Children curry

I HAVE TO SHARE THIS~

My friend found this in one of her daughter's school work book. I couldn't resist re-posting in facebook..and now I'm gonna share it here..good things must share.





And it has to be in EXTRA LARGE image size.

LOLOLOL..

I still chuckle every time I see it .

Too funny~

Ran : Nike We Run KL 10K

So..I ran KL with Nike again.  Last year was on the 10.10.10 on the AKLEH. 

Click HERE to read about last year's experience.

The AKLEH (Ampang KL Elevated Highway) sounded exciting?

But..we are quite sure by now after AKLEH and NPE during Adidas KOTR that highway runs are very boring indeed.

Nike We Run KL 2011 was on 27.11.11, start / end point was at Padang Merbok, near Jalan Parlimen.  

The route was supposedly designed to take us through various historical sites around KL...namely

...Lake Gardens

...National Museum

...National Mosque

...National Railway Station

...National Bank

...National Monument

But ermm.. I don't actually remember seeing much of those. May be..I did pass the railway station..and I think I did run pass the road where the Museum is. I must be too occupied with running and didn't really bother with the 'attractions'.  There is one thing that I will remember for life though ~ the stinging smell from fertilisers from the Lake Gardens! And the some awful stench along Brickfields probably from some rubbish truck!

Other than that, I was quite 'focused' on running.  Ya..was relatively more serious this time as I wanted to see how fast I can clock since I feel much stronger now, finally..after all the injuries downtime. That explains why I have less pictures to show this time.

The unofficial time from my phone app is 1hr 21mins.  If I were to count hairs, it should be less cos it was activated a few seconds before crossing the start point :D

My best time for 10km so far based on my previous post was 1 hr 17mins during SCKLM in 2010 :  my second 10km !

Sigh...no improvement at all =(

Well, most will agree that it's quite tough to go for personal best in this run given the packed conditions.  At one stretch, we were all squeezed into 2 lanes with not much room to run even walk, so most ended up walking or interval running in between short stretches.

I was looking forward to going a little faster towards the last few km but .. oh my..the last few km was a long slope! Not very steep..but quite punishing....when it's right at the end of the race~

Anyhow..given the conditions..1 hr 21 mins..is not too bad ler..I think :P

This is way too cute!

As usual, Nike begs to differ. We were given a souvenier instead of a medal.  This year's token is much much better than last year's toy.

That's it for 2011.  By the way, I enjoy the shorter distance..so much more relaxing.  Not sure if I'm still gonna run next year or if I'm gonna do any longer distance.

 GLL asked if I'm gonna do a Full before I retire.

:-O

Poptone

I have a new watch!

It's a Casio Poptone.  Doesn't matter if it's a new or older model. I got it free :D

Redeemed from MB card points that I decided to let go. Over 40,000 points for a $100+  watch, is it worth it? 

I like to use my points to redeem stuff that I don't need to buy with cash.  In other words, it's stuff I don't really need but I'd like to have it if it doesn't cost.  Oh well, 40,000 points is worth 40,000 real bucks spent on the card but..those were spent on other stuff. but ... I get something else on top what I already paid for.

Nice or not my new watch?

By the way, do you notice that the analog clock doesn't sync with the digital clock?  Haven't got time to figure out why is it so.  Just got it yesterday..felt like I just got a pressie from Santa

=D

Online Privacy

Read this : http://www.taz.de/!81248/

It's amazing how much of ourselves can be revealed from something as simple as our online activities.

In short, Facebook stores our usage data.. our friends, status postings, comments, photos, locations, etc etc.  Advertisers pay good money to use these data for custom advertising. Do you notice how the page sometimes intelligently flash out ads or page suggestions that fits your interest? Like just a while ago, it has an advertising on Pilates..may be my data indicates that I like sports stuff?

It does sound scary but yet..unavoidable in the current digital world.  Everything can be conveniently stored and saved when it's digital.

At the other end of the spectrum, in the world of smartphones, privacy is becoming an increasingly outdated concept, argues technology writer Sam Biddle. What might once have been considered "creepy" and invasive is becoming normal...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15730499

I've been working in the market research industry since the late 90s.  In MR, we collect consumers behaviour data, manually.  Manually, we screen and select respondents that fit our target profile, and ask them questions that we designed manually based on marketers' needs and objectives.  The MR code of conduct states that we can only analyse the findings at agregate level and we aren't allowed to reveal or share individual respondent responses in any manner.  After all, it is more relevant to look at overall data patterns to make out representative findings.

