Hunger for more

After my last post on 30 hour Famine, many of my friends were very curious on what we have done in that 30 hours.

So this will be a more detailed write up on it.

It started on 12 noon on 15th Sept and ended at 6pm on 16th Sept. As my last meal before the fast was at 10 am...So I have fasted for 32 hours in a whole.

During these long winding hours, there were not much that could be done. There were some famine games, sharing talk by Dr Wong Chow, Movie Time, Ai Xing Concert and of course many leisure time till I din't knew what to do besides sitting down at one corner and talked. As there were approximately 5500 faminer, the whole stadium was very crowded and noisy. Those school students seemed to be more excited for escaping home rather than feeling hungry like us.

To our surprise, the Ai Xing Concert on the 1st night was really a blast. There were many celebrities. Fish Leong, Nicholas Teo and Daniel Lee have managed to win the crowd. We could not believe that the crowd there have already fasted for 8 hours and still were very energetic and able to shout and call out their idols name.

By 9pm, I have a very bad stomach reflux. It was due to the stomach gastric asid. I started to burp. It was really bad for me as I used to have gastric pain. But anyway I hanged on to it. Only drink a lot a lot of water hopping that it would go off.

The concert ended at 10.40pm. I was pretty tired by then but I went for the screening of Turtles Can Fly as my sis wished to watch. The movie was set at the war zone of Iraq. It showed how the children there suffered and how they survived earning food from the mine land. It was really sad to see that and it was a very good movie but I dozed of for a few moment. My body could not take it any more. I was really very tired.

The movie ended at 12.30 midnight. We left the movie room and headed back to the arena, our sleeping zone. We laid our sleeping bags on the floor. I was really tired and my head was spinning off but those children seemed to be extra energetic. They could still go for the stargazing. For those who know me well, will surely realized that I am one who is very concious about personal hygiene. Normally or even in a camp, I could not sleep until I got my shower, but here I was too tired even to think about that. Not allowed to take shower was not a problem for me then. My hands and legs were very cold...signed of lacked of food...

Finally I fall asleep at about 1am. Even then I was awaken from time to time by other energetic campers. Everytime some one walked pass me, I would be awake. And finally I woke up at 5am. It was too early for any activity other than sitting up quietly.

We had a religious talk in the morning followed by a sharing session by Dr Wong Chow and a famine game. At 10am, I got another reflux. My stomach was alarming me on time to eat. Yet I got only water to spare.

By noon, we have another great performance by the beneficiary of the World Vision Fund. I could not recall which 2 NGO were them but they really proved themselves good up on the stage. I sincerely thank them for having the courage and for being so optimistic.

At about 2pm, I got the 3rd reflux. I felt bad...really bad. My hands and legs were cold and numbed. I have the crave for food. My team mates and I were talking about food....what we wished to have on my next meal.

Thank god for we have finally ended our 30 hour famine. It was really tough. It has made me realized how lucky I am. Really hope everyone reading this post would felt the same and start to practise moderately. Do not waste any food and appreciate what you have now!...The small little piece of banana cake and soy milk are great enough for me after these 30 hours. I believe the children out there felt the same as well. So let us play a role in making this world a better place for every each of us.

Thank you World Vision for such a miracle mission and all 30 hour famine campers and not to forget all my supportive teammates! Bravo!

What does hunger means to u and me?

These children deserve more!


We asked for too much and we could not finish it yet they were left with tree bark and etc....
 


30 hour Famine...another challenging event and meaning days.

I have always wanted to join this event since I learned about it in my early uni year. Finally I managed to attend it in my final uni year.

Well after the 30 hours what have I got?

I can only say how bad hunger is...hunger = restless = weak = everything = nothing. Everything coz our dailyhood revolves around food. We talked about food all day long. Nothing coz we were left with nothing.

All this while, I have been telling myself and especially my fellow girl guides not to waste food. Being brought up in a humble but strict ruling family, I did not have the habit of wasting food but well normal for me and all other Malaysians to be choosy as we all life in a country with a lot of food resources.

This camp has really enlighten me about how life should be lead to be and how every each of us can play our role in making this world a better place for all.

