Terry Fox Run 2012 @ Padang Merbok

Lets come and support Marathon of Hope - Terry Fox Run, working Together to Outrun cancer.

I aware of this run two years ago when my friend who work in association with some cancer research told me about the run. However, I did not participate in the event at that time. Last year, back to few months back, one of my friends interested to try and join for running event in the soonest time. Therefore, she asked me to join together with her. We tried to look for the recent running event, however in the end of the year, most of the running events had meet the registration deadline earlier. Finally, she found out the "Terry Fox Run" where pre-registration is not required and no participation fee. By supporting to this run, the fund will be raised principally by selling Terry Fox Run T-shirts and from cash donations. My weekends are always filled with activities, however since I do not have any crush event on the running day, therefore without hesitate, I agreed to join the run with her.

 
Terry Fox Run 2012

Date: 11th November 2012 (Sunday)
Venue: Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur
Distance: 5km (Advanced Route), 3km (Family Route)
Time: 9am
T-shirt: RM30 each





The Terry Fox Run is an annual non-competitive charity event held in numerous regions around the world in commemoration of Canadian cancer activist-Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research [Wikepedia]. The run was founded in Canada in year 1981 and the first run in Malaysia was started in year 1990. In year 2012, this marked the 32nd anniversary of the Terry Fox Run held in Malaysia and the beneficiary organization in this year is Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF) - the first independent, non-profit cancer research organization in Malaysia.

Who is Terry Fox?
Terry Fox was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 18 in 1977 and had to have his right leg amputated. Witnessing the suffering of other cancer patients, specifically children, Terry Fox decided to run across his homeland Canada to raise awareness and funds. With his calledjourney "Marathon of Hope", he was able to run a full marathon (42.195km) EVERY single DAY for 143 days (a total distance of 5,373km) before he succumbed to cancer that had spread to his lungs. He passed away a few months later at the age of 21. At that point, the legacy of running in honour of the great man to continue his purpose had been cemented.

For more information of The Terry Fox Foundation, feel free to visit: http://www.terryfox.org.

He is our Hero - Terry

The day before I just back from a sponsored blogger trip in Genting. In the early morning of this running day, me and my friend departed at around 7.30am from our home, took bus to University LRT station followed by LRT continue to Masjid Jamek Station, and from there we walked to Padang Merbok. We are not really sure how the direction to Padang Merbok, however when we get down from LRT, we can see some people who wear the running t-shirt walked toward a direction. We know they are going for the Terry Fox Run as well, therefore we just followed the crowd.

We did not manage to buy the running T-shirt prior the event day. However, the T-shirt is available for selling on the event day as well. When reached in Padang Merbok, we go to the selling booth to get the T-shirt and we changed it in the available mobile toilet. We are ready for the run and wait for the flag off time. The run flag off around 15 minutes later than its expected time.

A self-captured photo of me and my friend before the flag off time.

Here we go for 32nd Terry Fox Run

The runner crowd

We had our leisure run and walk together on that day and we used around 45 minutes to finish the journey. After the run, we walked back to Masjid Jamek LRT station. Before we back home, we had our brunch nearby the area, we dine in Coffee Box Kopitiam, a corner shop which is just opposite McD restaurant and same row with Burger King.

Look for the date of Terry Fox Run in this year. Lets come and support it again, working Together to Outrun cancer :)

With determination,
nothing is impossible.

MAKNA Founder's Run 2013 @ Padang Merbok

It was a beautiful last Sunday where I involved myself in a charity run - MAKNA Founder's Run. Total of 7 friends of mine signed up for the run together earlier, however two of them can't turn up for the run but we managed to get a replacement runner. Therefore, a total 6 of us went for the run together. There are 3 different categories in the run, 3km fun run, 7km and 12km. Oh yeah, all of us signed up for the 12km run.

 
Makna Founder's Run 2013

Date: 31.03.2013 (Sunday)
Venue: Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur
Distance: 12KM
Fee: RM59 (Early Bird)
Time: 7am





MAKNA stands for "Majlis Kanser Nasional", this is a charity run helps to raise fund for the cancer patients. With the slogan "Run the Miles, Fun the Smiles", every mile you conquer and dollar raised will give to cancer patients hope for tomorrow. For official webpage of MAKNA, you can visit http://www.makna.org.my.

I slept around 4 hours only and wake up in the early morning 4.45am prepared for the run. Me and my friend were busy discussing how to get there and time to gather. Due to the caffeine effect, I had a hardly sleep on that night. My friend come and pick me up at 5.15am, after gather with other friends in UM KL gate parking area, we all decided to car pool and drove one car only (6 people in a car). We departed much more earlier as we scared we can't get the route to the Padang Merbok and worried hard to get a parking slot.