So..shall we be afraid of using Facebook? Shall we switch off all the smart features of our smartphones? Or better still switch back to dumb phones?

I don't know.

As the article rightly quoted..privacy is becoming an increasingly outdated concept.




Personally, I'll still use Facebook, 4sq, and whatever not..strictly for fun and social purposes.

They can track all my comments, postings and check ins  all they want, I'd be glad to be part of the statistics, just like a respondent in a traditional MR survey. I doubt anyone will take to scrutinizing an individual data to come out with a marketing plan.    It should be in terms of overall data trending.

UNLESS, I commit a major crime..or I become a huge celebrity one day, then my individual data will be very valuable and in demand !

Waze

"My current 'not so smart' phone can surf the net, can download games too, why should I get a smart phone"  I've asked this question a few times before I finally got the Iphone. Quite a few non converters have been asking me too.

Here's one example of what a non smart phone can't offer...

Just like how I answered to the questions.. a smart phone is not just a phone.  Apart from making calls and receiving sms, setting reminders.. with so many apps available and many many more to come, we can practically install exciting new features for different purposes every other day.

Waze is a new app that I installed recently. Waze is a community based traffic and navigation app that functions like Garmin but has more interactive and fun elements to it. And IT"S FREE!  

As with all other apps, there will be constant updates and improvements, it's still Free. Not a cent needed.   

As Ringgit said..those navigation devices business will have to close shop soon =P

Here are some screen shots and example from Waze.

This is what the map looks like. 

All those little heads with eyes are other fellow Wazers who were also online at the same time and travelling in the vicinity.  Those with a pacifiers are Baby Wazers..new users.  The blue car is me.  Other signs are hazards or traffic warnings posted by fellow wazers during that time.

You know what..Waze maps are automatically and constantly updated via active Waze users around the world as we drive around with Waze on. 

Pop up alerts will appear when other fellow Wazers post about the traffic jams in the area.  Apart from visual prompts, there should be voice prompts too..I have not heard any so far cos my music is always at the max :D

Besides traffic updates, fellow wazers can tip each other about road hazards like pot holes, stalled vehicles or even police traps...!

 

Another way to use Waze, is just take a browse at the list of reports before starting your journey..to see where the possible congestion are.

Cool eh?

I have yet to try using it for navigation function..it should work just fine I guess.

Loving it!


So with Waze I save hundreds may be thousands on navigation devices.
With RunKeeper I don't have to get a running watch to track distances n speed.
With Malaysian Insiders and BBC, I no longer need newspapers.
Email can be received and sent on the go.
Text messages (local and overseas) are free with WhatsApp messenger
Sending photos is also free and easy with WhatsApp.

Have I answered your questions?

Trust me,. there are lots more useful and important gdgets, some are free, the better ones costs some money, I'm currently satisfied with the free ones

New apps are being developed and launched everyday...it's impossible to catch up.

Waze was founded in 2009, according to a press release in June 2011 it was reaching 4 million users in 45 countries worldwide.  I can't find any information on how many users are there in Malaysia but there should be many, I joined a Waze group called "Petaling Jaya" to get alerts in this area :

It was created 15 months ago.
1274 members to date.
172 new users in the last month.
949 new activities in the last month.

That tells us something isn't it?


Privacy / Security issue?
Almost none, I'd say.  Only an email address and no other information needed during registration.  To be safe, just switch off the app when not using.  Most Wazers log on using a nickname. Linking Waze reports to Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare is only by choice.


Cool?

Twas a good one

It has been a good weekend.  Nothing extraordinary..but somewhat quiet and relaxing yet productive.   Had to shelf all my ambitious plans to hit the gym on Sat morning cos I had difficulty dozing off the night before.. (despite the headache). So it was downtime again.  Darn.  Will I ever get back to fitter days, I wonder.

Anyhow.. life had to go on.  I eventually rolled out of bed around 10am, had light breakfast, did some back exercises, bath the dogs, had lunch and did grocery shopping with dad..and even managed a 3km jog in the evening.  Felt soooo much better after the jog...