These are my resolutions and great thought:

1. Appreciate food and no wastage regardless of what resources...water, food, money n etc.
   
2. Educate the young ones...planning to have a mini famine in my next camp.
   
3. Adopt a child...RM50 per month = RM1.++ a day is not that a burden for me. will start this when I started working as I am now still my parents liabilities....:-)
   

Hope that all others out there can do the same. Trust me the feeling of hunger is really bad. I really can't take it to see anymore child in hunger. Please do something. If you can't afford to  support them, at least don't waste.

God bless!

Who say they can't dance?



Soy milk has never taste better than this


30 Hour Famine, a way to show we care!

Famine 30

I am going to join the Famine 30. It will be from 12pm on the 15 Sept to 6pm 16 Sept in Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. No solid food for 30 hours...how can I do that?

 

Here is my receipt to join in the Famine30 camp.

Well if my action can help others, then I will try my very best. No eating for 30 hours may be well aligned to my diet plan. So it is good in some way.

To all my dear friend, please show your support. If you can't join us for this 30 hours, you can do your part in help. You can donate to the world vision fund at http://www.worldvision.com.my

And if you are interested in funding to feed a child and think that RM50 per month may be too much, then give me a call. I wanna find some1 to share with as well....

So lets play your role to make this world a better place!

Kinabalu Day 5 - End of the uphill and down sea trip

This was our last day in KK. We woke up at 7 and quickly prepare ourselves. We left for a great breakfast in the restaurant nearby. The restaurant was famous for its’ fish noodle. It was up on newspaper and numerous local guide books.



Then at 8am, we left on foot for the Jesselton Point where we got our boat to the Sapi Island. We went to the Sapi Island, one of the 5 islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on a speed boat. In Sapi Island, we enjoyed the shallow water, sumptuous coral gardens thou not as good as the one we went in Langkawi last year and splendid white sandy beaches. We found few beautiful spots for photography sessions.

During our snorkeling session, we came across many beautiful aquatic species…Nemo like fishes, squarish fishes as well as sting fishes. These fishes moved around in a group, making me to give way especially the sting fishes…worried that they got me...play safe.

We were back on the shore after an hour and half under the hot sun. My skin was really tantted.
So I got changed and moved on the photography session… The photograph session was really tiring. It took me 7 jumps just to catch a photo of me jumping.



We got back to the city at noon. We headed to the Gaya Street. We tried the home made seafood noodle. It was really delicious and the seafood was very fresh. Another delicious meal for today.
After the bowl of noodle, we visited the Jamilah Jewellery where I got some pearl jewellery for my friends and myself. Actually I would rather we skipped this place. My legs were aching and I was on tight budget, more shopping opportunity = more spending.

Then we headed back to our lodge and packed up. We left for the airport at 3.15pm. We were too early for our flight. So we hanged around at the KFC where I started writing postcards to myself, Lye Ying and Stella.

We finally flew back to KL on AK5113 after the long delay at KK and KL. I reached the Serdang station on Aerobus at about 10.30pm. That ended our Kinabalu Expedition.

As a whole, this journey was great. I loved the company of my friends. Kinabalu was really challenging and the rafting was really exciting. The KK city was cleaner than KL and the night view was better than Penang.

CCCPro is cool! We come, we climb, we challenge!!! Let this spirit continues and may us have more happy moments together!!!

Kinabalu Day 4 - Washed down stream

I got a good night sleep last night after a short walk around the town, enjoying the great night view of KK.

Today we woke up at 6 am and by 7.15am, we were all ready to leave for our white water rafting adventure. We boarded the bus to Beaufort at 7.30am.

On the bus, we were briefed by Ika on our itinnary of the day I was so excited and could not sleep on our journey to Beaufort but it was good then as I was able to enjoy the great scenery. We pasted along many round-about, very well decorated landscape and sculptured.

We arrived at the Beaufort Train Station at about 9.30am, 1/2 hour earlier than schedule, so we visited the local market. The items sold there were almost the same just that they were normally larger in size and the price was cheaper either. Besides that, I went around searching for postcards but they were nowhere to be found.



We boarded the train at about 10.15am. The train was full. No more seats for us, hence we filled the cargo compartment. The journey to the starting point was about 2 hours journey, approximately 30 kms away. I was standing for the whole journey up, looking out at the window was a better choice, the train was aircondless…really old, the only running train in Malaysia that functions on charcoal steam…was a pretty good experience.

