Why England will not win the World Cup

This is for you LIFEMOU

Don't Cry For Me Argentina

Tomorrow is the big game between host Germany and my favorite team Argentina. Both are skillful and the frontline strikers are very sharp and dangerous. We have Klose and Podolski, supported very well by Ballack. While on the Argies end we have Crespo, Tevez, Messi, Rodriguez. The only key differences are the Germans are huge in size like The Terminator (which they will have a key distinct advantage).
















While the Argies are smaller build but definitely more agile. I love to watch both teams play beautiful football with flair from the aspect of attacking and defending, and getting the results (not like Engrand). It will definitely be an exciting match, and may the best team wins. My bet is still on ARGENTINA.

I hope the Germans will sing the song.....music piping in and *sing* >>>>

It won't be easy, you'll think it strange
When I try to explain how I feel
That I still need your love after all that I've done
You won't believe me
All you will see is a girl you once knew
Although she's dressed up to the nines
At sixes and sevens with you

I had to let it happen, I had to change
Couldn't stay all my life down at heel
Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun
So I chose freedom
Running around, trying everything new
But nothing impressed me at all
I never expected it to

Don't cry for me Argentina
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance

And as for fortune, and as for fame
I never invited them in
Though it seems to the world they were all I desired
They are illusions
They're not the solutions they promised to be
The answer was here all the time
I love you and hope you love me

Don't cry for me Argentina

Don't cry for me Argentina
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance

Have I said too much?
There's nothing more I can think of to say to you
But all you have to do is look at me
To know that every word is true

Don't cry for me Argentina

Adios ESPANA, Welcome ZiZou

The Les Bleu aka The Old Mans team proved everyone wrong by turning the tables, coming from behind from a one goal deficit to trounce Espana 3 - 1. What a nite, and the ever reliable ZiZou show his magic touch of football to the world, sending a freekick into the danger area and Vieira scored the equalizer. Then he himself dribble past the Espana goalkeeper Casillas to seal the victory for FRANCE. The Old Mans team is the team to watch from now on. Lets see how they will fare with those superstars from Brazil in their Q-final match.

Its the time when.......

Its the time when I have to seriously take a look at all the shirts and pants that I have in my wardrobe. They all look flabby on me, the pants keep on dropping from my waistline, and the belt needs to be tighten all the time. Yes, I am no more the person (on Sept 2005) that weighs 78kg and had a waistline of between 34"-36". Just went to weigh myself over the weekend at my family doctor clinic and what a big surprise I got. My weight is now 70kg with a frame of 173cm, and I am pretty sure that is accurate since it is a digital weighing scale. My BMI (Body Mass Index) is PERFECT at 154.

This is due to all the outdoor activities that I engaged myself into, starting with the first attempt of running the Putrajaya Half Marathon on Sept 2005 (after a 15 years break). Then onto scaling Mt Kinabalu for the 5th time in my life. And all the consistent runnning, clocking all the mileage that I needed to run in 10k, 15k and 21k races. My next attempt will be the Penang Bridge International Full Marathon on July 30, 2006 (my first again after the long break from running)

Loosing 8kg in about 9 months is something I am proud of (which I have set myself up to do)and kind of achieving my goal in getting rid of those extra Kg. Next will be doing a blood test to check whether my cholesterol level had gone done. My cholesterol level used to be above the border line. The next yearly blood test is not due until Nov 2006, so there is a few more months to work out and hopefully that can bring the level down. But again sometimes high cholesterol level may be due to genetics, as my father had a history of high blood pressure.

Lets see how it goes.

The first time I slept

While watching the Engrand match playing against Ecuador last nite, I actually slept - YES, I actually slept in front of the TV. Not that I am tired or what, or after having ran 27k on Saturday. It just that the game is so damn boring that the sleeping bugs took over. To be honest I have never slept in front of the TV over a World Cup game. Thats how bad it is. ENGLAND - for The Queen sake, please play better and play some decent football in your next game. You are disappointing your fans, summore you are all well known thru out the world. And for the benefits of the game, dont blame it that it is too hot. You are paid millions of $$$ just to play football.

