Coffee

I am a big fan of coffee. I like a cup of hot drinks to go with my meals, and most often than not, coffee is the choice to go. Doesn't matter if it is local coffee, white coffee, instant coffee or freshly brewed coffee, I like them all. Prefer to go with milk, rarely black. I am not a caffeine addict, I don't drink to keep awake (I sleep like a baby even after consuming coffee).

At cafes, I go with Flat White.
At coffee shop, I have kopi-c.
At home, I take 3-in-1 white coffee.
Cycling pitstop, I choose kopi-peng.
Starbucks, urm, Americano because I think their cappuccino and latte is not good.

Kopi-peng!

Few months ago as Covid-19 came and changed our lives, I've been staying home a lot. And I know how bad 3-in-1 white coffees are, loaded with sugar and many other substance that is not good for health. Being jobless, I have also cut away 'angmoh' coffee which can cost between RM10 to 12/cup.
Latte, Flat white, Cappucino is categorised as 'angmoh' coffee :)

'Angmoh' coffee

Considered the option of making my own 'angmoh' coffee at home, but the investment is high to make a good cup of coffee. You need an espresso machine, grinder, milk frother and a whole lot of other tools that comes with it. Talked to a friend and he advise to invest in a good one rather than buying the brand-less cheap version off online platform like Lazada/Shopee/Taobao. He said it makes a difference a good machine vs a cheap machine.

That's how instant coffee gets into my radar. It's easy to make, just put 2 teaspoon into a glass, add hot water and milk. Walaaa, a fragrant cup of coffee! I can opt not to add sugar, so to me, it doesn't seem as bad as 3-in-1 coffee. And most importantly, for someone as lazy as me, it's easy to prepare.

Then the curiosity in me start thinking.
What exactly is instant coffee?
How is it different from 3-in-1 coffee or 'angmoh' coffee?
Is it unhealthy to drink instant coffee?

As usual, Google has the answer. Google always have the answer. Welcome to the world of Internet.

From what I read, which is not a lot, just a couple of articles, instant coffee has about the same benefit as freshly brewed coffee in terms of vitamins. Different article give different answers, I don't know which is more true than the other unless I read research paper. I am health-conscious but not to the extend of reading research paper just to find out if instant coffee is bad for you....it's beyond me, and too boring **yawn


Summary of my finding (as I understands it):

• Caffeine content in instant coffee may be less than regular coffee. I don't drink coffee because of it's caffeine content anyway, so I can accept that
• There are 2x amount of acrylamide - a type of chemical formed when coffee bean are roasted that may increase risk of cancer and harmful to the nervous system. Well, I think this one I can accept too because it's not like I drink 3 cups of coffee a day. Only a cup a day, or every other day. I can take that sort of risk
• The process of making instant coffee is brilliant (human are very smart creature). It involves more of a physics process rather than chemical process. I believe chemical process would be more harmful as it introduce unnatural product into the process

All in all, anything that involves less process is better. However, beggars can't be chooser. For now, I will live with instant coffee until when I can invest in a good 'angmoh' coffee machine.


The sources that contribute to my conclusion:
https://www.mashed.com/218519/the-real-reason-you-shouldnt-drink-instant-coffee/
https://www.mashed.com/213334/the-untold-truth-of-instant-coffee/
https://coach.nine.com.au/diet/instant-vs-ground-coffee-health-benefits/7fd0c0ca-f50d-4b4f-93c5-1d58c054a34a

Resume

When was the last time you update your resume?

Today I was digging through my laptop, folders in the clouds as well as hard disks and pendrives looking for the most updated resume I have. I can't remember when was the last time I updated mine. The most recent one that I manage to find was dated 2007. That was over 13 years ago! Wow

This must be the one I used for my first job. I have been a loyal employee. Why did I say that? Since I graduated from Uni, I have only had employment at 1 company. I worked for a MNC for almost 8 years. After that I run own business for the next 5 years. That basically sums up my working life.

