Monday, January 15, 2024

How I lost weight and fats

For the first time in my life 10 years ago, I went for a health check-up conducted by a former company I worked for and I was told that I was at borderline high cholesterol. Initially, I thought, it was my lifestyle I led for my entire 20s. It was of course. I gotta admit that I took advantage of being young, and being in the hotel industry for 2.5 years didn't help. On top of that, I ate whatever I felt like eating, I was also at the mamak during my college years and never will it cross my mind that, it wasn't just purely my lifestyle, it was in fact hereditary too. I was asked to reduce fast food and red meat intake, and I attempted by cutting down my fast food to a month once. Did that help? I maintained my lifestyle, but reduced my fast food intake and they came back the following year. Instead of showing improvement (but it's not possible by doing that nano step, I was too naive), the result came back with a jump from borderline to high cholesterol, skipping another level of slightly high. I was officially high risk at the age of 31.

I continue leading that unhealthy lifestyle. Reducing by that little in such a small scale will not make a difference (and without working out). Alcohol was a big chunk of my life too in my 20s. 

Fast forward to late 30s, I have the habit of eating when a really bad event befalls on my family to avoid family members worry. I shove food to my mouth just because I did not want others to be worried. 

Finally, I started meeting new people and making new connections. I have always been told I was too thin. Fact is, nobody knows that I am skinny-fat, a condition where I look thin on the outside but the fats are all hidden between all my organs as what people call as visceral fat. 

What did I do? I have to do something before I hit my 4th decade on Earth. I was in a lose fat program for 90 days. My lifestyle had 180 degrees change, with supplements and meal replacement. After going through that program, I now identified what food are considered unhealthy. People go for no carbs, no sugar, but is it sustainable? It's not. If low carbs and low sugar, it's do-able. The program was like this:

Low sugar
Low sodium
Low carbs
No processed food
No dairy
High protein

This means I was sacrificing all my desserts, switch my coffee from dairy to plant-based milk, vegetables, certain types of fruits, avoid deep-fried food with one cheat day. I'm a carb lover, so I would binge (but not to the extreme) on that day, sticking with 3 meals (binge on one).

The result after 90 days?
 
Nothing comes easy, no pain no gain. This was my pain, but also my gain. It was difficult kickstarting but if I wanna improve my overall health by 40, this was what I gotta do. That has been a very transformative journey as I have permanently changed my lifestyle

I weighed 56kgs when I first started, and 47 kgs when I completed the program with 3 visceral fat, reduced to 1. Body fats from 33% went down to 23%. Do I still munch and snack, and everything? Yes I do. Almost 2 years later, I am between 49 kgs to 50 kgs and have been this weight for the past 1 year. I have incorporated workout as part of my lifestyle. So, I would say, this is for the best.

Friday, January 5, 2024

Part 3: Bangkok Trip

Happy New Year 2024! It has been such a rollercoaster ride in 2023, with many big decisions, big changes and challenges made in 2023. Phew, what a change. What's interesting is that the monks I went to in the past said there will be a major change each time our age has the digit 9 in the second digit. How interesting! Indeed, it has for me in 2023. The older you get, the less interested you are with celebration, which includes New Year. It's just another day, another night.

Often times, I heard about Sukhumvit and finally, I'm in the area. This is a really eccentric and trendy Japanese-inspired cafe. They have gone into merchandising with coffee accessories like coffee machines ranging of different prices, coffee products etc. A great place to hang out for sure!

Met a Bumble friend who happened to be in Bangkok the same time as me. Yay!

Of course, without a doubt, I met my uni friends, where the mixed Teochews gather. I don't have many friends with Teochew blood but I came all the way to Bangkok to meet them. haha. Jokes aside, we had a really good time, reminiscing our uni days! Those times were good. 

Then, they brought us to this dessert place. Dang! My favorite - mango!

A mandatory photo with these 2. Not sure when is the next time I'll be meeting them again. I should honestly do it more. The fact that I do once in 10 years is beyond sad.

The next day, spent some time in an Australian cafe instead - Toby. Ah that's my late dog's name too! I love scrambled with coffee. So here I am. 

I don't remember Chatuchak to be like this, I guess it has changed, or I have memory problem I am not sure. Haha. Dropped by for more coffee but of course, how can it be good, just for the sake of I guess. Got some good deals from there though, so no complaints. Department stores are not meant for me, I wouldn't spend so much on clothes.

