International Folkdance Competition 2009

In conjunction with the 4th Sabah International Folklore Festival 2009, the International Folkdance Competition was held recently at Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang and attending the event makes my two (2) nights of sleepless night so worth it.

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Unduk Ngadau, Kumang Gumai, the big bird with tatoo...

Kazakhstan pretty girls

Saudi Arabian & Malaysian sharing culture

Now I'm so damn sleepy (like the kid on the above picture) but nevertheless HAPPY!!!

Satu Daerah Satu Industri (SDSI)

Satu Daerah Satu Industri (SDSI)....that's the name of the exhibition being held downstairs of my office. Every district have their own booth. Ranau is one of it.

I have recorded them playing the traditional music tools. As you can see in the video, their guitar is made from wood.

Another thing that interest me is the mushroom that they show and sell at Penampang booth. Their farm is situated at Kg Kaambazan, Kolopis Penampang. The mushroom is consists of two types:

Tiram Putih

Tiram Kelabu

They only sell like RM1.30 each for the 'Bungkah Cendawan'. From the information i got from the farmer, you can put them anywhere whether inside your kitchen or outside your house, as long the place is cool and have open air. Within 10 days, you can have your own fresh mushrooms. And after that, they will grow again. Just pluck the mushroom, clean the opening, close it back with the plastic and wait for another 10 days. Interesting kan...

So I bought a few of them. Hehe!!!

The SDSI exhibition will be held until this Sunday (21 June, 2009) at Sabah Trade Centre. There's more to see beside the mushroom. So guys, what are you waiting for. Come and support our local industry! Can't wait to harvest my own fresh mushrooms at home :D

Manikar Beach Resort, Labuan

Recently I went to Labuan for half day working trip. Turn into one whole day when something happen later that day.

McD

My first time to go on board the MASwings on my outbound journey to Labuan. This small plane got this 2 huge fans on the left and the right. I'm like this school girl who in her first time boarded this kind of plane. Haha!

MASwings

Later, I thought my heart just drop into the sea when the plane dropping up and down like nobody business. It's raining and there so many clouds that time. Worst, the person sitting beside me is snoring while I'm praying hard for my life. If the stewardess was not looking, I would record him snoring with my camera. Hehehe!!!

labuan map

The Labuan War Cemetery and the Marine Museum. Those are the two places that I would like to visit someday.

love the ceiling (labuan airport)

I supposed to fly back to KK in the afternoon but because of the continuous bad weather since morning, my flight has been delayed until night. I have no idea what I'm going to do while waiting for my next flight. Since it's raining cats and dogs, sightseeing is out of question. Luckily I meet these few businessman from KL. They inform me that the MAS should provide us with hotel, return taxi to hotel and meals. I thought I only have to claim for my meals. When they claim theirs, I also claim mine. At least I can sleep at the hotel while waiting for my next flight. The MAS gave us Manikar Beach Resort.

the reception area

From there, my small adventure start in exploring the resort. Starting from the room and finally to the beach. The room is not bad at all. Only its lack of toiletry facility for such a known resort. And some of the lamp switch is not functioning. But the balcony have such a nice view of the sea. I'm so exciting to go to the beach till i forget to take picture of the view from my room's balcony. Damn!!!

2008

I think the resort's landscape need to reconstruct. Maybe put some light and colorful flowers. Hehe!!!

landscape

Nobody at the outside of the restaurant. Sure everybody is inside because of the lousy weather. But for me, the weather is a blessing. A blessing that give me opportunity to explore the resort even though only for a few hours.

restaurant

The resort looks like the deserted resort because it looks quiet and spooky. Seem like only few of us there. You only can hear the sounds of the strong wind and the wave from the sea.

But the beach have a nice view if not of the dark cloudy weather. With the strong wind and the rough sea, it sure take your breath away.

I even record the beautiful combination sound of the strong wind and the rough sea.

Can play volleyball on the beach.

And football also.

The exotic bar in the middle of the resort.

The trees blew by the wind.

The swimming pool.

A place where you can relax while enjoying the sea view.

Then, me with the rough sea behind me. Seems like my self-taking picture become a habit nowadays. I say this habit is quite useful when there is nobody around to take your picture. Or nobody want to take your picture. Right Jen??? Hahaha!

And of course not forgotten my precious souvenir all the way from Labuan. This will not classify you as a drinker - drink responsibly! Hehe!!!

Sheridans
(One taste and I'm sure you'll want another sip :D)

So next time if your flight is delay, maybe something good will come out from it. Just cross your finger ;o)

Koginavaan

They always make me happy. Here are my recent collection of dog's pictures.

Aunt Janet's dog at Tuaran. Pity her being so precious, have to put her in a cage when her owner is not around.

Puten

A white puppy being sell at Donggongan Market, Penampang. The boy really like the puppy so much. See his face expression!!!

l

Snow White

During morning jog at Tanjung Aru Beach. He is so friendly until he's all over me. And smart one for sure. He sit down when his owner ask him to sit and look straight at my camera. Hehe!!!