After the end of the business, I have been at a cross-road, still are. A bit lost at what to do next. It's too early for retirement. I have lost most if not all, the technical knowledge required for an engineering position. I am not interested in managerial position, am more of a technical kind of person. So what kind of job can I do? Most importantly, the job must be something that I would wake up every morning eager to start the day at work and not dread waking up every morning. To make it worse, the world is grappling with the horrid Covid-19 virus and we have not seen the end of it after more than 6 months.

So much has changed since my 2007 resume. Time to prepare an updated version to look for a suitable job.

Personal Fitness

Fitness - the condition of being physically fit

I did a run on the morning of the first day of MCO, 18 March 2020. That time, definition and activity restricted during MCO was not clearly spelled out. Only later that I found out jogging was a prohibited activity under MCO.

During 3 months of MCO, I only manage some simple floor exercise, usually last between 20 to 30 mins. No running, no cycling at all.

55 days later, on 12 May 2020, I did my first run after the lockdown. It was only 5km and it felt like forever. I had to stop to walk twice. 5km used to be short and easy, but it's a different story all together when one is not fit.

It took me 13 runs over the course of  1 month to build back a basic form of fitness. I am very happy to say that I can now run 8km without going breathless, and without the feeling of wanting to stop to walk. I am actually enjoying the run. Over this past 1 month, I have covered 84km with 13 runs. That's an average of 6.46 km each session. The shortest run being 5km, and the longest being 10km.

Fitness requires commitment. It takes consistent cardio workout to maintain. 2 weeks of inactivity is all it takes for it to go away. Then you have to start from zero again to build the fitness back to what you used to have.

I enjoy the feeling of being fit. I want to be able to go out and do outdoor activities and able to enjoy the process. Without fitness, it'll be a torture. The focus then would be to get it over with to end the suffer, than to enjoy the outdoor.

Profile description updated

My profile description has been around since many years ago. It's time for an update.

For sentimental reason, I'd want to keep the old description as a post.

"What am I doing here? Oh sorry, I forgot...so wat were u you saying juz now? I'm Dory remember? Forgetful

Seriously, I'm not like any ordinary girl. I don't like shopping. I like adventurous activity like hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming and lepaking..haha!

I wish to travel the world one day. I also wish to learn piano, to get a diving license and to own a BMW. So far, I've achieved one of my wishes, which is to get a full B license. :)

Don't you agree I'm adventurous?"

Interest:
"Spending money, travelling, stamp and first day cover collecting, tamiya cars and motors and ships as well, sleeping, reading and watching TV, jigsaw puzzle."

Fav movies:
"All of Disney's production movie, A walk to remember"

Fav books:
"Harry Potter, Mystery type books."

Back to random ranting

Hello my little blog space! I have missed you. Did you miss me?

It has been more than 3 years since I last pen words here.

Some how the world wide web has changed into a big dangerous world. I have learned that it is unsafe to share personal opinion about anything at all. It may get my ass into trouble; including jail term, lock-up, or even unwanted stalker (though that's not very likely seeing I am just a random person in this world of 7.5 billion people), but anyway...there's still small possibility of this happening. So that's why I stopped sharing and that includes posting on Facebook.

What's prompts me to be back now?

Boredom! Definitely.

I am in the N-th day of Movement Control Order (MCO). Lost count what day it is already. Hmm, it's been 3 weeks I haven't step out of the house gate. Oh wait! It's been 4 weeks! Oh my, time sure flies. So yay! It's been 4 weeks. It's the 2nd last day of the 2nd phase of MCO, 1 Apr - 14 Apr.

I think the days are passing alright for me. Here's a general activity of my daily MCO days:

I wake up around 10-ish in the morning. I would continue to lie in bed following up on Whatsapp msg, scroll a bit of FB, get some updates on my online games. When I am done with the morning update, half an hour would have passed. Usually it would be almost 11am when I am down for breakfast.