Next up, I went to this dessert shop, the Thai version of ABC in Cheng Sim Ei, located within the Chulalongkorn University district. I guess similar to University District in Seattle, Ewha University of Hongdae.

Not long after he went back to Bangkok, he got to see me again. Haha. 

The local food is a must! Cheap and good. Hainanese noodle thailand in Bangkok.

Small-scale, a little run down and dodgy, is my kinda vibe for good food. This place checks all the boxes.

Second round? Sure. I can't remember the name of the restaurant and bar, but here for some French pastry with cocktail before we call it a night.

Of course

Since Bangkok is named the most visited city in 2023, I visited as a very supportive neighbor. It was a good trip catching up with really old friends and a new friend. Vibrant, lively city as what I have known Bangkok as and it never disappoints. Perhaps, next time I should consider going with someone who has the same mentality as I am then it's way easier. Everyone is different, but to make things easier, let's stick to the people I am familiar with or people that travels the same way as I do. That's the takeaway. 

Monday, December 18, 2023

Part 2: Bangkok Trip

 Since I am on school break right now, here comes Part 2 from last year's trip.


From Icon Siam, we caught this boat to Chinatown (Yaowarat Road). It's like a mini cruise in a boat, it's not bad at all.

Here comes Yaowarat. When you see chaos, it means you're at a right place. The more chaotic it looks, the better it is. 

We were there early, even then, we had to line up. Amazingly popular with decades of history. I'm not a fan of this, so I couldn't tell if it's THAT great or it's nothing special.

I guess if you're a normal chinese, you would like it. But, I don't take spare parts and I forgot to tell them. So, haha.

The night comes, so does the life.

As a tourist, I like doing this wherever I am, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Vietnam. I have done those. And I will continue to do this. 

BTS.. they have upgraded their infrastructure and it's so great! But, this is actually expensive. For the well-connected line and not having to go through the traffic, I guess it's okay? The best part is it's all shaded. Locals there actually even do their workout there. Saw people jogging stations after stations. Damn!

Friday, November 17, 2023

Part 1: Bangkok Trip

When Covid hit, I didn't think that it was going to be this long. And, certain things were permanent. My last leisure trip was back in 2019 to Seattle. My last trip overseas was to The Philippines in early 2020 for a business trip. I was lucky I got to go on that trip because all travels were halted when I was there. Any trips that have yet to happen were canceled with immediate effect. Imagine the emptiness my passport is right now. No stamps, nothing, and it has gone to waste to renew for 5 years.

There were people I met online in 2022 and decided, hey, let's go to Bangkok. I haven't been to Bangkok since 2014. Man, that's been 8 years. I am talking in the 2022 year. 

That's the sky. And how I miss this. I sit by the window all the time. So whoever you are, do not try to take that away from me, especially long haul.

This was where we got food the first night. Siam Paragon. It's just another foodcourt. I was told, hey it's a great place for food. I don't know about that man. It's a foodcourt, in a mall. haha. Obviously, I do not resonate with them but that's fine. To each their own and I respect that.

We came to this newly-built place, Icon Siam where I saw it made its round in Instagram during Covid. It's so vibrant and lively, they were selling all sorts of things, from food like pasta, fried chicken to fruits, drinks and seafood. I meant, fresh seafood. 

The lobster they were selling. Damn! 

After walking around, came to a place at the center court, all sorts of coffee were there.

Having coffee as part of my blood, I can't say no to coffee. Got myself one, of course. 

Icon Siam is like Pavilion in KL, nicely decorated and made it feel Premium. Upper class market and tourists as their target market. 

I wasn't the tourist that was going to buy anything. Well, I did, from Victoria Secret but that was all. Once you walk out from Icon Siam, you see this view. This feels like a KLCC kinda thing, water fountain outside the mall. 

Of course, me. Back then, I was still with mask. I didn't want to but. Bleh. lol.

Places visited:
Siam Paragon
Icon Siam

Monday, October 30, 2023

Another goodbye

My last update on my job was 2 years ago when I left IKEA after a huge project I worked on which also happened to be my first legit and formal project I took on. From then on, I went to an e-commerce platform. If you're in Asia, you gotta work there to say you have worked in a large e-commerce company.

