Something Penangites can appreciate... FREE STUFF!

Been thinking of joining a gym but not sure if it's worth the money? Fret no more....



Well, the poster says it all... NON-MEMBERS ARE WELCOME! This weekend 12th and 13 Nov the gang from Klang Valley will be going up north and you can exercise with them for free. Just go to FF Island Plaza in your workout gear and with more than 15 theme classes to choose from, you'll definitely find something you like! Oh, watch out for Master Trainers- fellow Penangite Jacqueline Wong and Mr. Incredible Wes Carter!



Looking at the schedule, man I wish I could go back too but I got classes this weekend! Actually I knew earlier that the gang was going but I didn't know about the theme classes until I saw the leaflet in Penang last Saturday. *sigh*



I WANNA GO TOO!!!!!!

Video certification for BODYPUMP®

FINALLY.... I have come back to Island Plaza!!!!



One of the things I had planned to do during my DeepaRaya holidays was to go back to Penang and do my BODYPUMP® video certification. In fact I was kinda kiasu- I informed the Fitness First Island Plaza Group-X coordinator Kim like 4-5 months ago. Anyhow, she managed to get me a Saturday slot at 1.05pm, thanks for Paul who was kind enough to pass his usual class to me.



Besides the Saturday classs I was also replacing Michelle on Wednesday at 5.15pm for BODYPUMP®, and on the 2nd day of Raya I did RPM® followed by BODYCOMBAT®... Just the right number of class to stay fit for the holidays.


The main studio, the birthplace of shades the instructor

After 10 months of teaching in Fitness First Klang valley, I still consider FF Island Plaza my home gym. Though many things have changed(i.e. departure of fellow instructors, new faces, etc), it felt good to be "home" again. A bit unfortunate that I could only come back during long breaks and most of the regulars I know were nowhere to be seen.


The cycling studio-I used to sit on the centre bike in front as a member

The cycling studio, otherwise known to the hardcore members as "the torture chamber", was one place I'd never imagine would play a major role in my work. I still remember attending my first ever RPM® class with Tracy instructing... my first reaction in the class was, "THIS IS INHUMAN!!!" Now, I'm doing it 5 times a week.


The free weights area


Cardio machines


Juice bar

On Saturday, I managed to get a church friend Gabriel to tape the class for me. I got in early and tried to remain calm. The class started like any class I conducted but I was nervous, especially in the warm-up track. Anyhow, everything went well till the back track, when a member requested "California" for triceps workout and Cat's mom Joanne asked for "Olympia"... I looked at the video camera for a short moment and I obliged by changing the songs. I did okay with "Olympia" but I messed up the beginning of "California".... *sigh* Anyway, I'll just send the DVD over and let Les Mills Australia review me-lah.

So happened that FF Island Plaza was doing a demo after my certification class, so I went down to the 1st floor with gf and watch it. Apparently they are having a open day next weekend and NON-MEMBERS are welcome to come to the gym and get a taste of what FF can offer.


That's Celia on the left and her twin on the right


Kim doing some BODYJAM® move, I think

Hopefully the video certification will turn out good. Otherwise, I'll have to do another one next year. Only this time, I'll remind the members that I'm doing a recording....

Penang Road Cendol

One of the things you have to eat when you are in Penang is definitely Penang Road Cendol. I couldn't resist it going there with gf, even though I was coughing throughout my holidays(still recovering now).



As usual, the road was congested with patrons having their delicious cendol. Why? Coz if you took cendol into the kopitiam, you have to pay 50 sen extra. If you haven't been there before you may question if it is THAT good... here's a endorsement picture:



The best in Penang and some say Singapore!


gf enjoying her cendol

Actually there's another cendol stall right opposite but Penangites grew up with the impression that the former is better. In all honesty, I have never tried it before and I don't know how it tastes...



Perhaps I should give them a break next time.

Meeting up with Jenc

Going back to Penang for the long break was really something- got the opportunity to savour the delicious Penang food and to catch up with family and friends.

Wednesday night after a hearty dinner in Batu Feringghi at my eldest bro's latest venture, my gf and I went to Bagan to meet up with Jenc.



The place is right opposite Phor Tay on Jalan Bagan Ajam Jermal. It has been around for quite some time now, even before I was transferred to KL, but I was never into bars & stuff(yeah, a pathetic soul I am). Anyhow, Jenc suggested that we meet there since she was going there to meet her salsa buddies.


The keyboardist was brilliant, but not the singer

Since I got my new 3G camera phone, I've been kinda lazy taking my cheapskate camera anywhere I go. The place was a bit dark and I think under such circumstances, the phone did okay lah.



