Flat Tyre - 20130110

Nothing much but to document something in my diary for my poor car. This is my 3rd owned car and yet, this was the 2nd time its tyre needed to be replaced at the shoulder of the road. In my driving history, what a sigh...

Did I mentioned this is the 2nd time on my 3rd car, well... all went well for my 2nd car as though there was no emergency needed for that, phew! I did the tyre replacement on my 1st car, all by myself! Some college mates passer by saw me at that time, but I couldn't remember if any offered help. Nevertheless, I was happy I managed to change the flat tyre on my own [at that time].

This time round... well, I wasn't the driver but though I did not change the tyre on my own.

• Reason #1 - couldn't locate the tool in the dark, 
• Reason #2 - simply because we know the highway authority and assistance could be a reliable one - it was a test!

Simply, there are several lessons learned one could adopt here.

• Safety tip #1 - Make sure one is familiar with own car's emergency tool, if not could at least ensure a torch is fully function at all times. Perhaps a rehearsal for tyre change may be a good idea. 
• Safety tip #2 - Keep authority or auto assistance emergencies phone number handy [Thanks to my broadband service & google search].

Check out KESAS Ronda emergency no. here.
Despite the heavy traffic during rush hour, they manage to assist me within 30min, and completed the mission in 2min. Salute and thank you very much for all the support.

Kesas Ronda in action

Here's the damage!

Cycle circle with Foldable bike!

Here's what I owed my readers... The so called horse riding similarity outdoor sports. Guess it was last September 2012, partner and I were shopping for a foldable bike each.

*agrhhhhh* I lost all my previously drafted post!! Now I'd need to-write! Thanks to the co-existance of mobile blogger apps & lappy, it's all my fault! Let's recall what I had written..... 

I did share how lousy I was in riding a bicycle during my childhood days. Though I did owned a BMX (seems to be the most 'in' bike in those days), I had never cycle more than 1KM at a time. Another unforgettable experience was on my aunt's kampung bike, where once she asked me to follow her around the village. I did, but I ended up in a mud fall :P. My aunt comment was "Ops... never know she can't balance!", but I did climbed onto it and try. A real 大番薯 a.k.a potato!

Here's the reason why I insisted in getting a foldable bicycle. I don't feel comfortable with those normal high frame bicycle - poor balancing. Secondly, I wish to travel out from town further, to cycle around botanical garden or so. A foldable made easier for commute/transfer.

Therefore, I have got myself a China brand foldable, namely TianXS (天喜盛) from my neighborhood bicycle accessories shop, GS Bikers Styles & Accessories. To be more accurate, my model is FKA 083. Don't ask me what type of gear and specification it has... I am just too lousy with that. Upon owning a bicycle like this, I consider myself good enough to balance it throughout the corner and road :).

My group ride so far being interesting and started from a super challenging 20+KM ride (1st ride  though!!) then moved gradually from 10+KM to the longest 36KM couple of weeks ago. On an average, we usually stays around 20ish KM.

2nd Group Ride

Without a watch, I found it difficult to keep up on the time. It's impossible to keep checking on my mobile phone. Hence I got myself a simple sports watch by Timex, flew all the way from Amazon US. It's not a complicated GPS watch or so, in fact its a lap chrono watch :).

My 1st Timex

The below picture were taken from one of the most challenging ride I had. The journey begun from Kota Kemuning all the way to Taman Puchong Mas. The ride was rather interesting, where we had to pass by pod holes (non-tar road) and along the Sg Klang river. If I recalled correctly, we clocked a 36KM here.

Pod holes road

Sg Klang River

Taman Puchong Mas

Other accessories came long couple of weeks after I owned a bike. Such replica sports sunglasses was put into play! We got it from some online store or Groupon, I couldn't remember as I wasn't the one who did the shopping.

Sunglasses

Nasi lemak or Roti Canai for breakfast around Kg Bukit Kemuning has been a must for the group.

Nasi Lemak for Breakfast

Ride to Puchong MAS

Further on, I got myself another arm warmer. This is my favorite so far, as it has UV guard and its made out of some cooling material. The partner got this from an online Korean stuff market place, namely http://www.qoo10.my/. I am kind of skeptical of this product, as I couldn't find its write up any where in the internet. Perhaps its not a genuine product, but then Coolon seems to be a registered Korean brand. No matter what, as long as it serves its purpose well enough - UV protect!

Korean Arm Warmer

That's me with the Purple Arm Warmer

Other than that, I had got one of this flexible bag for foldable bike. It looks nice ya... this can be found at GS Bikers shop.

Foldable Bike's Flexi Bag

In fact, I had got myself another accessory today. hihi... till then, don't get the chance to post it now, or else my write up will be flushed and deleted once again :) *phew*

Happy Biking & Happy Exercising !

