skytrex challenge!

last weekend, N and i went for another session of our 'sanity-gaining' activity --> skytrex adventure!

there are 3 courses to choose from (copied from their official website):

1. Little Adventure
This little circuit consists of 15 adventure challenges with difficulty level ranging from “easy“
to “difficult“. The challenges are named after common animals behavior such as “Tupai Terbang“ (Flying Squirrel), “Rangkak Cicak“ (Crawling Lizard), “Jungkit Arnab“ (Hopping Rabbit) and many more. End the activity with the “Selam Badak“ (Diving Hippo) which takes you across a lake to the finishing point. The various challenges is guaranteed to keep the children, and also the less adventurous adults, busy but happy throughout the day.

Time to complete: Approximately 0.5 hour for each round. Each group is entitled to 2 hours (max) of unlimited rounds
Minimum height requirement: 1.1 m
Maximum weight: 100 kg


2. Big Thrill
This circuit consists of 23 thrilling challenges with various level of difficulty raging from
“easy“ to “very difficult“. With some of the platforms reaching the height of 17 meters, feel the adrenaline while crossing the “Crazy Zig-Zag“ and flying on the “Sky-crawl“ at the Bermuda Triangle. Hold your breath while crossing “The Earthquake“, test your ability to leap at the “Happy Hopper“ and end the adventure with the grand finale, the 100 meters “Wild Revenge“ which will take you to the finishing platform at an exhilarating speed.

Time to complete: 1.5 hours to 2 hours
Minimum height requirement: 1.4 m
Maximum weight: 100 kg


3. Extreme Challenge
This new circuit is the latest addition to the park and boasts 21 extreme challenges with some platforms reaching the height of 22 meters. *update* EXTREME CHALLENGE open its door to its 1st batch of customers on 23rd May 2009!

Time to complete: Approximately 2 hours
Minimum height requirement: 1.5 m
Maximum weight: 100 kg


we did the big thrill, because little adventure is for kids and extreme challenge needs a lot of upper body strength, which we think is not for us. ok, i'll let the pictures tell the story...

the skytrex shuttle that transfered us from the entrance of taman pertanian malaysia,
shah alam, to the skytrex adventure site. that's N with her face mask there...

after a 10 minutes bumpy ride, we've arrived!

checked-in, paid for 2 pairs of gloves (RM3/pair), got ourselves
1 locker (RM5 refundable deposit), and went to gear-up...

before anything, we have to listen to the safety briefing at the training ground...

there were about 10 of us in our time slot (10am), and as N and i were the last to arrive
(no, N did not oversleep or came late this time! heheh...), we had to go last.
so while waiting for our turn at trying out the things
that we're about to put ourselves thru, we took photos.
me: "this is a safety karabiner (the longer one)"

the only photo of us together that day!

N can't get over the colour of my shoes...
N: "dear, ur shoes are very very dirty or they're just brown in colour???"

after a "one-two-som" with N, at which i lost
(loser had to go first!), here's me climbing up for the training...

tree-hugging moment... if we're getting acrophobia now, wait till u see the actual one we had to climb up!

they have these signs all over, with cute and funny names for the challenges... this is for climbing up the ladder...


we have to always ALWAYS remember to hook ourselves to the safety wire once we reach onto any platform. it's not really clear here, but for the challenges, this is how we should hook our pulleys and karabiners. pulley first, then unhook the shorter karabiner from the safety wire and hook it onto the pulley, and lastly unhook the safety karabiner and hook it onto the wire behind the pulley...

after the training, it's time for the real thing. but again, we had to wait our turn... so while waiting,
we hijacked this hammock! ok, not really. it was empty, because everyone else had already gone off!

see, THIS is the real thing! the climb itself is enough to make our legs go jelly... it was a dem tiring climb up!

N and i made a pact to take turns to go first so that we can take photos of each other, instead of just one
of us having photos taken from the front and the other of photos taken only from the back. ingenious plan, huh?

i forgot to wear my gloves when i start to climb, and the gloves fell out from my pockets
while i was halfway up! so the trainers sent them up... it's that black speck thing tied to the ropes there...

the first challenge was easy enough - walking thru this net thingy

here's me showing off...
me: "see, can't fall one!"

more ladders to climb!

luckily just a short one...

next challenge...

walking on thin pieces of zig-zag planks...

