OBC2011 JAN1/12: HAPPY NEW YEAR

There were so much planning when the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama went for a two weeks Christmas & New Year break since the last December 2010 session on 17th December 2010. During the break, we planned to alternate a long distance running with gym weight workout and also a cycling adventure as well as other strenuous activities. It was a 16 days break to be exact and the break ended today with the first bootcamp session for the new year. What did we end up doing during the 16 days Christmas and New Year break........... Nothing! except for two visits to the Gym... *Slap my forehead.

The 16 days break was a blessing in disguised... Suddenly, workload and overseas appointment piled up last minute towards the end of the year. okay ok.. reasons reasons... but actually that was the truth. When the training momentum was broken, waking up this morning at 5am felt heavier than usual. I was even breathless from a routine warming up session this morning. This whole week is going to be dreadful.... Padan Muka.

This morning, Sarge (OBC) Dann, Corporal (OBC) Chun and Corporal (OBC) Nawal was the reds in charge for the 1st day Benchmark assessment. For the newbies, click HERE for the details of the benchmark assessment.

SANTAU? ....BOMOH...

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I was in Oversea when I first received a Blackberry Messenger message from a staff at one of my office that reads, ".... I want to call an Ustaz (religious preacher) on Saturday to our office, there were too many 'experiences', she said in the bbm message. She continued to type, "On Tuesday, I was at office alone during lunch time and as I walked out from the toilet, I heard a voice calling me... 'akak' (sister) but there were nobody around...".

Other staff too had heard various voices... sort of endless whispers, heavy breathing and even smell of carcass (bangkai) inside the office. After the 'akak' voice incident, that staff fell sick and has not been well. I reluctantly agree for her to call the Ustaz to have a look at the office though I am always skeptical with these ordeal.

In my absent, she (my staff) called my mother for advice who inturn called my cousin.... whom had inherited from my ancestor to be a spiritual healer, Yes.. somehow this bomoh thing is an inheritance but that is a story for another occasion..

OBC-BU/USJ1 DECEMBER 2010 GRADUATION PARTY.. HO HO HOOOOYAH

22 December 2010. The CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP MALAYSIA AT BANDAR UTAMA & USJ1 SUBANG JAYA celebrated its 7th Graduation party at the Modestos Curve, Mutiara Damansara with CHRISTMAS as the theme. Being a nation with multi religion, races and culture, Malaysians are proud to celebrate any festivities of all religion and races. These harmony in multi-races, religion and culture is the backbone of our success.


Guests arrived as early as 7:00am and Chun Chia Kai @ Corporal Chun was the earliest. When I arrived, Rienna Choo, her battalion and Rose Emini Pahamin were all ready for the night. Rienna Choo came early and had to leave earlier for another function. So we gave her certificate before the guest of honor arrived.

Armin Baniaz Pahamin & Rienna Choo

HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL CHAN KOSAL

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His Excellency General Chan Kosal arrived at KLIA from Phnom Pehn on 22 December 2010 after accepting Fasfik's invitation to Malaysia for a business collaboration. His Excellency Chan Kosal whom only speaks Khmer was accompanied by a Cambodian University Head of English Language, Prof Todak as his translator and three other delegates.

Upon his arrival, we brought him as our Guest of Honour at the CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP "HO HO HOOYAH Graduation Party" that was held at the Modestos, the Curve at Mutiara Damansara. The CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP is a 20 years old Military Inspired Group Outdoor Personal Training Program that was originated from Australia since 1991. The Chief's OBC was introduced in Malaysia last year in 2009.

THE SEAL PUPS.... BOOTCAMP FOR KIDS...

The CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ BANDAR UTAMA  & USJ1 yesterday introduced and launched the SEAL PUPS or the Kids Fitness program in conjunction with Aaraf Armin's 8th Birthday.  The SEAL PUPS is part of Chief's ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP program originated from Sydney, Australia and is now available in Malaysia at Bandar Utama. The program offers after-school, school holiday and mandatory physical activity programming for children, through it's SEAL Pups kids's fitness program.

Apart from increased physical fitness and better health, the program also promotes team work, communication skills, lateral thinking, self confidence and leadership skills.

Poor co-ordination and/or poor ball skills (whether perceived or actual) are often the cause of children shying away from physical activity. It seems that little is available for those students who do not wish to play organized sport. With the rate of childhood obesity at an all time high, schools and families must look for solutions which will inspire our youth to be active. The SEAL Pups program is aimed to achieved just that.

