tomorrow i will be going on the tarantula railway which winds down from lewisville to the stockyards and there we're going to be going to billy bob's - a western, line dancing, country music place.....pity i don't have time to buy my boots yet! but that's for sat and monday (4th of july), one of the trainers from here will be taking us down to see dallas and cooking a home dinner for us!!!!!!!!! yippeeee.....looking forward to that!

also, as i said, final exams were today and i scored 100%%%%%%%%%!!!!! that kinda brought my average up to 98.9% over 5 tests....second highest.....even though in all 5 tests, i only made 2 mistakes.....1 was a michevious question and the other one was pure carelessness.....so anyway, there you go, second highest!

breakfast at the hotel is BORING with a capital B! They kinda switch the main dishes around so it's not statically the same everyday but even then, it's at least a repetition of the same thing at least 4 times a week! EEEKKK....help!

P.S. Haven't taken too many pics so....later ok!

Ok, BASEBALL GAME - TEXAS RANGERS vs HOUSTON ASTROs!

We caught the game live.....26 June 2004....... but left half way through cos i think most of us were asleep.

So, starting with yesterday mornig, we went to a flea market in Grand Prairie where i got some cool t-shirts and accessories! it was fantastic...not everything was texas/usa but they were really nice. So, that was a couple of hours, of which 60 mins of it was raining, we went for the game. Parked somewhere not too near the stadium where it cost us 10 bucks! I was told the stadium was called ameriquest.....took some pics.

we were definitely trying to get the whole experience like buying hot dogs (which i couldn't cos they were beef - so i got nachos instead) and a giant giant soda.....the only thing i realised was that there is no sales tax at the stadium. plus we got free texas ranger hats.....who wants? Kinda like my already existing fisherman's hat! It lokos cool, i may give it to my sister.

We also bought candy floss which cost 2.75!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read that right! It was shared around but we couldn't really finish it in the end also.....bleah...all sticky and gooey! So we left three-quarter way through the game (don't know why so many people think it's a great date place!) and got home all tired and sleepy.

Last night I watched Jerry Springer and it was stupendous as usual! 'Pregnant women get back at their cheating men'. followed by 'Eye for an Eye' which is even more mind boggling than Springer. The people who feel like they need to invent situations to get their 15 minutes of fame.......

Tthis Sunday, woke up for breakfast and decided to go to Grapevine Mills (yes, the outlet mall - where there's like factory outlets - as from a previous excursion). We had to get a cab over which cost 20 bucks for 5 of us and shopped from 11am until 5pm! I think I spent way too much money getting gifts for everyone......They also had a store with a closing down leather sale. saw a beautiful tan leather jacket for 49.99. It fit me very well but I don't know where to wear it to.....

Also tried on cowboy boots!!!!!!!!! Wanna buy a kids one....50bucks. Oklah since the adults ones cost 100 overs.......

Ok, got a test tomorrow at 'school' so gotta study tonight.

It's the end of the weekend and tomorrow will be a workday from the shuttle to office at 7.30am until the shuttle scheduled back to the hotel at 5.15pm. Sounds like a real long day doesn't it? Hope all goes well, especially since my name will be on all the reports!

So, I have already bought a cool cool pinstripe suit cos we went shopping at Grapevine Mall today. It has all the outlet stores that sell brand names cheaper. Saw some other cool stuff, like attitude t-shirts, but I think I will save them for when I am sure I have money left. Cos the western stuff has all NOT been bought yet and time is so short with so much to do. I don't know if we have covered all of Lewisville but there are a whole lot of fun family chain restaurants here that we have definitely not tried yet. I really wanna check out Jack In A Box cos I've never had that! Same goes for Taco Bell.

Also went grocery shopping today at Target and I tried on lots of XL sizes......from the Children's Department. COOL! Really saves my dollars although I must say the best thing that has caught my eye thus far are the attitude t-shirts. They have smart ass phrases on them and I saw 'Princess' with a cat, D!!!!