We reached there at 6am ++, there already a lot of runners flooded and ready themselves in Padang Merbok. We saw some of the runners still had their early jog exercise before the actual run. We hang around ourselves in the area, there are some booths set up there to launch the cancer awareness campaign. I did not bring bag but my friend did. After we well prepared, we dropped off the bag in the luggage storage counter. Before the run flag off, there was a gymnasium session for ourselves to warm up.

Lets move on, move on

The run flag off at 7am sharply. Me and Shi will usually pace run together. We stepped the starting line together and move on together. There was some hilly route and passed by a lot residential area. The houses and bangalow there are luxurious. One of the bangalow caught our attention much, it is in golden colour and it looked like a palace. It is motivated when there is someone run together than run alone. I'm not a good runner, however I feel better and not much killing in this run compared to last Melawati Run (due to sickness). We motivated each others, run and countdown for our distances. We did 60% run in first 6km but in the remaining journey, we walked 60%. When we saw the 10km sign, we cheered happily, here we supposed to finish as we normally joined 10km run. I looked at my watch, we can run the 10km within our usual timing (Shi was not feeling well on that day but she still did it). However, there another 2km more for us to complete the run. We almost walked for 1km and almost ran for another last 1 km. Towards the finishing line, I looked at my watch and we set a cut-off time for ourselves. We kept on running in the last few meters and finally we stepped on the finishing line together. This really a great feeling to start, run and end together.

I did it - 12km MAKNA Founder's Run

Each person of us will have our own timing chip to tight on our shoelace to record our running time. I'm glad to pace run with Shi, and our next run will be SCKLM which is also her maiden 21km run. Oh great, Shi did register for PBIM run as well for 21km too. Finally, there got someone can go run with me for PBIM, hopefully we can pace run with each others as well during the run.

Here is our timing for MAKNA 12km run.

When we reached the finishing line, two of my friends already finished their run earlier. While waiting for another two friends to finish their run, we all had some photography session first. By the way, me and Shi went to collect our finisher T-shirt and also have some isotonic drink to refresh ourselves. FYI, there is no finisher medal for the run but just a finisher T-shirt for those complete the run for 7km and 12km runners.

One of my friend did a funny and unexpected action on the running day. We were waiting her to run finish at the finishing line and wondering until where she run at. My friend ended up to give her a call to ensure her "safety". I was then told by my friend that she is at the last 2km but she is eating now. What? Eating? Yes, she is eating Mee Siam due to too hungry during the run and she decided to look for some food. What a joke it is! We all were "Zha Dao" by her "unbelievable" action. However, we were very curious that where she can get a place to have Mee Siam as all of us never notice that there got any food place or convenient shop along the running route. In the last 2km? Me and my friends keep on thinking back the route but still what crossed our mind is all the housing area. Where? Where she get a place to have Mee Siam?

Finally we saw her ran back towards finishing line. The question for "Mee Siam" revealed - a restaurant in a condominium. She told us that she was too hungry during the run and therefore look for some food. She saw some kind of shops in a condominium and she decided to walk in to try some luck. She managed to have her Mee Siam and a cup of coffee for her "running" breakfast. As she say "A mee siam in need is a mee siam indeed", if not will die of gastric acid corrosion. Zzzz. She still "proudly" told us that she saw the running sweeper at behind when she came out from the condominium after finished eating. There only three person at that time, a sweeper, a guy and her. After eating and energy recharged, she continued her run and managed (should be) to be last 10 person when crossing finishing line.

All of us were back. Not to forget to snap a group photo of us before leaving.

We all did it - 12km run.Show off our 12k finisher T-shirt.

After the run, it is time for us to treat for our stomach. We are not sure where we can eat in KL area therefore we decided to head back to PJ. It is always headache to think for an eating place. A friend suggested to have brunch in the shop lots in Section 17 just opposite Jaya One where the shop is quite famous for chicken noodles soup. I remembered that I only eat one time before in this shop lots area, and so coincidentally the shop that my friend suggested is the shop that I eat before. The chicken noodles soup is not bad, worth to have a try. Opps, I did not noticed the name of the shop but in front of the shop there got a banner with "怡保长江白咖啡” (Ipoh Chang Jiang White Coffee). Oh, this is the place for drinking the white coffee that  my food hunter friend mentioned it before. After a satisfying brunch, my friend send us back to home. I was tired and felt sleepy but just can't sleep due to the accumulated caffeine effect in this two days.