Though I wonder all the time if I should lay low till all the pain goes away..but I always feel very much better after some work out ~ well, sometimes it hurts when I'm not careful. So.. it's still a big question mark - ? -

Nehh..no point pondering.. yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is s gift.  Why don't we just make the best out of today.. !

So..I had a good day today.. thanks to yesterday's jog.  Had a belly good pain free time at the gym,  and the rest of the day was simply great.  No tiredness.  No aches.   Lunch was good.  Cleaned my room finally..well..not the entire room..but good enough ..hehe.

Now, I'm looking forward to next weekend...!  Will be catching with some friends..and Nike run will be on Sunday.  Definitely gonna be another good one.


But.. err... let's get through the coming weekdays first :P

  

Downtime

I'm having a headache (again!)

Haven't been well lately.  Was under the weather for about 2 weeks...then all good for about a week before the fiasco at the gym the other night.  It was downtime since then.  Was feeling lethargic and tired on and off. Ms P finally arrived, not making things better but worse.  Back muscles affected. Now headache..i think I'm gonna pass out....

Why we need a sports bra?

Read this :



"Breasts are mostly composed of fatty tissue and are supported mainly by skin and fragile ligaments called Coopers' ligaments. Because these are not elastic, during repetitive or high impact sport the breasts bounce and pull on the ligaments, forcing them to stretch. 


Once these ligaments have stretched they stay this way. The result is every woman's nightmare - sagging breasts.Going without the correct support can also cause breast pain and upper back and shoulder problems.

Running without any bra at all causes the average woman's breasts to move up and down by 8.5cm. Wearing an ordinary bra reduces this by 32 per cent. A sports bra reduces this by at least another 20 per cent"

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-35692/Why-need-sports-bra.html#ixzz1dvWfWmfH

Gym plan gone haywire

It was a Tuesday evening, used to be a 'super' day for me at the gym by doing RPM and BC back to back.  Had not been that super after picking up a back problem, been trying to get back to that state though.

Everything seems to be as planned, was 45 mins earlier..so I had more than enough time to warm up and do some weights bla bla...  but then..as with life...there are always surprises around the corner..haha...I was about to change and realised that I didn't have a sports bra. Damn...

Can I workout without a sports bra? I stood there for a few mins asking myself the question many times.  I took off my working top and tried putting on my workout top on top of the regular non sports bra.  It just didn't feel right. And it doesn't look right too : /

I decided to drive home...to get a sports bra .. lol!

Class starts at 8.15, I managed to get back and changed around 8,30.  So I was 15 mins late.  They were already at the 2nd track.  Not too bad..I thought, I'll just catch up.  By the time I got on to the bike, they started track 3, one of the tougher working track out of the 9.  I took the earlier part to warm up and tried to match the pace when I thought I was ready.  Was abit breathless, legs were stiff and crampy, I slowed down occasionally then picked up , then slowed down.  By the end of track 7, the nausea feeling kicked in.  Track 8 and 9 is just cooling down and stretching but I just couldn't stay on, if I had I would have toppled off the bike.  I had to sit down for a while at the staircase even though the changing room was just seconds away.

Not really sure what triggered it.  May be I didn't warm up enough.  Or all the rushing to and fro to get the sports bra :D

Or may be it's that time of the month..PMS.

Oh well..just ain't my day.  I was contemplating to try doing BC, but legs were still weak..so better not la.

Woke up feeling sore inside out...physically and mentally :(

Well... that's life.. sometimes things just go wrong when you least expect it.

By the way, can you work out without a sports bra?

It's You (Ref: Tiny Wisdom)

Many a times, we, human beings tend to conveniently direct or finger point a problem towards something or someone else instead of figuring out ways to improve the situation.

When a road accident happens - what do we do?.  We will all go into defensive mode i.e. to point out the other party's mistake.  When traffic is congested,we curse the heavy rain or other drivers for causing the congestion.  When we are unhappy with life, we look around looking for reasons to blame i.e. work, partner, weather, anything except ourselves.  When we fall sick, we blame the weather, the food intake, the supplements not working, the doctor ain't good.

Whatever will be will be.  Things happen.  Colors of life? Without obstacles, events and happenings life will be such a bore, isn't it?  Without that irritating neighbour, we wouldn't be able to see the other side of human and them learn how to deal with it.

