Fruit Of The Day

Ciplaking/copycating SK's post this time. He talked about eating watermelons to cool down in the hot weather we are experiencing right now.

For me, I've been craving for a different fruit. SK ate half a watermelon (@.@!) and I ate half of a pineapple after lunch.

What's left of the pineapple. Sliced nicely and sprinkle asam boi on top. Heavenly! Maybe I'll have some guava tomorrow? ^^

But of course, I'll still eat my banana. One banana each day makes toilet visits smooth and easy! Bwahaha... Oh! It's great energy food too.

Maybe I'll buy a big watermelon to share with son and hubby this weekend.

I Walked This Run

Today’s Standard Chartered Fun Run was held in conjunction of the “Himpunan Sejuta Belia” or Millions of Youth Gathering event. The best part of this run was it’s FREE! Instead of joining my age group and do 5K Women Senior, decided to go for 8K Women Open. This is part of my “training” for SCKLM in June konon-kononnya. I know I have this resolution of not doing anything less than 10K this year, but again – this is a FREE run! We love free stuff! Also, the month of May saw me doing two runs (the other one was the Larian Bomba on May 6th) instead of one; because 1. it’s free 2. it’s in Putrajaya.

Weeks after registering for the run, I seriously had doubts running it. For one, it starts at 8.00am and I was very much ready to DNS it. Do you know how hot it is at 8.00am now? Secondly, the route was in the shadeless Putrajaya. Again, it’s hot and without shades. OK, so I’m used to running at that time in Putrajaya on weekends but those were slow runs. Plus I usually start at 7.00am and finish by 8.30am. It’s not easy to run let alone race while getting baked under the sun! I always come back looking like a “kuda belang” if I did a late morning run there.

Hence, the full compression wear I decided to don for the Fun Run. I feel a bit “poyo” wearing it for a short 8K run, but as Zaini said – who cares about what others think. My comfort should be priority. By the way, this was actually taken after the Run. ^^

Back to the Fun Run. Collected my race kit the week before. Race kit collection was painless enough. Very straightforward but getting to the race kit collection site was a nightmare! It was the day Kelantan FC had a match with Sime Darby FC at Stadium Bukit Jalil and the roads and the surrounding area were jam packed with a sea of Kelantan supporters, all decked in red. Traffic jam!

 The starting line for 8K

The sea of people running 8K this morning. Can you spot me? I hyperventilated about which running vest to wear for this run days before the run. Why? For obvious reason - to make sure Zaini can spot me in any huge crowd and then, I can spot myself in the photos! LOL (psst... look for a pink cap) ^^ Anyhoo, you know you are not serious about a race when you care more about what to wear than whether you can actually run the race. ha!

Started the run with... a walk. Cannot run lah. Way to many people in front of me. I started at the back because by the time we got to the park at Presint 4, it was about 4 minutes before the flag-off. When lah I want to learn to be early to a race site?

3K Costume Run participants. They have my respect and admiration. I can hardly jog under the scorching sun and they are running in the heat in costumes? Salute, man. By the way, just look at the boy's expression looking at those happily "weird" runners. kakaka

The starting line for the Costume Run. Got Naruto. Got Pocahontas. Got Kermit. Got sami/monk. Spongebob also came (Patrick was MIA. kakaka) Saw Jessie of Toy Story somewhere.

 

 Costume Run runners sprinting towards the finish line.

 

and here's me, faking a run. I was already prepared for a slow timing for this run. Did I mention that the day was HOT? I can't deal with heat. Anyhoo, decided not to push it and get a heatstroke doing it. That's why I ran with my water bottle today. So I ran at a pace of 6:00 for the first 3K. Walk up the PICC hill. Jog down. Pushed a bit on the flat ground. Walk when there were inclines though I did push a bit going up the Seri Gemilang Bridge but stopped and walk halfway despite the many photographers there. (I usually pretend to run whenever I see photographers. haha) A combo of warm-up run (since I didn't do it prior to the start), walk, drink, jog, run, walk and smile smile at photogs for an overall of 7min pace for this 8K run. 56minutes 13 seconds. Slow, easy and "toasted". At least I won't be needing to take an MC on Monday to recover from this! LOL

After the run, we walked all the way up to the Ministry of Finance checking out the booths that were set-up along the route for the Himpunan Sejuta Belia event. There's even a Sasuke area set-up. It's yet to open when we were there this morning though. Would be fun seeing contestants doing it.

