Tired of walking...

After 2 days in Bangkok, it really doesn't feel like a holiday... Almost non-stop walking from one place to another. The nearest Skytrain station to the hostel Thong Lo and it's 15 mins' walk away. It's really hot here even at 8am! One good thing that I shaved my armpit hair...

Yesterday went to see the Grand Palace and a standing buddha, then we went to MBK centre, which really look more like Sungei Wang Plaza. In the evening, we were at Patpong Night Market, something like our Petaling Street. Only difference is they have pubs with pole dancers there.

We're heading to the Maenam Chao Phraya and Wat Arun after this brief stop at the internet cafe. Later on we have a 6.15pm appointment with Body Combat at Fitness First Landmark Plaza!

Just found out that we came out 5 in the Love-In-Tune Contest by Hitz.fm... thanks for those who voted for us!

How do you know you're in Bangkok

SAWASDEE KHRAP KRUNG TEP(BANGKOK)!!!


Ahh... land of the rot tit

Yeah, we reached Bangkok around 9.30am local time and didn't really do much yesterday. We slept through the afternoon before heading to World Central Plaza, Bangkok's answer to Sungei Wang Plaza. It's currently going through renovation and it's scheduled for re-launch in June 2006. We had snacks before we went to Lumpini to visit the Suan Lum Night Bazaar. The place is huge... you can do your shopping/bargaining for great stuff here. OCD bro asked me to get him a leather waller around RM20. I saw one and the seller said normally he sold it for 1250 baht, but for me he would give 600 baht. Anyhow, at the end I bought it for 300 baht. Gf and I also bought some other stuff before we headed to the Lumpini Stadium to watch the Muay Thay matches.

Don't have much to blog- only 20 mins free from the hostel. So will do more when I come back to KL. However, do visit this blog from time to time for some short updates.

Before I forget, if anyone is thinking of visiting Bangkok, you may be interested to know that the exchange rate offered at the Bangkok International Airport is RM9.13 for 100 baht- we exchanged all out money at Mid Valley for 9.35. So, do think about saving some of your exchange when you are in Bangkok.

My final thoughts on Malaysian Idol

This is my last time talking about Malaysian Idol competition till 2006. There are better things to think about... like my Bangkok trip.

So, Did Daniel deserve the win?

Let's review the reasons some people say he deserved it:

1) He is multi-talented
Yes, he can write his own songs and play some musical instruments. But does that make him a good singer? It's like saying that a good pharmacist will naturally be a good doctor, or a good surgical instrument maker will turn out to be a good surgeon. That remains to be seen.

2) He's got a huge fan base
How many? He got 1.2 million votes in the final, but that does not mean he had 1.2 million people voting for him. A friend at the gym told me that her maid was going to vote for Daniel 20 times! I'd like to see in future competitions where the organizers could adopt a system that allows only 1 vote per phone. I think that would be more fair to the contestants.

3) He improved throughout the contest
Yes he improved as he progressed, but if he were in a singing contest judged by people in the music industry, I doubt he could make an impact. Did anyone look at Abang Roslan and Kak Jee's face during the press conference? They said as much as they could to support Daniel, their expression told me a different story. I could still remember last year's press conference being more relaxed while this year's felt a bit solemn.

To be honest, Nita didn't do well in the final either. Even on Saturday, she was having another off day.... Farah deserves a singing contract out of this- she was FANTASTIC in the final's special presentation! Dinah was very good as well and Jackyln was... well, Jacklyn was still Jacklyn...

Next year, I'm expecting more cute guys in the competiton.

Launch at Cheras Leisure Mall

Sunday was the Les Mills new launch at Fitness First Cheras Leisure Mall. I was scheduled to do BodyCombat with Janis and Calvin. Since I wanted to join the BodyPump class at 1pm, I went to the first church service at 8.30am. So, by 11.15am I was already there.


The entrance



what's inside




That's Eric Ting who is with the sales team. Eric is trained in BodyStep, BodyJam and BodyPump, and last week he completed BodyAttack training as well. He's from East Malaysia but I got to know him in Penang when we both joined FF as members. Like me, he's very passionate about group exercises.



And here we have another GX coordinator, Crystal Tan. She takes care of FF Menara SPK. The BodyBalance top on the left is for sale at RM25. We have sold most of the tops actually- my girlfriend wanted to get a BodyJam top but they didn't have her size anymore- should've bought it for her on Thursday...*sigh*



The treadmill area is quite big, but it was kinda quiet that day. I think most people were going for the new launch. After all, it's always more fun to workout in the studio than doing it on your own.


The juice bad for member to relax and read newspapers

When I reached there, BodyStep had just concluded and up next was BodyBalance.



Nicholas and Klevin(no, I didn't not mispell his name) did the launch. Nick is the coordinator for FF Menara John Hancock while Klevin is a fellow Group-X instructor.(note to self: really need a good camera!)


members in action



Since I pimped for Janis, a lot of guys have expressed interest in knowing her. Here we have the hopefuls lining up to submit their info and have their photos taken by Janis. Apparently she will go through the data and select a few for the second round. The members were lining up for BodyPump. It's time to get Pumped up!


Mr Incredible Wes Carter is in da house!

BodyPump was presented by Crystal and our resident kwai lo, Wes Carter. Wes is the Master Trainer for BodyPump and RPM and he also oversees us as the head teacher for BodyPump and RPM at FF.



That's Klevin trying out BodyJam wearing a BodyBalance top. I think Klevin should apply for next year's Malaysian Idol contest because he's cute.... SURE CAN WIN!