So, everybody's getting along very well and we're gonna cook a Malaysian dinner for everybody from office....well, the two that we have lots of contact with anyway! AND, we met this really nice man, Douglas, who's a trainer too, on loan here in Texas from Michigan!

He was so kind - found out where the mall was, drove us there in his car, spent a couple of hours walking about with an ice-cream so we could shop. And!!!! he's even found out about a rance where we can go ride horses and meet cowboys and do Texas-exy stuff! Hahahahhaa.....he's wanting to introduce his 6'4" blond haired son to us who can show us how to twirl a gun from the holster (I'm sure it's meant to be draw and something but twirl sounds like it describes the motion pretty well). We've also got Six Flags in mind and definitely Western shopping!

Breakfast has been pretty good but I seem to get hungry again in the middle of the afternoon even though I ate a pretty heavy breakfast - today. And in the afternoon about 5-7pm, I think everyone naps. You just can't help it!

Well, hope all goes well tomorrow and I love that this hotel has free internet which seems so far, touch wood, to be readily available whenever I want it. Should try to get Yahoo messenger loaded on here so I can chat!

HOWDY!!!

Ok, I am now in lewisville, texas! It's looking alright as of now. Lot's of flat land and my suite is fantastic! Homewood Suites people. If only I had an apartment like this back home. I shall take a video and save it somewhere for you guys to view.

So, just had our first breakfast here and I am feeling so thirsty already. Yesterday's high temperature was 95 degrees Farenheit. It's HOTTER than Malaysia, can you believe it.

Shopping is next on the agenda and souvenir shopping. Had a little fiasco at the airport - involving pepper spray(!), don't know if it's legal to talk about it! But it's really susah to get in here lah! The flight was too long - been travelling since 7am 18 June and arrived here at the hotel at 2am 20 June. Way too long and people who are coming in, make sure your transit hours are good and long enough if you're catching a connecting flight!

Anyway, enough for now. Will update later. Brain too fried to think.

Ok, it's been a week since I stopped climbing (or 6 days) and my thighs are still hurting! Could it very possibly be because I had conditioned myself to think that I was going to get a long-deserved, luxurious, oh-so-beautiful massage to de-stress and relax my whole body ........but didn't? Or is it just because I didn't hurt that much in the beginning and the effects are residual and taking longer to vanish?

So that's the only side effect I have - hurting thighs.

When you're going up Mount Kinabalu, I must MUST recommend strongly that you go with somebody who can motivate you, somebody who can push you, somebody who won't give up on you!!! Preferably a loved one! Because I sure know that there are times when you need pushing. Not that you wanna give up but that the numbness, the shortness of breath, the ache just makes you wanna stop longer than you should and sleep out there. (I LOVED the hot steaming bowl of Maggi Mee I immediately ordered when I reached Laban Rata). Ah! The simple things in life!

Ok, back from Sabah! YEEAAAHHHHHHHH!!

It was fantastic! Firstly, the little stuff. It was cheap shoes galore over there with promotions that say "Buy 1, Free 1"! Bought postcards that said, "I Climbed Mt. Kinabalu" instead of "I Came, I Saw, I Conquered"! How can one say 'I Conquered' to a majestic wonder of Earth like that?!

My momentous climb up Mount Kinabalu - the highest mountain in South East Asia.

I think everyone should go at least once in the life! Got the pictures and certificate to prove it too before you ask if I reached the summit.

It is truly awesome and beyond description. The stars were out, the trees/shrubs/flowers were different from anything I had ever seen, the freshness and crispness of the air, the coolness of the rock (testified by the countless times I sat down to catch my breath and give my legs a breather), it was wonderful! Makes you really think about the vastness of the Earth and how small and insignificant other things really are. You know, sometimes you get so caught up with little everyday events, things, sadness, disappointments and then you get up there on the Big Rock and you realise, time is eternal and nothing is so big and important that it can take over your life forever.....well, I guess except for death but even then, there's reincarnation.....

