Study-No-Enough

Many people were asking why would I want to study (again?!) when I've a doctorate that comes with the "head-damage" title. Isn't it enough of studying? If you didn't know, I have taken a series of high-level chemistry course & examination that allows me to be a Licensed Chemist. The question that has been thrown to me a thousand times: "Why do I need to study for a Chemistry License after all the 10++ years of accumulated studies in my entire 20s?"

 

I graduated from a first degree called Bachelor's Degree Bioindustry with a major in Entomology. What that actually means is that I am a agriculture science graduate which does everything else, biology of plants, insect sciences, and how to kill insect pests. In a nutshell: I learnt the best ways to kill pests such as my little brother and caterpillars munching on your sawi. :-P

 

After my first degree, I received a scholarship from Kuok Foundation to do my Ph.D. to continue to find fancy methods of killing insect pests. Yes, best gilerrr to kill insects like cockroaches, mosquitoes, caterpillars, locusts, etc. But upon graduation of my doctorate degree, I was hired into a non-related industry - the Oil & Gas industry. Let me tell you, this studying is something personal that I want to do, without any coercing by my boss or company. It's entirely personal. Actually, my brains is already wired to do chemistry (I do a lot of chemistry work in my Ph.D. dissertation & in my current job), but it's more like ....if I don't get a Chemistry License, I can't sign off any chemistry reports at my workplace. Why? Simply because I am not from a chemistry background. Damn. That does frustrates me that even a Ph.D. is insufficient for the O&G industry! Btw, there's a governing Act for Chemistry that requires that only one from a Chemistry degree could be a Licensed Chemist.

 

So what I did was to take up a whole entire comprehensive course on chemistry - high level Analytical, Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, and sat for their examination to obtain the so-called "chemistry background". It was very refreshing yet intimidating to study chemistry from zero (e.g. memorize the periodic table, again?!). You know, this is harder than STPM. Imagine fitting the entire STPM chemistry (and even harder) in 5 months, to then take the exam on month-6th. Total: 6 months to get a Chemistry degree.





#Wefie during the practical exam that took us 8 hours(!!) to complete 3 experiments, with the complete lab report.
And the next day, I went to run a full marathon 42km.





President of Institute Kimia Malaysia (IKM) handing me my Chemistry completion certificate.

I am old. Don't appease me by saying I am not. I have so much workload in my company. My hair is turning white literally. To juggle between studies and work is pretty difficult and therefore, am amazed by how some of my colleagues could find time between studies, work and family (kids!). And my handwriting too, or should I say: my penmanship has deteriorated, probably  due to the reliance of keyboards to write reports.

 

I am old because I realised that I could not memorized reactions and mechanisms anymore. Being in the 30s compared to my Ph.D. years (in the 20s) is completely different (180 degrees). My brains couldn't store any information as easily as before. The only strategy was to study last-minute, where I packed all knowledge a week before and spill (read: vomit!) them all out on exam day. Well, to say the least, that strategy worked rather well for some papers.

 

I am now awaiting the results of this exam results, to which I have both my toes and finger's crossed. My worry basically lies on Organic Chemistry where memory is required the most.

 



Article on us by Dr. Sharon. My coursemates at the end of our 4 month chemistry course.

I do enjoy Chemistry because I can relate to my current jobscope. But the truth is, I still enjoy biology more than chemistry, although practically you can't independently separate 'em both. Again, some people JUST LOVE STUDYING. Nothing is more satisfying than solving a problem related to chemistry or biology both at work and in life (think: cooking!)

 

I thank God because He allows me gave me the thirst for knowledge (albeit all the time!), the ability to study well and handle stress alike. I thank God for his grace for getting me through this stressful/sleepless period with ample support for my husband (he is a fan of mine), and family members. I study because I am personally happy for myself for having the extra edge against others apart from my accumulating experiences at work. With all these in mind, I hope to climb up the career ladder and slowly accumulate more wealth for my family and to....errrr...errrr... buy myself a bungalow or a Mini Cooper or anything for that matter - without thinking twice! That's the whole point kan? Far-fetched objective for a cute little lady, many thinks?

 

For years, I have gained or am accumulating knowledge in:

1. Insect science (Entomology)

2. Agriculture

3. Microbiology

4. Pesticide science/formulation science

5. Analytical Chemistry

6. Environmental sciences

7. Oil and gas, EOR

 

Next knowledge to acquire based on my passion:

1. Management (MBA). Planning yah...

2. Psychology

3. History

4. etc.

 

For now, let's just find some time to finish a bunch of novels and fiction....bought from past two Big-Bad-Wolf ago. LOL!

 

Thinking forensics

I was suffering from a bout of skin disease and boyy, I didn't know I was allergic to anything in this world (is it even an allergy?). Or bacterial/fungal attack?