Friendly Dalmation

My ex-dog. Now has been given to my brother's friend. Don't ask me why....hehe!!!

Blackie

My kind dog. Always obey my mom's rules...hehe!!!

Doggie

My fierce dog. Always jump on people including me when I come home for holidays. And intend to bite when you're not careful enough.

Tiger

And last but not least...my newfound love. See his blue eyes and his white stockings. Thanks Richard!!!

When he's sleeping...

When he's awake...

Koginavaan

OMG!!! I'll die just watching him. Miss him so much...


**Koginavaan (Kadazan) = loved one

My BIM 2008 Journey

After few of my friends ask me whether I'm still training for the BIM, I'm slowly getting the meaning behind their questions. An abandoned blog!!!

My answer is: I'm not training anymore but I'm sleeping a lot nowadays. A lot until I nearly forget my login and password for my blog.

So here goes my ancient story:

On the race day itself (12th October 2008), I wake up as early as 3.00 a.m to get ready for the race. My source of energy consist of one bowl of red rice, two sosej and 2 cans of Gatorade. And another 2 cans of it on the way right before the race.

my Race No: G804

Before the race start, we managed to take picture with the soon to be winners of the BIM, the unbeatable Kenyans. Kenyans are the always favourite winners of almost every marathon race in the world. We managed to get few tips from them about marathon bcoz they are so friendly. Way the go guys!!!

the kenyans (courtesy of alis camera)

After few minutes warming up, we, the Half Marathon Runners started our race at 6.00 a.m. sharp. The Full Marathon Runners started their run at 4.30 a.m. Two of my super iron colleagues are in that category.

ujie, ulai & alis (before the war) - courtesy of Julian camera

I'm so damn nervous till my heart beat so fast and I can feel butterflies flying around in my stomach. And I keep feeling like going to the toilet. Luckily I didn't fainted before the race. I'm trying so hard to not to show my fear in front of my friends. Once I have this thought to pull back from the race, but I keep saying to myself, I have to do this before I reach 30. Hahaha! So much for motivation ahh...

i try to beat the bald guy eventho only a few seconds...haha!!! (courtesy of ani camera)

After so much struggle which I never struggle so much before in my entire life, I have finished my 21 km running from Stadium Likas to Sutera Harbour to Traffic Light Tanjung Aru and back in 2 hours 47 minutes and 57 seconds and the most important thing is that I'm still ALIVE!!!

alive & proudly happy!!!

Right after arrived at the finish line, the first thing in my mind is to look for cold 100 plus drinks. I think I drink one can of 100 plus and I lost count of the cold milo cups. Want to know why...I have to pay for the 100 plus but the milo is free. Hahaha!!! And the second thing is of course is to look my friends. So much for a friend. Hehe!

milo station

Here are the happy proudly faces of us after the race. The photos are clearly enough to describe our feelings that day...

one company one unity :-P

chombi with the muscle. i tell you she is a real amazing runner!!!

After the race, all the runners have been given free massage by one of the shop in Tanjung Aru, in a way to promote their business. The massage feel like you're in heaven after the long tired run.

free massage

busy taking picture of the race's result

Thank you to the BIM 2008 organizer for their wonderful effort on organizing such a prestigious event. Such an eye opener for us Sabahan!!! Thanks Shan...you rock!!!

my dear NB (you & me have been thru a lot)

All and all, running in a marathon race is beyond description and beyond imagination. You only will know when you try yourself. So hope to see you guys in the BIM 2009! And also hope to see myself in a marathon race again! Haha! Cayo! Cayo!

friends in running (courtesy of mslamau)

Training for BIM

My goal for the BIM is to finish the 13.1 miles half marathon in 3 hours and 30 minutes. Which is the time limit for the half-open category actually.

Hopefully the training schedule below will help me in my first half marathon.

Source: http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

Now, I'm in the 6th week and my legs are killing me already.

No more marathon after this!

Borneo International Marathon 2008

The Borneo International Marathon (BIM) 2008 will be held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Borneo on Sunday 12th October 2008. (quoted from www.borneomarathon.com)

BIM is the reason why I have neglected my blog for quite sometime now. Actually, it's just an excuse...the real reason is that this lately I have become the most 'SUPER LAZY BUM' blogger in the World Guinness Records.

Anyway, me and few of my friends/colleagues are running for the BIM. If you interested to join, just go to the BIM website (www.borneomarathon.com) or their official blog (http://borneomarathon.blogspot.com) for further details. For your information, 10% from your entry fees will be contribute to some of the Charity Homes in Sabah.

For those who want to be part in one of the most happening event in town but do not wish to run, the BIM organizer is looking for volunteers to help them during the event. You can contact this phone number: +6-088-218833 or email to: info@borneomarathon.com

Beside keeping yourself fit, healthy, handsome and gorgeous, you making other people smile and happy!

So guys, what are you waiting for! Support the BIM! Support Borneo Trekker! :D