Sunday, February 28, 2010

It's Good To Be Old

My belly is getting bigger. As a future Fitness PT, this is bad news!


I seriously need to watch what I'm eating nowadays! I'm becoming more & more overweight each time I munch down on fast food & soft drinks! It can't be help since most of the time my mystery shopping assignments involve eating. If that is the case I better start working out in the gym. Even my fellow PT coursemates are making fun of my stomach!

A friend of mine is currently working as a promoter at Parkson, Subang Parade. Initially bought a facial cleansing gel from her range of products which cost me a hefty RM80! I was sceptic at first because of the price but after it using a few times, my skin is now much smoother & the blackheads on my nose significantly reduced.


Don't let the name fool you. It's actually a Korean product!


I tried other brands like Gatsby, Nivea, Biore or Oxy but none of them seem to be effective especially in getting rid of my annoying blackheads. If you have been frustrated by the uselessness of the typical RM15-20 cheap facial products bought from pharmacy stores then look no further, IPKN New York is the solution for your ugly face. You don't buy, that means you're not my friend anymore! Apart from IPKN New York, Knowledgeable Mystery Shopping Warrior (damn that doesn't sound right) also recommends this movie;


The best movie to celebrate Chap Goh Meh!


So far this is the most funniest Hong Kong comedy I've ever watched. Normally Hong Kong comedies are stupid though portrayed in a humourous way which are not really my taste. However, this movie is just plainly hilarious plus they have Linda Chung who is one of my favourite actresses! Whether you know how to speak Chinese or not, you gotta watch '72 Tenants of Prosperity'. To all the 'bananas' out there, this should be your first Chinese movie if you have yet to watch one!


Please meet my 8th wife ~


Ain't she a beauty? ;P


Wah I tell you ar I didn't expect to win anything from this competition because only the top 150 runners will receive a finishing medal which I'm not confident at all considering my inadequate amount of training & preparation. In addition this is not your average kind of marathon where typically participants will run on normal pavement or roads. Instead we have to go jungle trekking! Can you imagine how tough was it navigating through the hills, rocks, trees as well as rough terrain all within a distance of 8.2km?


Man vs. Nature = Pollution!


The tracks are hilly & narrow therefore one has to be cautious when trying to overtake another runner. Somehow when the officials are explaining the rules & safety guidelines, a senior dude forgot to open his ears (sometimes old people are like that can't blame them). While I was running, this bloody idiotic fucking gentleman (for the sake of colour blind, I'll just let you guess what race is he from) shove me aside violently to get ahead, almost pushing me off the cliff! He didn't even warn nor have the courtesy to inform that he's coming from behind me. I got irritated & said "Chill man, what's your problem?" but he just kept quiet & ran off!


"For God sake you are a man in your 60's. You should know better than pushing others especially in a jungle. Tell me where is your dead parents tombstone because I want to report them bout you!"


I told myself it's ok, it's ok *pat myself on the back*. I won't take revenge on the old hag by sticking a pair of chopsticks up his throat. Instead I'll just let diabetes & high blood pressure work their magic!






















Thursday, February 25, 2010

Don't Kay Poh Chi Lah

STPM results are out shit! Almost everyone I know is gonna be in busybody mode now, asking here & there what others got for their results.


I just started a professional course which will certify me as a qualified Personal Fitness Trainer (PT) due in 1 May. The learning process so far has been very exciting, fun & informative. During the course, I also have to take a compulsory CPR workshop & guess who was one of the participants in it?


Vanessa Chong (right) from the Amazing Race Asia Season 2


At first I couldn't recognized her until I took the initiative to introduce myself to her. Honestly, I find her to be quite down to earth. Apparently she's also planning to get herself certified as a PT. When I told her of my current job as a Mystery Shopper, she was impressed of the nature of my work that I'm paid for just shopping! God I love my job ;P

I received my STPM result earlier this morning through SMS. As expected, I performed quite badly. All I can say is, my result is only good enough to apply for private institutions while public universities, definitely zero chance!

I know myself very well. When it comes to studies, I just cannot deliver the goods because academics are not one of my strengths. Some people are like that. They just cannot ngam ngam or gel together with things that are not compatible with their talents & gifts.

For example, we know that Ludwig van Beethoven was a great composer & pianist. Imagine if I as his father force him to play football instead rather than playing music. I can guarantee you no matter how hard he trains to be a good football player, he will only able to play decently like our M'sian national footballers!

This is because his main passion is music therefore it is pointless forcing him to do something else that he does not like as you can only expect lousy results by doing so. God has already blessed each of us a certain talent or gift, so don't be a bloody fool by trying to excel at something else instead that you may not enjoy doing. If you haven't discover your calling then it's very simple, just do the things that you are most passionate about!

