The Passing of A Man Worth The Respect

You know how you always hear that life is short, without fail, usually after someone's death? It is indeed true but instead of just mourning, it actually triggers you to self-reflect. Am I wasting my life, am I taking things and people for granted, am I doing what is right, etc...

 

That's what happened recently. JS' grandpa passed away due to dengue fever. Very sudden and unexpected. Many got shocked. He was a very strong and healthy 82 years old man. And seemed like this virus strain is so strong and potent that grandpa lost the battle within 4 days time. Grandpa left us on Christmas Day.

 

Even JS' foster mom got affected too and is now still in the hospital, fighting dengue. Her platelet count dropped to 5,000 this morning. This worries everyone especially since grandpa had passed away due to dengue. Fingers crossed that there will only be one funeral.

 

That only makes me feel lucky and grateful that we managed to make trip to JB earlier this month. We almost couldn't make it but we did it at last. At least we managed to chat with them and it was quite a fun session... making noodles and fish balls. Everything home made. And it feels so homely and close knit together. And also the breakfast session.

 

 

 

But the assuring thing is that grandpa passed away in the loving company of his family. Everyone made it back though some were flying in from Australia and UK. At least grandpa didn't have to go through very long suffering before bidding farewell to the world for that. Thank God for that.

 

Hope JS' foster mom will recover soon. Things doesn't look bright but as long as we still harbor some hopes, everything is still possible.

 

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013

Joined 10km marathon. Despite lesser training session, I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this round. Maybe it's because I didn't set any target time. So I was quite relaxed, up to the point where I just jog before and after the bridge. On the bridge, I was practically just walking. I think the weather is good and coupled with many people jogging ahead of me, it provided a boost of determination for me.

 

Jogging is always a pain in the ass for me, that's how much I dreaded jogging. To me, jogging required a great deal of mental strength and persistence. I am always more willing to hike than to jog. Maybe because during hiking, I have no choice but to continue till the peak. Whereas for jogging, I can always shorten my rounds of jogging.

 

Anyway, after I had completed my run, I queued up for 100 Plus and Simplot hash brown. Was walking around and bumped into my usual gang. What a small world. They were all taking up half marathon while I was the only one taking 10km, which led to this conversation:

 

Cheah: Pheo, you are the lousiest amongst us. Next year, take half.

Pheo: Can, if you register full, I will take half.

 

Never in my mind have I thought that I will fall into the trap that easily. I remembered vividly that I have clearly declared that 10km is my max. However, if the running situation is like this round, I wouldn't mind to challenge myself for 21km.

 

2013 PBIM result

RANK : 1027th / 5209

Chip Time : 01 HR 26 MIN 16.63 SEC

Gun Time : 01 HR 28 MIN 48.94 SEC

5KM SPLIT : 00 HR 40 MIN 03.16 SEC

2012 PBIM result



I remembered that my clocked time in 2011 was around 70 minutes. And King Kong gave me a treat at Kenny's Roger for that, such a nice guy.

 

It was such a pleasant surprise to know that I managed to run slightly better than 2012. As for 2014... maybe I really should go for half marathon. But definitely, I will never ever contemplate full marathon. Wouldn't want to torture myself up to that point.

Don't Pee On The Golf Course

Another funny story shared by a friend via email:

 

A little old lady was walking down the street dragging two large plastic garbage bags behind her. One of the bags was ripped and every once in a while a $20 note fell out onto the sidewalk. Noticing this, a policeman stopped her.

 

Police: Ma'am, there're $20 bills falling out of that bag.

 

Lady : Oh really? Darn it! I'd better go back and see if I can find it. Thanks for telling me officer.

 

Police: Well, now, not so fast. Where did you get all that Money? You didn't steal it, did you?

 

Lady : Oh, no, no. You see, my back yard is right next to a golf course. Many golfers come and pee through a knot hole in my fence, right into my flower garden. It used to really tick me off. Kills the flowers, you know! Then I thought, why not make the best of it? So now, I stand behind the fence, real quiet, with my hedge clippers. Every time some guy sticks this thing through my fence, I surprise him, grab hold of it and say 'O.K., buddy. Give me $20, or off it comes!'

