Transformation

Hey peeps. Another post from me in wee hours (practically the time now is 2.07 am) and I'm widely awake. I think it's due to something I started off in the early of this month that made me... erm... how should I put my word here?

Miraculously, insane, spontaneous decision?

I wouldn't think it will be in my 2013 to-do-list but in sudden, I decided to transform myself from fat to lean. Yeah, and believe of not, today marked me as the fourth week and I have set my goal within a year. I'm not sure how well I will go but I'm quite determined and persistent lately, perhaps due to exercise regimen which is practically everyday either I'm at gym (yeah, I go to gym now), swimming pool (don't sound surprised but I do know how to swim) and home.

I recalled my first gym session was during my varsity year, almost the end of my degree where one of my friend asked me to join him at campus gym. Back in those days, me and my friend were fat and well, overweight. So, I hit the gym twice a week but ending up I gave up due to muscle soreness, lack of motivation and I had a packed schedule with my final year projects and studies.

Well, I admit that I was lazy to go for an exercise. Maybe another reason I would blamed is the inadequate gym equipments in the campus gym as they have basic equipments, treadmills and a cross-trainer and sometimes, those equipments broke down.

Next, my sister enrolled herself to a gym which I would say it is (hopefully still) the best gym in town which located at Kinta City called Fitness Embassy. It has the most equipments I've seen so far and I was given privilege for 3 days free pass to go there. I was so excited until I worked out for almost 4 hours. My sister said that I was crazy and energetic. Anyhow, I ended up myself crash to bed after the gym session. Yes indeed it's cool to enrol there but when comes to the fee...

Yes, it's expensive and I don't have much money back then to hit such gym.

Afterwards, I kind of abandoning my exercise since then until recently. Maybe I made my decision to quick but I like to come out with unexpected ones as it gives me adventure. As I have started to work with UTAR, I didn't bother to go for an exercise or even a swimming session with my mum and sister. I was FB-ing a lot, taking sleeps on weekends, do my job on weekdays and the days just goes on and on.

In the early of this month, I've decided to make another life commitment: A transformation of my body.

I want to lose those 'spare tires' that I've seen since I was teenager.

I want to make my life better with healthy liver condition (I have a fatty liver condition btw).

I want my body to have lean, shredded muscles just like fitness model.

I want to look better.

But the word 'I want' doesn't come just like that. It's not a wishful thought anymore if I take the steps now, fast.

Hence, I told one of my good friend (also happened to be my colleague) to hit gym with him every Tuesday and Thursday. I make myself to go for a swim on Saturdays. I do crunches on the other days. In the end, this week has been the third week. I make myself to change diet until my parents worried and my colleagues teased me for being a sudden healthy freak. I even starved myself by resisting temptations from all around me. And heck, I still diet and exercise everyday in recent vacation.

I see results that makes me want more. More fat shredding. More lean muscle. At the same time, I had help from Bodybuilding.com by setting up a Bodyspace account. This account has tracked all my exercise regiments, giving me guide on which exercises that I should do and focus on and for the first time, I picked up a supplement. A thermogenic weight-loss supp.

What is it actually? Based from various info, it is a kind of supplement that helps you to metabolise fat whether you workout or not while curb cravings and give some kick during workouts and reduce lethargic effects after exercise session. I got this Musclepharm Shred Matrix a try for about 1/2 to one month supply and the price is fine but will it works?

So far, I did feel something but I'm not sure what I'm felt because it is my first time taking supplements for gym. I remembered the first time I took it, I felt the energy kick as it has caffeine. And it was just one capsule. The whole bottle has a strong scent of berry, hence from the ingredient of raspberry ketone. I dared myself to take two capsules during afternoon (suggested use is 1-3 capsules before 30/45 minutes prior to breakfast and lunch) and the kick stays. It happens to be my gym day so I took another one capsule before I hit for exercise and heck, it works.

The verdict is I don't feel hungry and lethargic after gym session. There's one thing I noticed that I took about 4 bottles of 1.5L water throughout the day. I was a bit worried because I didn't go for toilet to pee quite frequently as the product mentioned that it has diuretic effects. Anyhow, I sweat a lot more that day.

