Monday, December 10, 2007

I'm married - 05.12.2007

Oh yes I am. Oh yes we did.

The invitation card to our guests. Million thanks to Josephine, a lecturer in Design aka Christian's wife. Really lovely made. The ROM took place at 430pm. The family.
Like mother like daughter. Resemblance smile.
Like mother like mother-in-law. Resemblance smile, pose & attire.
Like boss like staff. Like sister??? Resemblance smile. For someone who believes in karma, my wife must have done great in her past life to have met a good boss (in many ways) in her present life.
We were the last couple of the day.
The heaviest downpour ever in the month. From Morning till 9pm. My colleague teased me that it is because I am so stingy! I refuted. Water brings $! Contingency plan invoked. All tables & chairs were to move into the building. And, I was having headache.
All the flower decoration within the dining premise is not from flourist. It's handmade by Jennifer, my wife's colleague. Simply gorgeous!


We have selected the finest wine for guests. Thanks to Grace again, and again and again...


to be cont... ZZzzz

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Singapore Marathon - 02.12.2007

Oops, I did it again! Yeah, without much preparation, I did not expect a good timing too.

Only manage to sleep for 1hr. Awaken by a call from office at 2am, and had to work for 2hr before I rushed out for the bus.



My legs lost the muscle power at 30KM mark (again). It took me 3hr+. Luckily, the will power was able took over.

The rest of the 12KM, 1hr40min. My mucles was between Cramp & Going-to-Cramp. Contraction was ON-&-OFF! Once I crossed the finishing line, the words surged to me... PAIN IS PLEASURE!


Hope other marathoners who I know have done well too!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Marathon. 再来一个!

Rwen sent us a motivation clip. Yeah, it's a good mental food. As good as Team Hoyt & 'The Marathon Boy' (left).

3 different story with different purposes on their own about why they do marathon.

Why did you do it? Why are you going to do it? Let's share our own version of story.


Me 1st in the comment box.

Monday, November 12, 2007

CanOrNaut?

In a recent news, our angkasawan have been regconized as 'Cosmonaut' by the Russian. The title is similar on how to obtain a 'Datuk'ship in Msia. Pay! My friend told me a joke recently.

... ...
In a classroom.
[Teacher]: In U.S, they call them Astronaut. In Russia, they call them cosmonaut. Can anyone tell me what do we call them back in our own Malaysia soil?

While the teacher is expecting the students to reply 'Angkasawan' as the word is more Malaysian...

[Students]: Huh? SureOrNaut?! CanOrNaut?!

It's the answer. It's the question either.
... ...

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Quote of the day

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.
~ Winston Churchill

It has the resemblance meaning to my blog's quote above. But, the word 'enthusiasm' stands out distinctively from Churchill's quote.

How do we create an enthusiasm after a failure to move forward? Tricky right.

I always aim high but expect the least. Or I call it pesimistically optimistic myself. I believe a hardworking pesimist would get a constant surprise from time to time. That's how I often get a 'surprise positive result' at the end of a project that had me enthused. Sound like I am able to con myself to move forward ;-)

Heck, as long as I buy my own trick...

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

5yr Service Awards

Can't believe that I have 'pledged my life' to my current company for such long.

What does this awards mean to me?
1. One-off SGD200 pocket money
2. Darn, time flies. (Time to change?)
3. If in average, my hair falls 200 a day, by now,
200 x 365 x 5 years x 5 (pressure factor) = 1.825mil fallen hairs.
Yes, Im balding... ;-( But, I don't give a damn ;-)

4. Very conservatively, assuming work 50hr per week, then
50hr x 52weeks x 5 year = 13,000hr - (720hr x5) (30days off annually) also ~22% I work in my life.

Say, I sleep 8hr a day, = 56hr per week.
168-56 = 112 my available hours.
112 x 52 x 5 = 29,120hr my available hours in 5yr.
[13,000hr - (720hr x5) ]/ 29,120 x 100 = 32.3% of my active life!

