What's the moral of the story?

I made it to the GNC Warehouse Sale after all.

Here's the story...

The venue at Berjaya Times Square was so out of the way, but it's really worth the journey given the amount of savings one can get from the discounts.  My target was the Accelerade sports drink.

The Original Price at retail is set at RM193.90 per bottle. 
GNC Members' Price is RM155.12 (RM38.78 Savings per bottle) applicable all year round.

Each bottle has about 60 servings, hence, at the regular retail members' price, it costs me about RM2.59 per serving.  At one serving per gym session..it will take me approximately 3-4 months to finish a bottle.


At the Warehouse Sale each bottle is priced at RM126.04 : that's RM67.86 savings per bottle (off original price). 


Since the expiry date is at April 2014, I decided to take only one bottle, after all, there may be another sale in the future, no need to be so kiasu I thought.




Total purchase cost was at RM235.97 including a bottle of double strength Fish Body Oil. When I was about to swipe the card, I remembered that there's a on-going promotion via StanChart credit card (i.e 2 winners every 30 mins daily to get up to RM200 off with min RM100 per transaction) and I have not sms to register, LOL.  

I looked behind me to check if there's anyone in the queue, since there's none, I asked if they can wait for me to register my card for the promo first, LOL.  They were very kind to oblige.  I was fumbling for a while..reading the sms from StanChart and keying in the details to SMS. While doing that I kept looking around to see if there's anyone waiting behind me..than out of nowhere, this man appeared next to me, smiling rather sarcastically.  So, I asked if he is queueing..

His reply went something like this:
Never mind..go ahead and hog, I'll just get them to give me more discounts for letting you do that.


I was quite taken aback as I really didn't see anyone waiting in the queue, I apologised and asked the cashier to go ahead with the transaction but the sweet sales consultant and cashier said that they can put my transaction on hold while I register my card and they can proceed with his transaction.  I agreed and step aside while this man went on with his sarcastic remarks:
It's alright..go ahead and hog all you want, they will have to give me extra ,..bla bla bla..


I ignored him.  No point arguing over petty stuff.  I continued with my registration and rejoined the queue, which became much longer by then.  I was okay with that since I was under no time pressure.

While queueing I looked around and noticed a huge sign at the sports nutrition section that says BUY 1 FREE 1.  I stopped a sales staff and asked her if Accelerade qualifies for that promo.  She checked and confirmed that it does but basedon Original Price RM193.90.  Which means..

I only pay RM96.95 per bottle and that works out to a RM96.95 savings per bottle!


Both expires on April 2014, there are about 21 months more to April 2014, I should have more than enough time to finish the current one quarter left plus the two new bottles.


So I would like to Thank that man for his sarcasm...if not for him I would have missed the better deal !

What's the moral of the story here?

Source: stfuconservatives.net via WSL on Pinterest

Crap!

I'm out of action ..again :(

In summary, it's the usual case of ignorance/negligence and a certain degree of stubbornness.  I believe it all started last Thursday when I felt some pain on the left foot half way through a Bodyattack class.  Normally, this kind of pain will go away naturally, I assumed.  Didn't feel anything wrong the next two days, come Sunday I went for the usual Bodycombat dose, the pain came back, but it was very slight though.  Ignored it.

Walking wasn't a problem, but on Tuesday I felt a small lump on the top of the outer mid foot, there was slight pain with pressure applied.  A friend had just confirmed meet-up for tea before joining me at the gym..so the thought of skipping gym was brushed aside.

Again, walking wasn't a problem, ran on the treadmill, no pain, but pain started as soon as class begins.  And this time it got worse as the class progresses.  While trying to reduce pressure on the left foot, I must have aggravated the other foot which was already somewhat weak from past injury.

Major limping (on both feet) after the class. Slight throbbing pain at night (on both feet), hence, didn't sleep too well.

So far no major swelling. Very much less pain while walking, still bothersome though.  Almost no limping.  I hope it's a minor injury and will go away soon.  Really don't want to have two problematic ankles to deal with.

Self check on the net .. indicates that it might be a case of Cuboid Syndrome
No BA / BC for a while...