So there was the climb up to the 'mid-way' point of the mountain which is the rest stop for the first day at 3293m. Took us about 5 hours to reach that height from the base and it's rest/sleep time until 2.30am the next morning to attempt the next big bit. That's the hard part done! It takes another 3-4 hours to reach Low's Peak at 4095.2m to catch the sunrise. I didn't catch it though cos along the glacier superhighway (what the locals lovingly call it!), I was stopping every 5 steps just so I don't overdo it! The air was so cool, you don't really feel cold with all the exercise but my toes and fingers were numb - and I had on two pairs of gloves!

So many times I just stopped and gazed around at the beauty around me. The stars were so bright and I can tell you, it's not a sight you see often in the city! The night was so quiet and the moon just patiently shining down to light our way along the rocky moutain face. I just sat on the rock, lifted my face to the night air and enjoyed the stillness of the night.

When we first started going, it was like 'Go! Go! Go! There's a mountain to climb!' I couldn't believe that I was so happy and up to it. I was absolutely astounded that I reached Panar Laban. I keep telling people, the chronology of the climb is obvious from the photos we took along the way! At first it was I can reach up and touch the sky grins but then it got just a wee bit different! The Panar Laban picture of me had my face like I had just sucked on a sour lemon!

Then the big one up there. Oh! I could have just sat up there for ages and ages just enjoying the view and the air.

Thennnnnn there as the big walk down! The rocky face was fine but when we got down to about 5km until the front Timpohon Gate, god, if there was a hell, that must have been it! It was HORRIBLE! I so nearly wanted to cry and just sit down . My toes were hurting, my knee was tight....it was hard trying to get down all those steps and we kept wondering if we really did climb UP all of them! I just wanted the Park to end already! Forget it with all the pondok rest stops! That was seriously the worst part of the entire climb for me!

And then we were supposed to go River Rafting but the legs (thighs) hurt too much so we got lazy and just ambled around town buying souvenirs.....then we went to Manukan Island which is one of the five islands that make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Went snorkelling, got stung by jelly fish and got some tan lines! Heeheheheheeee....

Yahoo!!!!!!!!! I can't believe that it has been over a month since I last wrote. I probably stopped being on the fitness track like 3 weeks after.....Have been to FRIM two times in the past month and have thouroughly enjoyed myself. Don't know why the other jogging/exercise tracks don't get me going but I just get so excited going to FRIM. Hvae been doing their hill trails and got up them without much problem.

Also went on the canopy walk. Had to pay RM6 for the honour and it wasn't actually worth it cos it wasn't very long or scary! And we didn't get to loiter......... took some photographs but D has them and I am not very sure how they turned out.....Could see the Twin Towers and KL Tower and it was cool. Others were afraid of the swaying and the height but hey, honestly, it wasn't such a big deal to me. In fact, I loved the swaying....put some action into it.

Went on a shopping expedition yesterday to Sunway Pyramid. Since I haven't been buying anything.....much.....lately, I thought it would have been a greattttttt trip. Didn't buy anything. Saw some fantastic shoes at Vincci and Esarli and Nose (who almost always emulates some other brands designs for a cheaper price - henc I love them!!!) but they were expensive!!! So I didn't buy any! Have decided to get at least 2-3 of them though. .....so feet; watch out!

So, Friday- Thursday 9-15th April, I shall be away, hopefully getting my summit cert (HAVE TO GET IT NO MATTER WHAT!) and shopping and river rafting and basically experiencing new and wonderful things!

See you when I get back!

Sabah here I come. What is it, Land Below The Wind?!

April 9-15 2004. Flights booked. Kota Kinabalu and Mount Kinabalu to be conquered.

My first time ever in the mystical East Malaysia. And guess what, moi is now on the fitness track. Uhuh! I have started my regime. Jogging, walking, climbing stairs, swinging my arms! Trying to endure it for a half hour at least every day. So far no aches and pains....well, it has only been two days! But I really do hope I get to the stage where I can jog and talk (simultaneously) for 1/2 hour without being out of breath. As it is, the unfit me is trying its darndest to coax the sane me into not trying to kill it. It sure as hell leaves me dry mouthed and breathless. My lungs feel like they're being filled with fire and sometimes I feel like blacking out! I guess that's pushing myself huh? Hopefully, this self-torture phase will end soon and I can get with feeling good about being able to jog around the field without wishing I was dead!

