New Year, New Hope

Both Vans & I ushered in the new year with close friends far from the clutches of the city with in a small civilisation, which we hope to return as nature is the one true place we one could really relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and the routine life with work and stuff.

But as we observed, the world is not getting any better. The weather is getting worse. I read that winter in New York is 20°C and not -2°C. Most of Europe was covered in thick snow last week, the bushfires in Australia is still burning, and Johor & Singapore was flooded earlier this month.

It really made me realise we are so vulnerable, and we should enjoy every moment in life. Hhmm... how I wish I can be on holiday now :)While the world is not any better, I hope you are. Let me share this following email which I got yesterday from a friend with you. (Warning : The following material requires adult supervision and discretion. May cause halucination.)

HEALTH QUESTION &ANSWER SESSION

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! ... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO . Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming Whoo what a ride".

Haha... enjoy your day.

P/S : I shall not be held responsible should any reader gain weight or suffer any complication upon practicing the information aforementioned. =)

New Year Campout in Sungai Chongkak

This post is 2 weeks late, but the memory remains.

After much talking and planning, we (Paul, Rebecca, Shanti, Reuben, Ken Yi, Vans & I) finally set out on our New Year Campout in Sg Chongkak on 31st Dec 2006. We only plan to stay for a nite, and return to civilisation on 1st Jan 2007. Well, I thought it was a different way to celebrate new year compared to shouting your heart out at the hottest party in town. Anyway both Vans & I are not much of a party goer, so this suits us. We gathered for lunch and left for Sg Chongkak in 2 cars as we were only able to check in after 2pm.

This was the chalet that we booked. There is 4 beds inside, but we came here to CAMP, so we setup our tents right next to the chalet, and used the chalet as storage, and also emergency in case it rains =)

We went for a short hike up the trail from our chalet, it led us to a dead end. So took a group pic turn back and got ready for some fun time in the water.
The cooling water was so refreshing, that we decided to sit down for some hydrotheraphy and massage, boy it was good.
And then it was BBQ time! All of us were so hungry even some of the raw fishballs tasted good. We started out with 30 chicken wings, 1 packet of fishball and crabball each, 2 packs of sausages, 6 sweet potatoes, and 4 apples. We thought it was a lot of food for 7 person, but nonetheless we managed to whack everything as we talk, and eat, and eat and talk till about 11:30pm. A closer look at our food =)
By 11:30pm, we saw our neighbours going into "doze off" mode so we thought we could continue with our countdown in the field next to our campsite. Rueben brought some firecrackers and stuff so lighted those amidst our 10, 9, 8.... 3, 2, 1 .. HAPPY NEW YEAR...!!! Boy I haven't played with these for a long long time. Couldn't get any shots of the fireworks so I could only show the guys preparing and lighting it up. The girls retreated to their tents while the guys continue to guard to the place and had a good session of chor dai di, where Rueben kept ruining my plans and Ken Yi was the ultimate winner.
The next morning, we had some "roti bakar" literally baked on the bbq pit and sausages, plus clearing up whatever food that we brought.We then cleared up the whole area and breakcamp as we prepared for our final water session before we leave the campsite.

The it was down to the waters again, for the final time. So I enjoyed some foot massage =) Here's Vans with Shanti. The guys and I were busy practising our shooting and tearing down the place that we in the end we realised that the little dam-like wall that sustained the water was crumbling and decided to rebuild it.It was about 11am so we decided to clean-up, pack our stuff and return to our home-sweet-home. After packing, we snapped our customary farewell photo in with the river behind us.We had lunch together in McDonalds before Shanti, Rueben and Ken Yi came back to my place and Ken Yi got a tour of my place. Overall it was great fun and it reminded us very much of our time in Rangers. All of us miss those camping days. Although some have opt not to join citing "old", "back pain" and other valid reasons, I'm sure they'll make it through these leisure camp if and when we have it the next time."Once a ranger, always a ranger."