Who's up for Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2018?

Who's up to run GCAM2018?

Team Malaysia will be sending a contingent and Holiday Tours is the official handler for this group, so please do sign up here before 27 April 2018 to be entitled for the AUD20 rebate per runner..


Runners DON’T need to make payment online thru this Group Registration.
Payment to be made to Holiday Tours. Register by 27 APR 2018, to enjoy AUD20 Rebate per/runner

Team members can enter at http://goldcoastmarathon.com.au/enter/ using the following details:
Team Name: GC-HT Malaysia 2018
Team Pin: HTMSIA

This time around, only ground package is available after this year's mayday incident with Airasia X (read about my experience here).. So runners and participants are free to choose their own airline, arrive either using the "recommended" flight time to make the free transfers or make your own way..

I am expected to escort Team Malaysia again this year, hopefully, and more hopefully they let me choose my airline of choice (since the escort's flights are fully sponsored), however, since not many airlines fly to Gold Coast, that will leave AirAsia X as the choice..

Open the below image to view in larger sizes..

See you in Gold Coast, if I go hahahaha....

Switching Insurer

LIFE & MEDICAL INSURANCE
After 12 years with my former life insurer, I decided to switch to another insurer..

The decision wasn't without much thinking, after all, I have saved up significantly quite a fair bit of money in the investment-linked account but it will be December 2018 before I can withdraw it..

It's not to say my former insurer is not good, but there are better ones out there and my former insurer cannot meet my needs any longer..

I've also made a couple of insurance claims over the years due to the surgeries and hospitalisation that I had, resulting in a diminishing lifetime limit, yes, there's such thing as a lifetime limit on my medical plan, which I've calculated that if I just make one or two more surgeries or claim for anything while still alive, I would've completely used up whatever limit I have..

That's pretty sick, considering that I still have like 35 years to maturity! I didn't know that 12 years ago, this was considered pretty sufficient! How costly have medical care become, and there our Government was saying this and that bla bla bla.. fuck you Najib.

So I did look around, considered some options and finally, settled for one..

MOTOR INSURANCE
Likewise, I did the same for my motor insurance too, but as the liberalisation of motor tariffs hasn't brought about much change into the benefits and coverage, I decided to stay one more year with my current motor insurer and see how that would change next year..

TRAVEL INSURANCE
As I travel quite a fair bit, I usually buy annual plans.. I've also switched my travel insurance to another insurer, offering greater coverage and benefits for lower premiums as well..

Key takeaway >> 
In short, shop around and don't stick to just one insurer, especially life insurance, as you know, the money would really be handy when you kick the bucket, anytime, that is..

Almost Christmas

It's almost Christmas.. and the most wonderful time of the year, as in the festivities.. And I am hard clocking up the drinks to get the Starbucks planner as Christmas present, and I need to do it real soon..

So who's up to help me drink? My treat!

I learnt what drinks can and cannot be counted.. wasted 1 grande...

Hows Christmas coming for you?


I'm pretty bored at work because of some shitty things and shitty people to deal with.. sometimes I just want to flip table and say "fuck you"..

Maybe one day I will..

What would you do?

Everyday we are faced with dilemma.. Someone asked me, whether job function or industry is more important - I don't know because I have never given it any thoughts before..Which of these two will, in the end, brings more job satisfaction?

So I am opening up to the floor and garner some insights.. I want to hear from people who are especially in one of these situations.. If you are in the right industry and in the right job functions, feel free to share your thoughts as well..

For the purpose of idea sharing, let's leave the salary out because clearly one industry pays better than the other..

Say you have two options..

Option 1: 
The industry is what you are looking for or have always wanted to be in.. However the job function isn't quite what you are looking for.. There is nothing you can do to change the job function, but on the whole it is an industry that you love to be part of.

Option 2: 
The industry isn't quite what you are looking for or have always wanted to be in.. However the job function is exactly what you are looking for.. There is nothing you can do to change the industry, but on the whole it is a job function that you can see yourself doing for a long time..


What would you do?
Which one hold more importance?

Which is more important?

Industry feels right but job function isn't quite right fit

Job function feels right but industry isn't quite right fit

Let's see what kind of insights I will get..

A short Bangkok getaway

I am one who will go away on impulse, provided I have a best deal in hand that I cannot resist..

So last weekend I went away to Bangkok, by myself..

I did not know what to do as it was my 19th trip to Bangkok so it was only to shop and chill, and get away from KL..

