I wish upon my wishing star...if I have one....

I grew up alone, never had good friends or even allowed to have one that I can always invite to spend time with. To keep myself happy and surrounded with friends, I was involved in may games in school. Well known for being a Netball player, a Field Hockey person and even a Volleyball enthusiast. Always competitive, just to feel good and get the silent affirmation that I am good enough for what I do. There was no one telling me I am good. Not even a teacher to appreciate my talent, my skill. So I never knew how good I really was because all the time, it was only me telling myself.
Involving in a job that stress so much in motivating others by appreciating their talent, their skill and also their presence, I see how important it is to give that to another individual. Whether it is someone you know very well or someone you encounter for a short period of time. Giving positive feedback goes a long way. Seeing their smile when you tell them they are doing okay, they are doing so well is priceless.
I believe, it is the same with giving your love and faithfulness to someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. When you take that vow, you see the sparkle and happiness in that person's eyes and they returned the same promise. And so....I wish upon my wishing star if I have one....that I am searching for the very same sparkle I once had and the happiness that I was promised. I have and still hold true to my vow....so he continue to have that sparkle and happiness. I hope he gives it back...because it was lost a long time ago.

An Inspiring Story - Beyond Compare (Dick & Rick Hoyt Team)

A friend posted this on a website and it was the first time I saw it. It really pierced my heart. How a father's love for his son is so great that he literally challenge his own capabilities. I felt ashamed of myself after watching this video - what Dick did for his son is beyond compare. I believe that it takes a real man or a woman to be great parents to their children.

Would we ourselves be in his shoes if one of our children is handicap? Would we be doing what he is doing - perhaps at our own circumstances for the love of our children? Dick Hoyt - you are an extra ordinary man.

My 2nd Borneo International Marathon

11th October 2009, woke up at 3.30am. I sat a while on my bed, trying to set my mind that today is the day for me and my running buddies to complete what we've train for - the half marathon.
It took me 5 minutes to really wake myself up. I got up and prepare myself, put on the most comfortable running gear I have. My daughter Angel realized I was quietly moving about the room and asked what I am up to. As usual, I told her I am going jogging and she went back to sleep.
Gave my husband a quick hug - a good luck hug, although he was fast asleep. I was all set by 3.50am when Jane came to fetched me. We all hitched a ride from her. Jane fetched Jennifer, Georgina and Eiji before she came over to my house. As I got into the car, I can feel that everyone was nervous. Pam hop in from Metro Restaurant and the next stop was to fetch Tricia.
We were on our way to Likas Stadium by 4.20am. It will be the 2nd marathon for Pam and myself. We both joined the 10km last year. I only did a 1 month training last year and it was really an agony after the run. I was also on my own. But this year's preparation was more than I had expected. Trained 4 months ahead, ran many areas of Kota Kinabalu and the best part was.... having running buddies.
We dropped our stuffs to be taken care by a personnel. I realised I was not as nervous as I was on my 1st participation...maybe because I had friends to run with me. It's because last year I went to the toilet 5 times before running. This time, only once :)
We did some warming up and stretching. Did not see any familiar faces. As we were lined up by the starting line, it was funny to hear the announcer annouced that faster runner should be at the front. So my buddies and I moved a few lines behind. We were also joking so much to calm ourselves down.
On the dot, we started at 5.30am. My buddies and I was running close to each other. I am glad that a week earlier, we had tried the real route for the half marathon so we'd know. While running also, we managed to have fun looking at other runners. One very outstanding and annoying runner was a guy who ran passed us and stop to walk. Then when all of us passed him, he start running again and overtook us. He did this a few times and luckily he then went ahead of us or else I would have told him off. JERK! (and I know his name)
Our route took us through the Likas coastal highway, passed the town market, Wawasan plaza, going into Sutera Harbour up to The Residency entrance and towards the Perkeso traffic light before heading back to Likas Stadium. We finished within our usual training timing. And it was indeed a great achievement. While cooling down and resting, then we saw some familiar faces and could not help but to say hello and sharing each other's experiences.
I considered myself very active in sports during my school years. Always into games and athletics was only as far as 400m. But to accomplished a half marathon distance at a late age....I believe I still have what it takes to be active. It goes the same for my running buddies...it is their 1st long distance run and they did very well. 3rd Borneo Intermational Marathon, we look forward to partcipate again!