27KM

week 24/6/2006(sat): Total mileage=45km, 6+6+6+27

Today in my LSD, I have increased my mileage to hit 27km. Feels good and the upper body muscle ache is gone. Just that after my run, I felt some pain at the heel and arch of both the feet. I am not too sure whether it is caused by the hard concrete that I ran on around the lake in Taman Tasik Perdana, or the NB1060 is not giving me the cushioning and support that my feet needed. Or it is just that because of the high mileage, my heel and arch are being strain. It is not alarming but just some discomfort. Will take some rest and resume my running next week. Will do another 27km next week and will run with a motion-control support shoe to see how it goes.

The fall of the Asian Tigers

South Korea's Jung Hwan Ahn reacts at the end of the World Cup, Group G soccer match between Switzerland and South Korea, at the Hanover stadium, Germany, Friday, June 23, 2006. Switzerland won 2-0. With the loss, South Korea is out of the last 16 knock out phase.

The team is fantastic, your supporters are fantatstic but you just need to try harder.

Good Luck South Korea.

BlackStars had arrived

The BlackStars of Africa is thru to the last 16 of World Cup 2006




























Next watch out for the Asian TIGER....COREA




















Besides ARGENTINA, this are the 2 teams I will bet my $$$ on to go far in World Cup 2006.

Confucius says......

says " It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop"

20062006

It is still 5mins away b4 the day ends, and I would like to inform you about how auspicious it is today. This is contributed by Eugene Lee.

YEARS COME AND GO
TODAY IS A SPECIAL DAY
20062006 A DOUBLE MATCH
IT HAPPENS ONLY ONCE IN A LIFETIME
SO I WISH YOU ALL A WONDERFUL DAY

What makes them run?

What makes them run a marathon?

This was an article that I read in today's The Star under the FitForLife section. The article touches on a few aspects .

People run a gruelling marathon because of:

- Physical challenge
- Want a shiny medal
- Lose weight
- Draw kudos from their peer
- Better quality of life

But besides wanting to achieve such challenges, the big question here where I think is very subjective and difficult to answer is what are all these people's motivation level when going after their goals. Some will definitely have high percentage to succeed ie they will continue to excel and make thier goals. Others will eventually dropout citing different kind of excuses. But to me running can be done alone and even more effective when in a group. This is when encouragemnet will come in, pacing with the right running buddy so that the slow runners will not be left behind and the faster runner can run at their faster pace than to wait for the slower ones. Thats so much for taking to first step into having an interest in RUNNING and then participating in a Marathon. The next X-factor questions are what is the motivation level of these people who have gone thru the above cycle and are at the starting line of a marathon race.

Most runners will asked themselves why am I doing this for. I believe there are some motivation factors to this:

- Weight lose (by this time, one will probably have lost easily 5kg)
- Improve self esteem
- Social interactions
- Recognition from others
- Achieve personal goals
- Better quality of life

And the lists goes on. We all know the attrition rates in exercise are very high, and we as seasoned runners do not want to set someone up for failure when introducing them to running. The first month is always fun. It takes a lot more to get it thru. We have to see them thru until they achieved what they have set to do and start to enjoy running. Then we know we have successfully gotten someone interested into running, otherwise it is a failure.

So do you know what makes them run?
Strive on........

I went, I saw, I conquered Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu Charity Climb:
4^th May – 7^th May 2006

I got excited when my dad told me to join him for the above charity climb. It is a very good opportunity and exposure for me as I have never hiked any mountains before. Not only that, I will also get to know many new friends. I also felt that it is my moral obligation to help those whom are less fortunate than I.

We started training in Batu Caves in April 2006 and initially I could only walk up and down the 270 steps 4 times only. Slowly over a period of 3 weeks, I managed to walk up and down 10 times in 50 minutes. My dad said that once I achieved this timing, only then, am I fit and qualified for the trip. With all the hard training in Batu Caves and in the gym for one month, I am now ready for the big mission.