Worth it?

Anyway, what a milestone it is!

JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge NYC - 06.10.2007

The weather:
The weather was just nice on the running day. Cloudy and not too cold. It's a significant sign of global warming wherever I go.


The Goal:
One realistic goal - not to finish LAST! Not having any timing in mind to achieve as I did not run for months and I was very much in vacation mood. Worse, I was sick.


The Run:
I jogged through the 3.5miles but really not enjoy watching other runners overtook me like Ferraris. My 1st ever running experience with dry air and low humidity. It hurt my nasal system quite badly. My throat was uncomfortable with mild pain after the run.

The Result:
Most of them are serious runners. Just look at their timing. And, we got 34 out of 35 in our Mixed Team category ;-)



The Gallery:
1) The representatives from Singapore. HSBC, Singapore Army - SAFSA (ladies in RED) & SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE - Gurkha (gentlemen in BLUE). Backdrop is the Grand Central in NY. Equivalent to KL Sentral Msia.


2) The aftermath: Half dead face. Puffed hard even I just jogged through it. Start to feel the chill too.3)My teamates. We reached a consensus - the best part of this trip is the shopping experience!

Monday, October 08, 2007

New York Trip - 03.10.2007-12.10.2007

After a terrible experience with US embassy in sg, the horror continued at the US Custom. Me and my Indonesian colleague were held for an hr, being 'interrogated' at JFK airport. We were already tired with the jet-lag effect, so it really made me felt upset on how they treat on certain nationality. Halo, if not due to the invitation, I won't thk of going yo your country too!

Other than that, I really feel the courtesy of the organizer and the people in NYC. Yeah, courtesy. Say, when you ask for direction or you drop something, you can expect someone to give you a helping hand volunteerly. Everyone seems friendly. But, when day turns into night, it was my instinct to stay alert from any kind of crime. I don't feel safe at night.

Have to overcome the jet-lag on the 1st day. But, my team mates were already talking abt shopping. Words like 'Coach bag', 'True Religion', 'Ed Hardy', 'Abercombie & Fitch' kept being reiterated. Eventually, we went to shop at Woodbury warehouse. Absolutely fantastic shopping experience! And, Macy's deparment store too (The world's largest!) Tonnes of cheap branded stuff. 5-star recommendation!


Time Square at night: It is a MUST that every retail store to parade their brand in such vibrant ads. This area never sleep!

UN: This land area is owned by all the members in UN. Given by the US gov. No wonder US not shy to use their veto.


Underground Steaming System: It keeps the NYC warm. Reaching every neighbourhood.

Grand Central: Equivalent to KL Sentral but much better managed of course. The very beautiful Chrysler Building, once, the tallest building in the world before overtaken by the Empire State Building.

NYC Subway: The most sophisticated subway routes in the world. Cover almost every corner in NYC. But, the train & the statis looks rather out-fashion and a bit stuffy and smelly. Heck, as long as it brings the convinience.


Nobel Medal in UN: Special dedicated to TBK. Make sure you fulfill your promise ok!
Rockefeller Center: Equivalent to Suntec Singapore conceptually but far more larger in terms of vision and the size of development. Rich with history & vision. Can only feel it when you know more abt it.


NY Financial Center: View from Brooklyn side. The JP Morgan dinner was held in 1 of the tower in picture.


NYC Night View: From Empire State Building. Misty night.


Intercontinential Hotel: Nice. Sponsored by JP Morgan.
Statue of Liberty: Finally, I got to know why is it so special. History it is.


Empire State Building: Made famous by King Kong. In fact, that film rescured the building owner by making it a fame via the film. Full occupany after that.


Sky scrapers: Matchless in any other cities. Hardly feel the sunlight unless you are at the crossroad.
Parade of Sky scraper: Basically, that's the height of each building at each block in NYC.

Church in NYC: Each church is uniquely built by each nation along 5th Ave. Italy, Norway...


Time Square at dawn: Their never turn off the light.