How Celcom upset me!

I went outstation recently and my mobile phone was automatically on international roaming mode. I overused my limit and because the bills ends every 28th of every month I decided to wait until the evening of 28th Aug to make online payment. I borrowed my daughters phone who is on prepaid. However, I paid my bill on the 27th instead- RM314.00 an amount I confirmed with customer service by calling the Care Line. But still continued using my daughters phone until the 28th so I'd have a 00.00 b/f account. After making the payment, I called Celcom to informed them I've made the payment. The customer service asked for the reference and I gave him an 11 digit number with the letter 'x' in between. And he can tell me he does not want the 'x'. I then told him off saying that this is the reference number and if he refuse to accept it and continue to bar my phone, I am complaining. He accepted it immediately. My telephone line was realeased 4 hours a after - 28th August. So I only started to use my phone on the 29th. But my story does not end there.
30th Aug - 8pm, Celcom barred my line again. I didn't know this until I was trying to make an urgent call. I call the so called 'Care Line' and they confirm that my phone is barred as I have not settled my bill. My blood shot high up immediately and request them to check again. I was so furious and upset. The customer service put me on hold and when she returned she confirmed that I owe RM255.65 for August - I then with a harsh voice said that I settled my payment, giving her the history. She then put me on hold again. And when she returned she said I have another oustanding of RM58.35.
I asked her what happened to the RM314 payment I made? If Celcom said that I owe RM255.65 for August- RM255.65 + RM58.35 outstanding, isn't it amounting to the RM314.00 I paid on the 27th August.
Even if I owe RM58.35, my credit limit is RM150.00 - why the hell did Celcom barr my phone line? the customer service said that it is the system that sets it that way and I told her, the system is created by man and can be changed or updated by man. In this case, it should have been updated by the 28th August when I made that call to inform of the payment I made. The customer service could not explained any further but immediately said she will released my phone line. Still furious, I apologized to the customer service that she had received my frustrations on this, told her that this is not the first time Celcom frustrates me and asked her to speak to her management.
Celcom - you may have the widest coverage in Malaysia, but your system and services sucks. You are really taking advantage on users who are perhaps mostly ignorant. I am beginning exercise my choice and rights!

Being friendly and polite goes a long way...

12 years after my first visit, I set foot again in the city of Jhongli, about 1 hour away from the metro city of Taipei. I could not remember if the people are friendly and helpful 12 years back. Perhaps my communication with them was quite limited then as my Mandarin was really half past six. But this time, I really enjoyed my stay, even though it was all the time in the hotel. The staffs are exceptionally extra helpful, friendly and very polite. My Mandarin is still half past six, with a few occasions where I mix Hakka into it. Yet that did not frustrate them or myself to communicate whatever message we need to send across to each other to get the conference preparation in order. There were many times sign language is also included which is so comical. Wouldn't life be so much simpler and pleasant if everyone treats each other the same? Speak politely and try alternative in communicating with each other rather than choose the fast way out? Which in most cases, stop the communication channel and worst, assumptions sets in.
Because of the hotel staff being so polite, I was constantly reminded that I must remember each and everyone of them, their name, so that I can thank them at the end of the conference. I believe if we treat everyone the same way, we will always remember them. And that is the best thing that another person can do for you, remembering you were part of their life for a while - because you were polite and helpful at the time they needed you. Who knows one day you cross each others path again?

It's the legs!

It has been two months now since I started training for a half marathon feat - Borneo International Marathon Oct 2009. The momentum of the training looks good and I always look forward to my long run every Saturday. It is a challenge I have never imagined that I would do while I was in my very younger days and I often wondered why I am doing it now, when the body is older and age is catching up. The long run was always good, with so much personal satisfaction. But it's the legs that always have a mind of it's own. I am trying so hard to have a good relationship with my legs...nurturing it with consumption of healthy food, toning it with the right weight and method, wearing the right shoes. Ah! But the chemical is still not perfect.

Life is so fragile....