I am in my early 30s and since I was a baby 'til now, as far as I am concerned, I wasn't allergic to any foods or environmental factors (e.g. pollen, sunlight, sweat). I once thought I was allergic to vegetables, but that surely wasn't true - was just an excuse to my mum not to eat them when I was in my primary school years. I was very lactic tolerant, no problems at all with any sort of seafoods, and no damn problems with gluten (I wish I did!).

Recalling back, I used to have occasional hives, or what Chinese people termed it: "fong mok" where red spots aggregate into large raised red & itchy surfaces that appear due to intolerant to some dust mites or maybe hyper-reaction of some antibiotics I took and then I went straight to some stressful physical workout like swimming. Nevertheless, I will encounter "fong mok" and usually it heals in 1 night after a jab of antihistamines into my ass. I have not had any skin conditions besides face acne (cause I am still young) for say.....15-20 years already.

Therefore, I was worried because I had this very bad itchiness on my entire legs (especially knees and elbows) just this Hari Raya 2014. I was worried because this was so not the "fong mok" symptoms like I've previously encountered. And what if I am suddenly allergic to some common ingredient like say eggs in my adulthood and not childhood, which would be unbecoming because...hei, eggs are common in any local dish!

Skin-thinning after continuous application of anti-itch creams - side effects of steroids-based topical creams. 

So I decided to do a thinking-forensics examination, where what you do is track back your steps to what you ate, what you did, what you saw, and who you met, before the outbreak. Btw, thinking forensics is only in my own dictionary, so don't bother to Google:

1.
It was Raya eve this year when I went back Ipoh to celebrate my father-in-laws birthday at East Ocean. In the evening, we went swimming at the deplorable public pool at DBI, Ipoh bring my niece and nephew there for a splash. After 20 yrs of not stepping foot at DI pools, nothing has changed. 20 years and the changing/locker rooms were fungus-filled t the shower and tiles. Even if I am not OCD, I couldn't stand the sight of the lockers.

Hubby brought back really fresh (and expensive!) fish and sea-cucumber (lagi expensive!) from Sabah when we were there for our marathon. We let the restaurant cook it as our dinner - both fish and mollusks were steamed. I took a lot of fish, but just maybe 2 slices of sea-cucumber because not that big a portion. Share share marrr.

2.
After dinner, I went home, slept, and when I woke up the next day, my back and calf was itching. I spotted one red spot on my back, and one at my right calf. And it was super-itchy. The itch on this 2 spots didn't subside even till the next day because I continued scratching it. It's called the itch-scratch-itch cycle (this one is a term on Google), whereby, the more you scratch, the more the spots will itch (and spread), and you start scratching more.

3.
Then I came back to KL to work on Raya 3rd day. I spotted some new red spots on my legs (femur) and knee. Because I am the only one at office, I just roll up my pants and scratch...whole day. Well, no one looking and it was sooooo syiok to scratch.

4.
The 4th day of Raya, my boss came back and knew that I was studying to be a certified chemist. He dug out a very, very, very super brown old text book on Organic Chemistry from his office cupboard and said that he used to use this textbook for his studies 30 years ago. Hmmphh...I said I would really love to borrow it. When I opened the book, it has this super-dusty-old-hapak smell, and the paper was crisp. Guess what, I took the book home, opened it on my lap and read the book with full enthusiasm whole evening and night and made it my bedtime storybook.

More like chicken pox, but I've got chicken pox when young di. I've got immunity.

5.
My itch worsened on Saturday morning. I was supposed to go Chiang Mai with my bff on the same evening, but I felt like ripping off my jeans because there's this one spot on my knee that was super itchy, but I just can't scratch beyond my thick jeans. On the plane, I boh care already and start scratching the knee because whattodo, damn syiok weiii!


6.
Reaching Chiang Mai just in time for dinner, we had tomyam kai, a coconut drink, and paku-pakis in garlic sauce. That's when the itch became unbearable: one spot became 100 raised red spots and aggregating as I keep scratching them. Luckily I traveled with my pharmacist bff (yay!), and she took me to this drugstore and recommended me some oral antihistamines and topical ones too. At night, the itch was unbearable, and even with antihistamines in my system, I woke up in the middle of the night to top-up on the antihis cream.

Back in Malaysia, the doctor commanded like Caesar: "Take steroids, and be gone is your urticaria!" But I refused to take steroids and willing to bare the itch with spreading Tiger Balm menthol cream. Tiger Balm burns my spots and causes me to temporary to forget about my itch. I somehow think I need antibiotics/antifungal (bacteria spores attack?/ fungal attack?) and not steroids. Never listen to doctor advice is like dat lu.

The itchiest spots are in this feet area!!

Old spots has since turned into pustules. Pustules are painful, but I felt super great with them around because pustules means that the whatever "foreign thing" in my body is in the process of being eliminated out from the body in the form of nanah fluids. And these pustules are no longer itchy! (yes!) Let's see, I have 20-30 pustules all around my legs and heels which no longer itches, but I look terrible in my shorts or miniskirts. People asked if I had Chicken pox or...Ebola. Like what, Ebola!?! (Do you even freaking know what Ebola's symptoms are?!)