This is the first ever MAKNA Founder's Run in year 2013, not sure that this run will be continued or not in the following years. For those missed out the run in this year, please keep an eye for this event in next year.

* My upcoming run - 13th Jogathon Warisan in this April after two weeks, a charity run too.

话就算说的太好，
音乐就算太动听，
心动也不如行动。

山打根-私房菜小食馆（My Recipe House, Sandakan)

这一次清明节回家，清明节当天的晚餐，和叔叔及姑姑一家人难得会出去外面酒楼吃（通常都会在家里吃），除了团聚一家人吃一餐外，也是因为两个堂弟分别在SPM及STPM考到不错的成绩奖励。共14人的我们，来到了位于IJM的私房菜小食馆了。

私房菜小食馆（My Recipe House, Sandakan)

Contact:	Alice Kwan K.S
Hp:	019-8138287/016-8301287
Tel/Fax:	089-246700
Address:	Block J, Lot 110-115, Ground Floor, Taman Utama, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia

这一间私房菜小食馆，家人本来也想找个机会去尝试很久了。同样的营业者，在“私房菜”还没有扩展前，之前是还有一家位于南亚新村（Taman Sibuga）的，不过目前这一间茶餐室已停止营业，搬迁到Taman Utama这里来了。无论是新还是旧的私房菜小食馆，印象中我还是第一次到访。

来到小食馆，我就只负责吃啦，当天的晚餐。。。

 杏花鸡（1只）@RM70

排骨王@RM40

奶油小芥兰@RM25

招牌豆腐@RM25

拼舌花腩@RM40

沙煲什@RM30

湿炒河@RM30

这一家小食馆也蛮多人来吃的，环境还蛮不错的，有冷气，食物方面也是不错的。不过，服务方面就有待改进了。当我们来到的时候，等了很久才被招待点菜肴；茶冲到一半没一半，也拿少一两个杯子；饭也是一样，同样拿少，然后叫了好几次都也还没到，难道算不到我们有几人？还是有几个人自动隐形起来了；然后，要添饭的时候，竟然被告知饭不够，还正在煮着，需等片刻，有被炸到！

这一餐，是姑姑请客的。当天，我感觉并不是很舒服，头真的很疼，眼睛也很痛，我完全投降。晚餐回到家后，电脑和手机也不玩了，不管三七二十一，我立刻就要去睡觉了。

Out of Sight, 
but not out of Mind.

清明节，扫墓记（二）

自阿爷阿嬷相续离世后，我就知道每一年的清明节，我需要回家了。虽然不是一定要回，家人也没有叫我回，可是就是我自己想回去拜祭一下。想到以后的日子，我也不懂还有多少的时候是可以这样地抽身，想回就回，所以趁现在还有机会，就尽可回家扫墓了。

无论是旅行或回家的机票，我都是很早就预先定购的，务必就是要买便宜的机票啦。而我这次回家的机票是大概一年前就买下的，来回RM100。看回我以前的一篇布落稿，才知道原来2011年我是4月2日回家，2012年1日，而2013年3日，可是在这三年里，我回来吉隆坡的日期，却全都是在4月7日这一天。我没有特的去买这一天的飞机票，可是就是这么巧！有朋友知道我特地飞回家就是为了清明节，感觉有点不可思议。不用紧，我以前也或许会这么想，可是当面对的是自己的挚亲时，想法就会不一样了，所以我回家一趟了。

2013年4月4日（星期四）-阴天
清明节，扫墓记（二）

早上约7时就出发了，加上叔叔和姑姑们，这一次共有13人一起去拜祭。如往常一样，我们会先去拜祭祖先们，我不认识他们，他们也不认识我的祖先。之后，我们才来到阿爷阿嬷的墓地。附近已经杂草丛生，很自动的我们都开始清理一番了，除草、整理墓地等。

阿爷阿嬷，我们来探望你们了。

从义山山上望下的景色

当天，天空依然是阴暗，还好太阳并不猛烈。约1000， 我们离开义山之地，下山回到停车的地方，这里每年清明节这个时候，都有这一挡独市摊口，也一如往常，来一杯清凉的甘蔗水。

甘蔗水摊口@RM1.70一包

回到吉隆坡，我将会参与一个广东义跑，沿着义庄跑。我告诉妈妈，我去跑坟墓，妈妈说：“坟墓都好跑？等一下冒犯你就知道。” 不会的，很多人一起跑的，我百无禁忌。

掉落的黄叶，
聚成了思念。

April don't fool on me.