A friend passed away today. The death is so unfortunate. It made me think back and affirm that life is so fragile. We are indeed created to be an individual who is unique in our own ways. How is this beneficial to another individual?
I never really took time to know this friend better. Went out once for a drink, nothing more. Never meet and talk face to face anymore. Occasionally hear stories about this friend from some other close friends and the stories will end up as a cruel joke.
This friend can be a very successful person, can be someone who is well respected by many because of his outgoing personality. But was never given the opportunity which resulted to a life I believe is hard to survive. Excellent musician, church goer...Rest in peace my friend, you now no longer need to suffer.

Why do people hurt others?

I just cannot understand why one person can have the heart to hurt another, for whatever reason. The surprising thing is they can still look at the victim in the eye as if nothing ever happens. Or they look at their victim and the look exclaimed the sentence 'you deserve it'. How does the victim survive being hurt? How much more can a victim take one hurtful thing after another?
We are all human beings. Created on the same earth. We will all die one day. Either peacefully or tragically. Doesn't it count to at least make a person realize that he or she has to appreciate their surrounding and the people they associate with? Especially the people who love them so much.....because life is about caring, being kind, courteous and generous. Not suppose to be conditional...not suppose to. God did not make it that way.

Exotic Bali

Bali. It is always a place somebody would recommend to visit. And I agree. My adventure to Bali was combined with work. All my work mates except one left for Bali on the 19th May. The beginning of the journey was really a turn off because you see so many travellers putting on mask due to the health issue about Swine Flu. Yet you see them taking it off when they have their food at one of the restaurant at the airport. We arrived Bali early in the evening, so did not get to see much. But one thing that is pretty certain for me is that the motorbike riders there are perhaps the most fearless people. Well...I've been to Taipei, so I thought they were fearless people. Ok, perhaps they are known to be fearless in their own place. I literally have my own brakes while we were driven by the driver to our hotel and also throughout our travelling time on the road.

The time spent there was brief but it was enough to give me the feeling that the place is indeed exotic. I did a quick and very cheap shopping. Everywhere I go, I hear Balinese music, so soothing. So I end up buying two CD's for myself. Really worth it. The most interesting part was always trying to convert their currency back to Ringgit Malaysia. I even had my calculator with me, haha!

What imprinted in me most about Bali was to see how the people there are so polite, so talented, especially with their hands - seeing all the huge and well sculptured statues, crafted woods. But was never given a chance. Even if they are given a chance, it is just within their area. I guess it happens everywhere in other parts of the world.

You are so beautiful

This is Danny Gokey. He went for the American Idol Season 8 audition not really confident that he will make it through. But finished as the top 3 in one of the best season I've ever seen. This year's American Idol saw many very talented people with their own style and rendition when singing. Seeing Danny, Kris and Adam belting out songs of the judges choice and their own choice, Danny's choice prove to be the best for me. I believe he sang that for his late wife and by the look of his face, he was ready to accept, whatever the decisions of Americans. But he is already a winner to me. Very special and he will be one of the best singing artist of all time. Live your dream Danny.

Playing for the President...yup, we did it!

My colleagues in Singapore had a good time performing for the President of Singapore on their open day at the istana - 1st May. I wish I was there playing the Beatswork event with them in front of the other 10,000 audiences. It was FANTASTIC and what amazes me most, the President and his accompanies sat on a normal plastic chairs! How low profile! Well done Asia Ability - Singapore!

When you know how to ride a motorbike (scooter I mean)

Got my license in March 2009. It is not like riding a bicycle like everyone says. You do not paddle. Your feet is on on stationary, on standby to be used when you suddenly go off balance. You are totally in focus within 360 degree around you. Your breathing momentum changes once you start riding. Yes, you feel the breeze as your bike accelerate, but you also inhale the many dust which you can avoid when you are in a car. Your heart rate palpitates a little faster when you ride but you smile whenever you get to a traffic jam. Because you know somehow you can pass all the cars with frustrating drivers. You will be in the office on time and get home early. However, your life is at risk by another 50%.
Being a motorbike rider, I somehow appreciate a little bit more and be on an alert on other motorbike riders when I drive a car.

Untouched Paradise - Just at your doorstep

A friend send this to me just today and the view was really breathe taking. First thing I had in my mind was going to this place must cost a fortune. I was totally wrong. This is in fact in Kedah, Malaysia. The place is called Tasik Jagong, if I am not mistaken (see I could not even remember the name because I was really amazed with the view!)
How many more places like this can you really find and it is just within the location of your country? I am sure there are many and how far do we want it to be untouched? We always assumed that other places would be a much exotic and beautiful to visit when we have our own to really shout about!