4th week into this disease, it just got completely healed (no itch and no new spots, but scarred!).

Based on my thinking forensics, the culprit could be: 
1. Fungal infection from public pool or changing rooms.
2. Fish, prawns and/or seacucumber from Sabah.
3. Mites on my Ipoh bed or sofa. Bed bugs are likely.
4. Dust mites or dust bacteria on the vintage organic chemistry textbook of 30 years.
5. Unwashed jeans of 1 year.
6. Tom yam chicken in Chiang Mai
7. Stir fry Paku Pakis with garlic dish in Chiang Mai
8. Coconut juice in Chiang Mai
9. Stress. No way jose, I am not stressful lately. I swear :-)
10. Genetic predisposal. My family especially Dad has very bad skin sensitivity problems - to ants, to spiders, to caterpillar, while Mum can't eat too much beef. Elder brother has eczema problems on and off.

My forensic findings: No.1, 2 or 4 are likely primary factors that led me to my ugly scars. Then, the elevation of severity (or seriousness) is caused by consumption of "toxic" foods such as tomyam and paku-pakis vege, while in Totality: genetics played a huge role in causing the sensitivity.



**Just pray I am not allergic to anything as I get all, especially not to common ingredients. Some people's sensitivity to things change as they grow older. I have a friend that was never allergic to pineapple when young, but now can't take pineapples in any form. She had allergies to squid (only!) and is now no longer allergic to any seafood, not even squid. I have another friend who was allergic to eggs, but could now take them as adults.

Your thoughts?

What is your Louis Vuitton

When it comes to luxury, I am the last to rave about it. I fairly know about luxury brands and goods but to get them for myself is like me breaking a concrete barrier between me and my purse. I am not boasting; my salary allows me much luxury, but there's always this thought that poisons(really?) me to thinking that so much more important/worthy stuffs can be acquired with that amount $$$$$. The angel and devil argument appears on my shoulders each time I had the urge to get branded goods. People say: it's upbringing to think like that vs. peer pressure.

I have a fair share of luxury items, but having said that, the word 'luxury' has to be defined. In my dictionary: nothing lower than a Coach for bags (No, Guess? is not luxury), and for clothings nothing below MNG or Zara, and for shoes, nothing below Nine West. That's my dictionary. Yours may differ. Like how I love Nescafe 3-in-1 more than some artisan brew: it's personal.

Sigh, why don't people understand that Nescafe is my choice of coffee?! I am not talking about health here, I am talking about taste and caffeine (it's yummy!). That makes me a REAL coffee addict that drinks anything, coffee.

versus

Starbuck's coffee is great too (albeit the stupid plastic-layered paper cup), but it can never give me the same satisfaction as a Nescafe beans.

And then you have to define luxury vs. quality. Though many would swear that luxury goods are of highest quality, it is not always true. Well, 90% true, however there are shoes that are expensive but never has given me comfort. I had this Aldo heels but bruised my pinky toe within 10 minutes of walking. Some bags are expensive to the point of  I-could-just-put-a-deposit-for-a-house, but is flimsy and un-structured (but if flimsy bag is what you want, I have no comment then). Some luxury are pre-loved prestine condition, yet left so much to desire. My first expensive (my standard during those younger days where money comes harder), was a pink Coach faux leather tote I bought from Coach, Pavillion. Mind you the tote was discounted but I love it so much. It was classy, structured and I had it 'til today with amazing condition (albeit the fading colour). this is what I identify as Quality.

The instantly sold-out (worldwide!) Jimmy Choo's featured in "My Lover from the Stars'.

versus

See, I can get-about-the-same luxurious pair from Zang Toi. I wore this pair for my ROM.

And then you have to define taste vs. trend. Think about my size: I am exactly 5 feet, medium built and muscular on the legs, ass. It's genetics (and running). So if the trend gives you a Victoria Secret model sizing, you are definitely not-on-trend. It's not your fault though. For not being able to keep up with the trends (btw, bell-bottom trousers are back!), do compensate with some amount of some taste. Taste means simplicity and fit, which not necessarily from Dior or Versace. Looking through fashion mags may exhaust your taste and blurred the line between trend vs. taste, but never, never ever listen to nasty Joan Rivers on Fashion Police. Do request feedbacks from close friends with similar salary(<--true and="" br="" super="" true="" worldview="">

Worth of an item lies on the upbringing, world-view and monetary ability of the individual. I have an uncle who always say and believe this phrase like a religion: "Good things not cheap; Cheap things not good". Though that is 90% true, the 10% still stands and in statistics, and 10% is still a number. Do you know many items are RIP-OFFS, meaning, you over-pay for what it is actually worth/valued. See, even Kanye West agrees with me = HERE (must read).

