Fox Glacier, New Zealand

16,000ft Tandem Skydive

Just like what the board says,"The most scenic skydive!" and it totally lives up to its name.

Actually, I ran out of photos to start an entry so that is a random picture we took after our skydive at Fox Glacier. I only managed to get hold onto the photos taken by GoPro from my partner in crime today.

Though, I took a few pictures with my lovelies yesterday, both after the recce trip, & before x after the LAME AND ABSOLUTELY BORING Run For Your Lives event, I got none of the pictures HAHA & don't get me started ranting about the race... It was a free event for us but... Sigh...

So, yet another week is coming to an end again, how time flies.

How did your week go?

Each day passes by so fast, leaving me so confused and I've totally messed up on my daily activities, weekend plans... Was it Diwali on the Wednesday, where we all were exempted from work or school? It took me awhile to recall what actually happened during the week and what had I done for the week.

I have no idea why, the soul and the mind are not connected. It felt as if these two things are of two different entity, I meant, they should be connected and be fused into one entity, right? Focusing on my work was not a problem but recently, I had been repeatedly asking people or checking group chats on the dates we are going for treks, expeditions, trips.

Previously, remembering dates for stuffs is as easy as cracking my knuckles but not until now. The only thing that I know is, my weekends for October and November are well-packed, only leaving a weekend or two free from plans.

Then, while I was talking to my friend after our recce trip to Sisters Island yesterday, about how packed my weekends are, mentioning about the only weekend I am free would be the coming week. He was taken aback and so do I. Never did I know, we are actually having trekking trip this coming weekend at Broga Hill, somewhere further up KL, in Malaysia.

All the while, I thought it would be the 2nd weekend of November and apparently, it isn't the case. It looks like I am losing the grip of my own life. Beats me, I really don't know why.

Is it because my mind is clouded, or am I just jaded from what's happening around me. Then again, what the heck is bothering me? I DON'T EVEN KNOW. Why am I losing touch? I DON'T KNOW.

At this rate, I am absolutely going mad.

Maybe I should totally switch myself into Zen mode and clear my mind.

Oh, and I realized, I really cannot run without listening to music and this is a pretty bad thing. It's better to be self-reliance and now, I can't seem to survive a run without music. :(

//

Oh well, Sunday is ending soon in few more hours.

BUT.

I hope this brand new week will be as amazeball as you!

Xx

― Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood

That, speaks my heart out.

There is always a voice ringing in my head,"Hey, it's been awhile since I met up with xxx, maybe it's time for a catch-up..." and this, never happens. I can blame nobody because I am always (99%) of the time, the one who doesn't really transform my thoughts into actions.

Sometimes, it just drains me out, having to catch up with a friend or two. I would certainly prefer staying home alone, just laze my day away. Why? It feels better to have a golden silence than having the need to find topics for conversation with friends whom I've not been meeting up with. To me, it feels like a burden... Unless, the catching up consists of activities like some paddling actions, treks/hikes, just... Sports.

As we grow older, some friends stay, some friends go. Often, things come and go, that's the cycle. That's life. Probably, that's why people always say we should live in the moment because tomorrow is not promised.

I've had my fair share of losing some friends in one way or another, or rather, the friends whom I was once close with, weren't as close anymore. Everyone has their own lives to live, a path they have paved for themselves. Just as when one has started his new job, or enrolled into a new school, friends change or social circle expands. New friends, new colleagues, and inevitably, time that's gonna be spent with them would be longer...

Then, maintaining friendships with the old friends seem a little tougher. The meet-ups are now harder to accommodate to everyone's preferred timing, conversations get shorter, and etc... Ever since I'd gotten my Diploma, I could actually count the number of times I'd meet up with my batch mates from poly.

It's really just so pathetic.

No, it's not anybody's fault but really, everyone's tied up with their own schedule. Work, studies, exams, exchange, family, boyfriend, girlfriend... Again, it's a little challenging to arrange a date where everyone is actually free.

Yeah, I know.

Everyone's gonna say if you want something to happen, you always can make time for it which to me, I am totally putting both my hands up and nod my head aggressively to show that I am alongside with this statement.

I certainly believe that if you've the heart and determination to actually make things happen, you will do it no matter what.

Basically, when someone tells you that "I am not free" and also the overly used 3 words,"See how again" only can have 2 possible meanings,

1) They are REALLY not free.

2) They'd probably rather sleep than to meet you.

Most of the time, people take a rain check because they do not want to meet you. They would rather stalk you on all the social media platforms available to "catch-up" with your life rather than a genuine meet-up, and that is why, recently... I've been thinking, maybe I should get off from Facebook for a moment.