Yesterday, it was really April Fool and what a big joke it is? Sometimes I did minor mistakes as well in handling my labworks but not a big deal, but this time the mistakes is really "big" where I can't forgive myself and I blamed myself for my blur-ness. I was upset and down the whole night. I used to do the assay many times but how come I can mess up this time? And I wasted some of the valuable reagents...

I helped my boss to carry out some of the extra experiment works even this is not included in my master dissertation. I planned a schedule of works to finish it before I go back to hometown this Wed for a short break. I wake up early in the morning, went to lab and start the assay. I hope to finish it earlier so that I can go to settle my course registration fee in the afternoon. As planned, I finished the first batch assay and have a break. Supposedly I have a lunch with my friends but end up not. While waiting for my friend come back to get the letter from her, I went to Bendahari to inquiry for my registration fee. Oh gosh, what such unlucky that internet server down and I can't check for my fee status. I need to come back tomorrow again?

My friend come back on time. Therefore I go to her lab to look for her and took the letter from her. This is my first time pay my fee manually and I'm not sure how to pay it. I stayed in my friend's lab, at the meantime, I try to find online see whether I can check my fee status or not. Yeah, I finally can check it. Bendahari - C8 - CIMB - Bank Islam, I don't know how many times I went already in a rushing time and manage to settle the payment before 3pm. Oh yeah, my friend remind me about the opening of an event "Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition" at 3pm at Chancellery. I promised will go to support her as her painting was exhibited there. Therefor, I go together with her for the opening ceremony.

After the ceremony, I back to C8 first together with my friend to print out some documents before I walked back to my faculty. I supposed can do the next batch assay in the next morning but I decided to continue it while waiting for my jogging session in the late evening as I wished not to come to lab in the next morning. My decision is wrong! I think I['m too blur at that time. During the assay, I already can feel there something wrong, I stopped awhile, think and think, try figure it out but can't. Maybe I feel wrong and I continued with it.

Heavy rain suddenly dropped in this late evening and can't go for jogging. My friend who wait for me for almost an hour for jogging decided to go back. I stayed alone in the lab while waiting for my samples to run finish. At the meantime, I managed to catch a meet with my boss, get her to sign some documents and get payment. I thought today is a smooth day for me, all the tasks that I wished to do on that day manage to settle it. But who know it is April Fool in the last minutes, it really fool on me. When the samples run finish and I took the batch out from the machine, then suddenly I realized what is the mistake I had did! OMG! I repeated the same batch where I used back the first batch samples for my second batch assay. I already feel strange why there is a big volume differences during the assay but just don't know why I can't figure it out at that time.  How come I can be so careless and blur, all the works done in this morning gone as well. A day was wasted, all the samples were wasted and what make me feel painful is the limited reagents.

My mood was dropped from heaven to hell. I back home with depressed. I think my roomate can sense it and she try to cheer me up. I choose to keep silent. I kept on think back the situation, blame myself and can't forgive for my own careless and blur. I realized myself earlier that I not suitable to do on research work as I always blur and not motivated on it. I was very down on that night and thinking whether I should repeat the assay the next morning or repeat it after I back from home? I used to do the assay before but now I'm suddenly phobia on it. The reagents are not cheap and I can't waste again. I'm undecided.

I feel like hide myself at home the whole night. I don't have any appetite and mood to go out or ask for dinner with other friends. Since he ask for dinner, then I just go out to have some break and hope can relax my mind. My brain was not functioning at that time and I ask him to think for dinner place. I'm not sure whether he can sense my down down mood or not, I planned to tell him what is happening, but since he not care and not ask, then I decided not to tell. Anyway, my mood was getting better after meet him up, he always can cheer up my day no matter how. My another friends suddenly ask me for supper as well, I join them after the dinner time. My mood is well that time, when I meet with them, I told them what I'm depressing and what problems I'm facing as they always can understand what is research work world is. We always shared among ourselves if we faced any problems, they have their own problems too in handling their research works. They motivated me and cheered me up. I know I have to encounter and face it.

My gloomy night turn out to be a shinny night. After the night, I make up my mind, yes, I decided go to lab in the next day early morning and repeated the assay. I learn from mistakes, remember and remind myself 100% can't repeat the mistake again. Yeah, I did it and looking forward to go back home with no headache. Come back that time have to "cheong" again, aja-aja fighting!

Believe, tomorrow is a sunshine day
and it always works.