My mind wasn't at the best state when I attended the interview. But, I gotta do what I was hired for. I was lucky I got hired. haha. After 6-7 years of being around, it's still a start up culture. In comparison of PayPal, IKEA looks like a manual-labored company. I'm not going into the nitty-gritty stuff due to compliance and confidentiality (based on my own integrity, no NDA or anything like that). But, it came as even more of a surprise when I started working here.

Putting complaints of manual labor aside, you learn the most when being put in an environment like that. You don't maximize your learning from a well-established infrastructure because the AI helps you complete your job quicker, faster and more efficient.  

I continue taking on the project management role, swaying further and further away from Compliance. Well, in project management, specifically in the Fraud/Compliance function haha. I left after 1 year and 8 months. I have heard people leaving within 3 months and I get it. 

Anyone young, who has the drive and energy to put up with the effort and hours, go for it. Just don't expect things to be easy and chill. When it comes to learning curve, dang, there's a lot to learn even for someone like me (meaning not fresh grad). If you get a good lead, learn the most you can. They are the ones that make the difference and they make tough jobs more bearable.

That's where I worked. Be fully prepared for interviews if you plan to work there. 

Hanging up my tag and lanyard. Goodbye Eco city.


 Finally, the last time wearing lanyard. I was in the restroom haha. 

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Day 4: Langkawi

 After a year of pause, here I am back with my mannerism. And, to finish up my Langkawi postings, of course. Haha.

We had a morning drive, quite a distance away from where we stayed. We first got to Pantai Tengkorak, it was such a gem but, the mother said let's go because it's such a dodgy place. Haha. What a waste. So, we ended up here, which, isn't entirely a bad idea. We still had the beach all by ourselves, with nobody meddling our business, the wind was breezy, weather was good.

The last time I went to Langkawi, I stayed here in Tanjung Rhu which isn't entirely cheap but had a good deal. The problem with it is, it's quite a distance from everything. Well, the weather had a shift, the rain is about to arrive. Before we even left the place, the rain came, and it was pretty heavy.

Back to our area, Pantai Tengah (is it?) haha. Weather wasn't entirely ideal but it was alright to chill for a little.

The most expensive coffee I had in a long time. RM18.50 for this but I was as desperate as heck. And I lost to temptation.

It's been a long time since I flew. Before this trip, it was my business trip to The Philippines in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit. During my trip, the company had a direction to cancel all trips globally. I was so lucky that I got to go for that trip. That was, of course, my last before the pandemic said hello to the world, to us with open hands.

Places visited:
Pantai Kok
Pantai Tanjung Rhu
Pantai Tengah

Perhaps, I should start doing my story telling in Seattle sometime soon eh?

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Update: Moved

I've been missing for awhile now, slightly more than a year due to, well, life.

When I visited a monk when I was in my early 20s, I was told that there will be a major change or event in our lives when the second digit of our age turns 9. So, it's 9, 19, 29, 39, 49....99. Only if you manage to reach 99 (I do not want to either). Please don't make me live such a long life. 

So, the year I turned 39, in fact, it was just last month, yay, Happy Birthday to myself. There has been a huge shift in my life this year. First, I packed my bags, then I moved country. Second, I resigned, and went back into studying. 

Until I did my highest education prior to this (degree for me), I was neither a good student nor a good learner. I'm not sure if it's partly due to the fact I wasn't working and lack experience before I can be grateful that studying is way easier than work. Or perhaps, the education system did not fit my way of learning. My memorizing skill is bad, I just did not know just how to memorize for an exam. To get to a passing grade, I can already be content. That was how bad it was. 

Anyway, I passed my degree in Bachelor of Arts, I still had my Honors, phew. Haha. I went to work in the field of my studies and quit 2.5 years later and went into something unrelated. The reason why I worked in a hotel was really just to build my foundation in my mental state, personality and character as I was still discovering the world and myself. 

Right now, I know who I am, I know my likes and dislikes, I know exactly what I want now. Therefore, studying right now might be a good idea too. 

That's a short little update about myself. 

Friday, September 9, 2022

Day 3: Langkawi

It's already Day 3! Where have all the days gone by? We get older in just a glimpse, it's so scary. Anyway, let's get it started. I have not been a super fan of aquariums, it's not the first thing in my mind when I travel. Reason being, it's usually expensive for the ticket. 