There's a GNC warehouse sale at Berjaya Times Square..was planning to go stock up on supplements and sports drinks... but I'm feeling so crappy at the moment..even the thought of getting a the new notebook doesn't excite me ..

Change and Learn to love the burn ..

This is so apt.  If you're an exercise freak, you'll LOL when watching this :D




So..I was saying working out, going to the gym, feeling all sore has become an important part of my life.  Ankle problem. Back problem. Muscle problems...but I still go back.  Yes..I'm an idiot.

Doesn't matter if I'm doing it as a form of escapade from reality or a form of addiction or for a healthier me.  Bottom line is, it's a good hobby to have.  In fact..it has become a lifestyle.

When I was calculating my monthly financial commitment, the gym fee was the first item to go in to the list.  Like I said..it's something I can't don't want to do without.

Source: Uploaded by user via WSL on Pinterest

While I simply love the feel of somewhat toned and tight muscles (especially during morning showers after a good session the night before), it's no longer about losing weight. 


If you've seen me, you 'll agree that I'm no where near skinny or super toned.  I do have a tummy and I don't have skinny legs.  Well. let's just say, I'd be much bigger than what I am now if I don't work out as regularly but it's not the main reason for me to keep going back.


It's just part of my life now.  It makes me happy.  It makes me healthy.  Muscle soreness from a tough routine translates into a stronger overall build hence better overall health.  Hopefully, all this will come in useful when I reach an older age in the 70s onwards (may be 60s) !


Seriously, with our current daily lifestyle of spending 99% of our waking hours : sitting down - in the car - in the office - in meetings - eating - watching TV - surfing the net - try imagine how 'strong' our muscles / bones will be when we reach 60?!

Source: goodbyebabylon.tumblr.com via WSL on Pinterest

So..my friends..think about changing your lifestyle eh?  
It won't take up a whole lot of your precious time, a one hour workout is only 4% of your day. 
And it can be as simple as a walk in the park, some sit ups, etc.  Just make those muscles work..


In time..you will start to love 'pain' :)

Source: dangshefine.stockphotosweb.com via WSL on Pinterest

:(

Little magpie didn't make it..

So sad..

I know I shouldn't blame myself...but I can't help but wonder if it will survive if we had nurse her ourselves.

The parents still drop by occasionally and made some noises especially when they see us around..not sure what they were trying to say...Thank you for trying? Where is my baby?

So heartbreaking...

Source: iheartgifs.blogspot.com via WSL on Pinterest

Oh well...may be Little magpie's life is meant to be this short.

Baby Magpie

Fist it was baby chicks..then kittens..now I have baby (chick) magpie in the house.

No idea what to do with it ..  It fell from the nest, and was 'lost' in the garden, the dog was hunting it down while the parents were freaking out.  Fortunately, I found her first before the dog gets to it.  A friendly paw from him would have crush her tiny bones.

Now..what's next. There's no way the parents can bring her back to the nest and we do not know where is the nest.  

Temporary solution for now, she's now safe in a little cage placed in a place accessible to the parents..hopefully they can still feed her until it's strong to fly on its own.

Good Luck little one..

Orange

Few days back, I was chit chatting with a fellow gym member.  While I was about to leave..she asked.."wah..you really like Orange hor?"

I was about to say :Noooo laaaaa"

Then I realised what I had on...

Oops..

Body Attack is Not Body Combat.

My gym membership is expiring some time in September. There's been some random suggestions..that I should try out other gyms.  I've been with this gym for more than 7 years!  It's probably time to move on..if I can find a good deal out there.



The current gym offered to convert my regular membership to a lifetime package by pro-rating the amount of credit balance left from my current membership i.e. I only have to pay about 6K+ instead of 8K+ ..something like that.  Stretch it to a 36 months instalment I only pay about $167 a month and ta daaa I'm a lifetime member. I'm only subject to $99 yearly renewal fee and any price increase will not affect me.


Sounds like a good deal? But I didn't take it..cos I don't think it's a good idea to be 'married' to one gym for a whole lifetime.  After all no one knows what's gonna happen to this gym and other gyms around town in..let's say 5 years time.


