Forrest Gump

Finally I watched Forrest Gump and his run of life is definitely inspiring. But that's not why I signed up for half marathon.

15 Nov is last day of school. The end is abrupt. Bye Gemas.
Last day, had some photos with students, farewell for principal, then had lunch with YY, CF and Pn Tan who always gave us so much food. Then packed. I had more stuffs than I thought. Took quite a while.
Evening went to Bahau to dine with SC & WJ. Been a long time. Always good to meet them.

Head back Melaka.

16 Nov is Saturday. Went to KL and have breakfast with HT @That Latte Place.
Just love the place and the egg ben. Visiting friends attending class in UUM KL.
Then so lucky got summon for parking illegally. Tahniah. How I wish I could win more lucky draw prizes.

Lunch with D, SW and TJ and had some sharing on jobs. Then the rain poured. So heavy.

Straight up to Penang. Too bad can't meet JJ on the way up.

Somehow driving alone on long stretch of highway wasn't that bad.

Night. This is the time the sun hides itself.
Texted and called the hostel earlier to inform my check in. No response. Never mind.
Arrived at 23 Jalan Datuk Keramat. The door was half opened, but no light. Hmm...suspicious. Knock, no answer, call, no answer. What happen?

Not sure if I was in luck or not...an old man then pushing his bicycle, stopped right in front. Then I asked. He told that operator already cheated away the money from the premise and run away! what? what?

Oh well, he suggested a hotel around the corner and that's all I could do. Lucky that's just a RM20+ booking but then paid RM90 for a night in Old Penang Hotel.

Update: Agoda has promptly refunded the payment.
Non sponsored advertisement: I am 100% recommending Agoda.com for your accommodation booking.

So this photo shows how the hostel looks like...
Next time don't go in when you see it, it's a trap.

Komtar at night is so pathetic. So run down. Penang Times Square is like nothing yet. Then head to Sup Hameed for lamb soup and roti. Not bad for a rainy night.

17 Nov is the day for Penang Bridge International Marathon. 3.30am gun off.
The first 5km is the most relaxing.
The next 10km is the surviving phase.
The next 5km you keep wondering where's the isotonic and water.
The final 1 km is like zombie run. slow.
But the last 100m is like someone suddenly throw you some spinach and you eat it and become like a Popeye.

Time 2:31:57.75
Rank 1731/8325 
Not bad for a first timer! 

Met some TFM 2013 fellows as well :)
Then back to hotel for a shower and short power nap. Else I wouldn't survive the long day.


Wanted toast and coffee at Toh Soon coffee stall but closed on Sunday, so walked toward Transfer Road for the roti canai.

Lamb again. Lamb curry and coffee.

Penang is so beautiful in the morning.

Then did two good deeds. Donated RM20 to Tzu Chi Haiyan Relief Fund. RM20 because I got only RM1 x 1 and RM20 x 1 and RM50 x many (because I wanted to pay my credit card due but hor the machines in Melaka were out of service so keeping the money). Then saw an old uncle on wheelchair crossing the street kind of kesian so went to him to ask where he's heading. Pushed his wheel chair across streets. Kind of good feeling. #randomactofkindness hashtag is important. Hash brown also.

Wanted to take ferry since bridge closed but queue was crazy long so drove around randomly.

Strolling in Lebuh Pantai, saw Ambank! Wanted to pay la then but walked in to discover system down for upgrading also...Melaka cannot pay, Penang cannot pay. Oh well.

Then driving 140 KM/H all the way to KL for TFM alumni induction.

The induction was so calm actually. Quite sad to leave the fellowship but I will cherish all the moments we had throughout the two years. Have learned too much that if I put them here it would be the longest blog ever, so, maybe not.

Then the evening back to Melaka.

So much driving and running yet I am an Iron Man! No problem.

Packed and
18 Nov 5 am ready for Bali!
Green Camp Bali! till 22 Nov.
Made pizza, had too much.
Ever tried chocolate strawberry pineapple pizza? It's special but kinda weird...


Burritos! Guacamole! Favorite stuff!
 

Having fun aside, kids these days need more discipline. Need to respect nature, and also respect self and others. So this is how we teach discipline?
 

23 Nov. Quickly packed and went KL for Google Apps for Education Summit. Till 24 Nov.

 

Almost all private schools have utilized technology like Google Apps Suites for learning. FrogVLE for public schools was supposed to be launched with free Chromebooks for all students but until now see nothing. Next year maybe? or next next year?

Overnight at Sasaran, Selangor, relative place, having fun with little kids. Guess I am very good with children.

25 Nov. Rest for a day.

26 Nov - 1 Dec. Heading north!

First stop. Shah Alam. Parked at SS's house then carpool.

Kampar. small town indeed. Picked up HT.

Ipoh. Had this mee.


Picked up JY. Car fully loaded!.

Alor Setar. Detoured for petrol and randomly Googled for nice Kedah Laksa then stopped by Zakaria's.

Finally Sintok.

Checked in. Rest. Feel like college days back in INTEC. Nostalgic.

UUM: secluded, but has all the facilities inside, including international standard go-kart circuit!

Attending classes with Dr Barnes. Then helping here and there.
Chillax days in UUM.
Every night had tom yum...I guess I won't have anymore tom yum for next few years...
And impromptu blood donation.

And there's this Happy Burger place in Changlun...
Apparently famous here. Not bad for a small place.

Also went to Dannok, Thailand just for McD pork burger and 7-11 for foods hunting.

And finally the convocation. With grand robe, grand stage, and Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The journey of fellowship has not ended with a bang but might be with some pew pew pew.

So now with a teaching certificate I can go around and nag around.

30 Nov. To Penang.
No idea why, but watching Hunger Game midnight show in Gurney Plaza.
Few years back with YL SYY and WF also watched midnight movie in Gurney Plaza...Deja vu-ing.

Morning waking up, enjoying view, drinking coffee, reading newspaper, like an old uncle.

Then tak boleh tahan the beach, went down, got wet, had fun.

And finally back in Melaka 1 Dec, night. The run has not ended. In fact, it's just the beginning.

That's my training field. SMK Gemas. I might not run there anymore, but I will find another field. Run faster, run further, run happier. Life.