While we can't control what people around us do or behave, we can control how we ourselves react and behave.  While we can't control the bad weather, we can control how we face the outcome of the bad weather.

In short...“Make the best use of what is in your power and take the rest as it happens.” -Epictetus

The one you’ve been waiting for to tell you what to do—it’s you. You’re the only one who knows what’s right for you in this moment.

The one you’ve been waiting for to fix your problems—it’s you. You’re the only one who has the power to change what isn’t working.

The one you’ve been waiting for to make the pain go away—it’s you. Whatever you’re holding onto, only you can let it go.

The one you’ve been waiting for to give you permission—it’s you. You’re the only one who can decide whether you’ll try or hold yourself back.

The one you’ve been waiting for to love you—it’s you. You’re the only one who can make you feel beautiful and worthy.

The one you’ve been waiting for to provide something that’s missing—it’s you. You’re the only one who can create and recognize what’s enough for your happiness.

The one who makes a difference in so many people’s lives—it’s you. Remember that even when you struggle with some of these things, the world is a better place for having you in it.

SOURCE : TINY WISDOM: IT’S YOU

Like

Some day last week, my sis posted in FB that she was stopped and fined by the police for talking too long on the mobile.

My cousin "Liked" the post.

My sis replied - "I was actually talking to your mother..."

I "Liked" my sis' reply.


=D


Funny how Facebook changed the usage of a simple word like LIKE.....

Progress!

Finally I'm making some progress! ... I just found the main reason why I kept getting killed :D


Don't tell anyone this... "I've been fighting without ammo"


LOLOLOLLLL

Are you worried?

A friend posted this recently on Facebook to warn everyone on why we shouldn't post any personal pictures (especially kids) or even our whereabouts i.e. location check ins,  on the internet or in any social networking sites.




On first thoughts, what was shown in the video does sound scary.  Made you wanna immediately stop posting photos isn't it? Well, my personal view, I think we shouldn't be too paranoid.

For a start, make sure you do the following:

• Set your ALL Facebook postings to Friends Only
• Do not add or accept anyone who you do not know personally
• Switch off Location Services for your Camera in your smartphone
• If you are really paranoid, switch off ALL location services, but then you may not be able to use some functions like the Map

Check out the comments under the video..some make quite good sense...

"Anyone ever heard of whitepages (the one in your phone book) or appraisal district web pages. You can look the address of anyone just by knowing their name (at least their last name) and the county they live in."

"When I was a kid (in the 80s), strangers knew where I was too, BECAUSE I WENT OUTSIDE."

Well, the video did make a valid point. It does pose some danger when we use location services like Foursquare, FB Check in..and it was also new information to me that the eve the photos will have location information tagged on it if the camera location service is on.

There has been many debates about the danger of using our smart phones in public the danger of checking in at public places because technically I can be tracked down.

Well, we've seen in the movies, as long as our phone is on the police or anyone with the right tools can track us down.  A tap on our touch and go card tells us our travel pattern.  A call to the internet service provider, they can tell you your location details and sites you've visited.  Facebook has all the data of who you like to 'creep' on around Facebook.  Google has information on the type of sites and information that you tend to search for.

So..what do we do? Stop using all these gadgets?

My view is..well well well...everyone in every developed corner in the world is exposed to such "risk".  There more than 800 million active facebook users in the world, there are at least 3 million foursquare ceck-in in a day, over 3 billion photos loaded in Facebook each month...

Don't believe? See HERE - it's only a random outdated article I pulled out from the internet.

So..with all those numbers, how likely do you think I'd be tracked down?  Well, not saying I'm not worried, I did check my setting after watching the video, my camera's location was off anyway - phew . Lol.

I only left the necessary ones on e.g,  Facebook, Foursquare, Runkeeper etc.

Yikes..does that mean stalkers can track me when I run?

Nah..as I told FY long time ago, I ain't any celebrity, I aint' filthy rich, nor I'm beautiful, so IF someone really stalks me up one fine day and appeared at my doorstep that person must be damn smart to be able to do so and may be crazily in love with me.


=P

Nevertheless, just play safe...I repeat:

• Set your ALL Facebook postings to Friends Only
• Do not add or accept anyone who you do not know personally
• Switch off Location Services for your Camera in your smartphone
• If you are really paranoid, switch off ALL location services, but then you may not be able to use some functions like the Map

Me, Iphone Gaming

New game! 