On the 4^th May 2006, Thursday, upon arrival at the LCCT Airport, I met the other 9 team members whom I have never met before (They are Uncle Choi (Team Leader), Ben, William, Sean, Wong, Felix, Tan and Karen) and glad to know that I am the youngest member among the whole team. After 2.5 hours of flight, we safely arrived at the capital city of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. Upon immigration clearance; we met another team member Yeok and we quickly headed for our seafood noodle lunch and grocery shopping before we headed for the KK Park which is about 3 hours of driving from the KK Town centre.

After registering at the KK Park office, all of us checked into our lodge where we had to repack our haversacks for tomorrow’s climb. We had good group dinner inside the park restaurant and we had many laughs as the whole group was full of funny people with great sense of humour. My dad challenged William (the strongest man in our team) to take off his warm clothing on top of the summit where the temperature may sometimes be freezing. Without any hesitation, William accepted the challenge and the reward is a free flow of beer. We retired early and I slept very well because of the cool, fresh and quiet environment.

5th May 2006, Friday, we woke up 6.30 am and after finishing all the morning routines, we assembled in front of KK park office to collect our climbing permit and pick up our mountain guide. Sean, my dad and I took a bus to the Timpohan gate which is the conventional trail (6 km). The other 8 team members opted for the longer route, Mesilau gate (8 km). Most of us did not engage porter as my dad said it will be more challenging and better accomplished if we carried our own bags. At 8.30 am sharp, we started from Timpohan gate and along the way up; we met a big group of Japanese veteran climbers who were on their way up as well. My dad and I started quite slow and steady. For the first 4km, it was quite fun and not that difficult but after the 4 km rest hut it started to get harder and harder because of the altitude. I was getting tired too. Along the way up to Laban Rata, I stopped many times, hence the pace slowed down a lot. After 3.5 hours, we finally arrived at the base camp, Laban Rata at noon. My dad and I were the first few ones to reach Laban Rata. I had severe head and neck pain upon arrival at the Laban Rata. My dad said those are symptoms of altitude sickness. I also had difficulties in breathing and felt like vomiting. My dad advised me to shower and get some rest. I took a nap for 4 hours and woke up around 5pm. Most of the climbers were having their buffet dinner but I had no appetite. I only bit some biscuits and a cup of hot chocolate. I went back to my dormitory to continue my sleep.

6^th May 2006, Saturday, Morning call was at 2 am and everyone got up and prepared for our final ascend to the summit. Though my situation improved but I still feel a mild pain in my head and neck. Uncle Choi gave me 2 Panadols after my light breakfast. Everyone started to climb towards the peak at 2.45am. When we were climbing up the peak, it was very dark and cold and each of us had to use a torch light. At the start, I was suffering because I was very weak and could not breathe well. After hiking for half an hour, I started to feel better. Around 6 am, we finally reached the Sayat-Sayat check point. After Sayat-Sayat, I felt very tired and wanted to lie down but my father asked me to take a short rest for no more than 2 minutes. He asked me to keep on going because if I were to lie for too long, I won’t be able to walk anymore. I took his advice and kept going on very slow pace. Finally, after 4.5 hours of hard work, I reached the Low’s Summit around 7 am. I felt very happy and great up there though I missed the sunrise. The wind was strong and very cold at the summit. Everyone was busy taking pictures. I, too, had a few shots with my dad and the mountain guide. After enjoying the beautiful and magnificent view of the mountain plateau, we started to descend back to Laban Rata. Descending is much easier and fun and we took only 2.5 hours to get back to our lodge in Laban Rata. We left Laban Rata around noon time after having some light food and packing. Along the way down, I was able to look around taking in the beautiful nature as it was much easier now. I felt more relaxed and I could enjoy the surrounding more than the day we were ascending. The flora and insects were so attractive and beautiful. We met many foreigners hiking up we descended. My climb wasn’t particularly a stroll in the park, but it has made me appreciate nature more. I now understand why my father travels far and wide to hike mountains. I always knew there must be something special about it, and now I know for sure.