Dive Trip @ Mataking Island, Tawau Dec 13-17 2012

December is my holiday month! Yes... had my last dive trip of the year to a luxury island off Semporna, East Sabah. It was good to enjoy the sun and beach back on my home state, people are just as warm, the 'bah' slang been just around the corner... hearing them speaking on the native slang been just made me feel back home.

My favorite shot

Mataking island, it may not be as famous as other dive resorts surrounding Sipadan island, such has Kapalai, SeaVenture and Mabul's Sipadan Water Village (SWV). I knew this place many years ago through some of my dive buddies (at those days I haven't even interested to get my diving license). Overheard its an exclusive yet expansive resort to stay, on those days. Fortunate enough, we have got ourselves some good deal from MIDE 2012 dive expo at PWTC.

Upon checking in to the island, we were greeted with warm live singer at the jetty. I can feel the luxury and exclusiveness attention. It's just such good to be there. Food was awesome, nice ambience and most importantly clean! No sticky foot steps in the dining hall. We had varieties of salad every day, be it Thai styled, Kampung styled (with rice), and all kinds... Varieties of bread made everyday fresh from the kitchen.

Breakfast - love the homemade papaya jam

Views from the resort are just such spectacular. Be it day or night (except cloudy day). The bright sky in the day reflects the bluish of the ocean, it was just such lovely. In the evening, sun will set in front of the resort, the glory sun will smile as much as it could before downing into the deep ocean.

A Romantic Dinner Table

Romantic Sunset

In the dawn, the moonlight would come in just in time to join into the crowd, we had a lovely half moon.

Dawn with the moon

Over on a night with clear sky, we could enjoy the sky full of stars! On the east facing of the island, benches and gathering place are just conveniently available for us to gather and chat. One of a night, we managed to walk along the beach and grab a nice place for star watching, on with breeze that kisses our faces. Awesomely romantic! Only if I am accompanied with a lovely partner, with a glass of champagne or wine... that would have been perfect (*dreaming*)

We woke up early on the day we about to leave, hoping for a perfect sunrise. Unfortunately, we couldn't get it all. Sky was covered with thick black cloud. There goes our beauty sleep on 5AM in the morning.

Sunrise Watch

No sunrise :(

Nevertheless, it was worth it. Slow morning walk brought us to the little Mataking island. One could walk towards the little romantic island when low tide. The view was superb, but it rained half way through. 

Nice sandy beach

Beautiful Scene

Enough of the beautiful skies from the island... made me dreamy while blogging :)

Next is on the dive experiences here. Many would have expect better or similar marine existence since 6 or even 10 years ago. If you have that hope, don't come to Sipadan island and its surrounding islands for the next 10 years, else you will be absolutely disappointed. For me, I didn't expect much as I am just a new diver whom still struggle much with my buoyancy. As long as I am able to buoyant well, any dive will be perfect for me. No doubt, one may be disappointed when there are just too little marine creature to see. One could have complaining, and comparing with other dive sites one has been before. Oh well, I would say we need to accept what's there today and admit the fact that -- mother nature is seriously in danger. How much chance we could preserve the value of marine life underwater? How many would supply they energy to preserve. We all know -- not many! Hence, nothing much we could do except to accept the fact and encourage more to love mother nature.

Fish booming has been a killer to the underwater world. I remember one of the dive at Barracuda point of Sipadan island.. I saw an aftermath with corals crashes all over the place. Only left with some new born soft corals and nudibranches, such a sad scene.

Stop Fish Booming!

We did most our dives surrounding Mataking island and its opposite island, namely Bohayan and Timba-Timba. Seriously, none of the sites gave me enough UW memories, as the creatures were so disperse and visibility rather poor, 5M at most. Nothing exciting to share except MANTA RAY! Yes, we saw manta ray as we decent on a deep dive, 1st dive of the day. Can't remember the site name (wait, will check my dive log next time). This creature was HUGE! To me, it looks like an eagle UW (haha!) Sorry, I don't have UW camera, hence no picture to share. :P

Dive Center

Our dive center was good. Nice DMs around to help, they are such hardworking... maintaining the center every morning, help out with our tanks, get organize with our request and so. But one thing which almost disappoint us.... was the arrangement of boatman and DM. The management was about to change our DM throughout all dives, in which we requested to avoid that since we were not comfortable on such arrangement.

Dive center and its crews

Good to know, we were in time for new born turtle! Mataking Reef resort does turtle hatching. They do look for sponsors, and we were part of the lucky one who managed to sponsor some. My buddies have some nice pictures on the turtles, too bad I am just too lazy to hunt for the pictures.

Turtles are born!

Oh dear, I am getting tired in writing. In fact, I have been writing this since 2012... and its now 2013! Hope you won't get bored with my post later.

Lastly, here's my recent gear in 2012. Bio fin was bought during 2011 MIDE but was used 1st time during my 2012 Redang trip. Dive computer was bought in 2012.. oh, I missed my Neilpryde bootie bought in 2012 MIDE. Dive LED torch was the latest in my collection. Bought from DX Deal extreme (dx.com) online store and collected it a few days just before my dive... it was a long wait, for close to 4 weeks upon order.