Since Aquarium was located along the Pantai Cenang / Cenang beach area, we headed to this place for brekkie. Nothing fancy, nothing special, yet it's kinda pricey considering the area we were in.

An example of the penguins at the Underwater World Langkawi. Haha. Those who have senior citizens with you, there are wheelchairs available complimentary. All you need to do is to fill in a form and voila. But bear in mind that if you're alone, it might be very challenging to push up the wheelchair all by yourself. So best is to go with 2 or 3, or if there are some kind hearted passersby, why not? Local adult is at RM43 for walk-ins, and RM40 online purchase.

By the time we were done with that, it's already lunch time. We drove past this place on the way to the airport a couple of times. Go to where the crowd goes they say. But, we were wrong. I am familiar with Malay food, at least the commercialized ones, but this is not it. Everything in this picture came out wrong. We ordered ABC too because how bad can it be? Yeah, it was really bad. Ice, coloring and sugar. 

Here, an evidence of the crowd. Perhaps, this suits their local taste but really, how is it so bad? The good thing? It's by the beach haha

After that, we went back to the hotel, went for a swim before we top up calories in our stomachs again.

We were early, we had fish, vegetable, tomyum, juice and it's more economical than I expected. Ambiance was nice, service was great and attentive. Everything was delicious! At least, it made up for the horrible lunch.
 

Places visited:
Underwater World Langkawi, Pantai Cenang
Laksa Ikan Sekoq, Jalan Kuala Kedah
Cactus Restaurant, Pantai Tengah

Friday, June 17, 2022

The supernatural force

Has anyone encountered a supernatural existence? We have read and heard stories and tales from our family, friends, teachers and what not. But, have you?

I came from a non-believer family of this power and growing up, until today, I'm not exactly certain if the encounters I had were purely imagination, a dream, or something really happened. Nobody told me about ghosts, spirits etc and my late grandparents were still around at that time. I was afraid of many things, one included a burglar breaking into houses, and it left me terrified and ended up dreaming about it for nights. Okay this is not supernatural, but an example of how I get scared and I would hide under my comforter and stop breathing. Thinking about it makes me wonder what was I thinking at that age.

Fast forward, became an adult voila, I shouldn't be afraid of anything I cannot see with my naked eyes right? Wrong. I was even more afraid haha. I heard many stories happened in Genting Highland, abandoned places, hotels etc and guess what, I went into the hospitality industry. Well done to myself haha.

Working in a hotel means we gotta work on shift which includes a graveyard shift. When it's quiet and eerie, your imagination runs a million times worse than it already was. I was working at a Front Desk at that time, and it was 4am, I wanted to go to the toilet. What do I do? I can't wait until 7am. I had 2 options, to go through the quiet staff locker which is cold and quiet, OR, I go to the guest toilet 1 minute away. I opted for the guest toilet and I ran for my life.

Before I started working there, I was on the fence whether there is or not. After I joined the hotel, there was even a team of people with gifted abilities to see all these spirits. I heard so many stories, and them telling me what they could see at that point of time. It was haunted at that time. The hotel was the top hotel in KL that time, and our business was rather bad and many unfortunate events had happened, one after another including a not-so-young housekeeper was possessed and needed 5 big-sized security guards to hold on to her. There's no logic in all of these, yet it happens. Another was, my co-worker heard a boy crying in the locker, and when she went to check it out, there was nobody.

There was someone committed suicide in the hotel room just before I joined. Guess what? Each time for that 2.5 years I worked there after 9pm, the elevator was definitely gonna stop on a certain level, whether there are guests in front or not. This has been years ago, but it doesn't mean that it's not there. I'm sure it's there, somewhere around us. I was told that my body is very yin from a legit medium. Therefore, I need to be very careful as I am an easy catch.

Since I left the hotel industry, do I still believe in it? Even more than ever. Have you heard of anyone being followed around? Do you have any friends that can see these things? Or some, they can even communicate to ask what do they really want? I have and when I hear these things, I still get goosebumps each time.

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Day 2: Langkawi

After spending the first night in the hotel, let's start going places. In the past when I went to Langkawi, it's always getting drunk. Now that I am much older, I don't fancy those things anymore. Talking about getting older huh. haha.