For me, I would go all-out if I really wanna have a meet-up, going across the border just to spend a couple of hours with people who are worthy of my time. But, sometimes, thoughts like,"Oh damn, I wonder if they actually wanna meet up with me or they feel like they are obliged to do so since I am crossing the border for them." would surface.

It's just... Tough.

To keep the fire burning in a friendship.

Certainly, once the fire is extinguished, it's gonna be a daunting task to reignite it.

So please, make time for people who are always there for you, literally or figuratively.

(Okay, I should be doing that as I preach too)

//

Remember

Keep those who care close to you.

//

Then again, how do one actually maintain a friendship?

Xx

Sunday.

The day where milestones are made for students from Murdoch University.

 

They are officially a graduate or maybe for some, they are also officially unemployed (whoops!) but being able to secure a degree and coupled with a right attitude, seeking a job is absolutely, totally, possible. The only thing you need? Just a little luck.

 

Nonetheless, it speaks the same for my sister (Nope, we are not blood-related but up till today, her friends are asking her if I am really her sister, and for the reason that, people say we have some resemblance). Anyhow, It's finally her turn to graduate (Y to the A to the Y ends with a exclamation mark!), donning the burgundy regalia with the mortar board on her head, totally diffuses a supermodel look.

 

Happy Graduation!

Striking crochet TOMS x Bling bling star of the day

 

Full day at work and school at night?

Thanks but no thanks.

 

Personally, I've to give it to students who study part-time and work full-time. It's not easy to juggle between these two loads and their assignments, projects, tests, reports are pretty or exactly the same as students who are doing full-time studies.

 

It's amazing how these people can complete their degree, having to burn the midnight oil almost every night, sacrificing their social life, and working their asses off to clear the hefty tuition fees for this certificate and for this day to come.

 

You guys, have my utmost respect.

 

A pat on the back for a job well-done would come off as an gesture full of insufficient sincerity and that was why, I spent my whole sunday attenting C's convocation 'cos she definitely worth my time to travel down, across the border for it... Just kidding, 'cos the main reason is, you know... She's those friends whom you can always keep close to you.

 

I hope you'd enjoyed yourself so so much yesterday, finally a heavy load off your scrawny shoulders (She's really thin... Hahahaha), and thank you for the late lunch. The Shiok Maki was indeed, still as shiok as ever.

 

"A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success." - Elbert Hubbard

 

Great week ahead to welcome a scary scary Saturday!

 

Xx

Te Anau, South Island

New Zealand

(Largest lake in South Island, second only within New Zealand to Lake Taupo)

Haze, haze, go away...

As the day gets warmer with the heat trapped in the air due to the haze from god knows where, it just makes my Monday a little humid and sweaty. Adding on to the list, soreness of my muscles (from the run I had yesterday & napping in the afternoon with no pillow underneath my head) has arrived, coupled with a stuffy nose.

In times like this (not always but sometimes), it just sets you thinking... In any aspect of your life because you have generally nothing to do; more like you don't feel like doing anything for the fact that the weather is just too humid to handle. The mind of yours just starts to generate any thoughts, good thoughts or bad thoughts but yeah, thoughts.

Recently, my brothers have just adopted a pup within the neighbourhood. Long story short, a stray terrier was found in our estate, someone took her in because of the bad weather at night. Weeks later, she gave birth to six pups but one of the pups, unfortunately died because the mother didn't have ample time to chew off the umbilical cord. Yeah, and my two brothers adopted it while I was still roadtrippin' in New Zealand.

Shag Point, North Otago

New Zealand

(Online resource claims that this Shag Point has animals like shags, seals & penguins but there was none when we were there... I ended up getting my right foot wet because of my BFF who still had the cheek to snap the aftermath reaction of mine... Yes, I ended up driving with my bare right foot.)

A dream come true.

For a self-planned roadtrip in New Zealand, from the North to the South Island with no one else, just my BFF and I, together, we strike off one activity from our bucket list - that is to do skydive (tandem)!

//

People tend to question,"Going on a holiday? With who? Just you and your BFF, both girls?"

Yes, and we do that pretty often. From backpacking holiday to having roadtrip in a foreign country. It's always better/safer to have male companions but it is just not easy (not that it's a daunting task), to have someone who shares almost similar sentiments, hobbies, living lifestyle with you.

Sometimes, the way we see things or the way we handle some stuffs might have slight differences but I guess, it's always about accepting someone for who they are and that's what makes a friendship true and real. Finding someone perfect is impossible, everyone has flaws which make them unique.

Acceptance is the key.