AARAF ARMIN'S 8TH BIRTHDAY PARTY THE BOOTCAMP STYLE..

(Click on Pictures to ENLARGE)

Volley Ball court @ BU 3/1 Sports Compplex, our bootcamp training ground was converted into a party area

Aaraf Eid Pahamin Armin Baniaz aka Aaraf Armin turned 8 years old on 10 December 2010 but the only dates that was available to celebrate Aaraf Armin's birthday was on 19th December 2010. While thinking of a theme for the party, darling Sista Melor Edina Pahamin threw the best idea in all her 35 years of life... the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP!! Yes.. it was MELOR EDINA PAHAMIN that first mooted the idea.. she and all my family knew how fanatical we are over the Military inspired, Group Outdoor Personal training high intensity program!!

It was 8 days before the actual event and although it was a last minute motion, I quickly agree... As there is no better time too celebrate the birthday than to do it together with the soft-launching of the much awaited "Seal Pulps" or the Original Bootcamp for kids and the soft-launch of the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP new logo to the "Chief's Original Bootcamp" in conjunction with the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP's 20th Anniversary.

MALAKOFF 12KM RACE...

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Recruits at the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ BU/USJ1 had become an adrenaline addict and could not stop running running races!!! Those that ran the MALAKOFF 12km race on 19 December 2010  were John Chuah, Joe Liew, Chun Chia Kai, Joannita Zaleha Yusof and Wong Siew Peng, Freda Liu and Jun King. Others did not participate as most of them came for Aaraf's 8th Bootcamp Birthday party.

Joe Liew completed his 12km run in 1 hour 4 minutes..

Joe Liew whom was a runner-virgin began running after joining the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ BU/USJ1... Joe Liew is also a Virgin BLOGGER.. Click HERE for his blog.

The Malakoff race was Joe Liew's 6 races this year.

CONGRATULATION DR NUR ADILA ANUAR & DR NUR ALIAA ANUAR

 ~DR ADILA ANUAR & SYED ABDUL HAKIM~  

AND 

~DR NUR ALIAA ANUAR & MUHD FAIZ MUHAMMAD~

My two cousins, siblings Dr Adila Anuar & Dr Aliaa Anuar ended their singlehood yesterday when they both had a double-wedding at the Tengku Kelana Jaya Putra Mosque. I double-booked to attend my staff's wedding Khairil Azaham in Melaka but regrettably, it coincided with my two cousins's akad nikah today.

We rushed to my uncle's house Anuar Mohamad in Subang Jaya and arrived there at 10am to find the house empty and locked!! "Oh dear.... maybe we had mistaken the date", I said to Nawal Aini Zulkifli and called mum.

"Why are you in Subang??? Its at Tengku Putra Kelana Jaya Mosque!!!" replied mum.. Gulp.... but we made it in time for the wedding and saw sista Melor Edina Pahamin and other relatives eagerly await the bridegrooms.

We parked the car... and I took out my Blackberry Bold 3 to snapped pictures for the blog. All pictures were taken from Blackberry Bold 3 especially dedicated to sista Dr Teratai Edithy Pahamin whom is in London and cant make it for the function.

THE LAST ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP SESSION FOR YEAR 2010

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Our ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP MALAYSIA @ BANDAR UTAMA ended year 2010 with an 'Amazing Race' Challenge for the last session today!!! Although we missed having Patrick Gotham, Jenn Collins, Adriano Abila, Marlene Kandler, .Azliza Razali, Fatintafrina Tareh, Ilyanna Aylin Ayob, Izalea Ayob, Sayf Ismail, Amy Ho, Farah Ekmal Afiza Abdul Halin, Syed Mahadzir Syed Manshor & Viki Lim.... and expected Azlan Ramli to be absent too, but we had a good 49 recruits at Alpha.

Recruits were pre-informed to expect an early nice  white  'wet' christmas surprise pressie from Sarge Dann and the 'reds' community. Sarge Dann, Corporal Nawal & Corporal Tom was the reds incharge for the platoon and had spent 5 hours preparing, trekking and planning for this last session. Their commitment was exemplary... their dedication was admirable.

The platoon was divided into three teams Alpha, Bravo & Charlie under the supervision of one Red for each team. Coincidentally.. or maybe fated, the kiasu-est were all in my team.. James Fong, Joe Liew, Joannita Zaleha Yusoff, Pooi Ching Khiew, Ody Nurfuadi Ruzalli etc etc...