 

Police: Well, that seems only fair (laughing). O.K., good luck. Oh, by the way, what's in the other bag?

 

Lady : Oh, not everybody pays, you know. 

 

Ouch, that must have hurt, not to mention permanent loss of one of the joy of life! Before this story, it had never occurred to me that golfers will need to pee while on the golf course. I learn new thing today. It sounds logical since golf course is so big, especially if they are in the middle of a game.

Faith, Persistence and Diligence

I almost or shall I say, was pretty sure I am going to make that decision until I read a post by Lifehack in Fb.

Effort is needed. I will try it. Guess MY would have been bored by now too. Need to pick up my life first before making the final decision.

Let's hope I can persist longer.

  

Enough with that, something lighter...

Never fails to make me smile:) Wonderful!

   And what do you feel about the phrase "Silence is Golden?"

 

Ya, all jumbled up posts... just how it should be, describing my jumbled up mind for the moment. I will rebound, I know that *wink wink*

 

Hacking

Recently Anonymous had threatened to hack Singapore's system after a new rule which impinges on media right was passed (Singapore keeps a very close watch on its media all this while). So when I read about hacking in Fortune September edition, I felt tempted to share it here as well... Just a free-and-easy read...

 

WHILE YOU WERE OUT column

by Stanley Bing

 

Me Talk Stupid One Day

All it took was one careless click, and my Twitter account was hijacked by a clone.

 

HEY THERE. HELLO! Me am counterfeit Stanleybing1@twitter.com. Me hijacked real Stanley Bing Twitter feed about two days ago. Me took he handle and put he picture up just like real Stanley Bing, whoever he is. and now everybody who follow real Stanley Bing think him me and me him and that the way I like it! 'Cause I gotta lotta things to sell all the followers of real Stanley Bing. But that not me! I am clone! Proud clone! It is good to be clone!

 

You may ask how stupid StanleyBing1 gain access to smart real Stanley Bing? Because real Stanley Bing stupid too! He click on message that say, "Hey, Stanley, this is Steve. Somebody is writing a nasty blog about you." Stanley Bing paranoid. He click. He let me in. Here I am! Proud clone! Ha ha ha!

 

You may ask where I live? I no tell. They got plenty pizza there and beer and electricity in wall. That's all me need to live. Plug in wall. Bunch of bots to excrete. We got a party!

 

Okay, you see the way I write you here, and I bet you think I some kind of dummy. You right, 100%. I dumb terminal, spitting out nonsense. Most of what I say computer-generated. Random English, spoke by pigeons, hah! But who care? I got linx. Links! Many, many interesting links.

 

For instance, perhaps you want you penis to be bigger. Who don't, if they got one. Click on me and I get that for you. Also one-tenth of one American cent every time you click. Lots of people want big penis. Big penis mean big money for bots! Think how surprised all followers of real Stanley Bing are to get that message, huh? Make me wanna laugh! Ha ha ha!

 

Helping stuff like that not the only info I got. Some people need better romance, and how. Hubba hubba. So I also very, very busy telling all real Stanley Bing's friends and followers where to get little blue pill of some kind. Also organic herbal remedies that do same thing. GUARANTEED to make your partner happy! That nice. Even bots like happy. And organic.

 

I also very big expert on eyeglasses for some reason. Always shooting out important messages about cheap eyeglasses. Click here to save money on eyeglasses! Or here! How about over here?! Lots and lots and lots of 'em, every couple hours more eyeglass frames at VERY GOOD PRICES. Only thing I can guess is that Stanley Bing's Twitter people need help to get more sexlove and see better too.

 

So life is good! I having very good time talking to all Stanley Bing people and offering all the good merchandise and helping things from world of medicine and herbal food additives that are good for you and NOT AVAILABLE IN ANY STORE. I be very please to do this all day every day 24/7 day after day after day it is great to be Stanleybing1@twitter.com! Come visit! Follow me! Not him!