Upon recommendation from the hotel's concierge, we are here filled with locals. This is their specialty, Roti Canai Sarang Burung special. 2 sunny-side up eggs, the bread is crispier than the regular roti canai and minced chicken. It was good! Damn. With so much things happening inside, it's RM 7. Not cheap but it's unique. 

After making our stomachs happy and full of energy, we headed over to Langkawi Sky Bridge. It was close when I wanted to take the cable car years ago. But, here I am now. Before going up, a note to take, it's all outdoor parking but there are a few types. The Premium parking is obviously more expensive, which is RM10 I believe? I went to the next one, which is RM5. The difference? It's just slightly nearer to the station. If you have the capability to walk, why not?

In the cable car. Price per pax for the cable car is RM45 if I'm not mistaken. Senior citizens get a discount. The view is great, overlooking the Andaman sea with the clear blue sky. There's a stop in the middle where it's nothing much to see. We didn't bother to get down because, it's just mid-way and there's nothing much there and the wait that comes after is perhaps, not worth it. We went straight up to the top with 15 minutes in total. Some gondolas are glass floor but I didn't get that. This cable car is said to be the steepest gradient in the world. The ventilation though, is just a small window on the top of each side which can be stuffy when it rains as you would close everything up. 

This is what I'm talking about. The mountains, valleys, sea and islands. It's all covered in that 15 minutes way up. When the weather is good, it's really pretty. 

Here we are up here at the highest point. It was really windy, therefore, hats off. Ignore the face haha.

This is a 10 - 20 minute-trail. At least, a little work out during vacation. Those with walking disabilities, you may take the glide which is an additional of RM6 to get to the Sky Bridge. It's not a hard hike but it's not a flat road so there may be challenges. Use the railings for assistance.

That's the bridge, super windy, I love it! Weeee.

Enjoying the cable car view going up and down haha. Okay so nearby here, there's this waterfall called Telaga Tujuh and in order to get to the waterfall is really steep. 

Next up, it's lunch time. I found this place with quite a good review so here we are to fill our stomachs. I took just a few bites due to my diet program haha. We ordered some really simple food and it's tasty! 

While driving to the restaurant earlier, I stumbled upon this place. It's a wide empty space and the ocean. Man, the wind.

Of course, the mandatory picture of me in it haha. The cloud is heavy and right after that, it rained. haha. After studying for 2 days, the rain doesn't last long like in KL. It's really just 5-minute rain. I have concluded it as the emotional Langkawi.

Next up is our alcohol shopping haha. There are so many duty frees around and we just don't know which to go. Teow Soon Huat doesn't look exclusive or extravaganza, but it was good in terms of price! We bought everything from there. The last time I was in Langkawi I came here too haha. Chocolates and alcohol. They own the supermarket too, which we bought our mineral water from and it's economical!

Dinner is super important when you're on a vacation. Quah in Kuah. With the mom, aunt and grandma together waiting. The line to this place Wonderland Food Store is super long. I learned from the past looking at how long we waited just to get in and another long wait for the food, we were there this time at 6pm. haha! After the meal 2 years ago, is it worth it? YES. If I can avoid, then we should haha. That's why we ended there at 6pm.

This is by the way, Chinese halal food to cater to the locals there. I love the squid. It's really bad for my diet but heck, I'm not there everyday, I don't eat it everyday. Everything was good except for the Lala that doesn't taste kamheong at all. This was also RM70+ haha. Prawns, squids, lala and vegetables.

We crossed the road where the car is parked and the variety of alcohol we see. The sight of it is lovely enough, especially the green ones on the right. It's RM11.50 if I'm not mistaken and KL is about RM 16.90.

We ended up taking these 2. I love 1664 Blanc as it's very fragrant. I didn't drink much except for just a few sips. I'm controlling like crazy as I have a timeframe to achieve my health goal.

It's day filled with activities. It isn't too hectic and isn't too chilled, it was just nice. No, we did not go to the 3D museum. I prefer something outdoorsy that we can do. We are blessed with the weather though, each time we get into the car, then it rains. When we are out and about, it didn't rain. Talking about perfect timing.

Places visited:
Roti Canai Otai - Kampung Bubor, Kedawang
Langkawi Cable Car
Langkawi Sky Bridge
Kuah Town Seafood , Kuah town
Teow Soon Huat Duty Free - Padang Matsirat, Kuah
Wonderland Foodstore - Pusat Perdangan Kelana Mas