That being said, despite how much my BFF likes to disturb me, physically (squeezing, biting my arms, headbutting me, lying down on me, making me walk 10km a day after a whole day of driving), I will tell myself to overlook her damn flaws and think of all the nice stuffs she did for me. Likewise, I believe that with such crazy personality of mine, it must be hard on her to accept me for who I am.

I am just glad that after all these years; obtaining different milestones in our lives, we are still as close as ever, although sometimes, we can stop talking for days and nothing is ever changed. Awkward silence is never a part of us, & we both appreciate any silence that comes between us; that is how close we are.

A thank you note.

This trip would not have come true, not for her booking the air tickets (without telling me), coming up with the itinerary (I did send her mine for reference, okay... LOL), booking the accommodations and the car rentals. Oh, not to forget, the awesome tandem skydive from 16,000 feet off the Fox Glacier.

I trusted her with my life, literally - I didn't question her anything about the skydive (stuffs like insurance, is the company reliable and whatnot), I just paid for my share and THAT IS HOW MUCH I TRUST HER (except for the driving part). No questions needed, just prepare for the dive.

Just... Thank you.

The end note.

The countless hours of drive in New Zealand drove me pretty crazy, setting my ankle on the accelerator for hours (no cruiser function was found in both rented cars), battling with the sleepy monster, conquering the consecutive sharp bends at 15/25/35/45 degree, actually kinda screwed my ankle and super taxing on my mind but I guess, being the "sleeping partner" (not handling the admin stuffs), that was the only way I can put in prominent (physical) effort for the trip.

It definitely sucked having to clock in up to 600km+ mileage in a single day but that's what life is worth living for - To have tried something that we have never done before.

//

"In the end, we only regret the chances we never take, relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make."

Xx

(Instax taken from Auckland, New Zealand)

*Approx. 9 hours later, I will be boarding my flight to Sydney for transit to Auckland (again!)*

Till then,

NJ

xx

Monday... Blues

My blogging habit is back to the irregular intervals again. Nope, not because I am already working but it's just that I didn't have the mood to do up any post. I'm lagging behind time for my Jeju Island final 2 days draft as well and have no intention to compose it now too hahahaha.

SIM Xtreme Trail V

This was my first adventure race this year, and also my virgin participation for this race. I had joined xPhysique, ATC for a few years which were all under NTU Sports Club or ODAC. This year, my usual teammates, Thomas & Jiayao intended to try out for SIM Xtreme Trail again. They joined it last year but was together with another female runner and this year, I actually had the privilege to participate with them.

Trainings

If it wasn't for the postponement of the race, I could not have made it. The race was supposed to be the first Saturday of 2014 but due to some unforeseen circumstances, they postponed it to the 15th of Feb and that was how, they decided to join it! On the very day we registered for the race, it was actually just 3 weeks before the actual day. Clearly enough, we didn't have much time to train for it since one of the week was allocated for CNY.

When there are more than 2 in a team or in a group (for casual meet-ups), it always seems to be harder to accommodate the available date and time for everyone. We only get to train 3 times in total before the race since both of my teammates were busy with school and I was the only one as free as a bird (excluding all the interviews I needed to attend).

NTU SRC had been our training ground for this race. We would meet in the evening, after Jiayao was done with his school to train together. For the first training, power run was not exempted at all, it's like a norm whenever you have to train with Jiayao hahahaha. The power run x static workouts for our Taiwan climbing trip made all of us handicapped. Just for the first training, we already felt like dying and couldn't even walk at all. Apart from that, this time round, power run wasn't as hardcore since I managed to get Weiloon & Yutai to join us for the training.

Thanks to Yutai, he said he could only do 4 sets (he is one fit guy but probably also 'cos he had canoe polo training afterwards) and told Jiayao I would have died if were to complete 6 sets of power runs x static workouts, especially I don't really train so intensively now. In the end, Jiayao was lenient enough to reduce it to only 3 sets and I must say, it was really stressful (and always will be) whenever I train with the guys. Ultimately, I will become the weakest link and feel like such a big burden to them...

We did power runs as usual, trying our best to clock the fastest timing, otherwise, the rest who are doing the static workouts would need to keep on doing it until the runner is back. PEER PRESSURE; so if you run slow, they have to do longer. Now you understand how I felt the other time? Timing was taken after each run and guess what? To my surprise (& also Jiayao's), I actually ran faster than the time we trained for our Taiwan trekking trip.

Not sure how, but I seem to be BULKIER than before (nothing's new, all girls will always think they are fat) but managed to clock in faster timing. I was quite hyped up for the training, and with so many NTU students on the track, the only thing on my mind is,"I need to run faster so I won't throw my face in NTU" hahahahaha and also the peer pressure training which maybe, subconsciously, made me run a tad faster than usual.

