Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang Forest Challenge

As usual, a group of friends and myself (20 of us) went for hike at Taman Rimba situated in Teluk Bahang, Penang. It has been suggested by one of my friends and he told us we only need to take about 2 hours (to and from) to compeleted the challenge....but we ended up took about 6 hours (to and from).

This challenge is not easy...in fact it it quite tough. The initial stage (before 1,500 m) is still ok, The trail is quite flat, not steep. So we were so energetic. After 1,500m...here start the challenge. The trail is quite steep at this point of the trail....but still ok. I start to sweat as usual. (non stop one) The the trail continue to be very very steep, up and down somemore (for 4 times)...so conclusion, we concurred 4 mountains.

All of us took some stop to rest throughout the trail. That's the reason why we took 6 hours. The 2 hours is fro those who has excellent stamina and very high determination. I am not very good in stamina....luckily I still have determination to reach the destination that we set. The destination is about 4,150 m.

The scenery is not bad, we can see the whole Teluk Bahang dam, forest and we get a very fresh air up there. As usual, we took some photos to prove that we concur the challenge. :p

So, for those who feel like have a try, please ensure that you have a very good stamina and very high determination. Or else, you really will put yourselves in a big problem. That's not joking.

Cancer - kill people

Recently, an artist just passed away at young age 34 years old due to breast cancer.

Cancer is a word that is so scary to everyone. It is like when you went to consult doctor on your illness and heard the word cancer, your life will be "cancelled" soon.

More and more people has been passed away because of cancer...but there are lots of people who survived from cancer also. Recently, I joined the event "Relay for Life", I saw so many cancer survivors. They have success!!!!

Never give up, keep fighting and you can make it.

Earth Hour - 28th Mar 09

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights.

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world's first global election, between Earth and global warming. For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

We switched off the lights on saturday night too. Surprisingly, my little niece didn't scared at all. She still walk here and there, played with us, smile, look here look there...so we successfully swiched off the lights and we were in a dark. Anyway, we can still feel each other and we were so close with each other at that moment. So, not only on 28th Mar, every day we should practice.

Relay for Life - a message of hope for people with cancer

Relay for life, it is a yearly project organised by the National Cancer Society of Malaysia and supported by the Penang Hospital Society and Penang Municipal Council (MPPP). The aim of the project is to convey a message of hope for people with cancer and donation. This year, the 16-hours relay drew more than 3,000 participants. There were myriad of activities held there including dances, a live band performance, cheerleading, games, free health screenings, mini exhibitions, yoga, aerobic and face painting sessions.

10 of us form a team for the relay, and we named ourselves Lemmings. Not too sure why...but we like the name. Supposingly, we are required to relay (either walking or running) throughout the night but ended up we didn't. Perhaps, we are older compares with other participants and we do need enough sleep.

We had lots of fun there...other than the relay, we had BBQ, twister game, UNO stack....lots and lots of laughters of course. We camp overnight there.

As usual, we will take some photos for every single outing. Surprisingly, we made headline-front page of Star Metro. Such a big one, we can even see the crack of the lemmings. Too high spirit I think.

Never give up, never loose hope, keep fighting....

One day trip to Pantai Kerachut, Penang

Me and a group of friends went to Pantai Kerachut on Mar 8, 2009.

We gathered at the entrance at 9 a.m. that morning before we start hiking. The hike is not as tough as Youth Park, Botanical Garden or any other mountain in Penang Island; but it is not as easy as you think anyway. The journey started with a rather flat walk way. You may find places that is suitable for picnic along the walk way. This walk way is easier part of the journey, no doubts. Then, we reached the junction which we should follow the way to Pantai Kerachut. Here come the toughest part of the journey. It's the staircase, which is toughest part for me when come to hiking. I personally prefer the natural way.

So, the hike started off with the toughest staircase. I ended up need to stop twice to rest for a while before proceeding. You don't need to scared of the sun because it is covered by trees. :) Along the journey, you will meet with many people, so if you were plan to hike on your own, it would be ok as you will not be alone. There are some very slippery areas if you hike after raining, so be extra careful. We met up with an lovely couple along the journey. They are older people, so don't give reason that you can't hike because you are old.

We took around 1 hour to finish the journey. Then we reached the seaside. We went for rock climbing (sort of) after some rest. It was fun! I think we acted like monkey that day. :p

We spent a great time there as we were temporarily out from the busy city life and our mind is totally free from worries. It's a beautiful place.

Last but not least, preserve our natural places.

One on One with my manager at Gurney Plaza

Every year, we will have two 1:1 sessions with our manager, one to review your performance over the last one year and another one to discuss on any project(s) that you would like to involve for the next one year. We usually will have that 1:1 session at office but this year, I have a special one at Gurney Plaza.

Why I have the chance to do my 1:1 at Gurney?
- That day we have an appreciation lunch at Evergreen Hotel and...it's near Gurney
- Since I stay at town area, I decided to work from home the second half of the day...so I'm not going to travel back to office which is situated at Bayan Lepas
- My manager stay at town area also so she was worked from home that day...and her house near Gurney Plaza
That's make the decision to have the session at Gurney Plaza....

Initially, I felt that it would be something weird to have the discussion at a shopping complex. Usually you won't feel like using your brain when you are in a shopping complex right? But the session ended up so smooth and suprisingly, I like it. (Note: I never like this session because it's always in a very stress situation)

So, it's not a bad idea to do your 1:1 session at places that are out from office. And you will like it.

Father of the Century

This is a True Story....

A son says to his father: 'Dad, would you be willingly to run a marathon with me?'
The father, despite his age and a heart disease, says 'YES'.
And they run that marathon, together.
The son asks: 'Dad, can you run another marathon with me?' Again father says 'YES'.
They run another marathon, together.

One day the son asks his father: ?Dad would please do the Iron Man with me?'
Now just in case you wouldn't know, 'The Iron Man' is the toughest triathlon in existence; 4km swimming, then 180 km by bike, and finally another 42 km running, in one stroke.
Again father says 'YES'

Maybe this doesn't 'touch' you yet by heart ... until you see this movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMbk9dtpdY

I think many people would have cried after watching this video...including me. I believe every parents is doing the same thing to their children, just in different ways. There is only one thing in their mind"trying to give the best to their child".

Guys, make sure you give the best to your parents while you are trying to give the best to your own kids.