Jesus, Truly The Good Man

I think you guys deserve a super long post, here goes!

Finally, a real challenge


The feeling is better than sex


Hot morning sunshine, phew ~

Bandar Kinrara, Puchong. This has got to be the most difficult venue I've ever ran so far. The town is surrounded by hills, without much shade to protect yourself from the sunlight which is even worse. Looks like it's time I have to start training myself on the treadmill through incline mode.

Gila sial!


Very demoralizing indeed

On a normal road, it would take only 1 hour & 10 minutes for me to finish a distance of 12km. But since this is Bandar Kinrara, it took me an extra 30 minutes to reach the finishing line. God damn hills! Then again, it is a good challenge nevertheless.

Ooh boy, back to school...

I am officially declared a working student. I now have the opportunity to get a taste of both worlds. Right now, I don't plan to quit my job anytime soon. Instead, I wanna see whether I can cope or not of being an undergraduate student & a personal trainer at the same time. Hopefully, I'll get to kill 2 birds with 1 stone, which to obtain a degree qualification & valuable working experience within these next 4 years.

To be honest, I'm still trying to grasp the fact that I've finally managed to secure enrollment in a course which I always wanted so much, Sports Science. It has been my desire ever since I asked myself during Form 5 of what do I want to do after I have completed my SPM examinations? Here's a little story on how the journey took place of the path not usually taken by many;

Imagine your studies is revolved around football everyday

I still remember it was just a few months left before SPM & I happen to came across an advert in the Star newspaper about an unknown college that is offering a Diploma in Football Studies. From that moment I've decided, that is what I wanna do after Form 5! Football has always been my passion. Therefore, my parents used the advert as a motivation in order for me to do well in the SPM examinations.

However I can tell you this, parents nowadays can really tear you down when you least expected. Once you are given false hope & you are willing to do anything, that is when they can & will manipulate you. Instead of keeping their promise during the outcome of my SPM results, I was forced to go to Tunku Abdul Rahman College (Tarc) & study Hospitality Management which is a subject that is very alien for me.

I'm not posting this to tell you how evil my parents were to betray the trust of their son. But I want you to think twice first before promising anyone of anything. It may look insignificant should you fail to keep a promise. On the contrary though, it could be a serious matter with the party involved especially if they are your relatives. So please, be a man of your words!

Travelling through Genting Klang Road everyday to college, what an eyesore!

So now you know why 2007 is one of the darkest years of my life. Being forced to do something that you don't like is as equivalent as a helpless woman being submitted to forced sex, that is the only way I can describe of how it feels to be studying at Tarc throughout 2007! Apart from that, I made alot of enemies either because of language or cultural barrier.

If you're going to study there without mastering any of the Chinese dialects with only Star World & MTV as your source of entertainment, then I'm very sorry. Chances are, you're gonna live a miserable life for the next 2 years upon graduation. The bottom line is, take a tour around the campus environment first before deciding to study at your chosen destination. What the photos in the institution's website show could be a deep contrast with reality!

Racial slurs like "Western dog" or "English pig" are one of the few insults I have to endure almost everyday!

The concept of 1 M'sia is a bloody flawed idea. Even an English speaking dude like me is struggling to get along with his Chinese speaking counterparts. What more with other races?

Past New Year in 2008, I told myself that enough is enough! I just couldn't continue lying to myself that things are gonna be alright. I quit life at Tarc after being there for only just 7 months. I should have stop earlier, but I guess it's never too late for regrets though. So there I was, clueless of what I wanna do since that the option of going to Cyberlynx College is a definite no-no from mummy & daddy. That was until I found a glimpse of hope...

The 3rd time I'm using the same pix!

It's not just about studying football alone, but it's a much wider aspect regarding coaching, management & physiology as well. At least that's what I've learned from the definition of Sports Science. In 2007, I was wandering around aimlessly without a sense of purpose. I guess that in 2008, God's love has given me not just any hope, but genuine hope as well.

Since that the Sports Science course is at degree level in OUM, there is one obstacle left I have to overcome first;


Form 6, motherfeather!

Don't get me wrong, I hate wearing uniforms! No doubt, taking the STPM route is boring & mundane, but enriching as well! It's one of the most daunting path to choose from compared to other Pre-U qualifications. However, I have to constantly remind myself the reason why am I wearing the ugly white shirt & trousers for the next 2 years, which is to earn myself a ticket to OUM. Besides if you look at most of the great personalities in my church, even they themselves have gone through the Form 6 system amen!

Based on my experiences in Tarc, I learned a thing or two about interacting with non-English speaking people which comes in pretty handy during my time as a Form 6 student;

• Keep a low profile, literally - I know we suburbanites just love the spotlight but seriously, restrain yourselves when you're in KL. Nobody in the capital likes a 'tall poppy'.
• Memorize at least one Chinese song - They will love you for it.
• Learn all the Chinese 'colourful' words - Honestly, you don't want to find yourself in a situation saying "Huh?"
• Say "Yes, let's go karaoke!" - When in Rome, do what the Romans do ~
• Close both eyes - I know, the way they behave & all but just don't criticize them alright?
  

With these 5 things kept in mind, I manage to survive STPM muahaha!

And the rest is history. To those who think my life is smooth sailing all the time, I have to say no but you are all wrong. You have no idea how much tears, blood & sweat I have to shed. How many setbacks, obstacles & challenges I have to go through just to come this far, saying "I am a personal trainer, a sports science student & a marathon runner". You just don't have a bloody clue...

Just remember lah, the world doesn't function on the efforts of lawyers, accountants & doctors alone. Thousands of people across the world pursue degrees that are unconventional, but it doesn't make the occupation or degree any less credible. If you feel you have a passion for something & that nothing else will do, then it is a career for you. I can assure you, you will not see not obstacles, but rather you will see opportunities coming your way ~

"The Road Not Taken" - Robert Frost

As you can see the path on the left side has alot of footprints on it, although the surrounding looks lush & greenish right? While the the path the right side, barely any signs of it ever being used at all! And at the same time, you can see the scenery looks scary & uncertain isn't it? But life is like that one. The road to be different is always arduous.

If you want to take the right side, I must emphasize that you cannot walk this path alone. You need to walk with people that are taking the same path too. Also don't forget about God ar in this journey. Without Jesus, you can never last the distance for sure one! That's why Thursday & Sundays are specially booked only for the Lord & my church friends every week;

Colours in my world ~

Sumo may be gone, but I still have you guys as friends (:


"Find a job you enjoy, & you'll never work a day in your life" - Confucius