Hiking @ Cheras

I haven't been an outdoorsy person my entire life. The only "workout" that I have done in the past in a regular basis was my dance class. Even that was just 1 hour a week, sometimes twice, or thrice depending on the events we had. Ever since Sensei left us, the classes were just kept at a bare minimum, one hour, once a week. Then, Covid happened. As we stayed longer at home, nobody wanted to go back to classes anymore. And that was how the class literally died.

Once in a blue moon, I would find other things to do, but it was really like once a year kinda thing. Last year, when things were briefly opened, we quickly went hiking to this place deep into Cheras. I have not been a fan of Cheras at all, but this was a place I just had to go to see for myself. Furthermore, we had lockdown for a long time. It's just about getting myself out there.

This is actually a private area but I see many people hiking up, just like I did as long as we start hiking before 7am on the weekends. Some people had advised not to go during the weekdays anyway as the owners are around and this is considered as trespassing? Don't blame me if this is a wrong info, as this was in April 2021, a year ago.

The typical hiking pose. LOL. The trail can be quite confusing at certain parts though, so we had to explore and some hikers led the way up. There were no obvious trail, no signs, we just followed. Some parts are knotted with ropes which can be helpful to some. Overall, a very easy hike that takes within 45 minutes. It rained the night before, that made some parts challenging for me due to my shoes. So, please get suitable shoes. haha.

With just 45 minutes hike to get this, why not right? I am a total beginner, an unfit one that is, and it is easy even for me. Struggle a little here and there due to the slippery surface, for, as always, I do not have proper shoes for hiking.

That was my only hike in 2021. Covid was not the reason, I just didn't have the hiking thing in me. But interestingly, I would go to FRIM almost every single week when I was in my primary years. I became more and more unfit and unhealthy. 

I'll be back with more hiking. haha.

 

Starstruck

I often hear about fans getting starstruck while on the job, they take advantage of their position. What I really miss about working in a hotel is this, to meet these stars and celebrities in person. But, it puts me in such a huge dilemma, my personal gain or to remain professional. My conscious and principle won the battle. In the end, I treat them like any other guests, smile and I was dying inside. I was so close yet so far away from them, literally one meter apart. I see them right before my eyes, yet I could not take a photo with them, I could not get their autograph, all in the name of professionalism. 

So when I hear about these "fans" asking for autograph or a photo with them and they get turned down, or get a complaint thereafter, I understand the star's position. They pay for business class, or they pay for a suite room is to have sufficient rest, and be private about it. They escaped from the public, doesn't make it okay for the service line employees to interrupt their rests. They could have said no, I get it. But, if his or her time is occupied to turn fans down, what kind of organization is that to not protect their privacy? As a guest, you want to be in peace, and comfortable.

If they signed just one, there'll be a line of other fans waiting for that autograph too. Back to 2008/2009 when I was still that noob in my first job, the celebrities I really liked appeared in front of me. I died several times in the course of few seconds when I took the same elevator as them. All I could say to them was "How was your day?" instead of "OMG I really love you, can I take a photo with you." It's SO hard. Another encounter was to get an invoice signature from him. I died multiple times. Then, the final one was him being locked out from his room, shirtless. Geez. The chocolate abs. That "him" is actually referring to all different celebrities haha. 

Did I regret not taking photo or autograph? Yeah, in the back of my head, it's always "what if." But then, if I turn back the clock, I would still do the same thing and respect their privacy. It is a huge responsibility as a frontliner and in the service line. The guests and organizers had entrusted you to handle these VIPs with care, so we should render the service as how it should be. You need to be responsible and you're representing that organization. I would just die multiple times inside and that's about it. I chose to be in this line, I need to be able to handle these moments too. But oh well. 

I know this was nothing, there's no proof, but there's no need for proof, there's no need for evidence. I keep it safe with me in my memories. Such a waste I know, but well. It's not all about social media though we are all steering towards that unhealthy direction. That's one of those sweet memories I had during my hospitality era. 

Day 3: Dibba Musandam, Oman

We started Day 3 early. The plan was to go over to Dibba Musandam in Oman for a day cruise tour. More like boat tour. The journey over to Oman is about 5 hours drive. That's a hectic one. Since I didn't have enough sleep the night before, it's my opportunity to just sleep all the way. I couldn't even open my eyes.

We have reached Oman. It's a very quiet, peaceful area and you don't see anyone on the streets at all. I wonder where are all the humans.

 That's us, before getting down

Look at the boats! haha. The weather was good throughout the day.

Of course, you can jump down whenever you want for a swim. It's sooooo salty.