Plenty of youths about. There is a scout jamboree by the lakeside, so plenty of scouts going about. Youths "rempit"ing on motorbikes and bicycles too. Plenty of booths to suit everyone and the area (Presint 2 - 4, all 6K of it) will sure be packed by noon! Tomorow would be the last day of this Himpunan Sejuta Belia and there'll be an ekiden run tomorrow. Whose entering?

Next run : SCKLM Half Marathon on June 26th.

Is That All?

That's what the lady at my favourite Nasi Campur (mixed rice) stall would ask when she saw what I'd get for my lunch.

Here's the thing. I like my red meat. But generally I don't take it when I'm buying mix rice. Either I cook the meat myself or it's prepared a certain way (think yakiniku, steak, the likes). Fish - I love, but then again, for mix rice choice, I only eat catfish.

Chicken, meh. So choosy kan? Haha

My usual choice would be tempeh, ikan bilis and lots and lots of vege. Sometimes, because I got a bit "malu" at the stall lady since my tapau'ed lunch is so cheap (think RM3.50-RM4.50), I'd add more vege so it won't be too cheap. heh heh

And I always, always put kuah masak lemak on my rice. How lah to lose weight like that? All that santan for 5 days a week! @.@

p.s. Rurousha - if you must know, that's sambal ikan bilis (anchovies cooked in chilli paste & belacan) and nangka masak lemak (jackfruit cooked in yellow coconut gravy) and a dollop of sambal belacan!

Like Father, Like Son

Need I say more?

At least they are doing this sitting down and not while walking around. Mommy? As always, Mommy when out and about, likes to kay-poh-chee and people watch. Then, she blogged about it. heh heh

Compromise

It's the mid-year exam week for Raimie this week!

Anyway, he asked us to get him a few more bottles of colours for his art&craft home projects. We got them, but put a condition to it.

We bought more revision books for him to do and he got a set of Buncho poster colours. He wants acrylic paint, but we'll splurge on those once he shows that he can do well in his exams.

Drawing, colouring and arts&crafts after studies, OK Son?

And oh yeah, about that handphone - we'll talk about it later. Say, when you are 18? kekeke

Can't Be Bothered

You arrived at the cashier counter. Look at the screen for the items that the cashier scanned. You saw an item with a price higher that what was shown on the store aisle. Have you ever experienced this? What reaction did you usually get from the cashier?

It irked me when some of them just brush it off with "ala kak, itu barang lain tu kak" trans : that must have been for a different item. No effort on checking the price or even apologise afterwards when we insisted on her checking on the price. Usually, all that was aked was " so, do you want the item or not"?

Plus I hate how some hypermarts now only show the deduction of promotional items at the end of the receipt. So when the item was scanned it showed the full price and the deduction was made afterwards. You really have to have good mental arithmetic skill or go over the receipt after paying for it, and if there's a dispute; bring it over to Customer Service. So mah fan!

And oh! By the way, I do make a point of looking at the screen for every s.i.n.g.l.e item scanned. Just can't trust retailers updating their pricing list nowadays. :(

Nasi Kandar Time

Lately, the highlight of Friday is eating Nasi Kandar. I don't have any run/jog scheduled for Fridays so this is the day (or rather night) to enjoy a leisurely and rather sinful dinner. If it's not Nasi Kandar then we might head to a nearby restaurant for a spot of banana leaf rice. A healthy, slimming food they certaintly are NOT! kakaka

 What to choose, what to choose? Squid? Crab? Prawn?