N right behind me. see how high up we were...

this is next...

i think in this challenge, we were supposed to be pulling ourselves along the knotted rope
while being suspended onto another rope. but the trainer person asked us to just do the flying fox...

here's me in action!


next challenge... thrilling trunk??? what so thrilling abt it?

this one is not really challenging lar... (chewah, so 'action' hor?)


next is air bridge... it's like a series of see-saws, but suspended high up in the trees!


we have to cross this wobbly bridge... a bit scary...



see how N does it. after a while, we got the hang of it lar...
step to the next rung while we're on the front swing...


here's me showing my scardy-cat face! hehehe...


N made me point to the other side for this pic. it's flying fox again, but a longer one...


one thing we learnt for flying fox is to sit on
our harness before setting off. it's less scary this way...



here's N waking up all the monkeys and elephants and the rest of the animal kingdom
in the whole of bukit cherakah forest (where the taman pertanian is located)...


some challenges are easier than others...


both N and i agreed that this is the most difficult challenge!
N: "happy hopper?!? not happy at all!"

it's my turn to go first. what we have to do is, grab hold of the rope hanging perpendicular from a vertical rope on top, swing ourselves to the next rung and faster grab the next perpendicular rope in front! it's really hard work! i only managed to go up to the middle of the 'bridge' before i was too tired to go on... ok, everyone can stop staring at my butt now! :P

N's turn to swing...


she also didn't manage to finish the challenge. we took the 'cheating' way, walking the rope! kekeke...


next challenge was a blessing, after the 'happy hopper'!


just hold on to our pulley on top and walk across these planks...


next is the 'crazy zig-zag' again... but a longer one


after a series of flying foxes of varrying length,
we arrived at this! we have to swing ourselves down...


...bang our bodies against this big ass net thing, bounce off...


...and when we swing back a 2nd time, we've to grab hold and hang onto the net...
here's me trying climb my way up to the platform. do i look like a spiderwoman? hehe...


the skydeck area, an ideal place for picnics to replenish ourselves after all the burnt calories!
uncle-next-to-us-in-the-shuttle-bus: "burned 1000 calories, but eat back 2000 calories after that! how lar, lidat?!"


this is the little adventure course, for kids...

phew... that was great fun! but would i do it again? hmm... not in the near future! maybe in another 2-3 years... maybe they'll have new and more exciting things to try out by then!

more videos of chewie...

took out my old phone and was looking through my gallery when i came across these videos of chewie at abt 5 months old...




the "come" command. an obedient dog will:
1) recognize their name
2) come running when called
3) sit quietly in front of you when it reaches you, instead of jumping up or stand up on its hind legs on your legs (or chest for bigger dogs!)




in trying to burn out all her excess energy after being cooped up in the cage the whole day, i played fetch with her nearly everyday when i got home. but after a tiring day at work, i don't wanna be running around picking up her toys or running after her trying to wrestle back the toy from her. so here's what i taught her to do:
1) run to get the toy like it's the best game in the world!
2) run back to me with the toy
3) drop the toy at my feet when reach me
4) sit down patiently for the "good girl" cue and her treat

later i taught her to put the toy into my hand when i say "give". hehehe... but no video of that...




out of a fit of fancy, i taught her to bow! can't really see here, coz there weren't anyone to take the video for me at the time. so had to take these closed-up ones myself... anyway, at the "bow" command, she'll lower her 2 front legs onto the floor and rest her chin in between her legs, while her rump is still up! dem cute lar, this trick! everyone who saw it was deeply impressed! even the coaches at the obedient school have not taught this trick... hehe...

read also:
1) some updates on chewie
2) a more obedient pup?
3) chewie's first day at school
4) chewie at 4 months +

emptiness...

lately, i've been feeling... umm... how to put it into words? listless should be a close enough word, i guess...

why? i don't know...

i just fail to see the meaning in the things i do everyday... at work or at home. i don't even find pleasure in music anymore. it's as if something's been stolen from me, or is simply missing.

i need a change. i need to find back that something to make me whole again.

i need to find what that something is...

Terry Fox Run 2009

missed last year's run... y ar? forgot y i missed it... but this year, i'll be running (if all goes well lar...)

here's the official announcement...

Terry Fox Run KL 2009


Sunday
1 November 2009
Flag off @ 9.00 a.m.
Taman Tasik Perdana
(Lake Gardens)

Rules & Regulations:
- All participants must run on the designated route
- For wheelchair bound and physically challenged participants, please note that there are slopes along the run route
- Participants are to be at the assembly area by 8.45 a.m.