On the second day, it's Friday and I do crunches. Yes, the energy still there but I was a bit hungry hence I take addition small meals like few pieces of crackers and some juices. That day, I took 2 during morning and 2 during lunch.

For today (it's Saturday), I did go for a swimming session but I took an extra. Same as on Friday but I popped another 2 before I swim. That counts the maximum intake of the supplement as recommended. I feel good and my energy level reduce just a bit. Yet, I crashed on my bed at 8 and woke up around 12 am till now. I still feel the energy and maybe, or just maybe, I would like to do another crunch session later before I go to sleep again (for your info, I had a crunch session right before I go to swim). Crazy or what.

Anyway, I still widely awake but started to have some yawns. This product still under evaluation as it says and I quote, "Visible changes in less than 2 weeks". Well, hope it does as it said. I'm gonna pop 3 capsules tomorrow for breakie and lunch and see how my body response. For now, my throat feels the acid reflux and I need to quench some water to reduce it. Gotta stock up some apples tomorrow and pray that this product does the job.

Well, you can monitor my progress from my Bodyspace as I will track all the exercise thingy that I do. Just like Twitter but it's for people who are obsessed with exercise and muscle. That marks my point here to stop and actually I still have errands to do now in the middle of midnight.

This is guy (Adam Charlton) by the way that inspired me the most now. I hope that I can achieve such lean muscle in future and retain the result. Not too bulky but just some nice muscle and definitely the six packs. The kind of body that attracts people's eye on beaches or elsewhere that I can be half naked.

Farewell and cross fingers to my transformation.

Decisions

Hey guys. Another post has been delayed long time ago but feeling wanna spill my life event.

Since the last post, it has been few emotional months that I've been through. Decisions that would change my direction in my life. A sudden thought of migrating to Australia for better living and the plan has been stalled (notice here that I still have intentions to move out from Malaysia) due to immigration worries. Of course, If I'm moving out, it means I told my Master studies supervisor that I quit and ready to ditch a resignation letter to UTAR.

When this matter was over, me and my mom was planning to venture into food business as our main plan going to Melbourne is to open a cafe. Since my local area doesn't have such business before, it would be great to be the one. In the end, it turns out to be another stop. The price of a shop is darn hefty and cost a life. My mum couldn't afford to get one as predicted that the loan will be for life.

Anyway, in that period I was actually still giving myself the final decision: resignation. In the midst of packing up my things, my supervisor approached me and ask me to become her Master student again and she really have patience to let me decide again by giving me a month. I was puzzled, confused and worried with path would I choose.

Getting another job and leave my dream to have Master qualification or stuck myself, continue what I've done so far for 2 years, graduate again and find a new job? Indeed I want to look for other jobs as my career in UTAR has no job advancement and my salary increment is the least compares to my friends working outside with corporate and big companies. At the same time, my sister asked me to work outside for better salary, expand my career portfolio and get a Master studies in business and management.

In that time, I'm also worried that I'm not ready to face new challenge and have no new direction to look for.

Thus, I remained UTAR and proceed my studies as planned at the first place. Sorry for disappointing people who heard my news and those kinds of 'leaving' anticipation.

Last few weeks, there are few positive turnouts that I didn't expect to have.

Firstly, I'm going to get my first investment home in Kampar. This decision is made when I was looking rents which probably starts on upcoming January. My parents advised me to look for home as they would like to help to buy a house and become landlord instead of spending two or three years paying rents for a room. Yes, no more 'fake' surprises and it's in progress.

The second decision would be another life event. You might guess but I can't promise that this decision will be a success as I'm letting the nature takes its coarse and the decision that my fate lies.

That's it, folks. I might not be posting much but I hope I can do more in future. Anticipate more stories from me then and thanks for your patience!

Win or lose?

Win or lose?

Today's topic is not about competition or contest. It's about conversation.

It is inevitable to ignore conversation and has becoming one of the important delivery mode among society in order to move and evolve, despite the addition of facial expressions and body languages. I'm not going to explain more about it but I would like to emphasise on healthy conversation. Making such conversation, we can boost up our knowledge and correct others from mistakes and misunderstanding. But what if a conversation turns into a debate, naturally?