Upon arrival, we were distributed with helmet and safety jacket. After an informative and funny briefing, we headed to the Padas River. We boarded our boat with our lovely and cute guide, Daniel. We came across some really dangerous rapid there…the Head Hunter, Cobra Point, Washing Machine and etc. It was really enjoyable to be in a team with Yong Pay, Kim Haur, kah Yong, Ee Pheng, Hooi Fang and Tzy Chin and of course our guide, Daniel. The rafting moments were exciting, the swimming and the life saving moments were scary but yet funny…haha…Kah Yong.

Besides I enjoyed the privilege seat at the front of the raft though I was finally abandoned at the front of the raft in the hope that I will flew off the raft. Love the rafting as well as the buffet lunch. Oh yes and those lovely yet funny videos and photos. Riverbug bravo!!!



There were more exciting activities today. We got to sit in the open air deck of the train on our way back to Beaufort. The breeze was cooling for a hot sunny day. Thou our faces were covered by thick dusk from the train’s smoke, we enjoyed the scenery and the excitement there. We finally reached Beaufort at about 5pm where we headed to Kinabalu again on bus. We got to watch our funny acts video on the bus…had a great laugh.

Back in Kinabalu city, we met up with Chai and gang when we headed to the Seafood Centre for our last dinner in KK. We had a sweet sour fish, scallops, butter prawns and paku-pakis for dinner. The food was delicious and worth the price we pay…RM31. I loved the scallops…Missed it so much!!!

Besides enjoying our rich seafood dishes, we enjoyed watching the cultural show. The great performers there had danced the joget, dusun dance, iban dance as well as the bamboo dance. I was too tired and wished not to embarrass myself being ‘kepit’ there on the stage. I only enjoyed looking at hom clumsy my friends were on the stage. I only enjoyed looking at how clumsy my friends were on the stage. We were all so undynamic and rigid…too tired and our legs hurt.

After the meal, LEP, CPS, LSM, OTC and me went for a walk around, enjoying the night view of KK while waiting for my food to be digested. When we were to reach the Trekker Lodge, we stopped by at Upperstar for a drink and to celebrate our last night in KK. I had a Long Island. We were backed in the hotel at 12am and on bed at 1am.



I loved today for I have so much fun and laughter with my friends. Thou the fulfillment was not as great as the Kinabalu climb but I still preferred this over the climb…less sweat, more fun!

Kinabalu Day 3 - Conquered the Kinabalu peak, Low's Peak

5th Sept. 07, we woke up at 1am. After a hot cereal drink, we prepared ourselves for thr climb to the summit.



Azur and Min arrived at close to 2pm. We had a photography session and a short briefing.

At 2.30am sharp, we started to move out from Gunting Lagadan Hut towards the summit. I thought the temperature was close to 2 to 3 C. Every step I took, it got harder than before. The sky was still dark but we were climbing the 45 flat rocky surface with the help of a rope. We moved diagonally one after another, moving like a crab. The route to the Sayat-Sayat Hut was hard but no harder than the stretch between the junction and the Pondok Villosa. I had a little difficulty breathing. My steps got smaller and smaller and deeper breath.

Finally we reached the Sayat-Sayat Hut, the checkpoint to entitle us to the hike completion certificate. We were very upset to learn that Pei Shan could no longer hang on with this hike. She had difficulty breathing ad she felt drowsy.



Sun started to rise when we were still hiking up towards the summit Low's Peak, 4095.2m above sea level. We arrived at the summit at 6.30am. We only managed to see the end of the sunrise. It was really very windy and cold up there. After a few photo shots, we moved back down.

Me on the very top of South East Asia

On our way down, we stopped here and there to take more photos. We saw the Victoria Peak, Alexandra Peak, St. John Peak, South Peak as well as the holy lake.



Back in Sayat-Sayat Hut, I met with Kah Yong and the others...haha....Kah Yong was not feeling well again, a little dizzy and exhausted. SO we stopped a little longer here. I went down in front of the others....I enjoyed hopping and abseiling down.

After packing up, we left Gunting Lagadan Hut and went tot he Laban Rata to meet Min and Azur. We departed from Laban Rata at 10.30am. Down the way we pasted the Waras Hut, Pondok Paka and Pondok Villosa. We met Su San and his friends on our way tot he Layang-Layang Staff Quater. Then we pasted Pondok Mempening.