My dive gears

2012 has been filled with the most dive trips for me. Whether I will continue scuba diving, not too sure. It's all depends what I am off with, in the year 2013. Life goes on, goes along with an open heart! I am on for any adventure, any experiences to fulfill my life with  the greatest company, laughter and memories. To certain extend, some memories just couldn't be wiped off. Hope the deep ocean will continue to help me treasure them deep into the sea. ^.^

Happy  New Year 2013!

2012 In Review

Whilst I don't usually blog on my personal stuff, guess it is time for an exception, perhaps a new start for 2013. 2012 somewhat been a challenging journey for me. No doubt, I am proud I made it through. There were ups and downs, with some extra personal time during the weekdays been sacrificed for work.

I still crafted some personal time for own self - yes, own self!

• Scuba diving - 3 places in the year (Redang, Perhentian, Mataking)
• Got my Advanced Open Water certification, in preparation for more deep dives!
• Outdoor yoga - early morning in the park
• Reading
• Nail spa and excellent personal "massager" - too bad she quit her job come end 2012, I miss her.

Some of my time were made aside for family members.

• Made home to Labuan island 3 times in the year - included family trips to Kota Kinabalu, Pulau Papan and so
• Tried horse riding - but gave up after 2 rides
• Island trip to Redang - partial as I enjoyed my personal time with my dive buddies too
• Chiang Mai trip - 1st time there, it was an eye opener
• Baking, cooking for experimental dishes
• Cameron Highland trip with friends cum their families - enjoyed the nice bungalow & home cooked food
• Cycling - got my 1st foldable bike, improving my ride every now and then :)

What I did not do in 2012... :(

• Karaoke with my close buddies
• Organize a party

Guess I would consider myself being more outdoor this year, is it a good thing? Oh well, perhaps so when I gradually feeling health condition de-tolerating. I wish to explore more on healthy diet, more healthy stuff to start my 2013. A journey to begin with, after the long waited dooms day 2012.

Of course, more de-stress sessions including some pampering ones, i.e. spa will be an ideal thing to do. I wish to visit more places in 2013, particularly those with 4 seasons. Some plan has been lined up, can't wait to see them happen.

Improve my writings, both formal and informal - more blogs perhaps?

Bye 2012, welcome 2013!

Lego in the Box

Honestly, I'm still cracking my head... Thinking hard if I ever had Lego set during my childhood days. I am sure I have, as it's not an 'alien' toy to me. But seriously, I couldn't recall how they looked like, and what model were they. I don't even have a 'skeleton' leftover at home.

Very likely they had all been hijacked by my little brother. He had Lassy too, a slightly bigger educational toy, which he connected them all into guns! Gosh, I should have more girl typed childhood.... And yes, I had Barbie doll :)! A gift by my late aunt.

I never intend to collect all of the Shell Ferrari Lego cars, which were under promotion lately in Malaysia. I picked and choose a few, in which I super liked the minifigure. Hence, I got myself 3 sets.

Where to store? I left it on my cupboard for the past weeks, it then collected dust! It ain easy to maintain. Hence, off I went to hunt for a box. Daiso has been my common household shopping paradise. Here goes my transparent plastic box, specially made for toys and miniature storage display. Without need further intro, you would have know how much would this cost :)

Collection Box from Daiso

Made in Japan ?

They all squeezed in well...

Merry Christmas 2012 & Happy New Year 2013

Wishing all friends & their families....

Merry Christmas &

Happy New Year 2013

Time flies as much as it could, we cherish the moment as we move along,

great time always in memories, lousy one we should leave behind.

21-12-2012 so called D-day & Winter Solstices

I am pretty sure many will be blogging on this special day, even most social media will be flooded with such kind of post over the world. What is going to happen to the world, will we all be doomed once and for all, or will the world turn dark forever.....

Obviously, some would have believe, but certainly I did not (but wish it could happen). At least, I wouldn't need to continue my routine lifestyle. Wish to have some change, but not too sure where to start. Perhaps, this may be the new beginning of my life. Who knows!

Writing here to mark the occasion I had went through for this special day ... Glutinous rice ball (湯圓) and roasted pork (燒肉) as breakfast -> Simple Lunch with buddies -> Nice drinking & Pork Knuckle session with buddies -> Unplanned (at least not mine) dinner with relatives -> traffic jam (whom someone been more irritated than I) -> now writing -> soon going to bed.

I am glad that my life has been filled with great company of buddies, no matter sun shines or rainy days. I am sure good heart pays all for it, enjoying every single inch of my life with them. Y'all the best!

Happy Winter Solstices to mark the end of 2012, let's aim for a better & happier living as a start for 2013 (a whole new world).

Happy Winter Solstices

Hmm.. nice cider! 

Yam Seng!

*1st time appeared in Purple's diary.... a random blog post. a post without much content that make sense, afterall... its dooms day right?