Former Venue of World Trade Center: Paying tribute to this landmark... World Peace everyone! Imagining the magnitude of the destruction. All the buildings around it still undergoing repair.


It's an eye-opening trip indeed. A city rich with history. History of American entrepreneurship, American Dream, bold vision to develop the city, city of opportunity for all the post war immigrants. I have to admire how those people built this mega city.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

New York? New York??

Up to this moment, I still feel skeptic if I am going to make it to the New York flight or not. Thanks to the US embassy here. Due to 'unforeseen' reasons, they were yet to approve my visa until my sports club superior & team captain showed the quality of leadership to ask help directly from JP Morgan people to contact the embassy. Being told would get back my passport with visa tomorrow.

Keep the finger crossed.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

New York! New York!

[phone ring]
me: Hello IT.
eunice: Hi chongwah, are you free during 6/7oct?
me: Who's this?
eunice: Eunice ah. Running 1. So are you free?
me: [sounded cagey] yeah, should be ok. Y? Any running event that you need my service?
eunice: Are you interested to go to New York? For the JPMorgan run. Accom & flight all 'bao'.
... ... ...

We got 5th, and we are eligible to go? Yes in our case because all 4 teams in front of us have won in other category. So, after filtering... it's HSBC ;-)

What a late birthday gift! New York!? I never dream to go US for 1 reason -> expense in USD & yet to cover the whole SouthEastAsia. Furthermore, the date is just nice after my project release, and, before the OX mountaineering trip. Wonderful! New York New York! I'm coming!


JPMorgan Chase Singapore - 03.05.2007

The official result from JPMorgan Chase on 3 May.


The lesson is, if I really want a good timing in a short run event, I must position myself at the front pack to avoid the 'cavalry surge' at the start. It was a massive jam!



But didn't feel I got a strong legs that day. Not having a luxury time. Damn... I keep running, but just can't run away from work! Work always catch up.



Time of 23m43s; ~4.23min/km.




My SGD30 bib. Self funded.



Thursday, August 23, 2007

PJ Half – 11.08.2007

Pick up Grace and reached Stadium at 545am. Found a carpark easily. At the starting line, somehow, I was lucky to meet up with wan lin. He was actually holding a bib. Photo Tey is very kind to pass PM Saiful bib to him (as he can’t make it), and then to me. Else, I will run illegally again.



I know what lie ahead at the last 5km since I have not been running more than 15km this year. So, to mitigate the torture of cramp, I try to run slower. At least, the pain strikes me at last 3km. Cramp almost came to me too. Wanlin overtook me at last 1km. Thanks for the shouting encouragement buddy, but I was in pain la. Do not want to aggravate until it turns to a real injury.



1hr58min.



For quite some time, I never have such a hard time in running. Chest pain, knee pain, Achilles pain and heart beat harder. My body was steaming, I can feel my blood streaming thru my nerves so quick which is a good feeling too. Oxygen was a luxury. But, the finishing made me felt so great. To get over an ordeal, always make you have the extra reason to celebrate more.



Ok, my 1st 21km of the year… have to sustain the mileage though. Else, it would be meaningless to run today. Cant wait to release my project in mid Sep…




Many thanks again to Photo Tey.

Corporate Community Games 28.07.2007 - 29.07.2007

Thanks to Khong Lean for the write-up.


"We were blessed with a nice breezy weather on games day which was a welcome relief to the high humidity resulting from the afternoon showers from the previous days. A sweeping glance revealed that the runners from the various corporates were as diverse as you could imagine. From muscle-toned quadriceps to lean veteran running machines, the participants were all geared up to do their best. The race was a relay style where a team of 4 runners was each required to cover a distance of 2.5km around the Botanic Gardens. HSBC was the proud winner of the mixed-team category last year and we were determined to maintain that record. Our first runner, Simon Lu (CIB), was quick off the mark and came in 1st for his leg, passing the next leg to Eunice Yeo (HTV). Eunice did incredibly well to match the pace of other male runners and maintained our advantage. Our 3rd and 4th runner, Chong Wah (TSV) and Alen Sim (HTSG), gathered more steam and stormed ahead, eventually running out winners with a combined timing of 38:47 min. Once again, we managed to retain our championship position. The icing on the cake was that we managed to better the timing of the winners of the All Mens team".


