First time volunteering at the Frontline (A very toned down front line)

Yesterday, was a rather interesting Saturday. I followed my workmate, F, to pack food for the poor on the streets of Kuala Lumpur at this place in Kota Damansara, and we sorted out clothes to give away or sell at a flea market.






After the packing and sorting out, the newbies were brought into the auditorium for a short briefing before heading out to Klang bus station in the city.







I followed the Scottish Muslim-convert founder of Reach Out, Pete, and he explained a lot about the organization. I came to know that Feexa, the co-founder, is his wife. I found that really sweet. That they work together for this.






As an ex-policeman, he knows the streets well. I voiced out my concerns of a dangerous "crowd" and he said that if someone gave you food at 2am at night, you are a "friend".





During the ride, I learnt that it's not about only giving but its also about getting these people off the streets, to start life again.






There were loads of stories told and too many to blog it out. But they are all embedded into my head and if I remember, I'll tell it to you.









When we arrived at the place, I got a bit intimidated actually seeing the 250 recipients waiting. It sure is a different crowd. I was the first to distribute the food and as I gave them out, my heart became 'soft' and a lot more 'softer' after we entered the storm drain area.








My perception on a lot of things have changed after participating in this. If I can, in future, I would like to help out again. Inshallah.






If you're in Malaysia and would like to contribute:

www.facebook.com/reachoutmal
www.reachoutmy.wordpress.com


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Jalan Masjid,Petaling Jaya,Malaysia

Matchmaking FAIL

I don't think this could be a 104 but it's something "daring".

I signed up on a reliable, Muslim matrimonial site in search of my "jodoh". After filling up the questions and selected my payment, I entered in my credit card details. It got declined of only RM20. I tried a few times again and it got declined.

God is trying to tell me something I think.

Make my own jewellery

I love handmade stuff. And local products. I like the idea of owning something that is unique and specially designed. I find it admirable to be able to use one's creativity and skills [and pure ingenuity] to create something from scratch.

And being someone who is artistically challenged, I thought it was time I set my fears of failure aside and made my own jewellery.

It took me a good hour or two before I finally could put together the design I had visualised in my head. With the help of my sister and the shop lady of course.

I could not be happier with the earrings.

Here's to a rewarding 104!

Go boxing

My brother recently purchased a punching bag to get back into Muay Thai and admittedly, I associate such activities with aggression and violence. So as to not make a passive judgement, I concluded that it would only be fair if I stepped into the shoes of a boxer and to understand it from their perspective.

To learn the art of boxing.

So this morning I went for my first boxing class at McCallum Park. And it was then when I realised how unfit I was. There were 50 something year old ladies sprinting past me in the warm up session and no [insert puffed out nauseous face here], I did not make it through the 45 minute boxing class.

As explained by my brother, boxing classes are not all about boxing. It involves an intense workout of different exercises to gear up your whole body. So you do things like "mountain climbing" where you get into a position as you would with a push up but with your hands in a fist and you are hopping off the ground and interchanging your leg position. As if you are climbing a mountain but horizontally.

At least I can say that I really enjoyed the punching.

So what have I taken away from this? That boxing is not all about machoism. It is about body control. About challenging your body and working them muscles while implicitly learning how to protect yourself.

Boxing, I have also discovered, is suitable for keen fitness enthusiasts of all ages and sizes. Need I emphasize on the word keen.

Here's to a fully punchy 104!

Volunteer

I registered to be a volunteer for Islamic Relief Malaysia last week and I would have to attend a Volunteer Induction Course on Saturday, September 24 2011.



Let's hope they have that course in English!

(Hanah)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Jalan Masjid,Petaling Jaya,Malaysia

Meet a celebrity

He may not be a Hollywood celebrity, but he has certainly appeared on television a lot of times!  Here is me with Chef Wan 'Food Ambassador of Malaysia', at Brunei International Airport en route to Kuala Lumpur in June 2011.

Grow out my head of short hair

So it has been like what, a couple of years since I haven't contributed to our little project, Mon?

I'm SO SORRY ♥

The past couple of years have been a really huge emotional rollercoaster ride. Finally, I get to contribute to #2 of my 104 List.

My shoulder-length short hair, 3 years ago.

And my long hair, is somewhere underneath my hijab, that I started wearing May 1, 2010.

I'm not going to say that this is an everyday thing, but rather one of my stepping stones towards understanding and living the Islamic way of life. I try to use it as much as possible, everyday, and God only knows if I'm willing to totally make the jump :-)

Abseiling

I have a fear of heights but the word abseiling makes the activity sound like a breeze. Like sailing. So when I was clasped onto a rope that I was going to do my first abseil on, I realised then how misleading the word was. 

My heart was beating erratically and my whole body went into panic mode. What was I doing?! Normal people do not throw themselves off a cliff! But my pride was on the line as there were onlookers so I started walking backwards, then downwards and then vertically.

