New Year, Old Habit !!

Yeah…I am finally back to my old habit. Don’t worry as it is not something harmful. It is actually running or jogging or exercising whichever terms we prefer to use. See, prior to June 2008, every Sunday morning (as early as 6.30am), I will be at Bukit Aman (near National Monument) to join my colleague and other runners for our usual 10km or 20km run.

Why did I stop running? I was very much occupied with preparation to move into this new condo in between April to June 2008. By the time I settled down in the new place, my body has adjusted to late Sunday mornings and it became very challenging to instruct the mind and body to run again. The temptation of longer sleeping time, LCD TV, internet etc etc has managed to replace my favorite hobby of more than 10 years.

I like to thank the long weekend of Christmas and Awal Muharram where I have spare time and managed to put on my Mizuno shoes and started my hobby again. The trick is that I need to start really slow as my knee have rested for close to 7 months. Day 1-I started by taking the stairs from Level 17 to Level 6 to visit the gym in the clubhouse (Oh ya...the clubhouse and swimming pool are located on Level 6). Day 2-I did the same walk down the stairs and completed 60mins slow walk (less than 5km) on the treadmill in the gym. Day 4- I think I am now ready to run. I did a slow 2km run on the road and continue on the treadmill for another 5km run (approx 35mins).

Treadmills in the gym. The 2nd treadmill from the left actually has KLCC view!!

If I were to describe my effort in another different perspective...it would be akin to driving a Kancil 850cc now when I have driven Honda Civic 1.8cc seven months ago. That's how I felt. I know I can run faster (my mind can do it) but there is no way my knee can support this task. So, I will need to continue to drive this Kancil (twice a week) for another month before I can pick up the key to the Altis !!

And what a good time to start the New Year with this healthy activity.. Happy New Year 2009 to all runners out there wherever you are !!

My previous run at RMAF Half Marathon in May 2008 with timing of 1 hour 50 mins at #114.

Passport To Europe

It was certainly a relieved when we were told that our application for German Visa has been approved, a process that took only 3 weeks to complete. With the temporary 3 months visa issued locally by German Embassy in KL, it will then be converted to a long term work permit by the local office in Trier, Germany upon our arrival in mid January 2009. Apparently, this is how process will be to ensure we are legally protected while being attached to the company's project based in Trier for the whole of 2009. (For the record, Malaysian is able to enter Germany for a maximum of 3 months)

Each countries has their own set of procedures for visa or work permit application. It was really unfortunate that my application for work permit to the UK was rejected in August this year. (Hence, I was there only for 2 weeks). There were certain point system that was in placed (coupled with the infamous cases of Malaysian who "jump aeroplane" in UK) and although I was a genuine case whose application was submitted by a reputable UK company, I was in the end turned down. It must be a simple process then; Take a look at the form, checked the documentation and wa-la.... did not meet the requirement and therefore stamped as "Rejected". No consideration on other factors such as purpose of application, the company, the kind of work, the period etc... (For the record, Malaysian is able to enter the UK for a maximum period of 6 months on social or business visit).

Well, that chapter is closed now and I should now look forward to Germany instead. "Willkommen to Germany"...

Christmas in KL

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday to everyone !! Christmas falls on a Thursday and with Monday being a public holiday in Malaysia, I get to enjoy continuous 5days off by taking leave on Boxing Day...Thats nice huh...

I have been back to KL since 15th Dec, after spending 2 weeks under the dreadful weather in London..That 2 weeks was an interesting chapter in my life.. I mean London is the place to be..with so many attraction and historical places to visit etc etc.. I must talk about it and show some pictures ... I'll do that in another posting..

In the meantime, I am posting some pictures of Christmas decor in KL. Shopping centres in KL are competing in trying to amaze shoppers with their creativity year after year and celebration after celebration. (wait till you see the Chinese New Year decor). Kudos goes to the respective Advertising and Promotion dept and to the managment for allocating huge budgets for all types of celebration.

White Christmas at One Utama

3 version of Xmas decor at Mid Valley

Xmas tree at KLCC concourse. So tall that I need to combine 2 shots..

p/s: On Saturday 27th Dec, The Star reported that Mid Valley won the grand prize in the Best Decorated Mall contest for Christmas 2008 for the 2nd consecutive year.

Welcome to London

I am so confused with the time now...My body is on KL time (3.30am Sunday) but its only 7.30pm Saturday here in London. I spent 12hours in the plane (watching 4 movies coz I am not the type that can sleep while travelling on the road or in the air) from KL to Heathrow Intl Airport (Terminal 3) and head straight by taxi (30mins ride) to a hotel in Weybridge, located South East of England. The fact that the sun set pretty early here in Europe, add more to my confusion state of mind. At 4pm, it was like 7.30pm back home. Temperature was at 4 degree celcius.

KL-Heathrow in 12 hours

I am here for 2 weeks on business trip, paying a visit to one of our inter-company and is looking forward to visit places of interest in London, approx less than an hour train ride from Weybridge. Being a stranger here, I am fortunate to have my KL colleague (who has spent close to 3mths here) to become my tour guide tomorrow. The plan is to do a lot of walking tomorrow (Sunday) + some serious shopping of branded stuffs (with fx rate of 5.5++ now), we might be able to save couple hundred ringgit. Anyone want to order anything?

Welcome Blogger JTH315 !

Well, what can I say? I like to welcome myself to the blogging world !!

Can't believe I am here... In the world of cyberspace where your writings can be read and pix can be seen by millions out there. It took a while to decide what name to use...JTH315 denotes my 3 chinese name+DOB. I am patiently waiting for this address to be my car registration number. Less than 7 years will be the waiting time...

Being new, there are lots to learn before I master the art of blogging. Its the same everywhere I bet, one will never stop learning...Its the pace of learning that differs between individuals. So, what's my pace then? I think I can can take this slow and steady. There are many active bloggers out there and they will be my role model..

I will get used to this new hobby very soon....and I am sure its going to be an interesting affair for the many years to come... So, I will enjoy my stay here... Will you?