I have not gone to the extent of Jimmy Choo's or a Hermes Birkin that puts you at the league of our PM's wife. Maybe one day I will or have the will to: to use my disposable income for something as luxurious like a cute Mini Cooper.

My colleague claimed: When you own a branded good, it is as such that you can never turn back. I have a Balenciaga which means I can't hold a Coach bag anymore? What loads of cr*p. For me, there can be no end to luxury, and you will keep buying because trends (they are called 'trends' for a reason) does not end. Remember, there's always someone better than you out there. And you will keep buying until...well, you have that internal empowered self-confidence to say that a LV bag or a Jimmy Choo is not your confidence-giver. You can still stand head held high with a cr*p bag. That's is true luxury. 

The most expensive brand (besides my smartphone) I've ever bought to this day are 2 items from Ferragamo. 

Remembering MH17

I am shocked once again by the tragedy of Flight MH17. The whole Malaysia are. Though it is little over a week after the incident, I still feel the 'heat' looking at the endless headlines glued in all front pages all over the world on #MH17. The 'heat' meant that on the day the plane was said to be shot down by a missile, all my food and coffee tasted bad, I had stomachache for no reason; maybe I was thinking of how it felt like to die in a plane crash, and felt the urge to write my own obituary just in case I do die in similar incident, or wondering watching on-board flight movie would I be watching, or would the death be quick, and what would be my family, friends and relatives reaction to my death in a plane crash, and at the end of the day I did screw my homecooked meal with too much salt (to the wound, pun unintended). My mental state was badly affected and my motor neurons had temporary paralysis.

What bothers me most is the likelihood of plane crashes, loss and other related incidents such as fire and bad landing of airplanes lately. We were once given the statistics that dying from a lightning strike in a tropican country is more likely than dying in a plane crash anywhere in the world. That is why we, as Malaysians, cannot accept that how could 2 plane tragedies happened in a span of 4 months, with the first plane incident (lost?) had still no closure. Being the scientific person I am, worrying on the statistics, would rather drive interstate within Malaysia than to take a flight.

Then, it is MAS. I am saddened because MAS was my first flight ever when I was 12. I still remember my cousin was an air-hostess for MAS and she booked me a flight from Ipoh to KL (yes, those were the days where Ipoh airport was pretty busy like Subang airport wann ok). I had two relatives as air-hostess that time and was sooo proud of them, but of course my mum wishfully 'killed' my dreams because she told me I was born a hobbit and no way I could be like them. MAS, why MAS again? I adore their in-flight services of the crew AND first class lounge at KLIA. I was in an MH370 from KL to Beijing in January 2014 before the incident happened, when I remembered the head crew who served me well - he is gone now, when I saw the papers showing images of those lost in the flight. Surreal.

MAS needs a revamp. I don't know how, I am not from McKinsey...but a change of name or logo would be great. Please change the colour, as it was thought that the boeing MH17 had same colour stripes of the Russian flag, which cause for mistaken identity and probably lead to the crash of MH17. 

All those who were on board MH17 and lest we forget MH370, may peace be upon all your souls. Too soon to say this, but you have affected us in a good way, bringing us Malaysians together as one voice, one heart, and allow for some quietness and stillness in our turbulent, but beloved country.  

No symmetry.

So my hubby cuts me mangoes. See photo already can see he so meticulous and symmetrical. Gosh, I can do the same actually but in lesser symmetry and proudly - uglier. 

He cuts me fruits cantek-cantek all the time. Mango, starfruits, jambu, grapes. 

My hubby cooks me spaghetti bolognese with grilled chicken as sides after work. I could do the same, but in higher grease and salt content.

He climbs the roof to fix it DIY while his emo wife screams and screams for him to come down and ask some other pro to do it. After that, he cleans the toilets of my entire house, and still have time to make me tea and buys me seedless grapes to eat.

He buys me a Swiss watch because he cannot tahan his corporate wife wearing an Adidas digital watch to work. 

He bought me a Swiss, but not Federer.

He scolds the gangster neighbour for me at the front gate of my neighbour because his wife got mad of the neighbour's parking antics. I horn horn horn and my hubby, full of guts, scolded da gangster. Now hubby more gangster than I have ever knew. I strictly believe he would go prison because of me.

He does the gangsta behaviour in public occasionally.

He explains to me historical facts of China before I went Beijing, and tells me in details about the Nascar Lines and how it is connected to the Egyptian pyramids. He explains the SAS (that army thingy) to me, while I mind flies off blankly and eyes fixed on this month's Harper's Bazaar.

He plays Napolean Blownapart here. 

He translates Chinese movies to English (real time) and re-explains the story line/scene because that movie don't have English/Malay subtitles. He's expert in chow sing chi movie.

He runs with me every weekend slower than his usual pace like slow snail like dat...because of scared his wife kena kidnap. Mosquitoes also faster.