However, I'm still not exactly sure what am I suppose to become. Whether as an athlete, coach or PT, I don't know. The only thing I know is that my future ambition has something to do with sports & fitness. So since sports & fitness is my calling, then no choice lor I cannot argue with God mah by trying to do something else like engineering, medical or business correct or not? Why do I want to give myself trouble by going against Him when I can embrace my destiny & live a fulfilled life?


When I saw a couple of D's & C's I told myself it's ok, it's ok *pat myself on the back*


On the contrary, I'm not saying that education is useless. Just because you are meant to be either a singer, artist, athlete, actor, dancer or musician doesn't mean you don't have to study anymore. Education is very important & useful especially when you cannot cari makan anymore with your passion during your twilight years because some professions have their 'shelf life'. In addition, education is still necessary though it may not be the only route to success.

Let's say you're really not good at studies like me but your parents still force you to further your education anyway then no worries, just take up a course that emphasizes more on practical work unless you are capable of memorizing facts & theories which I obviously sucked at this. If the chosen course is related to your profession, then lagi good for you!


Alright after getting bashed from my not so understanding parents, next would be my not so understanding but still I love them church leaders ~


*Updated 11:08pm*

I already showed mom the result, still haven't tell dad about it though *sigh*. You see this is the problem when parents expect too much from their kids. They are afraid to tell them of their failures as well as showing their weaknesses. Now wonder lah why so many youngsters are picking up smoking & going clubbing nowadays! Just ask any of them & they will you the same reason on why did they crossed over to the 'dark side';


"My parents put too much pressure on me in my studies"


When I become a daddy one day, my wish is very simple. I want my future kids to excel & be successful in the things they love they do. Why is it so hard for other parents to think rationally like me?


Anyway how should I tell dad without him getting upset? Right now he's doing some work with his personal laptop so will his concentration be ruined if I decide to spill the beans? Maybe I should wait for the official result slip to arrive first, what do you think? Hmm no matter how long I try to delay the outcome, sooner or later I still have to reveal my ugly result to him.


*Updated 12:20am*

Finally got the guts to tell dad. Thank God he took it easily unlike mom who had a hard time getting over it. He doesn't mind how bad was my result as long I can still apply to private institutions. The reason why mom took it seriously because she was hoping that I could manage to enter UPM just like my cousin Chris did. You see it's always about what she wants. Does it matter what I want?


Let's put this chapter behind me & get down to serious business;


  1. Prepare for the KL Cross Country (8.2km) on 28 Feb & other upcoming marathons
  2. Apply for a sports related course
  3. Get certified as a PT
  4. Finish my remaining assignments in mystery shopping
  5. Start taking up Mandarin classes & continue with my piano lessons
  6. Spend more time with my friends
  7. Get a girlfriend (I literally mean it)
  8. After all these are achieved, let the whole world know who is the Knowledgeable Warrior










Monday, February 22, 2010

No Chick, No Motivation. Is It A Lame Excuse?

Few had been complaining that I'm not taking care of my image as seriously as I should. Yeah I admit, I'm not as vain as I used to be during my high school years. During my younger days, I was so conscious of my looks to the extend that I need at least a minimum of 45 minutes to style up my hair. I even skipped church once on purpose just because my hair doesn't look good enough to my expectations!

Besides my hair, I would also wear all those lala zai kind of clothing on almost every occasion as well as 2 or 3 wristbands especially during a game of football. Not to mention, I invested alot of money too into facial products which explained why my face back then was so...soft & smooth? Metrosexualism to the extreme, I know haha!

Despite my self-obsession, the efforts invested on my appearances did paid off it's 'dividends' in terms of scoring the chicks. I was proud of myself because everytime when I passed by a classroom, 1 or 2 girls would be commenting on how cute I look (this is not syok sendiri okay, I actually got these real confessions from the chicks themselves lol) ;P

But! But! Butt! That was all in the past. Now ar? I couldn't care less on how I look these days. I'm just content to be wearing casual all the time. Probably because I don't really have a potential 'target' nor interested to be in a relationship lately. Not to say I'm gay lah, don't get me wrong! I would love to be attached, but most of the single chicks I've met in my life so far just doesn't have a special quality or characteristic that would give me butterflies in my stomach.

Perhaps I've been hurt too many times in the past which lead me to set my preference & taste to be unrealistically high. Whatever the reasons may be, the bottom line is at the moment I rather focus on achieving my personal goals & ambitions therefore I don't give a damn how shitty does my face look now.

But then again, I understand why others are nagging me to be more vain. Creating a good impression in your appearances is very important to influence people around you prior to earning their respect. I mean honestly, who the hell cares if I'm a sports & fitness professional in the making but I dressed up like a typical old man with singlet & shorts in a kopitiam shop? People wouldn't be interested in you & all the more they just want to forget you quickly!

So don't worry guys. I'll strife to get my back inspiration to make all of you happy alright? I'll buy some really expensive personal grooming products & hopefully bring out the old 'Marc' again. I'm not doing it for the chicks but for myself this time. I'm still trying to visualize what it feels like to be admired again though so don't push me for instant results capish?


