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However, when we run with a mate, we encourage each other along the way, when we almost give up. Just like in life, when we had set backs, people along the way giving you words of encouragement and support, so you won’t fall and keep going. With a mate, we train together, have the same target, went through the tough training, the sweat, and finally on race day, the glory we shared.

Running has been giving me a sense of freedom all these while, or a sense of hope.. a target, an aim, that I want to reach. It may not be beyond my reach at the starting point, but in my mind, I know I will be there, just the matter of time. I simply love the squeeze of the hand as the gun goes off, the scenary along the race, and the sweaty embrace and pats at the finish. Runners, became a better runner after each race through the experience. May not be physically, but emotionally, definitely.

Running has taught me a lot about life. Running, is fastest when you are alone. Just like in our life, we move fastest in our career when we are single. Alone. We just move forward, put all our energy, our time and focus into it. Once we reached the finishing line, we felt a sense of accomplishment, that we have given our very best in this race. Each steps as you struggle along the race, spells determination. For some, it spells torture.

However, when we run with a mate, we encourage each other along the way when we almost give up. Just like in life, when we had set backs, people along the way giving you words of encouragement and support, so you won’t fall and keep going. Will your mate go ahead and leave you in the middle of the race if you are getting slower? Will you let your mate go ahead with an open heart if you can’t catch up? This is the point when a person has to make a decision. Just like in life, will you stay on, or want to go ahead to achieve your ambition when you know your mate is going to make it slower than you. Tough decision, huh. With a mate, we get to train together, have the same target, went through the tough training, the sweat, and finally on race day, the glory shared.

I personally enjoy both running alone and running with a mate, provided the mate shares the same view as me to go along the race together and enjoy the journey of the race as well as each other’s companionship.

I quoted the paragraphs below from UK Times Online from a woman who ran the marathon with her husband. This is just so touching :-

I can tell you what the most wonderful thing my husband has ever said to me. No, not “Will you marry me?” or “How wonderful, a fourth child”, or even “You look knockout in that bikini, darling”. Without doubt, the most sympathetic, generous and loving thing Mr Millard has ever said in 14 years of marriage is: “You go ahead! Don’t worry about me!”

This was at Mile 21 of the London Marathon this year. We were at that gruelling milestone where the runners turn wearily out of Poplar and head down towards Wapping. I came up alongside him and was looking more fresh than he was, to be honest. But instead of getting nasty about it, seven unprompted words gave me the go-ahead to achieve my ambition of finishing in less than four hours, a goal that I had been working towards for six tough months. I finished in 3.51. He suffered the agonies of hitting the wall, alone. Can you see why I love him?

In the middle of the run, when we get tired, do we keep the momentum? Do we give up running, and walk all the way? Or we give up totally and stop the run at that point. Most people will walk, rest, and continue running shortly after.

How we run, in a race, is just like how we manage our life. There are many people in the race. Some run faster than you, some slower. Running taught me not to be competitive (yeah I know it doesn’t sound right). What I meant by not competitive is, I  learn to run within my own ability, not getting worried about how others are doing better than me. I once joined a run which is called Yellow Ribbon Prison Run. It’s about giving the ex-offenders a second chance in life, and one of the banners hanging along the run wrote “Life is not about the race, is about giving each other some space“. I totally agree with this.  

Love Running, Hate Running, It may be a love-hate relationship for all the blisters and tough training. The ending, worth it or not, is for you to judge

Before I start with this post, I would like to thank my bf, David for being supportive and understanding. I really appreciate it. Here goes :-

One morning, as early as 7am, I received an sms from my ex bf that reads “My dad passed away”.

A gush of sadness brushed over me but I’m not shocked, as I know his dad has been diagnosed with diabetes for many years since we were in college. His dad has been struggling with diabetes for almost 10 years, and having blurred vision and slowly he became blind.

I was contemplating whether I should go to the wake or funeral, and I decided to just go to the wake. I hope I will not feel awkward seeing him and his family again. It has been really a long time since I met my ex, and I can’t believe that the next time we meet each other is actually on a wake/funeral.

On Sunday night, I attended the wake. I met his family, whom I have not met for years. I actually felt happy to see them again. Looking at the coffin, I recall a man who once healthy when I first saw him. Came back home from work like any other people, walking around, happily talking and a man who cares for his family. Slowly diabetes is eating him up in few years period to the point he needs to do dialysis.. that was all 2-3 years ago when I last saw him before my ex and I broke up..