Then, we got into a small boat, we went to this small island here. The donkey is a really sad donkey. He's alone! He doesn't have any friends there :(

This is a proof I was there in Oman haha. We did try to fish and no result. I realized, I just can't do fishing. It's really not my thing haha.

We went for another boat ride, it was nice with the wind blowing us though those people with us were not nice at all. It doesn't harm to be nice. They took us around the area.

That's us. There were supposed to be other activities like kayaking, banana boat and stuff like that but all were canceled due to an accident that happened just days before that.

Yoohoo ... and the sun tells us it's time to go home.

That's the shore. Auction for fishes!

We then had our dinner, and we went home and ... fainted. There's no way we can do anything early the next day, it will be too exhausting. Back to work for those who are working. As for me, time to rest.

Day 2: Al-Hatta Desert, UAE

So, we are at Day 2 now. It starts with a drive to Al Hatta desert. That's about 1.5 hours drive away.

SP's friend was so nice. He drove us all the way from Al Zayeed street to the place. I mean, so damn nice right?

We couldn't find the place for quad biking. So, we did a pit stop and took pic with the camels first. Mind you, this was before the Mers outbreak. It was still fine back then.

I haven't done the ATV back home. Probably, similar. But, I enjoyed this, except it was too hot. I was burned.

And, SP's bike was hijacked. hahaa. We had to share haha.

So in a desert, these 4W get stuck in the sand and stuff like that, which is very common. They have this rope to pull you out from the sand and you are good to go. How nice.

With all the sweat and energy drained, it's time for our lunch. That's me of course having buffet, in Feast, Sheraton. One thing about Dubai is that, they have the same hotel, like Sheraton, a few of them in the same street. That's how good the hotel business is over there.

Even though I have taken buffet in different countries, this is a whole new level of buffet. It was SO good. There are so many nationalities working in the same hotel, it's amazing. With voucher, it costs 150 per person after buy 1 free 1. Otherwise, it's 300. I've never come across a buffet with alcohol. If opt for alcohol, it's about 400-500 for a brunch buffet and alcoholics can go for that. It's cheaper than drinking per glass outside.

The SPs. Haha. After this session, we had comatose hahaha.

UK: Liverpool, England

After the Lake District, let us all cruise in to Liverpool.
 
Who don't know Liverpool? Everyone has heard or know about it.

Before the Liverpool Football Club, it's the local rivalry. Football fans should know this. Goodison Park, the homeground for Everton!

Just look across the road, there's the You'll never walk alone club - Liverpool.

It was actually raining when we checked in. We were given time to rest and stuff. It's actually a free evening/night and of all places, we ended up in China Town for dinner. It was raining, I was wet. Gosh, again? Then, we walked at the streets!

This is a very famous club in Liverpool. It was made famous by Beatles! They used to play their gigs here and they debut from here.

It's very stuffy as it's an underground club, just like the clubs I use to go in Swiss. The bands play the Beatles' song there, as well as dress up like them too!

Well, that was the street while walking back to the hotel. It wasn't late, nor was it early. It's summer, the sun doesn't go down like in winter!

 So, here I was back in the hotel with that whatever face.

Konichiwa Day 5 Part 1

After leaving the beautiful ski resort, we did some exercise, some activity more like it. Of course, when you go on things like that, it means money. You need to pay additional cost from the money you have paid to the agent. This is a separate thing.

This is called the snow mobile. It's damn cool. You need to have a mini license to drive it. The guy will give a brief lesson on how to drive it, the do's and the don'ts. Though at other times there are still a lot of snow, but this place is only open for snow mobile in January and February.

Yeah, so after all the tiring activity, we were given Sake to drink from the cold snow we were in haha. It was snowing when we were driving it. Also, there's quite a breath taking view. Again, don't remind me I have lost all the memorable pictures. I feel oh so warm, like a burning sensation.

Tadaaa ... this is a musical shop and apparently it's quite famous. There are so many things there and the things they sell is really ooh la la.

Oh a snow man I saw

Ooh at the streets, they were selling cream puff that cost 160 yen. But, this is not the famous one. The famous one is down the street that cost only 80 yen haha.

Konichiwa Day 4

This is the time.Welcome to the beautiful ski resort.

OMG when I look at them? : wooo daebak! (awesome). It's so white, it's so cold, and everything was just great

There comes someone who doesn't know how to ski ooops.

There were quite a few restaurants to choose from in the ski resort. It was really huge I must say I am really really impressed. Oh btw, there's also a fountain musical thingy at night. Of course, the dinner. We chose the buffet dinner and oh my love with the crab is a must do thing. Look at the huge crabs I had. My gawd!! I was drooling when I saw the crabs okay.

