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The pain I have to go through. It’s like getting hit by a train and then asked to walk to the hospital. I cannot describe it better. Your muscles feel like it’s tearing itself apart, your joints feel like you’re hitting it with a hammer every step you take. The only thing that can keep you going is your own mental tenacity. Some of my colleagues have to give up 10km short of the target of 60km, after walking for 50km! Some finished short of a few km as time ran out, 24 hours have passed, spending the last few hours limping and dragging their feet to try to finish ahead of time.
After 70 laps, I rested for a while and woke up with difficulty of standing up. It’s the same for a lot of participants around me, most of us walk more like a penguin  than a man. As I went back on the track, I glanced at the clock tower, it was around 12+am. I’ve got 26 more laps to walk, around 16km. With this kind of pain, I’ve got to walk 16km more! It wasn’t until 5 hours later that I finished walking the 26 laps, making frequent pit stop at the medical booth for analgesic cream and spray. Which by this time has already been used up, leaving only ice packs to relieve pain. It does numb the pain for 1 to 2 laps, but then the pain will be back. I went on to walk 8km more than the minimum requirement of 60km to qualify for the medal. Just to push myself until the clock stops running at 8am.
In this 24 hours, I’ve only had the maximum sleep and rest of 4-5 hours. The rest of the time, I’m out there walking. I’ve seen a young lady and an old Indian man faint in front of me. See others crowding the medical booth with so much blisters on their feet they can’t wear their shoes anymore. The thought of giving up did cross my mind twice. But I pressed on, "not until the last minute" I told myself. I did doubt myself whether I will make it on time.
That’s how I’ve spent my Birthday. Btw, I also had 400+ people sang me a birthday song before we were flagged off. It’s a rewarding experience I can’t really describe in words.

Those are my colleagues, out of 39 staffs, 15 made it for the medal.

For more pictures, visit these 2 blogs:

http://xperienceoflife.blogspot.com/2007/08/sports-24-hour-international-walk.html

and

http://runwitme.blogspot.com/

Came back from the 4th Malaysia International 24 Hours walk. Completed the minimum of 60km to qualify for the medal. Now my legs doesn’t feel like mine anymore. The painkillers are working their magic to let me have my rest in bed.

Btw, my face is posted on the newspaper (Sin Chew Daily, KL version), I was told. Will get my hands on it soon from my KL colleagues. Hell of a way to spend my birthday. More later…

On 1st August 2007, in News Straight Times, 2 particular piece of news caught my eyes:

Raja Nazrin: Allow only honest officials to serve nation.
The Raja Muda of Perak has always been vocal in his opinions  on public governance. Some things mentioned on this particular article:

1) A social order that led to cohesion within and among communities and called for horizontal equity whereby all Malaysians in equal circumstances were treated in exactly the same way.
2) Malaysian of all races and religions engaging one another with absolute civility and respect.
2) Only Malaysian who were capable, hard working, bold and unscrupulously honest being allowed to serve in positions of responsibility.

We’re talking about equal rights for all Malaysians. Well, maybe not to that degree yet, but advocating equal treatments to all regardless of race and religion(this is not the first time he has given a speech on this). All this from someone who is in a position of power and advantage because of him being born of a certain race and background. Isn’t that what democracy is all about? Isn’t that the level of civility we’re aiming for as we develop into a  so called, developed nation?

I know that if I’m present at that lecture, I’ll be clapping my hands so hard it would hurt for 2 weeks or so.

Also remember he once refused state government sponsors for the cost of his wedding. He calls for the fund to be spent on the public. I know what you’re saying, he’s so damn rich he can afford to do that. Yes, he can, but past experience has shown us that just because someone can does not mean that he/she WILL. Look at all politicians who’ve already stuffed their bank account fat but is still misusing public money to make themselves even richer. There is no end to the greed of men when it comes to money made off that easy.

The truth is, I want to be proud to be a Malaysian. I once bought the idea that Malaysia is for one race alone, Malaysian, but along the way I got disappointed. You can’t be proud of your country if you’re treated as 2nd class citizens, marginalized and stripped of opportunities that should be the rights of everyone. Malaysia for Malaysians. I long for a day we are no longer differentiated by our race and religion, when we are treated as equals, because above all else, we’re all Malaysians.

I respect and solute our Raja Muda. He made me proud as a Perakian and Malaysian.

Source

And the 2nd piece of news:

Day of champions: Footballers can learn from Nicol
Once again, Nicol David made us proud by winning the Malaysian open and thereby regaining her world no.1 title for a third straight year.

She proved that to be world class, we do not need to build the tallest building, the longest bridge, the  most expensive toilet…etc,etc. Having the highest spirit and doing your best will do.

Source

I’m proud of you, Nicol. Proud that you’re Malaysian.

Happy Merdeka Day, Malaysia.

News flash: Friendster has officially gone haywire. I’m sure you’ll notice it in your profile too.

Haa… I’m stumped. I look at the date, and it’s not 4th of April.

Some of us has been on Friendster for more than 30 years. It’s that popular?!!!

Seriously, funny shit, this is.