After breakfast I read some news and catch up on online games. I played 2 games; Toy Blast and Clash of Clans (CoC). Been on CoC for 3 or 4 years now. Am on TH13 (the highest available level townhall at the moment). I know, I am a loyal follower ;-)

The afternoon is spent on reading the news, watching movie/series/YouTube rotating between the sofa and bed until 5pm. That's when time would just fly-by.

I'd try to do some floor exercise at 5pm. Usually half and hour of sweating and half and hour of resting. 6pm is shower time. 6.30pm dinner time. 8pm news until 9pm. At night, I'd either watch a movie or something...

At midnight, my brain would start to get active and starting to think about things. Sometimes it's past memories, sometimes is the future about work, and income and customers and all those things that would stress me out. And then I would lie in bed and not able to fall asleep. I'd sleep eventually, but way past my intended bed time. Sometimes only falling asleep at 2 or 3am. I know it's not healthy, am trying to get over it. Still working on it.

So that's how a typical day for me during MCO.

Phase 3 of MCO is starting in 2 days time. It'll be another 2 weeks of extended lockup life. I am getting used to this, and I am, in a way enjoying it. As long as I don't think about the coming days after MCO, I am spared the panic and unrest.

I am doing my part to #stayathome

Midlife Crisis

At the mention of midlife crisis, first thought that comes to my mind are men and their fancy sports car. Actually there are a lot more to midlife crisis than just buying sports car. It's a term to describe the transition and adjustment that a person goes through during their mid-years.

I had my 'midlife' crisis moment back in 2010. I was at a point in life where I feel very bored with life, with work and seems like I don't have anything to look forward to anymore. At that time, the decision I made was to quit my job for NZ Working Visa program. That was a huge decision to make because I took a risk and leave a stable job for the unknown future.

Fortunately, during the submission of my resignation letter, my manager offer me a position in the company when I complete the working visa program 6 months down the road. That means I won't be jobless when I return. Yay!

Not sure if it was such a good news anyway. 6 months later, I return to work in the same corporate world environment. I survived another 2 years before the same feeling came back to haunt me. The same bored and tired-of-my-job feeling. And so, in 2014, I made another big decision to change the course of my life. I quit my job to start my own business with a friend, my best friend.

Time flies very quickly, and we were in the 3rd year of business, almost touching 4th year. It has been 3 fruitful years for us. Our company and business has grown so much from what it used to be. However, another crisis came looming.

I started to ask question that I myself are unable to answer:

Where am I heading after this?
What is it that I am trying to achieve?
What if I can afford to buy my dream car now? Where do I want to go in it? Who would go with me?

I think this time, the midlife crisis is for real. I am reaching mid-years of my life for sure. I hope I could overcome this midlife crisis again like how I did before this. Keep fighting!

Bitten by the Hiking Bug

It has been awhile since I was in an inactive mode. I stopped running all together, and I do short bike ride only on occasional non-working Sunday. You may ask why? Lazyyyy...

I started exercising in the first place because I love to eat, and to eat and not to gain weight, I had to burn it off. That's what motivates me to exercise the most. For the past 2 - 3 years, I have been able to maintain the same weight while at the same time enjoying all my favorite food. Then at one point, I stopped exercising for a short period of time because of work but noticed that I didn't put on weight. Of course when I stop working out, I had to control food intake when not exercising but I still occasionally get to eat the food that I love. If I can maintain the same weight without exercising, then why do I bother exercising, right?! I get lazier and lazier, skip one day after another, and that's it, I stopped exercising all together.

Sometimes when I eat more, I do get that kind of guilty feeling and tend to hold back on food but it doesn't get me started on exercising again. Not until recently when I went hiking with Bins and Chins.

We hike up Penang Hill starting from Moon Gate up to "no. 5", which is all stairs.