Things he does for me. Makes me a spoilt princess.

I am never a drop-dead romantic person. I told (more like warned) my hubby since day one we met that I would never(?) do lovey-dovey things with him. PDA is fine, flowers and fine jewelry are fine (of course they are fine! haha), but I told him: NO wearing same shirts around, NO matchy-matchy colours, utter respect for my big laughs, NO sharing of DNA in any form unless his well-done steak looks better than my medium-rare chicken, NO ending a race together holding hands, Don't expect this girl to bake a cake or cookie for you, You eat all my homecooked food without complains, etc. So this is how it was, how it is today. Pity him. Hahaha.

Then things start to wean as time goes by and I realised he is not that romantic actually. Ok, let me rephrase: I realised that he is romantic in a way women is not likely to identify with. As time goes by he is giving me less flowers and cards and jewelry, but he is getting more affectionate and responsible of me and my life. He cares. He makes time for me every single day. He make me laugh everyday. He laughs at my jokes even not funny just to please me, I know. So stupid.

My hubby is a latte art destroyer and this particular act always breaks my heart....

....but I close one eye.

Why am I documenting all these hubby antics? I really don't know. Maybe anniversaries does make me go emo. One day probably I'll look back (knowing that relationship ages with time and if I get Alzheimer), I can smile back and remember, yes, remember this good old days and read them like bedtime stories to my cucu-cicit.

One year ago, yesterday. Bliss.

(Disclaimer: Again, I am no relationship expert)

Most important we don't change each other and accept each other. What he doesn't like, he close one eye; what I don't like, I don't go changing him. I close my eye too. We don't go tolerating each other but accepting each other's traits. Things can change, we change it by our own merits without force; if we start to go into changing things that we CAN'T change, that will be the horrific term called: controlling. And nothing more confusing than giving you 1 more good advice: Discuss with each other before doing/deciding anything huge. I am an independent girl and he is an independent man, but we are hubby-wifey, needs 100% discussion. No golden ratio in relationships. Weird, we do fight but lesser and lesser and lesser (amen!) this past year, but when argument happens, I will start crying, then he cannot tahan wan...sure he gives in (secret strategy). That's our fighting rhythm. Hahahaha. I know he knows.

He's not only my Napolean, but my Legolas. Only shorter.

Happy Anniversary Hubster! Aren't you lucky to have found me 4 years back?!

Bangkok - a gift to parents

I knew I would return to Bangkok one day for a shopping spree. The last time I was in Bangkok was with my bestie Jonie during Hari Raya Year 2005. This time, I bought the trip for myself and my parents as a gift, or let's just say...for the heck of it. Tix are cheap to Bangkok with Malindo. Unlike rival AirAsia, Malindo has free 20 kg luggage per person and also tidbits/water are served on board. Prices are lower than AirAsia. In short, Malindo is a budget airline with better on-board perks.

Selfie with parents= groupfie

One day before we depart, the military junta in Thailand took over (coup d'état) the country's "temporary government"  after the fall out of the previous prime minister. There has always been demonstrations or protests here and there in Bangkok and this seemed like a usual daily scene, and to me, this is democracy. In fact, the military take over is actually a 'good' thing (not for democracy per se), but to remove demo from the roads as some demonstrations can turn violent (e.g. scores of deaths recorded in Jan 2013). Also it this military wants to set the record straight between the opposition and the temporary government so that democracy can be installed again (i.e. election) in the kingdom. But all sides won't give in.

Headlines on the day of our arrival

Sounds serious, but this demonstrations and coup d'état over the several decades in Bangkok has never hampered tourists coming into Thailand. In fact, the only impact of the coup is that a curfew between 10pm - 5am was implemented to prevent illegal demonstrations on the roads. Tourists only suffer a shorter nightlife (which is what Bangkok is famed for), but otherwise, nothing much has changed. I see ZERO army on the roads at the area Sukhumvit where our hotel is, and 1-2 army guys at Chatuchak market area. Otherwise, life goes on in the city. To the people of Bangkok (Thailand), tourism is no.1 contributor to its GDP and no local would want to hurt their tourism. Oh well, probably Hatyai is the exception.






Bangkok is tourist-friendly and English, albeit it's Thai sing-song slang, is used widely. We made into various shopping malls, and of course the Chatuchak market where shopping is easy-breezy. The exchange rate Ringgit-Baht is quite alright, but mind you, luxury goods in Thailand is not worth buying. All luxury good in Bangkok is as expensive as in Kuala Lumpur. So are the cuisines and food. Conversion shows that a bowl of beef noodles is RM5.00, which is similar to KL rate. Using the Big Mac as the benchmark, their BigMac set is slightly more expensive than in KL.

Chatuchak market needs no explanation!

Beef ball noodles with raw vege

Can't get this delicious milk in KL. I drank so many bottles in Bangkok. Crazy fats.

