. Everything was perfect. Well organised to perfection, in my opinion, despite this being their first running do in Malaysia, and not even being a 'sporty brand' like err... 'you know who'.
The venue was good too. Spacious, clean and bright. Parking arrangement / signages can be improved though.
Oh..I was so into running..I totally forgot to snap pictures of the barricades. What a shame :-/
Matrade - Jalan Duta - Jana Kuching - Solaris Dutamas - Hartamas - back to Martrade
It was a refreshing and pleasant run despite the many slopes and hills...
According to Runkeeper, it's a record climb for me :D
Overall I felt quite good..the best I've felt for a long time. May be, the vein pushing guy really knows his stuff!
Official timing and pace according to the official D-tag. Don't see any improvement in terms of speed nor pace though.
Ranked 389 out of 852 in the Women's Open category.
Here's a quick comparison by Sportypal. Unfortunately, I don't use Sportypal often, so I couldn't find any other 12km race to compare with.
This one's with 10km KOTR in September along the NPE highway which I didn't enjoy that much because of the heat, pollution and climbs.
But..you'll see below..I ran faster in KOTR cos the climb was just half as tough. Yea..contradictory findings ..lol!
via Sportypal : blue for 12km Live Great Run vs. green for 10km KOTR
Yes, I keep changing my preference, which is healthy sign isn't it? It just shows there are healthy competition and everyone's (providers and consumers) raising the bar higher and higher. Erm..for those who are stagnant ....sorry lar.
Currently ranked first in my preferred coffee joints list.
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