At about KM2.5, the rain started to down pour. I was walking alone then. The rain got heavier after I pasted the Pondok Lowii. I walked very slowly as I was afraid being alone. If anything were to happen to me, then who will help? So played safe as my legs hurted and my kneecaps were really painful.

Finally few others caught up and we pasted the Pondk Ubah and Pondok Kandis. The last 0.5km seemed to be very short, we moved quickly and reached Pondok Timpohon, the end of our hike at 2.40pm.

Kinabalu hike was really tough but it was not an unachievable. It was physically and mentally challenging. I am proud of all my friends and myself for we were able to overcome all obstacles to conquered the top of South East Asia!!!

Bravo CCCPro's Mt. Kinabalu Expedition Team!!!

Check out my Kinabalu Expedition Slide Show!

Kinabalu Day 2 - Heavenly Mesilau Trail

My day today started early. We woke up as early as 4am. We had our breakfast while listening to a briefing by Madam Wong when she broke the news that she would not be able to join us uphill as she was not feeling well. We departed to the Kampung Mesilau where the Mesilau trail begins.



We arrived at the Mesilau Gate at about 6.45am after a bumpy ride uphill. Haha…we got a shock here. It was freezing cold. All of us were in shorts and t-shirts. We quickly putted on more. I wore an additional long-sleeves T while most of my friends wore inches thick of winter clothings.

We started our hike at 7.20am after registration without our guides as there were some misunderstandings between our guides with Mdm Wong. We walked and walked when we finally reached the 0.5km. Our guides, Azur and Min caught up with us at about 0.8km. On our journey towards KM 1, we stopped by to enjoy the great scenery where we were introduced to the peak that mimic a lady carrying a baby.



First we arrived at Pondok Bambu and then Pondo Nepenthes. On the way to the Pondok Chempaka, we came across 2 waterfalls. We also came across a place where Nepenthes grow at wild and as large as a mug. There were many of them on one tree. However there was no bad scent from them.



The route to the summit after the Pondok Chempaka was way worse and thougher that before. We went up and down the hill just like being briefed on. From Pondok Chempaka we moved on to the Pondok Lompoyou and Pondok Tikalod. The view at Pondok Tikalod and at KM 5.5 were very beautiful.



Felt like I was in heaven, with the bonsai like trees and the misty background.
We arrived at the junction connecting Mesilau trail and Timpohon Trail at about 2pm. By then, my legs were really hurted. I got blister on both my legs. The Kampung Adidas shoes were too large, causing my feet to be rubbed towards the shoes. So we stopped at the junction to put on plasters. I was really exhausted so we stopped a little longer here.

The route to Laban Rata from the junction got tougher from here. It was muddy and slippery. The steps were really steep. I walked up together with Tzy Chin. Though the distance from the junction to the 1st hut was only about 1km long, it took us close to 1 and half hours.
We arrived at Pondok Villosa at about 3.30pm while pondok Paka at about 4.10pm. Then we proceed on steep rocky mountain way. There were parts where there were no staircase steps. After a long while, we arrived at Waras Hut, the 1st accommodation site. We were so excited and moved faster towards our destination site, Laban Ratahouse. It was within our sight from Waras Hut.

Finally we arrived at Laban Ratahouse at 5.20pm. It took us about 10 hours for this 8km long route. The temperature outside was about 10℃. There we had our 1st proper meal of the day. The food was expensive but it was worth looking at how they were transported uphill. After meal, I went out to the balcony to see sunset before heading up to my accommodation of tonight, Gunting Lagadan Hut.

At Gunting Lagadan Hut, I took an extremely freezing cold shower. The hot shower was not working, leaving me with no other choice else than the icy water. I thought the temperature of the water then must be close to 3 to 4 ℃. My fingers were numbed. After shower and packing my bags, we went to bed. It was about 7.30pm then. However I could not dozed off until close to 11pm.

It was a really tiring day. It was physically challenging. Hope that tomorrow will be better! I am looking forward to the hike to the summit.

Kinabalu Day 1 - Steps in Kinabalu

Haha...have you seen me in real person???


That's me....haha...cute isn't it...but of course I am naive and innocent thou...

This is my first trip to Sabah, the Land Below Wind and it is also my 2nd outing with my fellow coursemates.