Jacq gettin' jiggy with it!

On the right is Riyo, coordinator for FF The Curve. Riyo is Japanese and she's a fantastic instructor on stage- actually together with Jacq, they are my gf's favourite BJ instructors. They are also one of the many reasons I will never do BodyJam- I can't look as good as them.



Wes and Lynn also did the launch for RPM.



Don't let his expression fool you- He's having a ball riding it.

Didn't take any picture of the BodyCombat because the camera batteries decided to raise the white flag. Anyhow, it was another fun day for us and the members, especially. Tonight will be my last participation in the new launch as I will be leaving for Bangkok tomorrow morning.

So, unless I can get access to the internet, there won't be any blogging till next Monday...

Sad news

Just heard that my colleague Sim Beng Choo had passed away on Saturday- She had been a diaysis patient for many years.

She was such a wonderful lady. :-(

1.2 million people can't be wrong, can it?

Caught a glimpse of the post Malaysian Idol press conference. Abang Roslan and Kak Jee didn't look that happy... seems like they were trying to justify Daniel's win.

The best part was when a caller asked Nita, "How do you feel losing because of popularity and not talent?"

Anyhow, Farah was fabulous tonight! Jac and Dinah were great and way ahead of both Daniel and Nita. It will be interesting to see how Daniel and Nita progress in their respective career.

ah beng album vs. caberat album, anyone?

Yesterday's Les Mills launch

Welcome to the 3rd Quater Les Mills launch at Fitness First Damansara Uptown.



I went straight from my office. This is what greeted me when I got there.


That's my name...

Jacq and a couple of ppl were at a table selling the new tops for the launch. I got mine from Jacq as I was launching BodyCombat. After changing my clothes, I went straight to watch the BodyJam class in action.

(note to self: Must get good camera next year!)


"stop, in the name of LOVE..."

Suaimi and Jeremy were dancing their way into the hearts of the members. Suaimi is the Grope Group-X Coodinator for FF Summit while Jeremy is a fellow Group-X Instructor like yours truly. Incidently, this is the 2nd time for Jeremy and I to work as colleagues- we were in Padini back in 2000.



As you can tell, some were really letting it all out! Check out Evelyn, the lady in front!


Jeremy doing something cool...

Up next: BodyPump!!!


Your BodyPump presenters: leng lui and Ben


Members setting up for class

I decided to join the class since it's the easiest way to learn the new release.


"Good job, team!"


This guy was a regular when I was teaching BC there

Half way through the class, there was loud music coming from the other room- RPM has begun!



Here we see the members working hard in the last mountain climb track.


If you don't sweat in RPM, something is wrong with you


Horny Herny and Jon Wong presented RPM

BodyStep continued where BodyPump left off, and it was Jacq and Suaimi's turn to show their stuff.


That's Jeremy with the camera


"If you're new, please raise your hand..."


Listening to the final instruction...

My apologies that I cannot show you the class in action as the pictures I took came out very crappy. (2nd Reminder: Must get good quality digicam)

Last but not least, it was finally time for some ruthless agression with BodyCombat!



I passed the camera to leng lui to take pictures and I forgot to ask her to take the class in action. Again, the camera was a big letdown and there's nothing much to show you. Ben kick started with the first 5 tracks and I finished them off. I was nervous going into this one, and when I took over from track 6, I tried to relax myself and enjoy the music. When Muay Thay comes in, it was a whole different story. I think I didn't say much in that track- merely went "Arrrrghhhhh!!!!" together with the music. This release's Muay Thay has easy choreography but it is energy zapping!!! I went straight into the last Power track, then did the push-up/abs workout before we finish the night with a beautiful cooldown, inspired by the movies The Last Samurai and Lord of the Rings.


One for the album

Like the top the instructors are wearing? You can purchase any of them at RM25 on the new launch day of the gyms. I particularly like the BodyPump and BodyComabt for guys and the BodyJam for ladies. Maybe I will take a couple of shots for Monday's blog.


"Hi, I'm leng lui!"

Leng Lui's name is Janis. She is the Senior Group-X Coordinator overseeing FF Cheras Leisure Mall and also helping Jacq with a couple of other gyms.



Herny, the coordinator for FF Damansara Uptown, is the one in blue and the lady on the right is Lynn, the coordinator from FF Menara Maxis.


what is her hand doing?

Finally we have Janis standing next to the most powerful woman in Group-X,... my National Group-X Manager, Jacqueline Wong. Jacq is trained in BodyPump, BodyCombat, BodyStep, BodyJam, RPM, BodyBalance, BodyBeautiful, BodySlam, BodySnatch, Bodywhatevernot. She is also a Master Trainer for BodyStep.

Sorry guys, Jacq is married... but I think Janis is not, dunno still available or not though. However, if you are keen to know her, here are 2 options:

1) Join Fitness First Cheras Leisure Mall if it is convenient for you. She's based there, so you will get a lot of opportunities to see her. Otherwise, you can join any other FF since she teaches there as well.

2) Give me your name, phone number, age, and attach a passport-size photo, and send it to mee_goreng@yahoo.com. I will pass your details to her...

Overall, it was a fun night for me, though I was exhausted after the class. Something about being in a launch sort of pushed me to work a little harder yesterday- I almost had cramps on my right thigh and foot just as I was about to go to bed. Nevertheless, I look forward to the next 2 launches at Cheras Leisure Mall and Wisma Consplant Subang.