What's the use of the public buses?

I had an adventure with my kids today. Our car broke down and there was only the public buses to depend on to take us to Church. We had to take one way up to Karamunsing and then another bus to Bukit Padang. It was the same to go home, being Karamunsing is the connecting spot. But amazingly you get a lot of Penampang buses that would not stop at the bus stop we were waiting at. This is when we were on our way home. What is the point? I also realised that these buses have destinations of villages written on their body, which I believe is also their actual permit. Yet you don't see them commuting to these places. So, whice party is the culprit here, the authority who issued them the permit or the buses themselves that don't honor their permit?
I then realised that the buses that did not stop were loitering at the bus stop of Sacred Heart to lobby for passengers who've just finished Mass. So typically greedy when they know we are also passengers. When can this be right?

Cardboard Wonder

Ever wondered a cardboard can really float and carry people? Asia Ability had the opportunity to prove it. We did a few team building activities at Hilton Batang Ai for the Hilton staff and one of the activity is making a boat from a cardboard. Everyone was into it, following instructions and at the end, they could not believe they can race with the boat as well. Right before the lake! Want to know more what you can make from a cardboard? Check us out at www.asiaability.com

Limits of being patience

I was looking forward to a good day today. I really was. Until some dude had to spoil it. You see, like him I am just an employee to a company, following instructions. And when you are doing something for your company, even if it is not your fault, I believe every individual has some level of courtesy to say sorry on behalf of the company's fault. It is certainly not good for our own personal moral, but then again it is somehow very natural an employee would do. Especially when you hold some kind of quite an important position. But hey, instead of saying sorry....he laughed!
So to anyone who is reading this, you may never know you need help from an individual. Be wise and have that manners and courtesy. Or your past attitude will backfire at you!

Children are a gift from God

It is 7th May 2001 when my Chloe was born. She weighed 3.10kg with so much hair (not as much as Chelsea) but curly. As she was growing up, she has this most big eyes with long eye lashes (she still have that long lashes). She is 8 years old today and have grown so much that every bit of her reminds me of myself. But she has something extra - she really have the brains and she has me who love her so much. Beautiful in her own way, yet so simple as a person. I had asked her what she wants for her birthday (while crossing my fingers that she would ask for something within my budget!). But all she wanted was a set of a KFC meal. I am so fortunate with her simplicity and innocent way. I believe because all children are like that, many adults take that for granted. I once received an email with a video attachment on how a maid abused a child who is not more than 6 years of age. I could not bear to finish the video because I can pretty well say that the maid was barbaric! If only there is a portal that can put adults like the maid that punishes them the same way.

Special Record Breaking

Have you ever wondered that you may not be able to do something that you think is quite crazy? I did something that I never thought I would do or even withstand in doing it. A road trip from Kota Kinabalu all the way to Batang Ai, Sarawak. My colleague Floyd, Richard and myself was scheduled to run a team building programme for the Hilton Kuching and Batang Ai Resort team. We left at 5am on the 25th April. Made it as far as Bintulu only at 10pm the same day. With a one missed of check point and also wrong turn, we turned up in Bintulu so battered, sweaty and of course like a zombie. After a good shower in a newly operated Century Inn, we dozed off like a baby immediately. I believed all three of us snored that night.

The following day, we continued our journey all the way to Batang Ai, through Sibu, some parts of Sarikei and Sri Aman. Again, there were a few missed turns and we had asked a few times for direction. The journey took about 8 hours from 4am. And arriving Hilton Batang Ai Resort felt like arriving a place like they called 'Timbaktu'

The luxury of the resort room helped us to settled in well and without wasting time, we did what we had to do, prepare to run a team building. We did not really explore the resort to have some time for ourselves, but the outstanding view and peacefulness of the area was enough to make us feel it is a wonderful place.

We set back for home on the 28th April afternoon. Journey back to Bintulu took a shorter time now...well, we mastered the route! Spent another night at the same Inn and continued our journey back on the 29th April, all the way to Kota Kinabalu. The sense and feeling of ' It is good to be back home ' is so over whelming.