It was a cloudy day that morning, Georgetown was under low-lying thick clouds

Then continue on trail to "no. 84" and out to the tar road. From there, went into the trail again and out near the tram's middle station. From then on it was cement road all the way to the top station. We were a bit lost at that point not too sure which direction to go but anyway, in our uncertainty we manage to get to the top. Lucky for us, cloudy morning didn't turn into rainy morning. It was nice and cloudy all the way. We took the tram down. It was RM5 for one-way ticket for Malaysian. Funny thing is, the ticket counter is at the foothill, so we can only buy our ticket when we reach the foothill. We need the ticket to exit the foothill station, that's how the system works. Remember to bring MyKad, else it would cost you RM15.

A group shot before taking the tram down

Hiking done! Reward? Koay chap at Air Itam market.

Just the next day after this hike on Sat, parents are going for hiking in Cameron Highlands on a trail called 'Huang Shan' or Yellow Pass with their hiking members. I had initially passed because I had to work on Sun and work is in Penang. It just doesn't make sense to go back Taiping on Fri, hike on Sat and back to Penang on Sat itself. Somehow after Penang Hill hike with Chins and Bins, I feel like I wanted to do the Cameron one too! And so I did!

We drove from Taiping in the morning after breakfast arriving at the start of the trail almost 10am.

Getting ready for the hike

I was quite under prepared for this hike not knowing exactly how far it was or how long it will take, or even what kind of terrain we will go through. I just wore a sleeveless running jersey, a pair or running shorts and Altra trail shoes. Mum told me we will be out of the trail by 2pm. Yeah, right...

Just not long after we went into the trail, this guy who is supposed to lead the hike found that he is quite lost himself. Not really certain where he should be heading when we hit a split in the trail. One part of the trail has been cordoned off with hazard tape but seems to go uphill, another trail went downhill and seems to have old marker left by other hikers. He is quite certain the last time he came (about 5 years ago!) the trail doesn't go downhill...

Hesitation, discussion, idle waiting...after about 15-30mins of that, sis took out her handphone and decided to take charge which of course I fully support because, what's the point driving all the way here and standing around doing nothing? Our purpose here is to hike, so regardless of which trail we choose, as long as we go in and come out the same way, we achieved our purpose. Some members brought shredded paper and was creating a paper trail along the way we came in, that's good enough to make sure we can find our way out later.

Taking charge, looking for direction with Google Map!

Fortunately for us, our RedOne line can still use Google Map. Using the Google Map directional blue dot and referencing it to where we wanted to go, we charge on to where we think is the right way. To further convince that our way is the right way, it was quite a clear trail and there were markings along the way. The guy still think we were not going the wrong way as he still don't think downhill is the right way to go...haiz.

It was a challenging trail I would say. We went downhill, uphill, and the terrain keep changing. The forest were full of thorny creepy plants that would poke and scratch hiker on their clothes and skin. They would catch you by surprise as you brush pass them. Terribly dangerous plants. After 2.5hrs of hike, we reach the highest point of the hike.

Group photo at the highest point of the hike

Some decided to turn back here, the rest kept going hoping to reach Yellow Pass. We set the cut-off time of 1.30pm. If we don't reach Yellow Pass by then, we will have to turn back anyhow considering the amount of time needed to get out of the trail before dark.

Not long after the split, it started to rain. It was even harder to hike wearing poncho. The poncho block part of our view, and it keep getting hooked on the tree roots jutting out from the ground. I was wet inside from sweat and outside from the rain. It was much tougher to hike at this point, and it slows us down. At 1.30pm, we were still not at Yellow Pass. Very disappointed indeed.

This was the view when we got out of the trail. It is the same place where I took the photo "Selamat Datang ke Cameron Highlands" above

By the time we came out of the trail, it was 4pm. We were in the trail for 6hrs! Much longer than expected. I was so hungry when I came out. After some cleaning up, we went to Ipoh for dinner then after that back to Taiping. After shower, I pack up and make my way back to Penang. It was almost 12am when I was ready for bed. And my alarm the next day was 2am, for work timing the Penang Run in Seberang Perai. Tiring day indeed.

The week following that, I searched high and low for someone to hike with on coming Sat morning to no avail. Until finally, Melvin hook me up with another group of his students who will be hiking Penang Hill. The hike starts at the foothill of Penang Hill in Air Itam very near to the tram station. I have never hike from here before, it is interesting to discover new hiking road.

