A Blue Monday - Perhaps not??

Well, I guess this is another update to the Boonster's blog, I can already hear some of you saying finally...

After the running around a few weeks back coordinating logistics for the company's participation in the WCIT 2008 here in Kuala Lumpur, I decided to take Monday off, basically to have a bit of a lie in to catch up on lost sleep. Somehow, things don't always have a habit of working out the way you originally intended it to.

What eventually happened was that I had to make a run to the JPJ office in Wangsa Maju, as one of the cars in the family is nearly as old as I am, most of the space in the registration card had been filled. Went to the Customer Service counter and asked for assistance, since this was my first time encountering this situation... I was pleasantly surprised by the efficient-ness of the service levels there. Got the form from the friendly guy there, went upstairs to another room which does registration stuff (Folks, this is where you would go to get your new car registration numbers... while I was there, tenders were opening for WRM registrations which should hit the roads towards the end of the month.)

Waited for a short while, less than 20 minutes, for the counters in front of us to process the 20-odd people that were in front of me. Approached the counter when my turn was called, the lady was pleasant and courteous indeed. Took the old registration card along with a form and a copy of the IC, in less than 5 minutes I received the brand spanking new registration card. The bonus here is that I need not go back to the ground floor to get the road tax, unbeknownst to me, that can be done here as well. After the exchange of RM800, I received the roadtax for the car. I was a happy bunny ;)

Did some errands for another friend later that day. And eventually headed to the gym. I'm guilty, Your Honour... Haven't been going for classes as much as I used too. Though no complaints on the physique, I've always wanted to ensure that I don't put on the pounds that I've worked so hard to loose.

So.... In anticipation of the coming Fitness First Miracle 2008 event on 21 June 2008, me and some friends have been trying to get into shape (read previous blog entry, though that seemed to look like an eating outing :p) and it was decided on Monday that we should do a follow-up pre-event drill. Since I was at home, it only made sense for me and another friend to go to the Fitness First at Menara Manulife in Damansara Heights. First on the list was a bodypump class which was at 4:45pm. This Les Mills' programme is certainly one of my pet classes, the other two being, Body Balance and RPM. I've had some tough classes in my time with the gym, but this one really takes the cake... Towards the end of the class after numerous sets and reps of working through the muscle groups, I was sore on my upper torso.

As if this wasn't enough, the RPM Challenge class that followed at 6:45 that evening was no better. Somewhere along the line, I feel that my stamina is not like what it used to be. Thankfully the instructor chose his track songs well, which made the hour long class pass slightly faster, without any of us asking the ubiquitous 'Are we there yet? :p' After the final stretches and cooling down, as I came off the bike I could sense that my legs were almost in a jelly-like state.

It's no better today as I can't reach for things placed on higher shelves etc and when squatting can feel the muscles tightening up. Again folks, its not a complaint, just a reminder to get in shape and to work that body into a lean, mean defined machine :D:D:D I for one certainly felt good despite the 'hard' effort put into the sessions, Bring 'em on, is what I would like to say now...

Cheerio for now folks...

'twas destined to be a healthy weekend... NOT!! Food Glorious Food instead

Well, I guess The Boonster's blog is now reawakening from its long slumber, at last hehehehe...

The weekends have always been something that I look forward to more than anything else on the calendar.. Most people, including yours truly, would make it the time to catch up with family, loved ones, friends, outdoor activities, gym and the like..

The plan this past weekend was to hit the gym at least once, that we certainly did, and a double whammy too... For the gym freaks, a double dose of Body Pump and RPM had was on the books.

A prelude to what happened before the gym session... Since it was Mothers' Day weekend, healthy amounts of food were gorged the evening before and on Sunday morning I had this dogged determination to wake up early to finish chores around the house for my dear mother and get brekkie for everyone. Soooo, ladies and gents, this is where the part about Food Glorious Food starts ;)

I set upon the journey for morning grub... Went to the Imbi area to pick up some Pork Ball Noodles and Nasi Lemak, both of which are truly scrumptious. Also wanted to pick up some of the famous See Kee Curry puffs' but the stalll across the road wasn't open, so picked up some Siew Pau which had just been freshly baked, smelt and tasted good. Next, wandered across to Chinatown to pick up the said curry puffs. Must say that I do love a good curry puff :D

The end result of all the food bought was enough to feed an entire army :LOL: Dropped off the food at home and when to see J and C who were joining me for the gym session. One of the main reasons for the takeaway was to have saved some time and do more at the gym. Breakfast at J's was quickly done and rested for a short while before going to downtown KL.

J had a hankering to go to Charn Kee located along Jalan Alor for their Dry Curry Noodles (available only on Sundays), this was something I introduced to him a few weeks back. This was also C's first visit there, and she seemed intrigued by it after both our rave reviews. I guess having eaten a bit before this sort of mixed the taste buds.

It was indeed off to the gym after this... Got into KLCC and walked over to Menara Maxis where the Fitness First outlet is located. Didn't bargain to run into a 'mini' version of the Hindraf demos that happened a while ago. Still precautionary barriers and police (FRU included) were all there. Thankful that we were all early for gym so there were no delays. Got changed and stepped into the Body Pump class, love the way it just works the muscles in your body and 'hardens' them up by the end of class. First timers can expect some sore muscles for the few couple of sessions after which they would be quite addicted to it ;)

After the hour long class, we decided to chill for a bit waiting for the next class, RPM at 2:00pm since we had worked hard through the class. 'Booked' our spots prior to class, when we came back to class after that, bumped into our long-time buddies, JZ and SS, both of whom were surprised to see the three of us there. Certainly made for an interesting class.. JZ was seated where the fan and AC controls of the room were situated, didn't really noticed that the AC wasn't switched on till the mirrors fogged up. Must have gotten to J as well as the instructor, W, who asked JZ to immediately to switch on the AC! Poor J was finding it quite a challenge to get through the class due to the stuffiness and I was in a similar position too, heavily breathing to get as much of O2 into the body.

By the time we were all showered and done at the gym, it was close to 3:30pm, no where I could think off except for Soo Kee Char Siu in Jalan Ampang, was just going there to try our luck. Luck seemed to be on our side... Ordered some Char Siu, Roast Pork, some vegetables and a soup. The Char Siu was excellent as usual, one shouldn't bother asking for lean Char Siu here coz it will taste like cardboard.

Truly this felt like a roadtrip day, going all over to do stuff, gym and eat... Next stop was Chinatown, haven't been there for more than a year since my German friend came to KL. Was packed to the gillls with people from all over. It's always an amazing experience walking throught his part of the city, the sights and sounds of people going on with their daily activities..

After the trek through Chinatown, it was off to Pandan Jaya for some Steamed Fish done in Thai style (it's a corner shop restaurant, the name escapes me now :p), a serve of marmite Chicken and some local veg dish (Paku shoots). In all, such a great way to spend the weekend, couldn't ask for better company to do it with and enjoy the camaraderie of friends. Can't wait to repeat it at some point of time in future. After all, life is short, we should all kick back and chill if only for a short period.

Have a great week ahead folks!

ps. Pardon the lack of photos, got too caught up in the moment and didn't have time to snap
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