One of the few times I'll eat chicken. Raimie & his Mommy loves the Ayam Masak Kicap. Plus, kuah campur please! ^^

Raimie's Mommy is such a glutton, she usually requests for a bigger rice serving because it's simply finger licking good. And yes, since we eat using our fingers, we do lick them. hohoho

Occasionally, Daddy would order Sup Kambing (mutton soup). Pergh!

Will we eat them tonight? Maybe not because Mommy had an early "craving" and insisted on eating Nasi Kandar on Wednesday night. So a day off from running on Wednesday night due to this! Totally worth it! Sometimes... ;p

It's Been A While

Since we had a Japanese meal. If I'm not mistaken the last one we had was in December 2011. In Kawasaki. Ahaks!

For Mother's Day last weekend, we had lunch at one of our favourite Japanese outlet in Bandar Baru Bangi. It's a bit far for most people I guess and it doesn't have friendly hours. The place only opens from 11.30am to 2.30pm for lunch and 5.30pm to 9.30pm for dinner. But if you are in the area and you like Japanese food, I highly recommend this place.

Be prepared for many angles shot here! Hahaha

All excited to be eating Japanese food again.

Just ocha for us. One of the few places left that serves it FOC. Cold for the boys and hot for Mommy. Always. You know you got good service when your glass of tea got filled up without you realising it. Plus a staff came quickly to me when I was staring at the day's special board to take my order without me so much as glancing at anyone.

Raimie's nigiri sushi & udon set. All this for just RM30.00.

 Udon close-up

 Sushi close-up

Sluuurrrrrpppppp!!!!

 Daddy had the chicken katsu kare set. Just RM23.00.

Japanese curry rice's close-up. ^^

 

What Mommy chose for lunch. Sashimi & yakiniku set. Mommy just had to eat the most expensive amongst her family! LOL

Mommy is a red-meat lover so of course she prefers beef over chicken. Excellent sashimi. Almost melt in your mouth pieces.

There are chawan mushi served too, and mochi for desserts. Totally good value, right?

Love this simmered fish cheek that was served in all the sets too. It's simmered for a long time that you can just chew and eat everything, bones and all! Love, love, love it!

For Mommy Dearest

It's my day and the boys really were awesome this Mother's Day weekend. Love them. Muaks! 

Though I'd settle for a kiss on  Mother's Day, the boys (that's the adult and the kiddo, if you must know) surprised me with a great weekend.

I wasn't expecting anything so did my usual routine on Saturday morning i.e. go out for a late morning run. Did just 11K instead of 13K because it was too darn hot (and I wimped out) to brave the 9.00am morning sun. Went back, had peanut butter sandwich with the boys for breakfast and did a thorough house cleaning. I think everything was finished by 11.00am. After showering, Zaini told me to get ready because we need to go check-in somewhere. Ooooo a surprise staycation. Wasn't that nice? ^^

Don't you just drool at this?

Before checking-in at our "usual" in town, hotel-of-choice; we stopped by Restoran Miyagi in Bandar Baru Bangi for lunch. A highly recommended place for a good, affordable and feels-like-eating-in-Japan meal. You know it's good when there are Japanese people eating there. More drool worthy photos later.

Had a lovely lunch there, and we got to the hotel at 2.00pm. A bit of glitch at the hotel as the room we wanted wasn't ready yet. We were given the option for another room and allowed to change if we didn't like that room. Well, no surprise there. We didn't (I didn't) like the room and insisted for the room that we requested earlier i.e king bed + pool view. Waited for about an hour before we finally made our way to our room.

Raimie wasted no time attacking the fruit platter and making himself comfy on the bed and doing things that he isn't allowed to do at home. Eat in bed and watch TV in bed!

Mother's Day completed with a meal at Secret Recipe because Mommy was hankering for some Assam Laksa. No Assam Laksa devoured but Mommy had Singapore Laksa instead.

Now, where can one get a decent Assam Laksa in KL nowadays?

p.s. How am I going to top this up for Father's Day?

Why Should I?

A continuation of the Why Don't Yous earlier. Nope, I'm not in a bad mood today. And this is not a rant. Just a Saturday morning rambling. Ahaks!

This weekend Qs of why should I?

Why should I buy an expensive handbag?