Using Viator.com, we booked a tour to the infamous but super commercialized and touristy Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak, 100km off Bangkok. Recently only I realized that Viator has many great deals and very reliable site for tours at any nation around the world. We love the tour guide which was very good in English, which the whole journey enlightened us about the country, tourist traps and the political situation in Thailand.

Our half-day tourguide designated by Viator.com

Selfie

She's cooking my Pad Thai

Authentic but quite pricey pad thai at floating market

Back to the floating market - it was indeed a verry touristy area, but since we started the trip early we arrived early at the location with a lesser crowd. It was a very interesting experience for me, and my mum (who initially wanted to have this tour) had a good time buying and eating at the floating market. Yes, pushy sellers are everywhere but they are actually making an honest living, so what's there to complain? Our tour (consisted of 5 ppl including myself), also made a detour to the coconut processing factory, and also the wood-carving factory. All interesting stuffs!



If there's a thing to complain, it's the sunny and hot weather in Bangkok. My Accuweather warned me of sunburn at the average daily temperatures of 36-37 degCelcius in Bangkok. We sweat like a pig at any hawker/outdoor eateries. I really like Bangkok's shopping malls esp. Siam Paragon. 4 days in Bangkok: I went there 3 days to eat, shop and walk. The curfew only affected us in terms of BTS and shopping malls' early closure. Actually we are not affected at all by the curfew, as my old man always wants to rest early at the hotel as he is....oh well, OLD. Nightlife is totally not his thing.

Kyo Roll En is this Japanese dessert cafe in SiamParagon that has a long queue, we thought we need to try what's the hype all about!

Kyo Roll En is famous for their cream Swiss roll with a Japanese twist- green tea

The food is a fusion of: Swiss roll, green tea gelato and honey, snowball dessert,s and frozen green tea candy. Sooo delicious. No regrets! 

They hold hands and hug whenever they go with no embarassement. My parents as a great example of lovebirds at golden age.

Another round of my fav dish in Thailand - PadThai.

Our hotel also upgraded us to a super large room with large beds due to the low tourists turn-out that week and/or cancelation upon hearing of military coup in Bangkok. Oh, what silliness....no way any demonstration can affect us. If you can imagine, you are protesting in say...Dataran Merdeka, and I am sitting in my house in Puchong, what fear do I get? Exactly...NONE. Plus, the protest/demonstrations are mostly centred at the vicinity of government buildings, which is pretty far off our hotel.



Bangkok, albeit the unbearable heat, is a great place to eat. I dare not recommend luxury shopping for us Malaysians (due to prices almost similar for luxury goods), unless you are looking for some specialty Thai brands like Naraya. The bags at Naraya is so sweet and cheap there, I bought so many 'til I drop.



Farewell Bangkok. Next vacation is with my beloved Hubby. Can't wait to go, post and boast!

Rant of the Day: Improve

Malaysian politicians, the government including some d**kheads cannot take criticisms from THE rakyat. We are tax payers (all races, yah) and we have to right to criticize any wrong doings and voice opinion to improve the country's well being. But the response to my criticism/feedback are "Balik China/India if you hate Malaysia" (who said I hate?? I want improvements), "Don't eat chicken/fish if the prices has gone up (but every other barang also have gone up watt)", and I have overheard from a 'friend': "Pity the kidnappers/militants in Sabah waters as they are still our Muslim brothers (criminal is criminal, don't care what religion you rot in hell; f**k off my country)", etc. 

For me, you don't deserve to be my friend(!), minister, spokesperson or parliamentarian if you give such stooopid/childish responses. And it's actually nothing political or racist about trying to voice out our concerns to amd about the government. I am talking about government as a whole  = government has non-bumi and bumi working in it (pls remember bumiputra includes bumis in Sabah, Sarawak). Please improve your performance also cannot say out ahhh?? I am borne in Malaysia, I voted and I seek improvements, but lives in a country that screws or arrest people who tells it to improve.

-Rant ends-

But wait. One more: What's worst I heard in my entire lifetime: "My race/religion is better than your race/religion". I told her: You are Hitler and btw, your being in your 'superior' race still cannot beat those African i.e. Kenyan runners in long distance.

Helloooo....no race/religion is superior. God is that Great. Have Faith.

May The 4th Be With You!

As I am writing to you now, both my quads and calf are screaming in pain, I can't walk down any staircase and there's this never-ending hunger pang (like even now). Nothing unusual as I get this 'finisher' syndrome every time I completed a full marathons. This is my 5th Full Marathon, but first for year 2014 in the vibrant city of Kota Kinabalu.  I am back to office today, and tried (act!) to walk straight because I didn't like to invite comments from my boss/colleagues on my ducky-walk or comments such as "See, what good would it make to run a full marathon, walking like you've got pain in the ass??" 