That was where we stayed in - Rusutsu Resort Hotel. They have even a sports bar. You can get most of the stuff there and when you walk out, there are a few mini mart there.

And so, I walked out to get this - Sapporo Classic Beer. The size is bigger and nicer than the beer you can get back in KL. It's almost like a daily routine hehe.

Showdown of the Champions in Bukit Jalil - Roger Federer!

The showdown of the champions that was held recently in Kuala Lumpur ... precisely in Bukit Jalil, fetaure 4 top tennis players from 2 eras. 4 tennis legends in town! Can you believe it? Kill 2 birds with one stone that's what we call it. We have tennis aces in town, just yesterday in a matter of fact, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, James Blake and definitely Roger Federer

There were interview sessions, authograph sessions ... and I was just oh-so-uberly-excited. I know I sounded like some high school kid anticipating some concert thingy, but man I tell you, this feels even better than going to a concert okay! Thousand turned up in KLCC for the authograph session with Federer. One of my colleague went for it but gave up in the end haha.

Do you know how I rate a guy hawt? Do you know what is a hawt guy to me? Refer below

YESSS!!! It's Roger Federer! How often you hear me saying a guy is hawt! Never okay, alright maybe there are times, but ... it's damn rare so ... for me to say he is damn HAWT, it's really something. He looks damn good in real life, way much better than in pictures considering he already looks damn good in pictures. No, I did not go to KLCC to meet him, you must be joking, I can't bear those crowd. In fact, I saw him twice, once was yesterday and today was the second. He departed KL today though, in the morning boo... :( I purposely waited for him before going home, just to take a glimpse of him, and he made my day!! Like seriousllyyyyy ... damn down-to-earth damn cool. My gawd! He was like what 5 foot away from me as I was just standing so near to the door lolz. Today, before he departed ... I was wanting to see him so badly and I couldn't concentrate on my work but to keep looking at the center of the lobby and when finally I got the chance to get near to him as my colleague can see I was damn crazy over him asked me to follow him to get him to sign the bill, I chickend out after seeing the superbly gigantic bodyguard though I was kinda checking him, the bodyguard, in the day before lolz. But but ... there were 4 of them so nvm ... sigh what a disturbance they are. He was wearing his baseball cap the day before, I was basically nosebleeding all the way. I don't mind lacking of blood lolz. I saw Bjorn Borg twice too, and he was like 2 foot away from me, I was on the floor and he stopped on that level and I never did realize it until I saw his bodyguard :D then I'm like ... my gawd .. that's Borg!

Honestly speaking, I wasn't exposed to tennis before. I started watching tennis since Hewitt days and after awhile I didn't have that much of an interest in tennis. It died down, it faded off, until here comes Federer. Then, I started watching tennis and I was serious, I tried to understand the game and I just love the way he plays, and I started liking tennis, all because of him. OMG!!! I know I have said this so many times, but he is damn HAWT! He is gifted I tell you he really is! He can speak English, German, Swiss German, French some Swedish and Italian as well, oh mein gott!! Und und und ... his residence is in Oberwil and it was just one hour plus travelling time to his place from Luzern!! Where is Luzern? Er ... my school before I graduated lolz. 13 grand slam single titles and had held on to the World Ranking No 1 for 237 consecutive weeks ... if I'm not mistaken ... impressive!

In the end of the day, I got something worth more than a million bucks, maybe not to you, but to me yes definitely it is. I did really something stupid haha .. and I will not say, it's between me and Dede ... coz it's so damn super paiseh to reveal it haha.

The one zillion signature! I know it's not a perfect place but it's perfect for me HAHA.

My dream came true! Before I met him, I was so darn depressed until I said ... so near YET so far ... sounds so jiwang haha but no, ber-drama only lolz

Grueezi und Auf Wiedersehen ... ich hoffe!

Man Utd retained the title!

It was a great season, all the ups and downs. The writing offs, the this and the that. It is one of the most challenging seasons, with the two top teams fighting until the last day, whereby, the final match on May 11th was played on 2 seperate locations, at the same time. It was a thriller, both teams wanted to win so badly, both teams wanted the other to lose and of course Man Utd have the advantage of the goal difference over Chelsea. It definitely is a memorable season. In the end of the day, Man Utd has 87 points, 2 points clear of Chelsea who only drew with Bolton at 1-1.

Man Utd retained their title from the last season. Ryan Giggs, who scored and secured their win in Wigan, has equalised with Bobby Charlton's club record 758th appearance. It was United's 10 Premier League title and 17th championship in all. Ronaldo net in his 41st goal of the season and he had a hattrick of trophies this season.

Ronaldo .... ^__^

Missed him!