3 x power run, alongside with lunges, push-up, bicycle crunches, superman to complete. While the runner is on the track, the remaining 4 will be doing each of the workouts, taking turns. Basically, there are 5 stations to go, from power run to push-up, lunges, bicycle crunches, superman. After 3 sets, we were done with the track... & that was not the end of the training...

Yutai left us for his canoe polo training, Weiloon continued our training with us until all his climbing friends arrive for their own training. We carried on running around NTU compound after our power run sets, and NEVER IN MY LIFE, I RAN UP SO MANY HILLS IN A SCHOOL. I almost died running, just the first 500m, my calf cramped and I had to stop and stretch my muscles before I could continue. Thank goodness, it was fine after stretching it and I managed to complete the whole run.

Without fail, Jiayao always will try to make us sprint up the damn hills/upslopes. He would say something like we are reaching soon... Then, a motherfather steep slope will appear and the next moment is,"now, we will sprint all the way up, no stopping!" OMG KILL ME PLEASE. I stopped HAHAHA I really couldn't handle such steep slope for the first training man...

Finally, first day training ended. Power runs x static workouts + LDR, an awesome start to our first training cos it left me with all the muscles ache. The feeling of satisfaction and it simply means that we've tried hard enough. ALSO, IT FEELS SO DAMN GOOD to train with my fellow SPA mates. It's been awhile to get together with trainings ever since we graduated from SP.

-

The post above is a super backdated post which I did not publish it, not sure what was the reason back then but... Yeah...

For the actual race day, Thomas & I were punctual for the meet-up at the pickup point by Jiayao, but this Jiayao overslept, only waking up after I made a call to Felicia, who then phoned his sister to wake him up.

The sister & husband sent us to ECP from Yewtee, and the husband was literally tailgating every single car in front of us, overtaking cars whenever possible. I could really drown and die while worrying for my life... Nonetheless, we arrived the destination in one piece and we had to rush to get changed, and immediately registering for our team and detail.

The Race.
Once and for all, IMHO, I felt that the race could be planned better... Anyway, with the insanely hot weather; the hotness is out of the world, you would feel like dying for every step you take. Then there will always be this saying ringing constantly in your mind,"PAIN IS TEMPORARY, GLORY IS FOREVER." LOL but seriously, my quads were bulging, teammates were asking how did my biceps end up on my legs...

ANYHOOO,
After few days of investigation and follow-ups with the race results, we were informed that we got 3rd for our category... We lost the glory on stage, and part of the prizes... MEH and they were not willing to up our cash prize to cover the lost of prize items (which the previous team had taken it).

SPECIAL THANKS,
To my both ultra fit teammates, Jiayao & Thomas to have constantly encouraged me through the race, and Jiayao for coming up with training plans, pacing me through the runs, making me almost died for all the trainings but what doesn't kill me makes me stronger!

//ULTRA BACKDATED POST//

It's been almost 2 months since I came here for a blog post.

 

Not having the free time to post is not the excuse... It is actually the super mundane life I am having now makes me so uninteresting that I've got nothing to post. Life really sucks when you have to get summoned back to work for your family... (Not exactly VERY meh, but it just gets boring... There are still some pros in it thought). In this case, I got back to help my dad with his business.

 

It's almost into 1 quarter of the year for me, helping my dad in his company and I AM SERIOUSLY DREADED FOR DESKBOUND JOB. Everyone's telling me," haiya, you are the daughter of the boss, can just apply leave and don't go for work one what..." BITCH PLEASE.

 

Just because I am the daughter of the boss, I have all the obligations to serve the company well and not applying leave whenever I feel like it... It's just that, I don't want people to see me as the daughter of the boss and so, I can do whatever shit I like. I would rather work from the small fry post to gain recognition and respect when just to abuse the "authority" or the position in the hierarchy I am currently at now.

 

So people, please stop telling me stuffs as if I really can go for work only as and when I like. It doesn't work this way, I draw monthly salary, which in turn, makes me an official staff in the company, someone who is working for my Dad AKA the boss. I would really attend to work freely IF I AM MY OWN BOSS.

 

On a side note, I do not wish to stay in my dad's company forever as well. The work scope is pretty boring and I really do not want to get stuck in this cage forever. Ever since I got back to Malaysia, I'm losing my love life (HAHAHA) and social life pretty much. There's only weekend for me to meet up with friends and sometimes, I would get too lazy to go back to SG on a weekend as well. Sighpie.

 

If I were still a student, I would probably be in some countries right now, enjoying my well-deserved vacation after the exams... The last time I backpacked was last Oct man, when I went to South Korea after my exams. OMG, I need to relive life like this again...