*I clocked 9:27; 3.71min/km. It is a very nice star-fish like medal.




The route







The Team: (from left) xxx, Emmannuel, Khong Lean, fast-man Allen, ME, iron-man Simon (clocked under 9min!) and wonderwoman Eunice.


Continue another event on the next day and won the 3rd in badminton. The Team: (from left) xxx, Lazarus (my partner), PeiFun, beer-beater Pramodh, Captain Diana, Care Taker Calvin, single player Alphonsus and ME.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Looking back on what I had missed

The site starts accumulating spider webs...

Looking at the growing missing events, I can only sigh...
-Seremban Half Marathon
-Siemens 10k run
-Ipoh International Run
-Penang Bridge International Run
-NB15K

and counting...

Can't really do much as I am having a marathon of work myself. Towards the end now. Must make sure it ends successfully!


Thursday, May 31, 2007

Captain rings the bell... OX Annual Mountaineering Trip 2007

OX Annual Mountaineering Trip 2007 - Announcement

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Dear all,
Kindly to remain you that our annual mountaineering trip will fall on 12.Oct.07 to 15.Oct.07 (4 day 3 night). Our destiniation will be G.Yong Yap & Gunung Bubu(Mt Table & Chair) via Pos Brooke. If you wise to join us, pls apply your leaveor make yourself FIT enough for the trip.Yeap I know is still early, hope you can prepare for it and I will update youon ealy of september 07. see you there and we share our glory and enjoy ourfriendship at summit of G.Yong Yap.

" There is no same mistake what we did last year. More info pls log on to here "

Year 2000 : Gunung Korbu & Gayong (G.Gayong Mission Fail)
Year 2001 : Gunung Yong Yap via Kuala Mu (Perak)
Year 2002 : Gunung Ulu Sepat
Year 2003 : Trans Banjaran Titiwangsa via Cameron (Mission Fail end up we around G.Yong Belar)
Year 2004 : G. Chamah (Only 4 member attempt summit, Tan Boon Keat, Oah Ai Ling, Ng Geok Wah & Chua Rho Wen)
Year 2005 : Initial target Gunung Chamah Mission Fail end up with Gunung Batu Putih!
Year 2006 : Trans Banjaran Titiwangsa via Tanjung Rambutan => Mission FAILED!!!
Year 2007 : GUNUNG YONG YAP GUNUNG BUBU VIA POS BROOKE (LOJING HIGHLAND / KELANTAN )


Best rgds,
Chai Kam Meng
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+


I heard your summon Captain. My ass will be there!

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Nike Air Pegasus

The award winning shoes NIKE AIR PEGASUS! Bought it at SGD104. Retail price in Malaysia is RM350.

Verdict: Put it on today and ran along Esplanade for about 9KM. Feel that sole is too high and my feet went numb and sore after 6KM. Perhaps it's still new. Perhaps, my feet never fit Nike shoes. Perhaps, it needs time to understand my feet and vice versa.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

OX AGM cum Cameron Steamboat Trip - 07.04.2007

<唯我独尊>
On the way to Gunung Cantik, the tree stands still in the middle of the tea farm. It was a misty morning.


百花争艳
Flowers with vibrant color are here and there. The best match up with the greenish Cameron.

百菜争桌
The steamboat ingredients. All fresh!

夜里,宿舍外的朦胧美。。。
A misty night. Yet, the temperature was cosy.


日光下的宿舍四周
Sunny day around the MNS chalet.

A relax excursion I would say. My 3rd time to have stay in the same chalet. Cosy and wonderful surrounding. It happened to be OXians AGM too.