So, a journey from almost north of Borneo to the south of Malaysia, wow! That was a special record breaking. And thumbs up to my colleague Floyd, the best driver and ' tahan lasak'.

Mind over matters

I had the opportunity to test both my mental and physical ability recently to see if one can influence the other. I had accompanied a group of students up Mount Kinabalu. I am writing this from my own personal experience.

View and climate on the mountain was really breath taking. At the beginning, both mental and physical ability seemed to work very well together. The journey to the rest house is 6 km with the many level of steps. Soon after my knapsack was not doing any justice for me. I wondered what I had packed that is giving me so much struggle in carrying it. Not much exactly - a change of clothes, a raincoat, personal toiletries, first aid kit, video cam and....hmmmmm. I had wondered. At the 4km, I had to give up my knapsack to a mountain guide who happened to be escorting another two female climbers. It had taken a toll on my back. Although the major weight issue was solved, the next feat to climb to the resthouse was not over. Because of the weight I had carried earlier, most of my energy was drained. It is here that the mental ability started to challenge the physical ability.

It took about 6 hours for all of us to reach the resthouse. What a relief it was when we arrived, there was still daylight. I had chewed almost 5 chewing gum to help with the minor altitude sickness I was having. Immediately after dinner (very early dinner!) I went to my bed to rest. It was not easy to fall asleep though as there were many other guest walking up and down like a cow over the wooden floors of Laban Rata resthouse. And they also pretended that it is like home for them...by talking so loud! While trying to doze off, I told myself, 'Bev, you are one mad woman!'

The ascend to the summit started at 2.40am the following day. I saw many climbers with torchlight walking slowly in a line in a pitched dark trail. It was another form of trail that I realized it is better to be experience in the dark. This is because if you see how the trail is when there is sun light, you would definitely change your mind.

The climb was another 2.7km which I thought was the most painful physical journey I have ever had. It was through steep path with ropes, less oxygen and not forgetting 60% sore muscles already from previous day's climb. I was literally crawling for the last 1.5km to the summit. The other funny thing was I felt so sleepy. At the summit, the ultimatum was seeing the majestic sunrise from the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Every climbers was estatic when they reached the top. Weather was perfect.

Descending down has a different effect. The legs became so weak. Every step I take, I had some hesitation because I wasn't sure if the steps I take, my feet is strong enough to hold my weight. However I had appreciated my VERY LOCAL adidas brand rubber shoe (adidas kampung!) If it wasn't for the shoe, I would have already slip a few times with the weak legs. Because of making sure my steps are safe, I had forgotten all about my altitude sickness.

I was so hungry when we returned to Laban Rata resthouse. But I could not even eat a full breakfast meal because I was so tired already. After packing all my stuffs, I managed to steal a 10 minute nap on oe of the dining tables while waiting for the students to be ready themselves. I've decided to carry my knapsack on my own, as I figured that going down will not be as bad as climbing. Just as we walked out of the Laban Rata resthouse to continue our descending to the park headquarters, it RAINED!

It rained all the way. Because I only had the top half of a raincoat, my pants was totally wet when we reached the headquaters. With the weight of my knapsack and heavy wet pants, my legs was giving signs of 'STOP WALKING!' My walking style was like a person who was on crutches. We had a quick change into dry clothes and a quick lunch before we board our transport to continue our expedition.

So how did the mind over matter test go? I must admit that as much as we want to think the our own mind can influence our physical ability to push forward, in some situations it may not be possible. I am very close to giving up in reaching the summit. It was the last 200 meters that I told the mountain guides I will no longer move. But they pushed me to reach that very Summit of Mt. Kinabalu. My mental ability cannot influence my physical ability or vice versa. In other words, we do need someone else to tell us we can do it other than we tell ourselves we can do it.

Would I go through the test again? Yes I would, but maybe on a different scale.

The beginning..

There is a reason of our creation. But are we suppose to understand the reason? Does the reason comes with more pleasures or pain? Or can we choose?

I struggled most of the time to understand why things happen the way they happened. And if it is wrong, I tried so hard to make it right which I sometimes I think I am nuts...trying to be a saint perhaps. I've had friends telling me to learn to master the attitude of 'Don't bother'. I am beginning to think that I may be a saint in my past life but was never beatified. So maybe in this life I am on the run for that Sainthood status....wow! perhaps not....