Seaview from atop Suria Mall

Tell you this: you lose like tonnes of fluids and salts from your system during the race, but replenishing them with a single banana and a couple of power gels during the race doesn't do any good, especially in Kota Kinabalu, on a May weather. Just as you thought you start your race damn early at 3.00AM, dawn breaks as early as 5.30AM (hello, forgotten we are in East Malaysia heh). At that time, I have already completed my first 22 km. And by 6.00AM the sun is already high in the east and begin doing what it does best - scorch your skin into crispiness. Any sign of sea breeze (which you kinda expect in KK) seems non-existent.

When I reached the 30 km mark, the sun has soared high and I stopped to pile my sun-block on my shoulders. Hey, it took 6 months for my tan-lines to fade for my wedding and I can't afford for them to return. 31 km was when the I felt my skin and flesh burn like a well-done beef. What's worst is that this full marathon route has no 'hiding' spots. "Hiding" spots, in my own running dictionary, is when there are shadows from huge trees or scrubs or lanes that are blocked from direct sun shine. At least you get these shadowy refuges at Standard Chartered KL or PJ Half-Marathon routes, but these hiding spots are simply non-existence in KK from KM31-KM42. That's 10 km under the direct sun.

My pace was faster than my last FM in KL, I know, because I just know! (I've been running long-distance since 2009, so kinda know your pace). But the last 5 km was super messed up cause I started screaming curses at the scorching sun and my face has this layer of salt that builds up tragically on my eyes/nose. Any cardiologist would thank the Lord for lost of salts and fats from the systems, but I almost faint of dehydration.  But when I drank so much water, it was pointless too because I felt like pee-ing. Like SUPER-Pee. Like that Donnie Yen character in Ice Man. Every part of me screamed contradictions.

It was 40km and my watch hit 4hrs 55min. 2KM more....wei....but damn, I took 20 freaking minutes for that last 2 KM!!! SHIT. I cursed myself into the finish line, but smiled when I saw my hubby congratulated me at the finish line. Plus, I cursed because unconsiderate pasar-malam strollers were blocking my finished line. "SHIT, Why why do you have to block the finish line!!!" And I was also not smiling when I saw some cheerleaders holding placards written: "SMILE if you are wearing underwear". Oh well, take a guess. *the benefit of compression running pants is to run light*.

It was still a personal best for me as I finished an over-distanced full marathon at 5 HRS 20 MINS. I wasn't happy because I returned with tan-lines as a souvenir and I was so hungry, and I also needed a bath, and I also need a nap, and I also need to go to the airport, but I also have a blister on my toe. ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

Carbo-loading at Little Italy - Salmon Bruschetta 

Teh Tarik ice & Teh ais masala - which means lots of foam even on cold drinks.

We just follow the crowd. Many people = good food.

Okay, the next full marathon is in October. Let's see how much time I will improve there. I will need more training but I don't know why I blurted to my hubby, in a horrible mood I guess, that I will give running a rest. More Karaoke and music sessions for the soul. Did I mention shopping?

4th of May be with you (in Malaysia style).

Milo Breakfast Day 2014: Beep! Beep!

I was happy to enter this race because this was my first race of the year since I swore to give my skin a rest from UV radiation. But it's not quite possible anyway because even if I didn't join any races since the full marathon on Oct 2013 (SCKLM), I still do trainings and runs (e.g. LSDs and Double Hills at Bukit Tunku every weekend) as well as 2-3 evenings a week at Bkt Jalil Park. I sometimes hit the gym. I still teach some swimming. So I still get some amount of sunshine. Boo...

I joined Milo Breakfast Day Run last year at UPM and won a couple of extra Milo products because I was top 15. I felt great after that run because there was free flow Milo supplies, and mind you, it's not your regular Milo drink - It's the Milo from the Milo conventional green trucks. I wonder what drugs or chemicals they spike in their formulation, but we at home could never beat these Milos that came right from the trucks. It is immensely smooth, cold and the sweetness and milkiness is ever just right! I don't want to know what Coke's secret formula is, but my life will be spent on learning the exact ratio of 'The Milo Formula from Green Trucks'.

This year I once again I thought I would enjoy the free flow again and get my 'free' supplies of Milo by getting at least top 30. So, I did!! I was top 13. Even with lack of training compared to last year, I don't know for what reason, my timing improved by 2 mins and I got into Top 13!! So, here comes my reward of many Milo packs (a year's worth of supply, maybe?). This year had its participation doubled. Putrajaya was the venue this year. I am familiar with this route as I was to UPM's (10 years of education spent there). But Putrajaya's route is wayyyy flatter. I've been to Putrajaya's route from Pacesetter's 15km in 2011, and Men's Health, so I was familiar with the entire route.

My hubby got Top 91! His aim was to get into Top100.