My flight was a dirt cheap business class on Malindo Air, bought during one of the last-minute promotions.. As it turns out, the product and cabin was not bad and it was full house in economy class so having the entire business cabin in peace among a few other businessmen, is something that money can't buy..

Boarding pass

Priority boarding was perfect, business class passengers board FIRST, before families and elderly.. That should be the way in any airline regardless because business class passengers pay more..

But these airlines are smart, they circumnavigate it by "We invite families with young children and the elderly to board first. Business class passengers may board at your own convenience"

But I love Malindo's way

"Business class.. business class.. Row 1 to 3.. The rest please remain seated".. after all, the maximum you need to wait is just 12 people..

Plush leather seats, only 3 rows of business class seats (vs Malaysia Airlines 737 4 rows)

Multi-functions from legrests to lumbar support

The very generous legroom, I can't even reach the wall..

Selfie 

Breakfast

Upon arrival in Don Mueang Airport, it was so empty!

My cosy AirBnb studio apartment in Silom

Panorama view from beside the fridge (as above)

Laundry facilities on the rooftop, coin-operated.

Sunday morning I have nothing to do, so spend some time here..

Feel so fat

Can you see the fatness like OMG!

PS: This is the real me.. if you see a certain nude headless body in Tumblr, attached with all my other pics, THAT IS NOT ME. 

Oh what's this?

My total shopping.. comes to about 12kg worth of shopping... 

I get to use the Miracle Lounge in DMK Airport on departure, which is just right after the immigration.. It's so quiet and peaceful and void of people (vs Royal Orchid Lounge in Survanabhumi Airport, that's plenty of PRC)..

Hot food, pastries, bread

Beverages, alcohol and desserts at the far end

Vegetarian mushroom spaghetti, dinner on board

I bought this - a scratchable world map to indicate which country I have visited.. the best part is it's so cheap that when I saw it, I was like, BUY!!!

It's only THB495 and it's framed nicely and it's made of magnetic board.. vs online price of over a hundred ringgit in poster paper some more!!

Now I just need a place to hang it.. 

Shamelessly putting myself out there

Time to get back on the market..

As many as I have...except for the FB messenger..

Shamelessly putting myself out there for the world.. however, I am quite old-fashioned in this sense, many of you know I am not that tech-savvy hahaha.. I rather play the dating game the "traditional" way, get me?

Like going out with a bunch of friends and friends-of-friends, and single out someone from there who's yummylicious enough and single, and take it from there..

That to me, is akin to like "sweeping my feet off the floor"..

Because knowing someone through mutual friends, you get a first hand top-down "evaluation"..

Profiles online in apps can't tell you much, only as much as the person is willing to reveal.. and most of the time, it's rather disappointing because people aren't who they say they are/who I think they are..

I don't form first impression on first meet.. if at the first meet the person can click well and attracts me, I will put in my effort and get to know him better, only to have my efforts thrown out the door and backfired..

That's why I am not too keen on online dating..

Over time, I have also went easy on the "list", while not "lowering the standards", it's more like having a broader sense of criterias..

What I'm essentially looking for in a person:
- pleasant and well mannered
- decent
- emotionally, financially & mentally stable
- more or less having similar interests (I love travel, beach, sea & sun, gym, coffee, boardgame among others)
- essentially similar age or older, I'm 34 by the way, the pool is getting smaller!


Also, I kinda took the analysis of love language and these are my results.. turns out that I am a rather touchy person, which I agree.. Give me a hug, hold my hand, hold my waist, having physical contact is quite important to me.. and that is one sure way of getting to me..

So guys, if you have friends who's single and eligible, please remember to ask if it's ok to call me along out too yah? HAHAHAHA.. who knows.. it might blossom into something more :)




*wishful thinking... happy friday!

"What if"

I admit I was never one who loved reading, but I do have some thought-provoking books that I would buy when I come across them..

Some books are just plain silly but I felt I gotta have it, some are talking about blue-ocean strategies, some, well just ridiculously informative and fun, like this..

I grew up reading much of his comics.. most of his comics need you to think, and if you have an active mind like I do, this is for you..

He hosted his comics on xkcd.com, go and enjoy it, there's thousands and thousands of it over the years..

I chanced upon this book when I was browsing in a bookstore the other day, and it reminds me that I needed to get this edition.. However, only a few selected MPH outlets (in upmarket areas only) in Malaysia carries this title, don't worry, all other booktstores in Malaysia don't have it..

And MPH is now having online coupons - so there, I am going to MPH this week and get this book..