So, keep up to date with Errolyn's Keep Fit-O-Meter!

April 20
Time: 30 minutes
Location: In the house
Activity: Climbing up and down stairs, jogging around living room and in front of mirror
Result: Good for first outing. Really did what was needed and nothing less. Tired and real loss of energy right after stopping.
Comments: 15 mins into exercise, I felt like dying. Lungs burtsting but trying really hard to push myself as much as I can for the first day. Don't want to demoralise myself by attempting too much the first unfit time around and failing. But had to stop when the risk and real danger of tripping down the stairs became too much.

April 21
Time: 0 minutes
Location: -
Activity: -
Result: Lost out on continued burning of calories and building of muscles and stamina.
Comments: It was Saturday and I was.....doing something!


April 22
Time: 35 minutes
Location: Around field, playground
Activity: Alternate jogging and walking, arm swinging, short session of up and down blocks.
Result: Good show of effort today although could have tried to push harder. In the beginning, dry mouthed and hard shallow breaths. Numbness in fingers.
Comments: Good workout. I know I kinda copped out on some jogging but it felt really hard and even with the brisk walking, my calf muscles felt burned. Read somewhere that arm swinging doubles the calories burned/effort expanded so did it for some time. Yes, jogging is still boring. So I went to the playground and brisk walked and jogged on the winding paths found there. Put some variety into the activity!

OK, HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!!!

and HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!

Still getting ang pow. Not yet ready to give but I don't really think there is any fear of that happening soon!

Had quite a fun time at home with the family. Although as usual, it isn't nearly enough! Especially now I guess, with no many days leave to take.

I guess it was about this time too that the personal disaster that still haunts me to this day started. Looking back, I didn't really notice it much. I had gone back to Penang all psyched up about building up my piggy bank again, pigging out on food as I are often wont to do even though I was enjoying my almost newly-found (December) svelter body with less kgs and fat! But what the heck, Chinese New Year only comes one a year right?

So, anyway, that's when it started. Suddenly, one day while washing my hair.....which I really must explain - when I was young, I had gorgeous thick, healthy, black hair....until one day it started dropping (perhaps the onset of puberty?) But then it stabilised and I was quite happy to live with my half a head of old hair. God Knows! It was still a lot of hair. But then, come January 2004, it started falling out in chunks! Now, if I was a hypocondriac, I would have thought I had a brain tumour or cancer or something. Anything to explain the horrible unexplainable, really hurtful loss of hair.

Every time I washed my hair, I couldn't see the bathroom floor for my hair. Every time I walked around my room, I had strands and strands of hair trying to merge with my furry bedroom slippers. What was a girl to do? You tell me.

I thought perhaps it was the length of the hair (yes, moi was trying to grow really really long hair) and perhaps it was the weight of the hair that was getting it down, so to speak. So, worried little ole me went and got it cut and layered (god, if you see me now, you would think I was bald!) So, got it all hacked off, got it dyed and what happened next?

I realised I had gotten fatter and more unfit! (God is this self-pitying ever gonna stop?)

But, I digress. I was still losing hair! Now, I put it down to a bad diet that didn't consist of enough fruits and vegetables (mama was right!), not enough rest (hear that D!), and stress (from work??!).

So, I have had it and am now scouring the entire Malaysian, well, ok, maybe just KL, market for hair regrowth products. Shhh! But don't tell anyone eh!

If you've got any remedies, PLEASE TELL ME OR I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND TAKE YOUR HAIR!

Hello Friends!

Now, before you tap me on the wrist because it has been so long; I will need a chance to explain myself.

I did try writing recently but the whole computer (old that it is getting) died on me and nothing had been saved! Imagine my disappointment and feelings of loss over the whole heartfelt piece of writing.

Which reminds me, perhaps I had better get to writing this on Wordpad so it doesn't get swallowed too!