In this Milo Run, 7km is a short distance but short distances are much harder to race (in my own dictionary): heart-attack-runs, which many long-distant runners are not accustomed to. You need to start fast, run faster, end lagi fast. Like Looney Toons's  road runner. Short burst of quick paces, I noticed, cause many runners to pant. Many runners that ran along side me pant so hard, I thought they would collapse on the spot. More speed work needed, people! Oh well, you can walk all the way, but not if you want free Milo packs and first in line at the green trucks!

What's great this year was the amazing, amazing weather and more tables were set for breakfast.  But wasn't so great with the double in participation to 20,000 people and less Milo green trucks this year. I lost my hubby in a sea of green, and although he was wearing black, so were 1000 ppl. Next time, we would wear running jerseys in stripes of red and white, like Waldo!

Ooo, of course, the drones. My first in seeing a drone at work. It's pretty awesome albeit having the thought of something's always 'watching'over you. I think the drone was recording videos cause the Milo FB seemed to have uploaded a couple of videos from eagle's eye view.

Okay, what's next? Borneo International Run next week! I am only aiming for < 5:30 but I doubt I could even make that time. I lacked LSD trainings plus the thunderstorms that hampers all my evening runs. Yay to end water rationing, but nay for marathon trainings.


Til then, Ivy-out.

March-ing forward

March was crazy.

First was my wedding. Immediately came the anti-climax (read: post-wedding disorder) that hit me like a truck: The wedding we planned for 6 months, was all over in ONE day! I am married but I don't see anything has changed. Maybe we have been living together before that and wedding was just a formality. But before you lay your judgement, just to let you know now that I am really very happy being married, yo! I feel grown up somehow, to have someone by my side at night and for me to kacau.

Some snap shots of my wedding morning by my aunt recently given to me.

Then it struck me that  I don't have any honeymoon planned. I have a race in KK in May called the Borneo International Marathon but that trip is booked for the sole purpose of racing and there don't seem to be any time left for go-sees. Oh well, maybe running is how we both fall-in-love, and maybe running is how we'll honeymoon. During the full-marathon: we've got 6 hours of romantic 'get-away', literally.

Nope.

We went to MATTA fair and booked a trip to Turkey. It will be in November 2014. So mind you, it may be a bit too late(?? subjective) for a honeymoon. Okay, let's call it a TRIP instead. Turkey was never in my mind as a trip, but because we both want to avoid beaches (too much beaches, tanning and dive trips in our entire lives, you must agree), and I wanted a BIG CITY trip - with much historical value and *ahem*...shopping element included. Turkey was quite reasonable as it is now in the middle of a internal political mess, and also some brushing with Syria down south, but still, much better than Egypt. And we are going to those places in the far west (countryside?) of Turkey - Pamukalle's, Troy (did somebody said Brad Pitt?!), Ephesus, Pergamon, bla bla bla bla, dunno where, some cruise, and then finally Istanbul, so you won't feel the political tension in the city, if applicable.

I thought of visiting cities of Honshu Island for spring but there were runners that returned with radiation exposure due to Sendai/Fukushima run-offs to the underground water (read: contamination) and ocean (read: sushi and sashimi), etc. which actually did scare me a little. I want to have a baby, of course. And some doctors advice that if you kena radiasi, have to wait 6 years before you should conceive, so that your baby has lower risk to mutations. That's probably too long a wait.

Or Australia? But I have been to Australia a couple of times and seems like there's no ancient history for me look forward to. Scenery are so not my kinda thing. Or Santorini? Too expensive to visit just ONE place just for its scenery. Or Eastern Europe? Cost too much, with too many cities at one go (think hectic!) and not many annual leave left for both of us. There's always a next time :-)

Now, I am taking up a course sponsored by my company to be a certified chemist. This is darn important to my career, if not, my own perusal. As many of you already know - I still love studying. When you start to work, you kinda miss studying. I know having a doctorate is high enough, but deep down I still want to improve myself with different kinds of knowledge over the years. Furthermore, I might want to earn an MBA somewhere down the road. I am thinking to follow the footsteps of my hubby (professional engineer & MBA) but tough luck as he's more focused than I. My chemistry course will be in UTAR and this program will definitely affect my weekend-double-hill-run pat-thor and charkuayteow time with hubby for the rest of the year.

This year seems to pass super fast but not without events that shook me and the world real hard - MH370, the prolonged dry season, and now water crisis in Selangor, kidnapping at Sabah, etc. Then before you know it American Idol is already at Season 13. The last I remember was Philip Philips sang "Home" in his finale, I now wonder which season he was in. I was glued to The Voice & eyes on Adam Levene for Season 1 & 2, but *blink*blink*eye* it's now Season 6. I was called Ivy che-che all these while by everyone at home, but now, now my cousins and nieces, nephew call me Ah Sam or Ah Sou. (Yah...I know....like how my mum called the vegetable aunty at Kg. Simee market)

Blardy, I am Ah Sou already. Hell, time flies.