So...today I walked into a friendly competitor.

Here's what happened..

First, I was asked to have a sit

Then..there were smiles...I had to wait quite a few mins..then I heard some whispers..I think I heard someone say.."Chinese Speaking"


A Chinese guy came buy....shook hands..sat down..and started asking the 'general questions'


Have you been to any gym before this?

Yes, I'm currently with XX  membership's expiring soon in September I'm looking around to see if I can get better deal elsewhere


Expiring in September, why so soon looking around..




Well, Just for fun..I need time to decide..




Oh ok..so do you have any fitness goals?

Not really.I just go for classes.

What classes do you go to?

RPM, Body Combat, Body Attack..I think you don't have Body Attack right?


Err arrr..RPM we have..Body Attack and Combat is the same..


No it's not. ..

(He turned to ask someone who seem like senior..)

The "senior"came by...and said:


No..we don't have Body Attack..but they are similar..lebih kurang sama.  What do you do in Body Combat?

I said ..Ha??

"Senior" turned to look at Chinese guy and said..tell her it's the same..sama.

(He thought I couldn't understand his English/Bahasa)

Totally not Impressed.




To all sales consultants at the gyms..please learnt up your in-house products and services, will ya?

And..although Kepong is majority Chinese speaking...that doesn't mean we cannot understand simple English and Bahasa...and even if it's so..there's no excuse for not knowing about your own products & services dude.

Sigh..I had such high hopes in this gym..lemme try again at another branch..in an 'English' speaking area

:D

Lunch was...

Chris was asking what did I cook for lunch yesterday..but I couldn't really make out what I made for myself.  

You see, I had some Chinese Spinach (Po Choy) and was planning to fry some leftover rice with pork to go with it but found the rice cooker empty :D  And it was already 1pm.. I was really hungry.

So...I had to make do with whatever I have..which was very limited.

Either instant noodles, bihun or spaghetti 

o.O

So..I cooked the pork with some mushrooms in butter, added the spaghetti and vege, added some left over Chinese soup from last night as stock..salt and pepper to taste, olive oil of course..

There..my lunch....

So..what is this?

Taste wise..not great yet can eat la.  LOL.

Low Time

Experienced very low energy level most of today. Could be due to a combination of reasons. Had not been sleeping well due to some work related issues and 'exam' pressure. lol.  The normal case of so little time but yet so much needs to be done..but it was good that I still managed to squeeze in time to go for my regular endorphins fixes at the gym.  Some would ask why didn't I skip gym and allocate more time for more important tasks.  Well, working out has become an important part for me.  It helps me, my body and mind to function properly.

The gym is currently doing the Q2 releases of the les mills GX programmes.  I did Body Attack 77 on Thursday, RPM 55 on Saturday and Body Combat 52 this morning.  All are killers!

RPM55's track 2 was like track 3's intensity.  I was almost drained out after Track 3.  The little bit of energy left drained off after Track 5.  Was so tempted to leave after Track 5.  But, I stayed on till the end,..although it was only my shell there pedalling away with whatever reserved energy left.

I was really looking forward to kick start Sunday morning with BC52, everything was well until minutes before the class started.  All of a sudden I felt fatigue, a little light headed and slightly nauseous.  Half of me wanted to stop and rest, the other half wanted to stay.  I was panting at at the track 1 itself :s  As usual, I stayed on.  Track 4 and 6 was very risky for me as my legs were very wobbly throughout, there were so many back kicks and front kicks and lunges and ...everything legs.  The back kicks especially made me even more dizzy.  So..I had to minimise every move in order to avoid unnecessary embarrassments.  Felt much better towards Track 7 onwards the end but the fatigue returned right after shower.

The rest of the day was just like the hazy weather...

Bak Kut Teh lunch might have helped replenish whatever that was missing in the system :P

Best friend P arrived after dinner.

That explains isn't it?