It was all the way very narrow cement road, quite steep at certain sections. There was only 1 short trail section, the rest was all cement. Today's weather was superbly beautiful, full of sunshine even though we are in the rainy season lately.

The view from the mid way point. Clear sky, can even see Penang Bridge and mainland from here

We had a midway stop along the way to refuel. I had a banana here.

This is where we stop to refuel. It has toilet facility too

Total walking time was less than 2hrs although total time including break was 2hr+. I can't be too sure also because I forgot to start my watch at the start.

Tree with osteoporosis problem?

Again, we took the tram down. This time, the group was much smarter to buy their ticket first before starting the hike. Tickets bought before 9am is cheaper at RM3 one-way (vs. RM5 one-way). I had an enjoyable hike today, and get to know new friends. One of them is from Taiping too! (though no longer reside in Taiping)

Let's see if I can keep the hiking interest going...

Let's keep fit!

2015 Year in Review

It's the end of the year again (so fast...). Time to sit down and think back what had happen in the past 11+ months...or what is left in my memory of it.

First of all, 2015 is the year where I am 100% self-employed. Quit my "steel-plate" rice bowl in April 2014. Since then, I have been working full force, I work all the time; I work week day, and I work weekend. I do occasionally take some off time on Monday and Tuesday. I am everything in the company; from Director and CFO making decisions, to Customer Relations, to Accountant and IT personnel, to Purchaser, to kuli and driver. Everything "bao ka liao". There are some things that I like to do more than other, but at the end of the day, I have to be involved in all the job scope.

I am happy that the company has grown in the past year, even though it is still only a 2-staff company. It has been a busy year for us. It has been at times, the 2 of us got so frustrated for being too busy. Maybe it is the mindset from the environment we are brought up in, "Chinese" mindset, that you don't push away business when they came knocking. Perhaps for those that grow-up in more chillout environment would just reject business if they think they have hit their personal target of that month, or that year.

Despite the busy work schedule, I manage to squeeze in some travel throughout the year. Well, I didn't willingly sign-up for those travels because in my opinion, I am too busy for holiday. It is my business partner that pulls me along on those travel. I think I am not capable to time an event without her around anyway, so if she's not around I can't do much also. So I went along with her plans.

Early of the year I went on a 1-week holiday and ran the Tokyo Marathon. I ran to my Personal Best of 4 hr 38 mins despite the over distance course of 43.23km shown on my watch. It was quite an enjoyable run as the whole of 43km route, it was lined with people cheering and spectating.

Happy to complete the run in 4hr 38mins, my fastest marathon time to date

Tokyo was freezing cold in that time of the year, brrrr! Quite a lot of rain too! It was also a busy work period because it was the preparation week towards Malaysia Women Marathon (MWM). Even while we were away, we still make the effort to check email occasionally.

In July, I join a group of friends to hike the volcanic mountain called Rinjani in Lombok, a smaller island near Bali. It is a 4D3N hiking trip, involving a lot of nature like camping, peeing and shitting in the natural environment and no shower facilities.

The group

It is by far my most luxurious camping trip ever. Our only task is to walk/hike...lol!

Our spacious tent shared 2 person

The porters carry our heavy stuff, we only carry what we need on us like water, snack and perhaps a jacket. When we reach destination of the day, the tent were already setup by the porters which walk ahead of us, they also cook and prepare food for us, and they build us toilet tent and dig hole in the toilet tent for our businesses. Haha.

Simple yet very tasty meal prepared by our porters

Rinjani is at quite a high elevation and therefore it can be cold and windy. I feel ok when walking, but if we were to stop for a while, I would start to feel cold. On the day when we were supposed to summit the peak, it was exceptionally windy. The wind even collapse one of our tent that night, the poor porters had to fix the tent in the middle of the night. Our guide decided that it was not safe for us to summit the peak and we get to sleep in that morning. We were sad for that, it makes the hike incomplete not able to even try. In a way, I was glad we don't have to do it because the hike to the peak looked really tough, at the same time, I felt like it was such a waste I don't get take on the challenge.