I feel that all Malaysians, particularly the young and fit, should make an effort to climb Mountain Kinabalu once in their lives. It is such a spectacular mountain. Mountain Kinabalu is also the highest mountain in South-east Asia and had been gazetted as the World Heritage by United Nation.

I went, I saw, I conquered Mount Kinabalu! - by Lee Yi Xi (16 years old)

25km

It has been a long, long time that I have ever ran a 25km run be it during training or in a race. Tis morning together with my running buddy, we did a 25km run in preparation for the Laksa Marathon. The motive as what LIFEMOU said is to break the mental barrier of certain distance that you want to run. Eventually as we pound in the mileage, we are looking at doing a 35km run two weeks before th race. The run was good except towards the last 5km, the muscle at the upper body felt a bit sore. I think the muscle supporting my upper body is not use to holding it for almost 2.5hrs. Hopefully as my training progresses the upper body muscle will strengthen and goes away. I believe doing a workout in the gym will help except that I never like to workout in the gym. Need to apply some rubs to ease the soreness.


week 17/6/2006(sat): Total mileage=37km, 6+6+25

VIVA ARGENTINA

Thats my team for World Cup 2006. Crespo, Rodriguez and Messi are my favourite players.

Influenza Soccaritis

And if you need an MC for staying up too late for football and cannot report to work, use this.....

TGIF

A blink of the eyes and Thank God Its Friday again. The World Cup Fever is getting hotter and hotter now. Countries that won their first two games are assure of a place in the last 16. Countries that didnt do too well have started packing their bags for home. The fever is impacting everything in Malaysia from the plain old Jane on the streets to corporate workers and big time businessman. Mamak stores and those water joints are making huge sum of $$$. Everything is at a standstill from 9pm till the wee hours of the morning. Office workers reporting late to work with bubbly eyes and black rings. Taxi drivers complain about drop in business, no one are interest in the stock market. All the investment go into the bets, whether is legal or illegal. Anyway there is no legal football betting in Malaysia. People are trying to make quick bucks during this time. Whether your investments yield any gains or loss with be known in 90 minutes, thats how fast the results are. Ah Longs business sore like sky high, lending out $$$ for big time punters. And the list goes on and on. Things will only settle down once the World Cup 2006 Final is over and that is on July 9, 2006. And we will anxiously wait for the next World Cup to happen in 2010, anticipated to be held in the Africa continent.

My Training regime

My Training regime - LAKSA Marathon

......what I have done

week 27/5/2006(sat): Total mileage=38km, 6+6+6+20
week 03/6/2006(sat): Total mileage=20km, 20
week 10/6/2006(sat): Total mileage=0km, 0


......as planned by Lifemou

week 17/6/2006(sat): Total mileage=40km, 10+5+25
week 24/6/2006(sat): Total mileage=45km, 10+10+25
week 1/7/2006(sat): Total mileage=55km, 15+10+30
week 8/7/2006 (sat): Total mileage=55km, 15+5+35
week 15/7/2006 (sat): Total mileage=63km, 15+10+38

Tapering week 22/7/2006 (sat): Total mileage=10km
Tapering week 29/7/2006 (sat): Total mileage=5km

30/7/2006: LAKSA RUN!!!

What a Monday

After a week break, I reported back to office today and was faced with heaps of work uncleared. I thot I have updated my boss what to approve and go ahead with, before I went on leave. Apparently that didnt happened. Everything was on a standstill and were waiting for my return. And you know how the situation is, everything is urgent, waiting to be cleared. It was like the "chicken trying to cross the road" aka Kelam Kabut.

Well, I took it positively. Maybe my boss was also very b zee last week when he has no time at all to look at all the pending issues. Now the Kaki-Tangan had to figure out and get it sorted. It was like double tasking or even multi-tasking. I work like an Intel processor putting all task in front of me, applying priorities on the more urgent ones and have it work on and cleared. In no time it was lunch time and had to get back home to send my son to visit the doctor. He complained about stomachache in the morning when he was about to go to school. He ponteng sekolah today, and stay at the babysitter home waiting for me to come back to visit the doctor. After that grab a quick lunch of mamak mee goreng before heading back to the office.