"Hello sexy, what's your name?"



"I'm your 7th medal babe!"


I was down with a flu & cough during last Thursday, only 3 days before the competition. My nasal was congested with phlegm, making it difficult for me to breath especially when I'm running. I really thought of letting go of this event to let my body recuperate. Voices keep echoing in my head, saying "Why put your health at risk, when you can enjoy a nice rest at home instead? Just give up..."


"But no, I refuse to allow my ailments rob me of my moment of glory."


Out of 5000 participants, the first 300 runners to complete the race will receive a finishing medal. What are the odds for a struggling sick guy running while coughing & gasping for breath like me to be one of the first 300 runners? To me, there could be only one explanation for this miracle; Someone up there must have love me decided to lend me a helping Hand ~


The quest for the 8th medal is on. Where now shall I go & place my mark?










Thursday, February 18, 2010

Year Of The Marc

Holidays are now over. Time to shift higher gear & make out the most of 2010!


Next objective, get my 7th medal


Venue: Dataran Merdeka
Time : 21st Feb (Sunday), 7.30am


Yeah I know I know. While some are still in Chinese New Year mood, why am I eager returning back to action so soon? Withdraw symptoms I guess ~

First 300 runners will get a finisher medal. This time I'm gonna lower my expectations by focusing on finishing race rather than earning a medal because I'm not fit enough after whacking so much food during CNY & my health has been very sucky due to the gruesome hot weather lately.

I still remembered my Kajian Tempatan (Local Studies) text books taught me the average temperature of M'sia was 24°C. That was like 14 years ago. Now the average temperature has risen up to 27°C holy shit! If you think an increase of 3°C is a small matter then go fuck yourself!


Chinese people: Who cares about Mother Nature? Burn more joss sticks & papers!


Okay lah don't blame solely on the Chinese buggers because we still have vehicle exhaust pipes & industrial wastes that also contribute to pollution mah. But still I don't understand why do the Chinese people still stubbornly insist on burning prayer stuffs even they know their actions are going to make the environment become worse. Weird race, but since I'm also Chinese so I must support my own race! Let there be fire!


Burn baby burn!


I collected RM400+ worth of ang pow. What am I gonna do with it? Should I burn it too?


For singles, Valentines Day is to remind them how pathetic & lonely they really are which ironically I am one of them too. Why the word pathetic? Because I always believe in myself that I can overcome any mountain, except when it comes to relationship. Sad case right?


But it's ok, it's ok *pat myself on the back*. The chicks don't know what they're missing ;P


Due to my company's policy, I am not allowed to reveal the places that I have visited but I can describe my job in general. So here are one my experiences as a mystery shopper ;


One day, Marc goes to fast food restaurant A at location B to check out their services & food quality. Marc enters the restaurant pretending to be just like any other customers (yeah even Christians lie, so get over it). Marc order a meal & enjoys himself silly *yum yum yum*.

At the same time, Marc also has to be observant of his surroundings like did the staff greeted Marc with a smile, how fast was his meal served, is the restaurant clean (especially the toilet), etc etc etc.

After Marc conducted his visit inside A, he leaves the restaurant & submits a report of his experience back to his company together with his shopping receipt to redeem back the money used for his expenses plus an additional amount of money for his work. All in all, Marc has revealed the greatest urban legend; can one be paid for just shopping?



Like I said, the chicks don't know what they're missing ~



Sunday, February 7, 2010

Tall Poppy Syndrome

I won my 6th medal. Where now shall I go & capture my 7th?


To my wonderful atheists & free thinking critics out there, yes you are all right. Sports & church is a total waste of time. Rest assured, my success so far is based on pure luck only. Just continue hoping & pray to God that I will fail in achieving my dreams even if you don't believe in His existence. While you're at it, be sure to enjoy your pathetic mediocre lives. After all this is M'sia mah, anything here is impossible correct or not? Laugh all you want now. In the end, we shall see who has the last laugh ~



Monday, February 1, 2010

If Anwar Ibrahim Can Enter Putrajaya, So Can I

I just got myself a super flexible part-time but an also very unstable job!


Alright here goes. Imagine you're being paid for just shopping. No I'm serious, shopping! You do know what is shopping right? Not with your own money of course but you get to keep the good stuff to yourself. Sounds too good to be true eh? This is what people would call as mystery shopping.

In the meantime, I blog more about my experience in the near future once I receive my very first assignment as a mystery shopper, *mysterious ooh* ~ (OMG, I'm so fucking lame)


On another note, this Saturday I'll be spending gay quality time with one of my leaders Teh Yong Yuan in;


Putrajaya Night Marathon


I'm so nervous! This is the first time a night marathon going to be held in M'sia. 6000+ runners & 400 finisher medals up for grabs. There are already 5 medals in my collection. Will there be a 6th?