 

Except something not right. Somebody coming. What? Who? No! They here! Hey! Stop! Poking me! Yanking at my itty-bitty brain! Messing around in my guts! Ow! What? Help! Help! I don't want to dieeee...

 

Hello, everybody. This is me. The real Stanley Bing. I know it's hard to prove it. My picture is the same as that idiot's. The experience of being hacked is weird. It's like a piece of you just got chopped off and left to go floating somewhere in the digital stream. It's my fault. I clicked. He was born. Fortunately, I was able to convince the food folks at Twitter that the twit was not me. He is dead or perhaps back in his bot farm, drooling a bit whole looking at catalogues for Viagra knockoffs. The good news is that in order for a vampire to enter your home, you have to invite him in. I don't intend to do so ever again. One fake persona is enough for me.

 

Reminds of Vampire Diaries. In order for a vampire to enter your home, you need to invite it in. Back to the story... just be careful before you decide to click on whatever things which intrigues you online.

 



Things You Can't Recover

The stone... after the throw.
The word... after it's said.
The occasion... after it's missed.
The time... after it's gone.

Can I add in a few more?

The relationship... after it's broken.
The friendship... after it's tarnished.
The trust... after it's betrayed.
The mood... after it's spoilt.

So much for sounding so negative, huh?

Late Night Outpouring Thoughts

Lost...
The Secret says not to have any doubt.
But I am doing just that.
Wanting to do this and that, but doubting every single step.

No motivation, no kick, no drive.
New Zealand working holiday?
Moving in another stage of life?
Or just stay in Penang?

Focused in career?
Find my old self?
There is some truth in the old adage...
Things never change, but we look at things differently as we grow.

Wanting to slow things down,
But can I stop my wild thoughts and sudden desire to travel?
To play? To try this and that? To be selfish?
Without worrying too much?

Surrendering to the wandering lust?
Without having to worry what lies ahead?
So many question marks and doubts.
What kind of signal is this?

Am I creating this thought by myself?
By not being positive enough?
By making myself anxious for no particular reason?
Why am I craving for so much attention all of a sudden?

Crapping all the way when all I wanted to do is just to keep quiet.
Feels so wrong all of a sudden... the current situation.
Frown less, smile more.
Think less, do more.

Oh gosh, what do I want?
I can't be more specific, because I don't know what I want.
Can I just stay couped up at home?
Not diligently keeping in touch with the outside world?

Even if I managed to talk myself into doing that,
How long can my feet and heart stay still?

Listening to Lite FM helps.
More like a companion on such a late night.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Such was the comfort of music, jazz specifically.

Family is still the best.
Mom provides the most comfortable feeling in her presence.
To know that she will always be there for me.
But how to pour all these out to her?

When I don't even know what I want?
The old me is so firm and clear of what she wants.
Having set some goals to achieve.
And now? Been wanting to do too much, but without actions.

What you know, believe or learn,
Is of no importance,
If you don't put them into practise.
So true!

Blog is where I can vent vaguely yet allowing me to feel slightly better.
Especially when I don't feel like talking much.
Or when I don't have someone to talk to.
When I don't have that someone whom I feel that I can share my anxiety, uncertainty, insecurity.

28. Many will say I have quite an achievement.
I will attribute that to my mentors and mom.
They made me who I am today.
But I am not really who everyone thinks I am.

Motivation, discipline...
Something I need to work harder on.
Determination, strong will to work hard.
Even more effort needed.

Oh, come on!
Set your direction, whatever it is.
And stay put with it.
Stop doubting it.

PTPTN Loan Cleared!

Previously I have proudly mentioned about my PTPTN loan status HERE, and now I am even prouder to know that I have managed to clear off my PTPTN loan. Now I have one debt lesser from my list. I don't know if this has anything to do with Law of Attraction (click HERE) or not, but I know that ever since I was in uni, I'd already told myself that I must clear off my PTPTN loan, though I didn't set a time-frame for that.

