Goodbye and Thank You 2014

It’s only a few hours away till we close the cover of the book of 2014.

2014… there were more thorns than roses I would say. The thorns were mainly the things beyond my control like the things happening around the world and my country, seeing many lives lost to air disasters and shitty things that happened at work. However, there were lessons learnt from for all the things that happened around me or to me.

Main lessons learnt for me is to be grateful with all that I have, to cherish my loved ones and to focus my energy to do the things that makes me happy.

So please be warned that this post is going to highlight a lot on cycling, my family and my friends as these are the people and things that I’m grateful for, cherished and makes me happy.

When I was drafting this post only did I realize that there were many first times. Some of those things I have never thought I was capable of doing. So here’s the flip through of my own book of 2014…

JANUARY

I participated in my very first cycling event… OCBC Cycle Malaysia. At that time I was still on my first bike, my first daughter… the 20” Raleigh Ugo. The experience was exhilarating. This event was the door opener to many more events that follows.

 The downside to this month was that I experienced another miscarriage. However, I was not emotionally affected as I was not even aware that I was pregnant and it was at a very, very early stage. No worries… I’m fine. All in God’s time.

FEBRUARY

We had our very first family holiday “abroad” to the Land Below the Wind… Sabah.

 After this trip, my second daughter joined my family… the 26” Java MTB Foldie.

MARCH

We attended our first KL Car Free Morning.

Attended my first outdoor yoga event at Putrajaya with Lee Heong. We were supposed to do 108 sets of Sun Salutation, Lee Heong completed all without stopping but I only managed to do 80 sets. But still, I’m proud with myself as I didn’t even know I could do more than 30 sets!

 And our first outstation cycling event in Taiping.

The downside to this month was the disappearance of flight MH370. It was very devastating to see so many lives lost without any closure.

APRIL

We’ve cycled KL Car Morning with Ronald McDonald.

 Attended my nephew’s first Sports Day…

Towards the end of this month, it was most saddening as my colleague had lost her battle to cancer.

MAY

We went for a mini road trip to Ipoh to cycle while I worked at the same time.

I finally got myself to start my Korean language class. I’ve wanted to do this since a few years back but I procrastinated with the excuse of not having anyone to go with me. So this year, I did the Nike… JUST DO IT!

I’ve also attended my first K-Pop concert with my brother, David. Some may feel that we’re a bit old for this but… who cares! It’s 2NE1 yo!

JUNE

We participated in our first Jamboree and using our MTB Foldies! We were the only ones on foldies and most people would have thought of us being crazy. Through this event I got to know the Shadow Cycling Team. If it’s not for my hubby, Jackie and Bee, I would have just given up. It was really tough and I felt like dying. I NEVER would have thought I could reach the finish line!

Hello, SC Team!

Bike pushing more than cycling

My 3 Heroes... Jackie, Bee & Ken (the hubby)

Went on a short trip to Bukit Tinggi with my school friends… the first since 1995!

In this month also I’ve experienced my first embarrassing cycling moment… going up the Sweeper Truck. There was nothing wrong with my bike and I was not injured. I just couldn’t go on and I didn’t want to hold my hubby back with me, so I went up voluntarily. My sisters said I should have faked an injury and gone on the ambulance instead coz that would be less embarrassing. I told myself that this was the first and last time I’ll be going up that truck.

JULY

My first overseas trip with my sisters, except my elder sister. It was a short trip to Hanoi but it was fun to spend time with my sisters.

AUGUST

I’ve never thought I would be setting my foot on the Sepang F1 track be it cycling on it.

SEPTEMBER

We had a 3 day cycling event in Taiping and Ipoh. It was the first time cycling with the full Cycling Kraze team.

OCTOBER

Please welcome my 3rd daughter... Goldie.

Went for my first long vacation with my hubby to Gold Coast, Australia to visit my sister in-law and family. Though Australia was not in my top 3 of my “Places To Go” list, I’m amazed by the beautiful beach and parks there. The time spent with my sister in-law and family was priceless.

NOVEMBER

There’s nothing like celebrating my birthday with family and friends. My younger sister started the ball rolling by having a surprise celebration for me at my favourite bicycle shop, Keen 2 Cycle.

Completing my second Jamboree was the best present I could give to myself.

DECEMBER

I started this month by cycling up to Frasers Hill for the first time. The feeling when I finally reached the clock tower at the top was like reaching the peak of Mt Everest for some. I think this would be my biggest cycling achievement for this year.

Before this month ends, I finally get to cycle in Melaka.

Looking back at all that has taken place in the last 364 days, I’m so blessed to have a family that loves and support me, a husband that loves me dearly, cycling buddies that made Cycling Kraze an awesome team and cycling buddies from the Shadow Cycling Team that created more fun and excitement to my cycling days.

Cycling has given me a new family. Cycling has made me new friends. Cycling has reduced my work stress and kept me sane. Cycling has kept me healthy and happy. So in the coming 2015, I’ll keep cycling!

My cycling motto is this…
It’s not what you cycle, but that you cycle.
It’s not how fast you go, it’ about enjoying the ride.
It’s not when you started cycling, but continuing to cycle each day.

Wishing all of you who actually spared some time to read my blog, a Very Happy and Healthy New Year! May you stay happy with all that you do and with the people around you. May you stay healthy and do not take your health for granted.

I Ruled The KL Road

19 January 2014, marked my first highlight of the year 2014...my first cycling event, the OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2014.