Parking:
Limited parking is available on site, and public transport is recommended

Notice:
The organisers, their agent, representatives, successors and assigns, are not liable for any injuries suffered, damage and loss of properties by participants at this event.

Information

On the Road of Hope for Cancer Research
Terry Fox knew personally, the importance of the need for cancer research. At the age of 18, he was told that his right leg had to be amputated above the knee as a result of bone cancer. During this crucial period, Terry saw the intense pain and despair of other cancer victims and was deeply moved. In order to raise funds for cancer research, he decided to run across Canada asking for donations. This became "The Marathon of Hope". Terry Fox died before he could complete his crusade, but his legacy is carried in the hearts of all who participate or donate to the Terry Fox Run each year around the world.

How the Marathon of Hope began:
Since it began in 1983, the Terry Fox Run has become the largest, single-day, fund-raising event for cancer research. Here in KL, the organisers aim to continue the quest to keep Terry's dream alive. This year, with the support of sponsors and participants, we hope to raise both funds and awareness for cancer research here in Kuala Lumpur. The beneficiary in previous years and this year as well in the Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF). You too, can take up the quest so that Terry's dream of finding a cure for cancer can become a reality.

If you would like to volunteer
Or
If you need more information

Please contact:
Ms Yoon / Mr Peter Kang, CARIF, 2nd Floor, OPC, Sime Darby Medical Centre, T: 56391874

Or email us at:
organizer@terryfoxrunkl.org

Departures (おくりびと)

me: N, this movie highly recommended by M. she said very good wor...
N: oh? what is it about?
me: it's abt a cellist who became jobless when the orchestra he was playing for in tokyo was disbanded. so he moved back to his hometown with his wife. one day, he came across a recruitment ad and he mistook it for a travel agent. it was only when he went for his interview that he realized that it was actually a company offering "encoffinment services" to the deceased. due to the high pay, he decided to try the job out. and even though his family and friends are strongly against him doing this 'filthy' job, he realized that this is actually a form of art in itself and found gratification in the process of assisting the deceased in their transition to the 'other side'.
N: so... what has this movie got to do with cello?
me: nothing lar...
N: but u stressed on the word "cellist" right from the beginning wor!
me: hehe... just to grab your attention mar...
N: =_='''

-------------

hehe... actually, there are some parts with the main actor playing the cello lar. not entirely cello-free... and the song is very nice! of course lar... composed by joe hisaishi mar! keke...

anyway, this movie really opens up our eyes to the ceremony of cleansing the corpse before resting it into the coffin. i find this part about the japanese culture very beautiful. the whole family will be present during the cleansing, and the noukanshi (encoffiner) performs the rite in a graceful and respectful manner, with measured movements and and expertise.

this is so different from the chinese culture, where it's considered bad luck (or whatever) to look at our deceased family members going through this process.

the movie also portrayed the protagonist's journey from being grossed out by the thoughts of handling a corpse to his full understanding and acceptance that death is just another part of life.

there is nothing gory or scary about this movie. on the contrary, the whole movie was filmed beautifully, with deep respects for the dignity and soul of the departed and their family.

for those who've not watched it, go catch it! but be warned... you'll need at least one packet of tissue with u! :)

visit the official english website here.



read also:
1) movie: 10 promises to my dog
2) august rush

St. John Ambulance Wilderness 1st Aid Level 1 - Day 2

the next morning dawned wet and cold, coz it rained at about 4am. when it first rained, i heard it first rather than felt it coz i was sleeping in the roofed section of the long house, with the hood of my sleeping bag pulled down low until only my nose was poking out... so that was why i thought we're safe from the rain... until i heard the gal next to me dragging her mattress to the wall-end of the roofed section. on her own! she just left me there! hmm... she must be thinking i'm some weird gal who reads by the light of my headlamp at night and was glad to get away from me! hehe...

it was still drizzling slightly when we woke up at 7am...

to the mess area for some hot coffee... and hopefully can beg a few
pieces of bread from some of the members, coz i didn't bring any food!

view of the long house from the mess... "borrowed" this pic
from one of the members from facebook... good shot, huh?

i found another use for my triangular bandage, when i realized that i forgot to bring a belt
for my loose shorts! hehe... see, i even applied the reef knot i learnt the night before!