All dance is about sensual expression. It is about energy and vitality, and it is one of the most liberating activities available to us. ~ Wendy Bounaventura

Lately, there is nothing interesting to blog about. =.= Booo hoos ...

As much as I wanna see Kimi Raikkonen LIVE in person, I just do not have the chance to. As how the phrase goes, so near yet so far. Basically he just walks in and out of the hotel like nobody's business, yet I am not fated to meet him. I did not expect to meet him either, though I was hoping. If I work in a department that do not have the chance to meet then it's purely acceptable but this is undeniable the place to meet people. Instead of Kimi, I got an alternative, I met Coulthard. So ... yeah at least someone haha. Quite down to earth kinda person ;) I saw him from afar and thought he was very very familiar. It didn't cross my mind that would be the F1 driver, I was blur OKAY I know! He walked towards me, gave his key and told me his number and check-out! BOOOOOO!!! I know he's not a Ferrari but anyhows I wished him all the best =.=

Battery dead

I'm still alive ... but I can't guarantee for the next few days. I had enough rest on my day off yesterday, I slept enough and my battery was fully charged and when it comes today ... battery went dead. These 2 weeks will be VERY hectic for me ... yeah VERY ... due to the training that I will have for 3 hours few times a week and I gotta work another 8-9 hours after that training. One word = DYING.


When Swiss Boi Roger Federer won the recent US open :D :-

The Swiss maestro at 26 has now reached 14 Grand Slam finals and he has won 12 of them, which translates into a best ever winning conversion rate of 85 percent. Only Rafael Nadal on clay in Paris in the last two years has bettered him.

A double Malaysian

Finally, pics could be uploaded, it was torturing really for trying to upload gazillion times but all were unsuccessful and only God knows how frustrating it was. Nevermind, connection is good now, and all were successfully uploaded, phew!

We already expected Nicol to beat her opponent, but Azlan brought an all Malaysian winner by giving it a double for us by bringing his opponent down. That guy lost his temper in the 2nd or 3rd set and thus, lost his concentration. Hence, he lost. It was a stunning result but anyway, he proves his worth.

He never gave up ... and it's something very positive as he was behind in quite a huge gap, and the Oz guy had 6 ball game if I'm not mistaken. Yeah, Azlan, GO!!

As expected, Nicol won, no fight, no nothing. The guy in red was mumbling and talking whatever he was saying after the game and nobody was interested and he doesn't seem to know o.O he kept his once upon a time story on and on. Press conference he wanna be pictured too =.= Anyway, it wasn't surprising, and Nicol won very easily, like there's no competition at all.

I googled these pics out, reallly nice ... I love them. Okie Snail, what's the similarity, tell me, I don't see any ^o) and seriously there aren't any, right? right?

Malaysiaaa ... Bisa

Hey hey .. today marks the starting of my life as an employee of somewhere, no more full time slacker or bummer say goodbye to my carefree life. I emailed the HR previously few months back as it was in Jobstreet and she personally emailed me in return and at that point of time, I was in Genf ... still. That was why she asked me to contact her when I get back. When I got back, I was kinda paranoid so ... I was just hanging around and all but last week, I do not know what hit me, I just emailed and went for the interview and who knows, I went through 3 interviews on the same day, and few days later, here I am, started work. The world is not that big afterall, I knew Sarah from my previous training and she is also working there in the PR, and I meant it as Mae Mae's ex-classmate or Kylie's ex-Malaccan school mate. So .. yeah. Other than that, I met this guy, that so happens to be my ex-junior o.O I didn't know him but somehow he knows me o.O AND .. do not ask me where am I working, that helps a lot, thank you.

okie let's not talk about that, proceed to .. something that I attended last Saturday, the CIMB Malaysian Open 2007 held in The Curve.

The court, the surrounding but the seatings only for CIMB staff as well as VIPs, not for people like me

Okay, time for the kick-out. 2pm, CIMB Malaysian Open Men ... and we have our Malaysian Azlan there in the finals. He's world number 19 currently

Azlan in action

and tadaaa ...

We have the CIMB Malaysian Open for Women and of course, no doubt we have our Malaysian Nicol David there

My idol, Nicol David, a homegrown local hero ... in action. Look at her shoulders, omg so impressive ... she's the best, deserve everything she has, and there was I, looking at her ... our World Number 1 ...

In-between, there are the cheerleading team ... and omg, it freaks me out when the guy's voice can be heard all around, so freaking loud o.O like I just could not believe my ears alright

This was when it finished ... the press o.O there are few more pics but I will post it up only later because it got on my nerves as it takes 100 years to SUCCESSFULLY upload just ONE pic, just so pissing off!