On the third day where we camp, there is a hot spring nearby, there's where we get our first shower of the trip!

Spectacular view of Segara Anak lake from the top

After the hike, we stayed back a few days to enjoy Lombok beach.

The Rinjani holiday also clashes with one of the event we were supposed to timed. Fortunately, Elliot was available that weekend to help out. Young talented fella he is, with a great interest in timing. It is a lost to our company that he decided to leave Malaysia back to the UK for good. Else, we would be looking at more partnership in the future.

To wrap up the holiday of the year 2015, I went on a 2-week Europe tour. This is the first time I am stepping into Europe region. It's not the best time of the year to visit Europe because few months before that, our dear Malaysia currency drop to it's lowest value against all other foreign currency. Well, no choice, flight ticket bought, accommodation booked, the trip has to go on. The trip started with Amsterdam Marathon! I think this could just be my most under-trained marathon ever. Glad I still manage to complete it under 5hours.

Painful to run due to under-train condition. It also doesn't help that it drizzles all the way from the start to finish

I enjoyed Amsterdam very much in terms of the people and the atmosphere, I love that most people there uses bicycle as their mode of transport, it's so convenient. I don't like that Amsterdam is so cold and gloomy. Our supplier from MyLaps who based out of Netherlands said that the weather is cloudy and wet most time of the year. That's quite depressing. After the marathon, I make the trip to the windmills area of Zaanse Schans about 16km away from Amsterdam, cycling.

Enjoying ride to Zaanse Schans for the windmills

From Amsterdam, I made my way to small quaint town of Bruges. I love the building architecture. Bruges used to be an important city in the olden days. It is now a tourist attraction.

Shophouses in Bruges

From Bruges, it's a train ride away to Brussels. The city of Brussels is very dirty in my opinion, there are shit all over the street and it is littered with rubbish. The street smell nasty in certain places too...

Most people in Brussels don't speak English. However, Brussels street is filled with many street art to be discover on foot. Like all other European city, there are many churches to explore. From Brussels, it is yet another train ride to the city of Paris.

There are many things to see and do in Paris. Museums, church, art gallery, castle, and many many more for to explore. I spend the most days in Paris because of that, and walk my legs off too! In terms of food, there are a lot of great food to try as well.

The city of Paris, with magnificent Eiffel Tower in the background

The last city of my Europe Trip is London. I like that in London, museums and art galleries are free admission. They do collect donation and sell souvenirs to collect fund to maintain the place. Food in London is great as well, from street food to Indian Restaurant, there are many varieties to choose from.

Spectre premieres tonight! 26 Oct in London (sorry date too small on the bus)

Bike commuting to work is quite popular in London as well, but the bicycle here are more high-end, mostly racing bike. In Amsterdam, they uses single-speed bike like those my grandfather used to go to the kopitiam with. The roads in London are very busy, and there are so many big double-decker buses. I would find it rather scary to bike in London.

In front of Buckingham Palace, with hoards of other tourist

2 week felt like a really long holiday. At the end of the trip, I longed to go back to work already. Workaholic? Yea, I think you got that right.

Europe, I would say, is not my kind of holiday destination. European countries are so full of history, I am too overwhelm with a few hundred years of history, artist and paintings and churches. That said, it doesn't mean that I don't enjoy Europe. Amsterdam, Bruges, Brussels, Paris, London, I truly enjoyed what all these cities have to offer. I enjoy just walking on the street, looking at locals going through their daily life and just taking in the sight and sound of the city.

Year 2015 sounds like a great year in a glance. There are ups and downs of course, as life always do, but I am glad that what is in memory are more of the good ones than the bad ones. But then again, bad ones I don't share :-P

2 more week to welcome year 2016. I am going to start off 2016 with the NZ gang in SC's hometown of Batu Pahat. Let's toast to a better year ahead! Cheers...!