Precious Dumplings

It's that time of the year again.  The Chinese Tuen Ng festival is around the corner.  Ever since mom's passing, nobody in the household knows how to make chinese dumplings for this occasion.   Some times, like last weekend, if I happen to meet p with the elder aunt, I'll get some from her :)  

Very precious little dumplings..as aunt get older she doesn't make alot.  

So precious...

And..guess what..I burnt them..not once..twice..in less than 24 hours.

The first two had to go to trash.  The above..can still be eaten..too precious to throw away..

I'm still on Pinterest

This is so cute!

Source: lh5.googleusercontent.com via WSL on Pinterest

Yep..I'm still on Pinterest.

Not regular, only occassionally when I run out of things to do on the net..loads of stuff in there.  Still don't understand why and how it became a hit.  Probably just a case of hitting the right button suiting to the mindset of the current human clan i.e. see something you like and agree to..just re-pin and share.  No hassle..no typing..just Pin.

That's Pinterest.

Click HERE to see what I've Pinned so far :)

My Aunt and Facebook

Some relatives old and young came over to visit my dad and we had dinner together.  While the older group "(my dad inclusive) have their "shouting match",  we the younger group will have random conversations  to catch up on things and people.

My cousin's wife turned over to ask me.."How big is Aiden now (my sis' baby)"

My youngest aunt, probably in her late 60s or early 70s, chipped in ..."You didn't check Facebook meh?"

Hahahah...


FYI, she doesn't read or speak much English, I doubt she understands much about how the internet works...but she's being updated by current affairs when her daughter shows her flashes of our Facebook updates via the Iphone or Ipad, mainly our photos I suppose.


Facebook is wonderful, don't you think?

Come to think of it, it's not just Facebook, it's the whole works of Facebook, Iphone, Ipad  or any smart or tablet phones..that makes it so easy for us to link and share stuff with our network...

A friend who is working in China told me that she seldom logs on to Facebook cos too busy at work and by the time she gets home she won't even want to touch the computer.  She can only access Facebook using her notebook via VPN in China.

So..ya..the same goes to my cousin and aunt..

Firstly I doubt she will even bother to switch on the desktop when she's home..and even if she does, I doubt she will take the trouble to call out to her mom to come over to the screen to look at some photos...


So..its the wonder of Facebook and the luxury and convenience of these smart gadgets ..

Ain't Complaining No More

So..while I was complaining that I don't have enough time to do this and that.. a friend had been stuck in the hospital for days nursing her three year old precious baby who is undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia.  Before this, there were continuous visits for day care sessions, injections, blood tests, bone marrow extractions..

After this, there will be a week break and then another week hospital stay and it goes on and on..this is only the 3rd or 4th month.  There are many more months till mid next year I think.  After that it will be maintenance period for about a year..there will still be drugs and tests but less aggressive.  Hope I got the process right.

Why am I complaining about my little problems?

It's all part of the process, the Doc says:  Focus on the end result - she will recover.

I know I'm an advocate of Enjoying the Life Journey and Process..but the doc is right here..keep walking and fighting, don't think and ponder about the side effects, self pity, etc, Focus on the End Result.

  

We dropped by the hospital just now to give them some moral support.  

Yupe ...some beer for mom :D and princess coloring book for the kid.

THere isn't much we can do to help lessen the burden ..but these are little things we can do :)

I have a problem

The job that I'm handling now requires long hours of sitting.  The longer I sit, the more will be done hence lower chance of bottle neck at the end of the working timeline which is err..mid next week.

But I've a problem with sitting.

My lower back becomes stiff and sore if I sit for more than 30 mins, and I'll be walking like a grandma until everything loosen up.

I'm not worried about the present cos I know that as long as I keep myself physically active I'll be fine.

But what about when I'm older..when I'll be too weak to keep myself physically active.

Hmmm....

I should start going back to tai ci or something of similar nature as a backup plan.
May be when I'm 50..I'll pick that up ?

Still Missing You

I used to enjoy visiting this blog - cat vs.human

I've never clicked on it ever since Mogwai went missing.

I just saw some one posted some pic of a little girl cuddling a sweet little kitten.... my heart sank.


So ..I just realised that I still miss her lots :'(