It took some time before my body adjusted to the idea of walking down vertically. But when I finally got the hang of it, I started to enjoy myself. I did a little jump down the cliff, followed by another. It was fun!

I realised that with abseiling, you are forced to focus just on your next step. When I thought too much about the descent, I realised that I became more afraid because it seemed so much harder when I tried to strategise my moves. But at the same time, it was empowering. With each descent, I did become more confident and could look down from a height [even if my knees did go weak].

Where's Monnie?

I must say that I have never done such an adventurous outdoors activity. It was thrilling and someone commented that I looked like I was enjoying it. And I was. Got to meet a great bunch of people who were equally as frightened of abseiling but were keen to step out of their comfort zones. And I did some kick-ass rock climbing too. 

Here's to the Adventure Out team!

Cycle around the bridges

The 104
Tasha suggested cycling around the bridges of Perth City - starting from the bike hire shop at Fraser Point and cycling along Riverside Drive, over the Narrows Bridge, through to the South Perth foreshore and back to the hire place.

The Cost
For the hire of three bicycles for two hours [$54], three cold bottles of pump [$12], a miniature sunscreen block of lotion [$5] and three helmets [$3], it cost us a total of $74. Noice!

The Experience
I made a running cycle blog this morning using my iphone. Click on the numbers to view photos taken [including our unplanned detour] as we progressed through the day.

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9

The After-effects [one hour later]
My legs are sore but it is such a great feeling! It has been too long since I have done any outdoor activities. And this by far, is my best cycling experience!

The Recommendation
I would definitely suggest cycling around the bridges to anyone who has always enjoyed the views of the swan river. And it is perfect for when you have visiting guests from overseas or interstate. The paths are set up specially for cyclists so you do not have to worry about crossing main roads. It is great for kids.

I would recommend giving yourself two hours to cycle if you decide to cycle at a leisurely pace. And bring your sunnies so that you can be less conspicuous when checking out cuties.

[insert wide smile here]

Here's to a healthy 104!

Done!

Best two hours of cycling ever! Tho Cynthia did fall at the very end, a few metres away from the bike hire place.

Haha!

The view of the swan river was priceless. And there were a couple of cuties cycling/walking past. One even earned himself a "pheweet" from me [when he was out of earshot of course].

Thanks Tasha! Perfect long weekend 104 with the family!

The narrows bridge

Opps!

We missed the narrows bridge and are now making our way back to the bridges.

Detour

Matilda Bay

With the bikes

Point Fraser

The walk there

The bus ride

I am on the bus now with my siblings. We will be walking over to the bike hire later to get our bikes. Very exciting!

Watch an outdoor movie - Movies by Burswood

When anyone mentions "outdoor cinema", I always think of the Flintstones. It fascinates me. The idea of watching a movie on big screen, outdoors. My experience of the cinema has always been in a controlled environment with guaranteed cold air-conditioning [insert happy brrr here].

With much thanks to Corey and without too much persuasion, I finally went to my first outdoor movie.

As soon as I walked through the gates to the cinema, I began to feel quite relaxed. And happy. This is how a cinema should be. Surrounded by greenery and by fresh air, seated in your camping chair with your pop corn and pizza.

Before long, the sun decided to take its rest and as the calm autumn breeze engulfed us, we laid our eyes on the big screen ahead. I was enjoying the film so much that it was only when I felt a gentle gush of wind that I was reminded I was still outdoors.

Yes, it has changed my cinema experience forever.

Here's to a superb big screen 104.

Host my first Aussie birthday BBQ

Why is this even a 104? Am I not a party person? Well, truth is... I have always planned a big birthday bash but for a multitude of reasons, I have never followed it through. Note that we are talking in terms of "years" of putting off a party. So it was time to dust off the old party cap, take a massive pill of confidence and finally do what I wanted to do.

I was quite nervous before the party. It really helped that I had my siblings around. Jerome made burger patties and prepared a creamy pasta dish. Yum! He showed me how to fry the patties and then entrusted me with the spatula and chopsticks [cue in angels singing and harps playing].

It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon when Cynthia and I got to Kings Park, a quiet hour before the party started. I was amazed at how perfect the location was. It was so serene. We managed to get a spot right in the middle of the grass area, parked our camping chairs next to all the food and chilled.

At about 10 minutes to 3pm, I started receiving calls asking for directions. Bobbie and Melita were the first to arrive, in their matching outfits (too cute!) and from there, it became a frenzy of arrivals. Mel generously took over the role of giving directions while I was ecstatically greeting all my friends.

The early birds

How do I even being to describe the party?

I was overwhelmed to see so many people turn up. It was such a good afternoon. The weather was perfect, the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and it definitely placed a wide smile on my face.

It was, by far, the best 104 party.