Continue with all the other outstanding task, and some breaks in between to conduct 3 interview sessions where we are doing some hiring. What a day to schedule all these interviews. Cant push them away since the candidates have confirmed. Anyway not a professional way to cancel it, and have to live with it. Sneak in some work in between the interviews and eventually it was almost 6.30pm, but the pending tasks are still not completed. Anyway I have cleared almost all the urgent ones and will call it a day. Will get to continue tomorrow and I will be back home sitting on my sofa to watch those World Cup matches.

Ole-Ole-Ole-Ole-Ole, Viva-Viva-Viva !!!!

Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor

Siem - Siam aka The Kingdom of Thailand; Reap - Defeat

Siem Reap - Defeat of Siam

















Nestled between rice paddies and stretched along the Siem Reap river, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap town serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Angkorian-era Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and the legendary Angkor Wat whose artistic and archaeological siginificance and visual impact put it in a class with the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal. And though the major temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park are very well touristed these days, it is still possible to get away from the crowds, to explore the area and discover the ancient temples of Angkor.

















Siem Reap town is where you will stay during your visit to Angkor. The main body of the town stretches about 2km north/south along the Siem Reap river and roughly 3km to 4km east/west along Route #6. The area has been receiving foreign visitors to the temples for over 100 years. The town is actually a cluster of old villages, which originally developed around individual pagodas, and was later overlaid with a French colonial-era center. Take note of the colonial and Chinese style architecture in the Old French Quarter and around the Old Market.

















Often missed are the many opportunities to experience traditional Cambodia: "Apsara" dance performances, craft shops and silk farms, road tours through rice-paddy countryside, boat trips on the Great Tonle Sap Lake to fishing villages and bird santuary. These are the places you have to go besides visiting the temples.

Faces of Siem Reap

No Blogging

NO BLOGGING FOR NEXT WEEK

HAVING A BREAK IN SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

Yi Xi - You have done it......

As a 16 year old boy, and having climb Mt Kinabalu the first time and reaching the summit together with your daddy, and today you have completed another task of finishing a 20km run (without walking) together with our group. I believed your daddy and mummy have given you lots of encourgement in order for you to achieve this. I wish I have parents like them during my younger days.
















Yi Xi's parents - Mr+Mrs Eugene Lee

YiXi - you have done it and achieved a lot in just a short 1 month period where I believe no 16 year old boy would have done anything like that before. I am be wrong but I personnally have not seen any achievement like that before. I believe your good stamina foundation during your competitive swimming had help you a lot to be where you are. Dont give up and continue to build your strength from here whether you are going out trekking or running another race. And I am very sure your next attempt in running the Penang Bridge International Marathon 21Km race will be no problem to you. Just have to push yourself a bit harder now (since you have broken the barrier of running 20km) to achieve a better timing.
















Sifu and the Tow Tai Yi Xi

SiFu aka LIFEMOU - Your guidance are very valuable to the young boy here and in no time I am sure he will give you a run for the money. Keep up the good work and I really have to salute you for making it for this morning run eventhough your car was in the workshop and worst still you have to take a taxi to Lake Gardens. I like your commitment and hats off to you.

I seeya all next week at the same place and the same time.


Pictures - curi from Galnexdor

LAKSA Marathon

LAKSA Marathon aka Penang Bridge International Marathon is just 2 months away (July 30, 2006) and I am training for it. Yes - 2 months to train and I will be at the starting line since 15 years ago where I ran my last marathon before taking a long break.

LIFEMOU - my running buddy and so call pacer will be with me for the 42km race
EUGENE & YIXI - Father & Son combination will be going for the 21km for the first time
GALNEXDOR - felt it is too far to go and just run, she will opt for the Tri and Dual races nearer to home
WILLIAM & WONG TECK MIN - Say they are both going for the races. Which category??
CARBOMAN - Invited me to run in his homeground but have to wait for his decison since there is a new kid on the block that he needs to look after. But dont forget SMBFAAgain!!!! - challenge posted by LIFEMOU

Seeya in the LAKSA city and eat your heart out at Lorong Selamat.........