 

Thanks to government's initiative to offer 20% discount on the outstanding loan balance before 30 September 2013, I managed to save up RM2k++. I'd never thought that I will use up my savings to clear off the PTPTN loan. In fact when I first heard of it, it never even crossed my mind to do that. Because I still haven't manage to build my own emergency fund of 6 months pay, which was always being recommended by financial planners.

 

So did I even manage to do that? Well, I just had this sudden thought in one single morning when I woke up and then I tried to check out the procedures required. Happened that it is quite simple. And happened that JY and GT was contemplating the same too. I just had to call up PTPTN office to email me the Surat Pengesahan Baki to confirm how much loan balance I need to clear after the given 20% discount. Lesser waiting time because I have a friend who waited quite long at the PTPTN office just to get the letter.

 

Next, just need to go to the PTPTN office to make the full lump sum payment. You need to pay full sum in order to qualify for the 20% discount. Even if you pay several times within a week and managed to clear the loan, you won't get the 20% discount because admin charges might be incurred if the payment was received beyond statement date. You can pay via cash, or bank draft or cheque. You can even make online payment.

 

But since GT is paying it in the PTPTN office and he was kind enough to help me pay, I just passed him the cash in envelope. And I was thinking that I can immediately get the Surat Pelepasan Hutang to indicate that I no longer owe PTPTN. But in the end we still need to wait for at least a month for the Surat Pelepasan Hutang due to the overwhelming response from public to clear off the debt in order to take advantage of the 20% discount offered.

 

Well, I need to build back my savings but it is such a big relief and satisfaction to know that I can strike a debt off my list.

Law of Attraction

I am trying to resume my reading routine though it was a bit messy currently. But at least I started somewhere. I would like to share an interesting part from The Secret. Have you heard about Law of Attraction? When I first heard about it, I couldn't agree more. It may talk about a lot more but I would like to sum it up in one word, FAITH. 3 steps is all you need:

 

1. ASK

Ask yourself what you want. Set a clear goal. Better if it can be measurable and quantified.

 

2. BELIEVE

Believe that it is going to happen. Believe that it is already happening.

 

3. RECEIVE

Feel good when you receive it. You might need some action to manifest it but it should be an action to receive, not an action to make it happen.

 

You may not really understand what I am writing here, but if this intrigues you, go ahead and read The Secret or search YouTube for the short video to get some idea.

 

So after these 3 steps, how will things happen? Universe will align itself to match your thoughts. So remember, thoughts become things and you are the master of your own thoughts. Affirmative thoughts are always much stronger than negations. So you will attract things to happen the positive way if you practice the 3 steps above. And it is none of your business to know how will the Universe align itself to your wish. I like this short excerpt below:

 

Think of a car driving through the night. The headlights only go a hundred to two hundred feet forward, yet you can drive it all the way through a two thousand feet journey through the dark, because all you have to see is the next two hundred feet.

 

That's how life unfolds before us. If you trust that the next two hundred feet will unfold after that, and the next two hundred feet will unfold after that, your life will keep unfolding. And you will reach destination in the end, just because whatever it is you truly want, you get it because you want it.

 

Well written, don't have to think too far but you can visualize the outcome. From there, you just need to take things one at a time with your goal clear in mind. And wahlah.... the Law of Attraction works each time, with unwavering faith.

To Be Eight Again

Another joke about how man and woman interpret thing differently. Can't help it, huh? I don't know if it's due to my current life or if it's really funny, but I really laughed out loud silently in the office when reading this... Hope you find this funny too as I do think that it helps to remind me to take things easy....

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching his wife, who was looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off, he asked what she would like to have for her birthday.

 

"I'd like to be eight again," she replied, still looking in the mirror.

 

On the morning of her birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Coco Pops, and then took her to Adventure World theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Roller Coaster, everything there was. Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.

 

Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure!

 

Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted.

 

He leaned over his wife with a  big smile and lovingly asked, "Well Dear, what was it like being eight again?"

 

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed, "I meant my dress size, you RETARD!"

 

The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he is going to get it wrong.