Some say it's so fulfilling to own one of the designer's handbag. And they say that once you own one, you'd never go back to normal handbags again. Plus, you want more. You'll acquire more.

Well, I find my fulfillment elsewhere.

But if it makes someone happy (and provided they can well afford these overpriced item), by all means indulge. Judging by the hordes at Coach, LV, Burberry, etc here at the Gardens Mall, Malaysian women are sure indulging! And well-heeled enough to afford them. Bravo I say!

For me, a 70% off, RM200.00 Elle bag or rather a Bonia or Sembonia bag do just fine for me.

No need to take pity on me sporting a no class bag. I rather spend two weeks in Japan than splurge it on a bag anyway. But that's just me.

Though sometimes I find it annoying having to justify myself to some "well-meaning" friends and colleagues who worry about my state of luxury-less handbags. Thank you for caring. If you care so much, I'll let you know my birthday is on the Sep 23rd. Just saying. Ha! 

All Tired Out

How can spending just a few hours at the CRW (cardiology rehabilitation ward) be so tiring? Really.

Father-in-law got admitted yesterday at Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Nothing serious (I think), but he needs monitoring. If all goes well, he should be back home on Monday.

Evening visits tomorrow, I guess. Plus on Saturday and Sunday too.

Get well soon, Abah!

The Why Don't Yous

I don't know why some of us never think twice telling others what they should or shouldn't do, despite not knowing each other well and quick to ask the "Why Don't You" questions when someone doesn't do things like you do.

Don't get offended if your "Why Don't You"s to me gets you a cold shoulder or a stinging answer. I don't suffer fools gladly.

Why Don't You Get  A Better Car?

Why? You plan to pay for it? What's wrong with our 7-year old car anyway? What's the need for better/flashier car? To show off when we go "balik kampung"?

Can I ask you "Why don't you buy a car fitting to your financial status" instead? Especially when you whine about not being able to make ends meet and bitching about the company because the company pays you a "measly" salary?

Why Don't You Buy A Landed House? Apartments aren't comfortable

You go on live in your terraced house (barricaded, if I might add) and I go on living in my cheap apartment. Deal?

Why Don't You Have Another Child

Why don't you? Oh? You are too old? Well, don't you think I have my reasons too? Oh, you are offended? Have you ever stop to think that you might offend me too? No. Oh.

Have another one lah... at least got spare

Children are like spare parts, is it? One gone and you can easily replace with another?

Why Don't You Cook? Learn To Cook lah!

Just because I never invite you to come to my house to eat, doesn't mean I can't cook. And just because my husband doesn't want me to go all tired and "kelam-kabut" cooking and eating late dinners on weekdays and eat out instead, doesn't mean I cannot cook!

You can cook? What do you know to cook?

Why do you want to know? I am not interested to be your daughter-in-law.

Why Don't You Go To Gym. Don't be lazy. See, I lost a lost of weight recently, going to gym

Ooooooo I'm lazy ah? I guess clocking 40-50KM of mileage weekly does constitute as being lazy as I'm not doing the hip thing as going to the gym for my workout.

You continue with your elliptical machine workouts and I continue with my run. OK? Anyways, good for you to learn the word cardio recently. Do you know what it means?

Why Don't You Chill?

I love to chill but I can't stand you telling me what I should or shouldn't do especially when it doesn't affect you!

This, folks, is today's rant. An accumulation of "Why Don't You"s to me, and this rant was triggered by this:

You still jog? Why Don't You Cycle Instead Of Jog? I think it's better.

Why should I?

Should I ask you "Why Don't You Do Something About Your Beer Belly" instead?

But I won't because it's none of my business.

But thank you for caring.

It's A Drill

Just two weeks after the ENR 2012 that was a dismal affair for me, it's time to the Larian Bomba; a run in conjunction of the World/International Firefighter's Day which falls on May 4th.

Instead of going for the Women Veteran category (which unfortunately I already am. hu~) and run 7k, I decided to use this run as a training run. Drill run. Training run means 10K and 10K at the Bomba Run falls under the Women Open category. I'm up against younger girls for the limited 120 medals on offer!