3rd Sept 2007, I arrived in Kinabalu International Airport, Terminal 2 on Air Asia's AK5100 with Tzy Chin, Pei Shan and Soo Mei while the others were already in KK since 2nd. Upon arrival and the immigration clearing, we met up with Mdm Wong, our agent for this trip and headed for the Trekker Lodge in the heart of Kinabalu City.

After doing our packing in Trekker Lodge, we departed to our 1st destination, the Poring Hot Spring. The journey was approximately 5 hours long. On our journey there, we stopped by Kampung Nabalu to get some handicrafts for souvenir. I have purchased 2 T-shirt with Mt Kinabalu printed on it and 2 fridge magnets. We also stopped by the Bayu Restaurant situated right opposite of the Timpohon Gate for our lunch and we had a quick visit to the Kundasang War Memorial.





We arrived at our accommodation in the Poring Hot Spring Resort at 4.30pm. There, we went on a short hike to a nearby waterfall. We enjoyed the cool flowing river water. After the cool splash, we hike back to the Hot Spring and soaked ourselves in the tub. The water was really very hot. I could not believe we have such a source in Malaysia. Anyway, I soaked myself in there and relaxed myself to prepare for the challenging tomorrow.

After the bath, we had a great dinner in the restaurant on the opposite road, the Yun Restaurant. The food was great and we enjoyed the warmth hospitality of the owner. We enjoyed the long and funny chat after the meal. Besides that, we also got our hands and taste buds on some local fruit....some Durian Kampung before our meal and pineapple, starfruit and etc...



We did some packing after the dinner. We went to bed early at about 10pm to be prepared for our hike up Mount Kinabalu on the following day.

Today was great to kick start my trip in Sabah. I loved the food, the scenery and the hospitality of the locals. They were much more friendly than Peninsulas and Kota Kinabalu was really a very tourist friendly city...bravo Sabah!

Merdeka!!! Happy 50th anniversary

Tanggal tiga puluh satu,
Bulan lapan lima puluh tujuh,
Merdeka, merdeka, mer....

Hmm...this is definitely one of the most popular song among Malaysians. I could not recall when I started to learn to sing this song. Most probably as early as nursery year.

Well for the past years before I entered university, Merdeka celebration was equal to another day sleeping late at home or at most another day waking up up early and watched the parade on TV. I loves the decorated cars!

But things change. In these recent years, Merdeka has brought me more. Many activities were held incampus. Thou I have not joined many but it was way more that before. I went for countdown with all other UPMers in the main hall, represented UPM for the parade...

It was 2 years ago when I represented UPM in the IPTA/IPTS contigent in the national parade held in Putrajaya. We were very proud to be involved in the parade.

And this year, I have got a better plan. First we went for the Floraria in Putrajaya then we stay on for the countdown. The exhibition putted up was so so only. The flora exhibition in Tong Chan Shi during CNY was better. However there were few pieces which really got my attention. There was one exhibit that put up a flower deco with the theme 'THE GIFTS OF LIFE'. It was really really very beautiful and meaningful.


The countdown was great. We got to watch the firework show putted up by the Japanese...why Japanese? Are we not patrotisme enough?....No No. It was actually a part of the Malaysia International Firework Competition. Perhaps it was because of our goverment was trying to save some money here or perhaps our MPs' RM50k has been used up on some other 'stuff'.

But anyway the show was really great. They have heart, star and planetery shape formation. Really very impressive!

Finally Happy Merdeka to Malaysia and all Malaysians!

Convocation

What does convocation means to you and me?

Recently many of my friends have graduated from their respective universities. Well sharing their happy moments make me imagine how will mine look like later.

Hmm...after analyzing many of those minor stuffs...I know what I want.

All that I actually wanted is the presence of my both parents, family and some closed friends. I need no presents, just a wish of congratulation will do. Well for flowers, my parent will give me a bouquet and another 
from my sis. So it i just nice not to cover up my face in the photos.

Apart from the above, it will be better if my convocation session is on the weekend, then I will have more people to share my joy with and it is best if it is on the 2nd session of the day. 
Then it will not be that hot or else I am going to faint. 
The robe is so thick and heavy and with another coat
 in side, I doubt I am not going to faint.

And I think the best moment that day will be the moment when all my coursemates gather around and start to throw our cap....like those that I have watched on the TV.

Can't wait for the arrival of that day!