That night, is the first time after we broke up we both actually sat down and talk like normal friends, updating each other. I saw his dad’s body in the coffin and I feel really sad.. he has grown old so much since the last time I saw him.

I’m glad I attended the wake to pay my last respect. For many people out there who are contemplating whether you should go to your ex’s family’s funeral or wake.. my advise is “Go”. We are there to pay our last respect to the deceased, and we do not mean anything else. I am sure your ex will be grateful that you came as well.

May the deceased rest in peace, as his suffering has ended.

Today, in the news, a life size robotic girlfriend has been created by a company named TrueCompanion. From the snippet of news, it is known that the robotic girlfriend has different personalities, and their personalities are customizable (woww!!)

ROXXXY comes with five personalities. Wild Wendy is outgoing and adventurous, while Frigid Farrah is reserved and shy.

There is a young naive personality along with a Mature Martha that Hines described as having a ‘matriarchal kind of caring’. S & M Susan is geared for more adventurous types.

Aspiring partners can customize Roxxxy features, including race, hair colour and breast size. A male sex robot named ‘Rocky’ is in development.

Other than the fact that the robotic girlfriend can’t do housework and can’t cook (which many of us can’t anyway :p) , the robotic girlfriend, Roxxxy stands five feet, seven inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, has a full C cup and is ready for action.  (0.O)

The amazing part is that this invention of robotic girlfriend actually trying to replicate the personalities of real human, real woman. On the bright side, less people will go for prostitutes and for some men, who want to experiment without risk. However, this does give me a shock, on what human can invent (other than cloning, now a robotic girlfriend with personality!)

Wonder what will happen in the next 10 years. Will the sexy robotic girlfriend be a replacement as man’s companion in time to come, or the world will be a healthier world with less diseases associated with sex. Do share your thoughts.

Penang Bridge International Marathon(PBIM) 2009 was held on 22nd November, 2009.  This marathon is a yearly event held in Penang, popular among runners. Penang Bridge Marathon, or also previously known as Penang Bridge Run, was held every year since 1985. In 2009, this year, it is known as Penang Bridge International Marathon. This marathon attracts runners from all around the world as well as Malaysians and Penangites.

Roads were closed when this yearly event is held and runners get to run on Penang Bridge, which is the third longest bridge in the world. During other days, the bridge is only open for vehicles to drive to and fro between Penang island and Butterworth. Thus this marathon gives us the opportunity and is the only time we get to run and walk on the bridge.

There are 3 marathon categories ;-

1) Full Marathon (42.195km)

2) Half Marathon (21km)

3) Quarter Marathon (10km) (13 – 15 years old only)

4) Fun Run (10km) (13 years old and above)

I have imported the Penang Bridge International Marathon 2009 results at

PBIM Results : http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tgZYxaoX6krgIfnL5fq2vdg&output=html

Kudos to the organizers and all the volunteers! Was a great event.

Sources from The Mainichi Daily News & XinHua

Yoshito Usui, the author of popular japanese comic Crayon Shin Chan, found dead on Mount Arafune.

Yoshito Usui gone missing on Sept 11 after he told his family he was going to the mountains in Gunma Prefecture. However, he failed to return home the same evening as planned. His wife went to file a search request with Saitama Prefectural Police on the 12th Sept. Usui’s cell phone was ringing, but there was reportedly no response.

Police in Saitama have sought assistance from Gunma and Nagano prefectural police in searching for him.

On Sept 21, police have confirmed the body found on Mount Arafune on the border between Gunma and Nagano.
The body was covered in bruises, was found Saturday at the base of a cliff on the 1422.7-meter mountain. No suicide notes were found near Usui or in his belongs.

The cartoonist popular comic features the story of a kindergarten boy Shinnosuke Nohara living in Kasukabe with his family, and the stories of his kindergarden life with his friends, teachers and family.

I have always been reading his comic, and it shocked me that he is dead now.. He died at the age of 51, and may he rest in peace. Condolences to his family, I believe all his fan will always remember his work.

Usui,
Thanks for entertaining us with your comic. I enjoy reading your comic a lot, and it always make me feel happier. I have always waited for your comic to be out in my country and will buy it immediately each time I saw a new episode is out. May you rest in peace.