I'm not a game freak by the way, there were only two games installed in my phone and I only play Trade Nations regularly. Last weekend was a long weekend, so I was randomly browsing through the app store and found this.  Brothers in Arms 2 : Global Front Line

Centuries ago, I used to play games like Dome, Tomb Raider, Metal Gear Solid, etc on PC or Play Station.  But with Iphone, the virtual pad / joystick stick with Gyroscope is so difficult :(

It's been days I've only got pass one sub-level. 

Each retry only lasted me seconds..and I'd be dead again and again and again.

Unlike those days, where I could just strike re-start and attempt over and over until I get through..all these Iphone games..they make you 'wait'!  

In this case, I have to wait 5 minutes before I can retry again.

Grrr... so frustrating and yet..I'm not giving up.   

Thoughts from a Drama

Lately, I've been hooked on a TVB drama - 潛行狙擊 (Lives of Omission).   Been a long time since I got hooked to a HK drama.  This one is really good though.  

AND I always liked Damian Lau :) This time, he played this intelligent and poised Chief Inspector Kung.  *heart* I see his role as the main pulse of the whole cast although technically he was only categorised under a supporting role.  The mains are none other than Tse Tin Wah (Laughing Sir)and Bosco (Michael).  I never liked these two but I must say they did very well here especially Tse Tin Wah! *heart too*   

Was on episode 10 this morning, the initial part showed Chief Inspector Kung and Inspector Jodie (by Fala Chen) on a hiking session.  His main purpose was to help Jodie get over a mental trauma after killing a criminal.

Fala Chen played a serious and uptight character who is continuously aiming to do her best in life.  She tackled the hike up the hill just like how she lives her life - "must reach the top as quickly as I can, no matter how hard it is"  Hence, she focused all her energy on going upwards, probably missing out on enjoying the journey itself.

Kung's advice to her was..

Sometimes the most important part is not reaching the top.  It is how one reaches the top.. taking a slower pace, enjoying the process and journey, appreciating the surrounding may be even more rewarding.  The scenery at the top no doubt is good, but who says you can't enjoy an equally good if not better scenery when you stop to take a rest?


Good thoughts eh?

Malaysian Toilets

Venue : Bangsar Village I, ladies toilet

Lady # 1 : Euuww... it stinks in here..!

Me : huh..? But this is one of the cleaner ones in town!

Lady # 1 : What ? Really??

Me : Are you Malaysian?

Lady #1 : Yes, but I live in the US.

Me : Oh I see.  Really..this is one of the cleaner ones. I'm serious.

Lady #2 (still in the cubicle) : Don't understand how people use such smelly toilets...!


Hmm...

A Malaysian Chinese Breakfast

I feel very good at the moment after a good breakfast at a typical Chinese coffee shop.

RM1.60 for two pieces of rice noodle.  Most people like it with the normal sweet dark brown sauce like this  one - HERE -  

I'd always prefer to them plain...with oil, soy sauce, sesame and pickled green chilli.

Plain Rice Noodle a.k.a. Chee Cheong Fun

Would love to have a more sumptuous Malay style breakie i.e. Spicy Nasi Lemak though but I have this mild sore throat and cough lingering around since last week.  Better don't risk it.

Those of you who know me will know that those two strands of rice noodle won't be enough to fill me up :P

Local coffee and two Half Boiled Eggs

The above is a set meal with butter kaya toast and choice of coffee or tea for RM4.20

The eggs are free range chicken eggs supposedly healthier.

Nom nom nom....I feel good =)

Leap of Faith

source: t3.gstatic.com

Wish you can be like the fish eh..? 
How brave are we to take the big leap into an ocean..and swim freely where there are no boundaries.


Someone told me this ... "At some point, u need to take a leap of faith" ... 


Shall I do it?  If I do, will I survive?  There's gotta be a plan though...

What's written here (Stop Pushing: The Art of Relaxed Achievement) makes a whole lot of sense.

The opening quote itself is so powerful - “Some people think it’s holding that makes one strong, sometimes it’s letting go.”

The last closing sentence goes like this - "..listen to Grandma. Trust that everything is going to be fine, because in the end it always works out."

Easier said than done?