after breakfast, it's theory again... i think by now, most of us were
really tired and worn-out, so everyone was just struggling to stay awake!

then we were mercifully woken up from our stupor to do these exercises...
no lar, actually we were practicing the various signals to the helicopter
in cases of evacuation by air. i think we're gonna fail if we were tested on this! :P

in the 2nd half of the morning, we had another mock rescue. this time really into the jungle, and more real! this is another "borrowed" photo... coz all the team members were quite serious in this mock exercise, unlike the night before!

our 'victim' slipped and fell, and had a compound fracture on her right knee. we had to make a make-shift stretcher from scratch to bring the casualty out from the hutan. in situations like this, we need to just patch them up and evacuate them as soon as possible... never try to wash or treat the wounds!

the first team to bring the casualty out! but we had
the worst stretcher! hehehe... well, good lesson learnt!

the wound looked so real! not sure if can see from this pic, but
they even made it look like the bone is jutting out from her knee!

gorry sight, right? in real-life situations, we're not supposed to flinch or go "yucks" or "OMG!" at such sights, because it will cause more distress to the victim. this is another use for the ring bandage, or "donut"...

this team found a creative way to inform the hospital on their
findings... by scribbling on the leg of the victim with the marker pen!

debriefing... demonstrating on the do's and don'ts...

the coordinator demonstrating how to fashion a make-shift stretcher from scratch... but actually, this was what my team did and it got criticized by the very same coordinator! just that my team's was a bit on the short side... hmm...

after lunch, we were shown the 3 rescue methods with abseiling...
method 1: a person stuck halfway up or down

we walk towards them slowly, and just before we're within the victim's reach, we
should stop and explain to them what we are going to do and what we want them to do.
this is to prevent the victim from grabbing us in a fit of panic and bring us both tumbling down like humpty-dumpty!

method 2: a person injured and can't possibly
abseil down him/herself... so we use piggy back lar...

method 3: carrying a casualty down on the spine board

as it was getting pretty late, we didn't get the chance to abseil down... had to go down the way we came up... i think this section of the course took too long a time. the coordinator was a bit slow in figuring out how to tie the various knots, and then trying to explain a lot of things to us in a short period of time... i think if i'm faced with a situation like this, i won't be able to do it!

lastly, we were taught the heimlich maneuver. when we see a person choking, we must first ask permission to help! then go stand behind the person, spread his/her legs a bit and stand in the forward stance with one leg in between the victim's legs. this is so that in case the victim collapses, we will have a firm stance to catch their fall and not fall together with them. next we push the victim's hands up and out of the way, coz if not, it'll be a bit 'chor-teng' (canto: "take up space" or "in the way") for us to perform the maneuver...

with one hand, find the victim's navel and put 2 fingers above it. then with the other hand, make a fist with the thumb tucked in (means the other 4 fingers covering the thumb lar) and place it above the 2 fingers just now. and then just push in in an upward motion, HARD! keep pushing, until:
1. the foreign object falls out
or
2. the victim collapse. then proceed with cpr!

our turn to try it, but not really pushing in hard lar... just to get a feel of how
it's done. N, i hold u partially responsible for putting me in this situation! >:(

our final lesson is the recovery position. 1. put one of the victim's hands up in a "hello" position

2. bend the victim's knee (the leg opposite to the raised hand) and cross it over the other knee

3. bring the victim's other hand over to the cheek, palm out

4. slowly roll the victim over onto his/her side, with his/her hand pillowing his/her cheek

5. slowly adjust the head in the 'head tilt chin lift' position to clear the airways and ease breathing

6. pat the victim gently and sing a lullaby... ok, not really!
this is also the recovery position for fits victims, after the seizure has stopped

and we're done! one group photo before we go!

on the way back, we saw a bad accident on the karak highway. we actually saw the bus swaying and swerving in front of us thru a bad jam! at first we thought the bus just failed to break in time due to the speed it was traveling in, but later we learnt that the bus's breaks had actually given way!

minutes after we saw it swaying and swerving in the emergency lane, we came to the accident scene. the bus had finally managed to stop after crashing into a lorry, an avanza and another bus. the avanza was turned turtle and it seemed pretty bad, but my carpool and i did not stop to help, even tho' we've just gone thru 1st aid training! :P coz there were a lot of other cars stopping at the shoulder already, and we did not want to contribute further to the jam! anyway, the newspapers reported the next day that thankfully no lives were lost...