This is why you don't succeed

Perhaps this is one of the best motivational speeches ever, and this is for the millennials.. Stop feeling so entitled because the world don't owe you anything..

The yuckiest Michelin-starred meal

You people really need to wake up..

Michelin-starred meal is about being the best..

I really fail to see (taste) how this is the best.. In fact, if you ask me, it's horrible.. I would rather take my SGD3.80 and spend in on a McChicken and a Coke instead..

Singapore's Hawker Chan
esplains why there is no queue on a weekend lunch time

Hung to dry
(hung too dry)

1 Michelin-starred meal

Look wise - really unappetizing..

First thing first, the chicken - it's mushy and has no texture, a sign that it is over-marinated or braised.. For chicken rice, it is best to just roast or steam the chicken and that's how you achieve the perfect texture..

It feels like chewing into a meat "mashed potato", yeah, its that mushy..

Rice - way too dry, or perhaps that's how Singaporeans like it.. The soy sauce did not help.. You really have to swallow it with help of drinks, since no soup is provided..

AND WHO THE HELL serve chicken rice with peanuts? What good ol' cucumber wasn't good enough now?


I didn't want to try the noodles because I did not want to..

Hawker Chan really leave me with very bad impression about whether they really know anything about food.. Being in the business doesn't mean you know your stuff..

I don't wish for ill, but I really hope they lose their star..

Single and freely available

Well if you have not heard it yet, yes I am single..

Don't ask.. couple weeks ago we merely decided it was best to just remain friends than to spoil a beautiful friendship as it was clearly not working out..

I guess that's how dating works..

You date and then you decided you're not meant to be together..

So don't be surprise to see me in the apps or out in the scene more often.. You know, one gotta put oneself out there..



Cheers..
xoxo

Revisiting ClubMed Cherating

It was the first Club Med I've been to..

I've only been to Club Med Cherating and Club Med Phuket.. Was supposed to go Club Med Bali last November but due to my surgery, I had to forego the trip, albeit fully covered by travel insurance..

If you have never been to Club Med, take my advise and go at least once, make it a minimum 3 nights kinda thing to fully use the facilities and services.. Even if it's just Cherating, there's plenty you can do..


So what is Club Med?
Club Med is an all-inclusive premium resort whereby you get your accommodation, free flow food and beverages including alcohol ie 3 international buffet meals a day and when the main restaurant is closed, the noodle bar will be open for noodles and ramens! and free flow cocktail, red wine, white wine, rose wine, beer (except premium spirits and champagne) all day long, sports and activities as per schedule, and daily night entertainment (performance and often followed by opening up the dancefloor).. Spa is chargeable, and certain sports are chargeable depending on which resorts, but generally, it's covered..

Staff are called G.O. = gentile organisers
Guests are called G.M. = gracious members

And there is a theme colour/dresscode each night.. be all participative and inclusive and you will enjoy your Club Med holiday.. forget about berdua-duan because that is not the concept here..

Your wristband colours indicate your stay and your age group.. If you happen to lose it, get it replaced immediately at the concierge..

Holiday Tours is an authorised Club Med sales agent, so you can drop me a line if you are interested..

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

In any Club Med, all you ever do is to drink and eat and drink and eat, and laze and do some sports activities perhaps.. but mostly just eat and drink..

If you don't drink, there's water, fresh juices, cordial juices and soft drinks.. but seriously, the cocktails are very mild you won't even taste any alcohol in it..

The bar is open all day long, so just head up for glasses and glasses of cocktails

Drink all you can

Whether it's at the bar or by the beach, make sure you have a glass in your hand, any time

The main bar is always at the main area

Nightly entertainment.

First off, the night starts with entertainment of various genres, it can be a musical, a concert, a comedy show, circus or whatever they call it..

After the night entertainment, the dancefloor will start, usually it's the Crazy Signs where you follow the dance steps.. the same songs and steps is the same in any Club Med worldwide so you will feel just at home wherever you are.. 

There's variations to it.. and then some more.. just dance the night away.. it doesn't stop until the last guest leaves.. 

A show going on

Singing and dancing

Take part and join in the dance

Impressive Nature

The beach corrosion at the beach in Club Med Cherating is so profound that it's so beautiful.. None of the photos below have been edited, and are shot using my trusted iPhone 6..

Sails sitting on the beach on a calm day.. so no sailing :(

Of course, what's a beach vacation without some topless selfie?

Just look at how much sand has eroded..

Paparazzi caught me showering

So, would you like to go Club Med?

I might want to go to Club Med La Pointe/Albion and perhaps jump over to Madagascar..