I was kinda surprised that for the eve of a public holiday, the place wasn't packed. Then again, I wasn't complaining.



Jenc came at about 10pm and three of us sat there for a while and chatted before her salsa buddies came. So we moved to the table near the bar and got introduced to Bryan and 2 other girls. Bryan also happens to be Jenc' boss. Can't really remember most of their names now but it's kinda pleasing to know that some of them thought that Jenc is older than me.

Jenc has been addicted to Salsa for some time now, but this is my first experience seeing live salsa dance(probably gf's first too). Bryan was the only guy around, so he had the fun to dancing with Jenc and another girl Samantha while we could only watch in admiration. He's fast and he danced really well... well, at least I can do BODYATTACK®, which is even faster.


Too dark here but the dance was fanstastic!

We didn't stay long coz I wasn't feeling well still and earlier I just practiced BODYATTACK® on my own and did a BODYPUMP® class.


The entrance

It's kinda refreshing to see some latin action while catching up with old friends. Maybe I should get out more often now...

Danny and Su Yin's engagement...

Just came back from Danny & Su Yin's life sentence engagement party with gf, and it's a good opportunity to get in see some of the friends again.


Practising her doctor skills on a chicken wing

Xe Hui was the first person we saw. The amazing lady has done it all... give free public health check-ups in Sarawak, experienced life in a long house, white water rafting, climb Mt Kinabalu, catch "tin kai", date a fruit case, etc.

We were a bit late because of the traffic jam around Gurney Drive and Leslie was already there helping out with the BBQ.


BBQ on an electric grill

Barbie Jocelyn and her beau Ken came back from KL too. Now this couple is scary- I seem to bump into them everywhere! I saw them at a pasar malam in KL, I saw them again in Gurney Plaza yesterday afternoon and tonight again!

Danny and Su Yin were there of course, and fortunately for us we were not the last peeps to arrive... Wilson came alone moments later. Su Yin's friends were still on their way- guess they were not aware of the jam too.

Anyhow, we ate and drank, pretty much like young teenagers again teasing one another. It's kinda nice to see couples together except for poor Wilson. So here's a community service from yours truly.

WANTED: A GIRLFRIEND



Name: Wilson Ooi
Age: Mid 20s(I think)
Sex: Male
Occupation: Part-time student/children ministry assistant
DOB: Not too sure

If you are interested, please email him at wilsonooi@pcc.org.my.



Su Yin's eventually arrived and joined in the party and Leslie continued to do the BBQ while Danny and Su Yin can mingle around freely. Perhaps someone should've taken over the work earlier before this happened.


Flame on!

While we were trying to put out the fire, Leslie seemed quite proud of his achievement.


Malaysia boleh!

Anyhow, no harm done and we forgave him....


The pretty chick and the ugly duckling

Anyhow we were watching Sepet on Astro Ria when an S.O.S from my OCD bro came. Apparently he forgot to turn off the headlights of my nephew's car when he went to New Lane for dinner. So we had to leave the party early and fetch him.


Jocelyn and Ken...

Too bad we didn't have much time there- we'll be leaving for KL on Saturday. Oh well... back to the blogsphere again I guess!!!



CONGRATULATIONS, DANNY AND SU YIN!!!

How not to dress your daughters..

I was having lunch with gf this afternoon and I saw these 2 little girls dressed in the most unappropriate way.


Bare back...


Exposed belly...


Glittering blue shorts...

Very ah-lian-ish.... ahh, Penang!!

Spooky BODYCOMBAT® & Madonna BODYJAM®

Last week, on top of the special Madonna BODYJAM®, Fitness First had our Halloween-themed classes all over the gyms, and I was involved in Spooky Combat on Friday at FF Menara John Hancock with fatboy's favourite BODYCOMBAT® instructor.


Trick or treat?

Earlier I did BODYPUMP®... so had to rush to the locker to change a to put up some make up after class. Calvin came in early and got his "thang" done- some more got gloves a gym member lend him. I just put on my clothes and went to the studio to put some colours on my face.


Your instructors for the night...

We took turns to teach the class in the dark with just the neon lights on. So, it was kinda hard to look at how the members were doing. The worst thing was actually halfway through the 2nd track- no thanks to my sweat-the make up went into my eyes and for a moment I had to close my eyes to teach. Fortunately didn't hit anyone by mistake...


The warm up


The jab


front knee to the groin is a painful thing...



It was interesting and different doing BODYCOMBAT® in the dark...

And here's a clip of the Madonna BODYJAM® at FF Wisma Consplant Subang, with the member in white winning the best Madonna look:
(sorry, I promise next year I will buy a better camera...)