One more sunset - Thirty First here I come

It has been a while since I have had the opportunity to sit down and work my fingers to compose a proper post. I, however, have had the opportunity to play around with some amature CS2 editing. The above picture was taken using my K800i a few days ago as I was driving home from 'Hers' place to drop off something. I just adjusted the exposure and color contrast using CS2 to create the photo above.

One more sunset tomorrow and on Thursday afternoon I will have to opportunity, with Allah's will, to perform my 'Nikah' or 'Solemnisation ceremony'. Then a series of events that normally take place during Malay weddings. The whole 'Hu-Ha'!

Everyone close to me have been teasing me about being 'Nervous' - a feeling you normally get when you about to go on stage and sing infront of hundreds, if not thousands, of people. You heart beats so fast you would have thought you were at a Rave party Ha!Ha!

So the question is, Am I nervous?

At this moment I am not. I am unfazed by the whole Nikah ceremony which will happen like the day after tomorrow. I should be nervous because I have to say my 'Akad' in one lafaz or so they say. However, I am not. I figured it will all dawn down on me when the actual ceremony begins and all the eyes in the room, in the house and all the ears of the guests sitting outside will see and hear me say my 'Akad' or 'Solemnisation'.

I would love to believe that I will be confident and at ease when the ceremony happens. I am usually the collective one and I hope I do not crack under pressure. I normally do not but a wedding is the single most biggest event in a person's life. An event that will change their lives forever.

Alhamdulillah, most of the preparations are nearly done.

The Family will be gathering over at my crib tomorrow night to help set up the chairs and tables. Then we will stay up all night to play video games and 'karaoke-ing'. Maybe even play the traditional round table 'SamChung' with the Nephews Vs Uncles with our 'kacang tanahs' and hot 'Teh'O's'.

For me it will feel like 'Hari Raya' all over again. Everything I wear will be new and I am excited about that. I always get excited when I get to wear new shoes. Yesterday morning after my last Pre-Marital marriage course I went to pick up my 'Songkok'. I am very happy at how it turned out and it actually is the first time I made one. I normally just buy one but this is special. I will make sure 'Mizi' gets good shots of me in my new headgear Ha! Ha! Ha!

One more thing - I love the camera. I have a feeling 'Mizi' will not have much trouble from me. I will have a great time 'Vain-ing' Ha!Ha!Ha!

Wish me luck Friends, Long Lost Friends, Colleagues, On-Line buddies, Family and Readers -I hope I do not mess it up *LoL*

My favourite Three & Just ME!

Browsing through the regular blogs that I like to visit, I always make it a point to take my time to read through three of my favourite blogs.

Firstly - Mr Adidarwish - A Biology teacher and an amazing runner. He blogs about his run and the goals he sets himself. Even his students stop by his blogsite to read up on extra school work. Way to go Sir! Now that is incorporating ICT in his teaching.

Secondly - Mr RezaFaizal - A runner as well and his was the first blog that I came across abot running. It was in his site that I stumbled upon Mr Adidarwish. He was and is still very helpful when it comes to running. It was like meeting an artist when I first met him on the treadmill.

Their helpful tips have helped me improve my runs on the treadmills. Eventhough I am nowhere near their runs but I think I have improved since the first time I got on the treadmill.

Lastly - Ms Murabiyyah - She is a teacher somewhere. Her blog is about keeping healthy and she also blogs about her runs.

Ms Murabiyyah's post today was about choosing the right food to eat. Losing weight does not mean one does not have to starve themselves. Thats not ideal. Eating is still essential in an attempt to shed the 'added baggage'. Only difference is what do you put in your mouth.

On her post she has some 'visual aids' to further clarify what I am trying to convey.

I as remembered she did a post last month about 'You are what you eat' and she also has some 'visual aids' to make it easier for others to understand.

Ever since I started to go to the gym. I have have become more conscious about my eating habits. I have three meals everyday. I usually make my own breakfast. A peanutbutter and jelly sandwich. I usually have my own packed food to bring to work. Sometimes my mother would boil some sausages or she would cook something for breakfast. If if buy fruits I would also bring some to work, preferably red apples or oranges or bananas. I have my sandwich in the morning at home and have my very early lunch around 10 whenever I plan to go to the gym right after work.

Lunch would be whatever I have left from breakfast because I do not eat as much as I used to.

Most afternoons are spent at the gym. I do alot of cardio and some weight lifting. I work on my biceps and triceps and also on my chest. I round off the work out with sit-up, a minimum of 100 situp, which is still not enough but it will have to do for now.

Back from the gym by 6. I will go directly to the kitchen to see what I can have for dinner. I used to be very fussy about what to eat, but nowadays I keep it simple.

When I eat out, there are only a few places I would like to dine in, notably Ideal and Dixie. Because they serve 'grilled' chicken. I do have the occasional Sushi outing and italian dinners but usually its either Ideal or Dixie for me. 'Hers' has been very supportive and I sometimes feel sorry for her because she misses eating 'fast food'. She loves her McD's and her KFC's and her Sugarbun's but she does not like dining there if I do not eat fast food. So I sometimes I give in to her request and accompany her to eat fast food but only at McD.

I do long to eat 'Mee Mamak', 'Mee Hoon Goreng', 'Nasi Goreng', Fried chicken and so many others that I had deserted since I commited myself to lose weight. The sacrifice. I know one day I will get to eat them again but until that day comes, I stick to my current food intake and carry on with my life.

I have not been blogging about my runs does not mean I have stopped running. I am still running but I keep a log of my runs on my phone. I will try to blog about my runs soon.

I leave you with a collage of random pictures of myself from when I realised I needed to change for the better to what I have accomplised today.

Guilt run

This morning's run was a guilt run for what I consumed for dinner last night. The Family had a little dinner celebration without a birthday cake *gasps* - poor Lateng will have to make do without a birthday cake this year.

We had dinner at the Food Court at The Mall. My parents ordered some 'Thai' food for one of the stalls. I know my parents won't order any food from them again. It was so-so and we know we've had better.

Anyways, My Mother made me eat rice. I have been doing alright without rice for a while now and since it has been a while I thought why not. Not until I realised that my parents had ordered 7 different dishes. *Scratching forehead*

I ate five of the dishes and said 'No thank you' to 'Telur goreng and Ayam pandan'. The other dishes were two different vegetable dishes, two different fish dishes and Tom Yam soup.

So I woke up this morning determined to do a 60 minute run to rid the dinner. After running I got on the scale and am thankful that there was no sudden increase but it remained the same as it was when I checked my weight on Friday morning.

My membership expires early next month and I hope to lose a couple more kilos before that. So far I have been complimented by my friends and how different I look now and some even got worried why I looked 'thin'. HaHaHaHa.

I am feeling great. My motivation is still high. I know I look good now Hahahahahaha. I have bragging rights now. Have you??