There were 3 IMPORTANT RULES... (1) every team must collect items number 1 to 8 according to the numbering in the map (2) once collected, no items are allowed to be drop on the ground (3) no team members can be left more than 3 steps apart. Any breach of the rules, our legs will suffer with squat pulses..

PROTON SAGA FL

First it was the recruits at the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP Malaysia that had a new look after completing their 8 WEEK CHALLENGE, then it was the ASIA BIGGEST LOSER whom completely rebranded themselves into a sexier, hotter and slimmer look after months of grueling training and food control. The ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP too had a new face with the new Chief's ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP logo after being in the market for almost 20 years and now....... YESSSIRE.. the PROTON SAGA too was given a new look.. sportier and sexier!!! with a leaner more masculine six inches  spoke sport rims.

The sportier looking Saga was unveiled yesterday by Dato Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir, PROTON Managing Director at the PROTON Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam.

The launching of the New Saga FL was attended by all Banks, Insurance companies and media.

PROTON SAGA was launched in January 2008 and will be 3 years old in two weeks. Todate, there is exactly 204,150 Saga on Malaysia road and another 40,880 booking pending delivery.

ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP MALAYSIA 11TH SESSION

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I missed three bootcamp session on Wednesday and Friday last week and Monday this week being away on business trip but was back at Bandar Utama today for the second last session in December. After this week, the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP at Bandar Utama and USJ1 will be on 2 weeks break to end the year 2010. Our session will start again on 3rd December 2010 at Bandar Utama and 4th December 2010 at USJ1, Subang Jaya. To register for 2011 January session, click HERE.

It felt good to be back in training mode especially to be training alongside James Fong, Joe Liew, Adriano Abila and Chun Chia Kai.. Or so I thought. After the warming up session with Corporal Tom, the platoon was divided into team Alpha and Team Bravo and a leader was selected for each team. My usual training buddy James Fong was selected to be the team leader for Alpha and I was the leader for Bravo!! and the two team leader had to compete in speed to perform 10 Grunts!! the faster of the two, is given the pleasure to pick the next workout form.

BIGGEST LOSER ASIA SEASON 2...

I left straight to KLIA for an official trip to Cambodia after a night stay at the Sepang Goldcoast on Tuesday 7 December 2010 last week and returned on Saturday 11 December 2010 and left straight to Ipoh to run 12km on 12. 12 at the Roadrunners Ipoh Tangjung Rambutan race. Came back on Sunday 12 December 2010 but received a call on 13 December 2010 to be at Singapore for the Biggest Loser Asia finale at 9am on 14 December. On 15 December 2010, I have to attend the soft launching of the new face-lifted sexy Proton Saga at the PROTON Centre of Excellent. Such is December, year end schedule but what made it all so interesting... was the fact that those activities were my passion... Business, politics, health and exercise ... is what life is all about.

The trip to Singapore was unplanned.. Chief Brabon from Australia, the founder of the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP and Gunny Emily was suppose to attend the Biggest Loser Asia Finale scheduled on 14 December 2010 having trained the contestants the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP style in some of the episodes in Season 2 that will end today. When Chief Brabon and Gunny Emily had to attend another function in London, the loyal licensee Armin Baniaz Pahamin & Sarge Dann was called to be in Singapore in barely 12hours to represent the Chief's Original Bootcamp worldwide. We could not disappoint Zainariah Johari or popularly known as Zai Johari in the media industry, the producer whom has been very supportive of the ORIGINAL  BOOTCAMP.

PHNOM PEHN, CAMBODIA... LAND OF OPPORTUNITY?

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I arrived at the Cambodia airport at 4pm after a 2 hour flight on Malaysian Airlines. The flight was half empty and I was able to convert the three seater per row Boeng into a single bed. No it was not for a holiday but a 'duty call' sort of speak for a possible collaboration with the Cambodian government for a project that cannot be announced just yet until the finalization of some terms.

Phnom Pehn was err.. a bigger version of my kampung Badak, Bachok Kelantan.. aaah.. same like Pasir Puteh. Okay.. ok.... macam Kota Bharu?? and the Cambodian aka khmer look are similar to Malaysian (is it?). Okay.. I am bad at differentiating the Phillipines, Cambodian, Indonesian, Singaporean, Malaysian.. they all look the same to me. Language? I have to go on sign-language... They do not understand English or Bahasa Malaysia.