But I decided early on, I'm not going to go all-out, all serious, all technical with this run. Nope. Just going for a happy, happy fun run and made sure I made it early enough to at least get the 120th position. kakaka

Woke up late despite setting the alarm early. I didn't even remember waking up to switch off the alarm! @.@ So got up at 5.40am, and only headed out at 6.20am. We parked nearby the Muzium Kesenian Islam and walked to Dataran Merdeka. As usual, the walk was my warm-up.

Arriving Dataran Merdeka, first order of business - take lots of photos. So be prepared for a photo overload in this post.

Before entering the corral. Note that I took off my Larian Bomba shirt and wear my orange running vest. I cannot wear baggy shirt for my run. Too uncomfortable!

Still got time for playing around - got in the corral 30 minutes before flag-off. No, it wasn't because I wanted to start right in front. I stayed in the middle, mindful that I am not a fast runner to start way up front.

The starting line for category A, B, C

Can't recall who was the Yang Berhormat who went up that crane for our flag-off. Flag-off was on time at 7.30am.

Us runners willingly being shepherded into the corral. The 10K runners in all categories (men open, men jr veteran, women open)

Start! I should've shown a happier face but I was munching a tablet. Waking up late, I didn't have much for a breakfast. Didn't even drink much either. But maybe it was a good thing since I didn't need a toilet pit-stop before the run. But I'll get hungry so I needed that energy tablet to replace the breakfast I missed.

Started off a bit too strong, and faced inclined for the first 3K. Of course, when there is up, there's down too. 

As always during a run, I got a tad annoyed at runners who threw their empty bottles into the drain. These runners, who all look like seasoned runners; only care about their health and not the planet's? Come on people, throw them at the water station lah, where there are rubbish bags lying around. Or leave it by the roadside. Don't throw them into the drain! You can be a contributor for the flash flood you know since you are a source of clogged drains and rivers that are full of rubbish!

While Mommy went out having fun, Raimie got hungry. Mommy had promised a McD breakfast for him after the run but as he cannot wait, Daddy took him there for his breakfast.

Almost at the finish line. It was well over an hour, and Zaini remarked that he thought I was gonna do a two-hour run for this 10K! Gotta love him for his confidence in me! LOL

Always, always smile for the camera! Despite wanting to "pangsai" desperately. Hahaha

Very clear, very smooth, very organised finish line. Well,not only the finish line. The whole race was great! 

Anyways, got my placing card and then it's off to collect my certificate and medal. Yes! I got one of the limited medals! yeay me!

B1031 placing. Not top 15. Crazy ah want to gun for top 15? Top 50 and I am very, very happy already. Furthermore it's Women Open ye... Women Open, 18 years old and above. So give me a bit of credit. kekeke

Zaini took a shot of the score-sheet moments after I finished my run. That guy really does understand me because I was lamenting over the fact that I should've borrowed the placing card to take photos with, when I saw him and he had this photo taken already. ^^

Hollered hello to a fellow Dailymiler at the start of the run and saw him again after the run. Of course a photo op is a must! Nice to see you Kah Yen! You did a great run!

Ignored the 100-Plus booth and made a beeline to the Milo booth. We like Milo! Big cup and all the Milo you can carry and drink. Last time at ENR 2012, Ovaltine was so stingy, gave out itsy-bitsy cups and we had to pour the drinks ourselves. I heart Milo.

Bomba Mascots on a break

Yes,I do!

Finally, my cert and my medal. Happy!

All in all, a great run for me today. Yes, it got pretty hot and I got scorched somewhere along the route but I enjoyed it a lot! Yeah, still epic fail on hills. I didn't run all the way, choosing to walk up two inclines towards the end but I don't mind.

The morning sun somehow made me want to bail out the Standard Chartered Fun Run at Putrajaya this May 26th though. It's in Putrajaya, a place where I know will get pretty hot early and that race starts at 8.00am! On the bright side, Putrajaya has a really friendly route.

We'll see how it goes...