Now, it's becoming a 'healthy debate'? I'm not sure there's such word but it's does not related to HEALTH  debates. So I hope I make it clear.

In order not to reveal anyone, I should mention the person as an acquaintance, A. There is a situation (hardly a situation where it happens quite often thought) where conversation starts like usual days. Conversation from hottest news in current society, political issues and others were the topics. When the time comes right, A will start to pop up with questions which leads to his disagreement.

We can't stop someone from disagreeing some points as they might speak up something which is true and making sense. Hence, people will evaluate the points based on their knowledge and experience. Some will agree and some will not.

The situation will get sticky when A starts to disagree all the way. A is a person who is consistent and bold with his words which most of people thinks it's a strength where else I think it's a flaw.

Why?

Simple, the statements made in the early talk were indeed true and understandable but A loves to start statements which are nonsense and disagreed by most of people in the conversation after a few moments. Suck isn't it when we had person like A to talk with? If there's someone who stop him, A will be more stern on his points and keep talking in order to support his stand. The 'someone' here would be me, mostly because I really can't stand a person who talk craps continuously and want to move the conversation back to positive manner.

Can you see the healthy conversation is turning into a debate? Luckily, it doesn't turn out to be an argument or else it would be a very bad moment for me and others. As a persistent person, A will not give up until he wins the 'debate'. When he does, he will eventually utter, "Yeah, I win!". And he likes it, very much.

I care less who the person wins or loses because it is a conversation in the beginning. It is him that make the whole thing became a debate. The 'conversation' ended abruptly and turns out to be uninteresting because of a participant like A. It's like passing a ball around and someone have the ball on his own and not passing it to others.

If he can't win the debates, A will bring something negative about his opponent in order to cover up his losse and try to get his winning back. It's more like competition, as I said like a debate.

I'm not sure A notices bad things were piling up to himself and it's not a good sign. No one will start to talk with him or bring him into conversation and it's kinda sad when he is not being invited, more likely as an outcast. If you can't win something, just lose it by accepting people's point of view but not with a person who thinks his points are definitely correct without doubts or indeed crap.

True or false, there is always a balance like Yin and Yang. Not everything will be the right ones and wrong. We have to understand there is a point of moderation on every 'Yes' and 'No'. We cannot be very bold on an issue or too soft by letting it go. Just go average, a balance.

About the winning and losing, it's not important to win everything as we human are not perfect to win every moments. First, don't anticipate to win or lose as we might be on either sides. Secondly, please do not declare yourself as a winner where people look at you as a "winner freak" and never ever proud of it. Lastly, do not back up your loses by pointing out someone's weaknesses and make it as a strong point. It will make others to hate you more and in the end, you will become a loner.

No conversation = No social life = Forever alone.

I don't want to voice out the criticism to such person as they will 'fight' for their stand eventually. The only way to curb this bad attitude is when everyone starts to point out this issue to him. Majority rules by the way.

When you are deemed to be in the losing side, just suck it up and be proud. Being a loser is not a bad idea as we will learn from mistakes and these experiences are invaluable and no one will teach us but time. Don't try to act up and end the conversation abruptly when you can't disagree more on people's voice. Pointing out someone weakness necessarily proofs that you are a person who lack of confidence and self-esteem. Not everyone can accept negative things when it's not the right time to be discussed.

Respect other's opinion and try to think twice before you speak. Every words matter. Voicing out your words is like throwing several stones in a pond. The lighter you throw, the wave produced are smooth. Same goes to your conversation, smooth conversation.

Here's a song for those who can't win. Just "let it be" and everything will be just fine. :)

After 12 years

Hey guys. I'm really into hiatus mode as daily chores and work keeping me up quite busy recently. Anyway, I would like to jot down something you guys for an update.

Remember my post about 'Pasion' that I wrote about myself regarding what I'm interested to do in the past and future? Yeah, I got myself something.

Something expensive yet I have waited for the past 12 years to get one on my own.