I checked in at the Blue River hotel. The schedule at Cambodia was packed. I was greeted by Johari Hj Mahadi @ Mio Dino, the Personal Assistant to the Secretary of State and Advisor to HE Meas Sarin and first introduced to Dr Koh Ting Giap; a Singaporean and Senior advisor to the Cambodian government.

RUNNING 12.12 ROADRUNNERS CLUB AT TANJUNG RAMBUTAN

Seven of us from the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama went up north to Ipoh to run on the memorable date 12.12 or 12 December. There were Lilian Lee, Joe Liew, Rose Emini Pahamin, Nyna Mohsen, Nawal Aini Zulkifli and me.... and Aaraf Armin.

Lilian Lee & Joe Liew went first and arrived in Ipoh at 3pm. Rose Emini Pahamin & Nyna Mohsen left abit later and arrived just-in-time to buy the famous popiah basah!! That famous popiah basah is open only from 5 to 7pm and is located near the Hotel that we stayed. Actually, that was why we stayed at that hotel. The journey to Bukit Kinding Resort where the race is held is a 30 minutes drive from the hotel. Trust Rose Emini Pahamin with FOOD!!

When we arrived in Ipoh, Rose Emini Pahamin & others were already ready in the car for... FOOD again!! We did not even check-in yet... I called Abdul Sidik Hamid for some good food recommendation and we were directed to..... NASI VANGGEY!!!!!

FARHANAH BAMADHAJ's BIRTHDAY...

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Its that special day again... for Farhanah Bamadhaj!! Its her Birthday!! Those that knew Farhanah would know how she mothers all her friend. She is also known as our Oprah sort of speak. She would stay up any time of the night or day to be there for her friends when they are in need. So when its Farhanah's birthday, the closest of her friends insisted for a nice wonderful birthday dinner at the Montes, Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC).

We were suppose to arrive at the Montes before the birthday girl but... typical of Malaysian, the Birthday girl arrived before the guests.

There were 23 of us that came for the dinner namely, Dr Malek Aziz (of course), The two daughters and son (ruff, Dannya), Rose Emini Pahamin, Nyna Mohsen, Ili Liyana Baharon, Azlan Ramli, lyn, Syed Mahadzir Syed Manshor, Suriana Saiful Yazan, Daing Daniel Fitri, Ody Nurfuadi Ruzalli, Lizza Abdul Rahim, Ilyanna Aylin Ayob, Aaraf Eid Pahamin and me.

NEW YEAR... NEW LOOK... NEW INSPIRATION!!! 25 DAYS COUNTING DOWN TO 2011

What differ one individual from another... was what I always observed in anybody that I met. When I was young and was attempting to complete my A'levels in 6 months, I observed how my uncle Azhar Mohamad whom was my room mate at Ealing, London, studied. Azhar Mohamad shaped up the way I study. He graduated with a high second class upper and completed his ACCA on first sitting. If there was one person that knew exactly what he wanted.. that was him. When I was growing up and had the worst moment with Leukaemia, my best friend then was Datuk Farid Ariffin. Although he was a cabinet minister and is 30 years older (maybe more), but we became the best of friend. He would called me to meet almost weekly for a cup of coffee and motivated me to go into business. These two gentlemen was my best friend and my idol when I was a teenager. They both share similar trait.... they have strong passion and knew exactly what they want in life.

As I grew up, I met more passionate people!! Passionate in their respective field. In my late teens, I befriended Anthony Robbin having attended his seminar 'Awaken the Giant within' and walked on fire!!! I learn that there is nothing that we cant achieve if we put our mind to it. In my 20s, I idolized my boss at the merchant bank Tan Choon Thye & Ho Weng Yu when I saw them as a walking encyclopedia in Corporate maneuvering & restructuring. I wanted to be them.. to know all and to know everything.

There are a whole list of people that I idolised and inspired with, in everything I do but that is a story for another occasion. Amongst the many, is my mentor in sports & fitness James Brabon or more popularly known as Chief Brabon from Australia. From a humble beginning as an infantry soldier, Chief had made a name by establishing his life passion in fitness and health into the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP, a military inspired Group Outdoor Personal Training program. In less than a month, the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP will be celebrating its 20 years anniversary. It is not about paper-credentials that he has (because he has too many) but it is for his passion in fitness-training and led by example by ensuring he is always fitter & stronger than other trainer & even recruits.

ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP NOVEMBER PARTY!!! TGI FRIDAY... HATS ON

3 December 2010!! THANK GOD ITS FRIDAY.... Its the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP monthly graduation party and this time its being held at TGI FRIDAYS... synonym with Thank God its Friday but really.. its Owh Sucks.. its Friday 3rd December 2010! it coincide with the PROTON EDAR ANNUAL DINNER 2010 at One World Hotel. I had to attend PROTON EDAR function first having being told that I will be seated at the main VVIP with Dato Seri Nadzmi Salleh, Dato Syed Zainal Abidin and the Proton Edar board members.

I was planning for an early escape at the Annual Dinner as I could not leave behind my fellow bootcampers which I too was suppose to give a speech and award their scrolls. I attended Proton Edar Annual Dinner at 6:30pm (Click HERE for that event)... and sadly could only leave until after 10:30pm after the departure of PROTON Chairman Dato Seri Nadzmi Salleh, PROTON Managing Director Dato Syed Zainal Abidin and Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer Mohamad Syukor Ibrahim. It is just so wrong to leave the main table before the Guests of honor. Abdul Sidik Hamid, Proton Edar General Manager knew how particular I am with protocol and the only way to keep me at a function from start to end was by having me on the main table. Otherwise, I would disappear the moment an event started.

The theme for the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP Graduation Party was 'Hats on.....' Everybody came in a hat.. some in fancy hat, some with cute adorable hat and some in boring baseball cap but nonetheless, everbody was in hat. During my absent, the pictures below was what I missed..

but more importantly, what I wanted to say during my speech at the Graduation party was this...

MOYANGKU... MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER.

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My great grandmother fell ill and was admitted at the MILITARY HOSPITAL TUANKU MIZAN  in Wangsa Maju. My Great Granny had a pair, my grandmother past away a few years ago for diabetic and my grand uncle, Lt Gen (R) Dato Sri Daud Abu Bakar... hence why she is at the Military Hospital.

Everybody else except for me & Melor Edina Pahamin are in oversea. Even my driver is on a 2 months break oversea. Dad is in Los Angeles, USA, Mum in Perth, Australia and my one & only older sister Chempaka Emalin Pahamin in Taiwan? or was it China? it is hard to keep track of everyone's whereabout except via the BBM. Teratai Edithy Pahamin & Amnan Bazli Pahamin are both in London. Melor Edina Pahamin had gone to visit our great granny earlier and that left me alone.. that have not done my visitation. I rushed to the Hospital at the earliest opportunity. I drove alone to Wangsa Maju, a territory that is alien to me and safely (meaning without getting lost) arrived at the Military Hospital to find the place... err sort of abandoned?

8-WEEK ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP CHALLENGE- THE END

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8 weeks of being on a delicious diet and only 1 hour of muscle provoking exercise, six days a week was a wonderful experience... that was what the 8 Week ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP challenge was all about!! A journey to self discovery. Although the licensee, franchisee, instructors and admins of the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP were not allowed to contest but Sarge Dann, Corporal Chun, Corporal Jasper, Corporal Nawal, Farhanah Bamadhaj, Rose Emini Pahamin and me had all participated to share and feel that experience with 31 other contestants from OBC-BU.

As a result... We did not just look thinner, slimmer and sexier, but fitter and faster in our benchmark assessments and runs too. Two contestants from Malaysia was voted into the final. There were James Fong and Amelia Shahrin. Congratulation to them both.

Now lets see their results..

Before the 8 WC challenge, James Fong a chartered accountant weighted 93kg and now he weight 79kg.. weight lost of 14kg in 8 weeks. Neck size reduced by 2cm from 40 to 38. His upper arm gained muscle and grew by 2cm from 34 to 36. His chest now measure 103cm from 110; smaller by 7cm. James Fong waist shrunk by 20cm from 99cm to now 79cm.  His hip is smaller by 4cm to 103cm. If anyone deserves to shop for the new year.... it is definitely JAMES FONG. Congratulation James.

SNAPSHOT AT PROTON EDAR NETWORK APPRECIATION DINNER 2010

3 December 2010, PROTON EDAR organized an appreciation night for the sales dealer, service dealers and stockist. The even was held at One World Hotel, Bandar Utama from 6:30pm to 10:30pm at the Ruby & Topaz Ballroom.

The colour theme for the night was Orange & Black. At the same time & date, the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama & USJ1 too organised their graduation night!! I was torn between the two but could not declined PROTON EDAR when the Organising Committee Chairman placed my seat at the Main VVIP table.

Fathul Rahman, Abdul Sidik Hamid, Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Jeff Lim Si Heong