I started my cycling craze just 4 months back in October 2013. My husband and friends were the ones who dragged me into it by buying themselves a foldable mountain bike each while I was on outstation work. Both my husband and I were afraid that I might not be able to handle bikes like theirs, I bought a 20" Raleigh Ugo foldable bike. Since then, we've been cycling at least once a week for almost every week, mostly in Putrajaya.

One fine day in October 2013, two of my friends decided to sign up for the OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2014 event, followed by my husband in early November 2013. At that time, cycling for 24km seems like suicide to me. But as soon as our regular cycling routine hits 20++km, I told myself that it's time to challenge myself, I registered end November followed by my brother in-law and niece in early December. Besides, this is the only time the busy roads of KL is closed for you to cycle.

The poster that lured us all in

The event was over 3 days, 17 Jan - Collection of Starter Packs, 18 Jan - Kids Rides, Ultimate Foldies Challenge & Criterium, 19 Jan - Ultimate Challenge & Community Ride (my category).

The event started with the collection of the starter pack 2 days before. The starter pack consists of the event T-shirt, bib, bike labels, helmet stickers and some goodies and vouchers from the sponsors.

There were 6 of us, 4 of us in the Foldies Community Ride while my brother in-law and niece were under the normal Community Ride.

Behold...the Route Map:

On the main event day, the Community Ride were to be flagged off at 8.45am. So, we planned to arrive 2 hours before to make sure we have ample of time to park our cars, grab a quick bite and cycle to Dataran Merdeka. We left our houses with bikes in our cars at about 5am.

We reached Puduraya Bus Station at about 6.15am to park our cars and unload our bikes. None of us felt sleepy as we were excited since this was our very first cycling event.

From Puduraya, we cycled to Dataran Merdeka where we were all suppose to start and end and stopped for a quick breakfast at the mamak on the way there.

By the time we arrive at Dataran Merdeka, the participants for the Challenge have already been flagged off. Other cyclists participating in the Community Ride were all over Dataran Merdeka taking photos, breeze cycling within the square and hanging around. It was a real eye opener.

And my number is...

By 8.30am, we were all asked to assemble in the pen...foldies in front and the other bikes at the back. My heart was beating so hard as I stood with my bike in front of the starting line.

The route was not as easy as my husband described to me. My biggest enemies were the 4 uphill stretch. I almost gave up halfway up the 3rd uphill stretch that goes through Kenny Hill a.k.a. Bukit Tunku. I am so thankful for my friend, Joeyee, the was patient enough to wait for me at the top of each hill.

The experience was simply amazing. Cycling by the Putra World Trade Centre, Sogo, Dang Wangi, KLCC, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Masjid Jamek, not having to worry about traffic was just PRICELESS!! The only thing that we have to look out for were the other riders and pedestrians that crossed the streets by force.

The entire route was 12km but for the Community Ride, we need to make to make 2 lapse which equals up to 24km. I have to salute those who participated in the Ultimate Challenge as they need to make 4 lapse (48km) within 2 hours while I completed my 24km ride in 1hr 30mins.

My friend (the one in yellow) who participated in the Ultimate Challenge. Salute to her and her team mates!

There was a great sense of accomplishment when I cycled across the finish line. For finishing the course, we received a Finisher Medal. 

We all somehow felt like a winner and was so proud with ourselves...simply because we finished the course and most importantly, we did not give up.

Once again, well done to all! Let's do it again soon!

The OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2015 is now open for registration. If you have a bicycle and you love to cycle, why don't just join in the fun? If I can, you can too! Here are the links: Event Info & Registration Form

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Did you hear about the fat, alcoholic transvestite - all he wanted to do was eat, drink and be Mary.

I got invited to a party and was told to dress to kill. Apparently a turban, beard and a backpack wasn't what they had in mind.

After a night of drink, drugs and wild sex, Jim woke up to find himself next to a really ugly woman. That's when he realised he had made it home safely.

Paddy says to Mick, "Christmas is on Friday this year".  Mick said, "Let's hope it's not the 13th then."

I've been charged with murder for killing a man with sandpaper. To be honest I only intended to rough him up a bit.

After years of research, scientists have discovered what makes women happy. Nothing.

Seven wheelchair athletes have been banned from the Paralympics after they tested positive for WD40.

A mummy covered in chocolate and nuts has been discovered in Egypt. Archaeologists believe it may be a Pharaoh Roche...

Just a Reminder to those who stole Electrical Goods in Last Year's Riots....Your One Year Manufacturer's Warranty Runs Out Soon.

IT’S A BOY" I shouted "A BOY, I DON'T BELIEVE IT, IT’S A BOY" And with tears streaming down my face I swore I'd never visit another Thai Brothel!!!

An Englishman has started his own business in Afghanistan! He is making land Mines that look like prayer mats! It’s doing well! Prophets are going through the roof!!

Japanese scientists have created a camera with a shutter speed so fast, they can now photograph a woman with her mouth shut.

A boy asks his granny, 'Have you seen my pills, they were labelled LSD?' Granny replies, f@@k the pills, have you seen Spiderman in the kitchen?!

  

Wife gets naked and asks hubby, “What turns you on most, my pretty face or my sexy body?”

Hubby looks her up and down and replies, “Your sense of humour!”

Little Billy asks his dad for a telly in his room. Dad reluctantly agrees.  Next day Billy comes downstairs and asks, “Dad, what's love & juice?” Dad looks horrified and tells Billy all about sex.  Billy just sat there with his mouth open in amazement.  Dad says, “So what were you watching?”  Billy says, “Wimbledon.”