See something black there? Yeah, I got it. My 2013 bonus just cut half for that price tag. Why I choose it? Actually it wasn't part of my plan for 2013 but my colleague mentioned that he bought something from a local music store. CK Music. In December 2012, they were making a promotional period where items were discounted and I checked out the piano section.

They sell Korg brand which I heard of but not that familiar. I've played digital piano from Yamaha, Casio and Roland but not Korg. I checked out forums and sites about this brand. It turns out there are some quite good review as they are well-known stage musical instrument provider.

I looked on the list of digital piano they offered and I came out with my decision. Actually two. SP170 and LP350.

Differences? SP170 is much more affordable but it's bulkier, lesser sound preferences and effects, hidden preset where we need to press the keys to access modes like changing sound and tuning and this piano offers sustain pedal. Somehow, it's portable as I tried to lift the piano. It's light.

On the other hand, LP350 is more sleeker, space savvy, 30 sounds with reverb, touch and chorus selection, built-in metronome and 3 pedals. The 3 pedals are quite important to me if I want to go for music class again. I can't deny I like its design and there's one little feature that really look cool. The hatch that enclose the keys has a soft closure, meaning that we just close it halfway and leave it close on its own smoothly. Can't get it, see the video here.

The keys were weighed as if they were keys from upright or grand piano, giving out the real expression of touching almost precise, feeling of a real hammered key from uprights or grand piano. They called it "Real Weighted Hammer Action 3".

From the super duper long description above, it's clearly that my decision would be LP350. At the first place, I want the white one but after a few looks from the piano in the showroom, the dust is much more visible. They offered other colour which is black. The other colors which are not offered in Malaysia is:-

Red. As if it was made from lipstick.

Ivory white. This one is interesting as it gives out wheat white colour with leather emboss. And it's limited edition.

Why I chose a digital piano? Well, I learnt to play piano using a digital one and I felt better. They are much lighter compares to an upright. Digital piano does not require tuning and maintenance from pest like termite and fungal growth due to high humidity in Malaysia. Electric doesn't eat your wallet much compares to its maintenance. One maintenance costs more than changing your engine oil. Other words, the price for upright, cheapest is about RM 6000 to 8000. Even for those refurbished piano, they cost at least RM 4000.

Digital piano? The decent and stylish looking like mine just cost me not more than RM 3000. And it smaller and can give performance just like an upright up to its par. The only one thing that I can say bad about digital piano is if there's not electricity, it won't function and the piano goes off when its electronic parts spoilt.

So, I got it about one month and so far, the piano is indeed a new companion in my life. After await for 12 years since my mom didn't bought me one because I didn't passed on her expectation, finally I got one on my own. Why I want to get  it one now, this time? My answer: I don't know but believe it or not, it's like a calling for me to get one and this decision that I need to fulfil in part of my life.

For the next one, I think I won't be using my money that often as I have another major plan. Planning to get a hybrid car in another 5 years time where my salary can afford a loan for a RM 95k to 130k as for the price of a current hybrids.

These are my options:-

Toyota Prius c TRD Sportivo 1.5cc. RM 103,990.

Honda Insight 1.3cc. RM 99,800.

Honda CR-Z (M) 1.5cc. RM 111,488.

(If I'm still single)

Toyota Prius 1.8cc. RM 129,000.

The highest end that I can afford.

Why my next plan on getting a hybrid? First, hydrid save petrol usage which greatly reducing my money in paying the tank. Second, these cars are environmental friendly as they emits lesser CO2 combustion. Third, they can work alone as an electric vehicle, EV where they move quietly and no petrol use at least 10 km. Great for short distance travelling without using a single drop of petrol.

If Malaysia plan to get an EV with affordable price tag, I'm hoping for Nissan LEAF.

A total EV vehicle without tailpipe. Zero combustion, zero emission. I hope that this car can take more than 160 km per charge and battery replacement from using lithium to sodium. This would make the battery price drop significantly hence the price of the car.

I would like a time travel machine to see my future decision leads me to. One step another step I presume. Just like I get a piano after 12 years. So, I would like to wrap up here peeps. Good night and good day ahead for tomorrows.