SONGKRAN FESTIVAL

A few friends whispered on various occasions asking how does it feel to be married to a Thai. They said they have not seen me being so happy and all smiley. Actually, I have always been happy and living my life to the fullest (sometimes at the extreme) without any regrets. Every part of our life is a chapter in our life story and akin of a book, the story whichever way we want to write it, shall continues. If we do not write our life journey as how we wants it, our life may lead us to an unbeknown path that we may not like.

Having a Thai wife, I took almost every opportunity to learn more about Thai culture as another chapter in my book. The first being the Songkran festival. I have heard about the Songkran for many years but never had the interest to celebrate it. Last week, Aaraf and I did just that. Aaraf was on a two weeks school semester break holiday. We took a trip to Bangkok to learn and celebrate Thailand's most celebrated festival. Learning about other cultural has always been my interest. Contrary to my earlier understanding that Songkran was all about water fight and playing water, Songkran is actually to celebrated Thailand's new year. For those uninitiated like me, Thailand has its own solar calender and Songkran was the start of its calender year.

During the Songkran, Thais traditionally gathered with their family members to 'shower' the elders in practice, their parents. It is a humble celebration for Thais to remember their parents and family through the annual gathering. In the morning of the Songkran, they pour water on the elders' hand and shoulder to cool them down from the hot weather. The Songkran always fall during the hottest period of the year and showering the elders inculcates honour, respect, love and care towards their family members. Songkran was celebrated for 3 days although most offices and shops are closed for a week especially for the celebration. According to Anny, most Thai save their money for the whole year to be spent on the Songkran.

ART IN PARADISE, 3D MUSEUM BANGKOK

Amazing Bangkok! If you are visiting Bangkok with kids, a must visit place is the Art in Paradise; Bangkok Trickeye 3D Museum located at 4th Floor, Esplanade Shopping Mall, Ratchadapisek Road Din Daeng, Bangkok, Thailand 10400. The amazing artwork is open from 10am to 10pm and it only cost 300baht (approx RM30) for foreigner Adult and 200 Baht (RM20) for foreigner child. Local Khun Thai (or half Khun Thai like me), only pays 180 baht (RM18).

You will be amazed at the real life or bring to life art exhibit at the Museum. It is particularly exciting if you are camwhores like us. If you are an acute camwhores, do reserve at least half a day for unlimited poses and camwhoring.

Most of the pictures were drawn on either the floor or the wall. It look so real.

VOTING FOR CHIEF'S 8 WEEKS CHALLENGE, SUMMER 2014

The Chief's Original Bootcamp launched its twice a year challenge; the 8 Weeks to Wow Summer 2014, on 10th February 2014 for 8 consecutive weeks that ended on 5th April 2014. Challengers had posted their after-challenge pictures and measurements as a comparison to the before-challenge pictures and measurement after their benchmark assessment. These pictures and measurement will be open for the public to view and vote for the best transformation akin of a reality tv show. The public is the judge into semi-finals.

Many had asked, what is the different between the normal Military Corporation (pronounced as "Military Core") MC12 and the 8 Weeks to Wow? The main different is the commitment, discipline and a change in lifestyle for the best result. The 8 Weeks To Wow includes a daily homework over and above the conventional MC12 training program at the respective platoon as well as (and more importantly) a change in the eating habit. Yes you will receive a planned nutritional menus for your daily meal. To entice and make it even more exciting, we challenge all participants to see who achieve the best overall transformation and that physical result is the ultimate reward for your dedication and commitment. If you get voted for the best physical transformation, you get a bonus. Yes... a bonus which will be announced in abit but what is for certain, the Overal Grand Champion will win RM15,000.

IT TAKES A FOREIGNER TO APPRECIATE MALAYSIAN PRODUCTS

It takes a foreigner to appreciate PROTON. Sadly, that is how Malaysians are. Well.. not all but most of those who are active on cyber. If we take the few thousands on my Facebook friend list as a sampling to represent Malaysia population, then it is safe to say more than the majority whom would be picking on every flaws of our beloved country.

Many years ago, I befriended a Korean student whom was dating my friend, lets call him Mr A. Mr A bought his girlfriend, this Korean Student the latest Nokia Handphone (during Nokia's prominent years) as a gift on her birthday having noticed the old almost kaput Samsung hp the student was using. The Korean student returned the Nokia Handphone back to her boyfriend saying she could not accept it and when my friend refused to take it back (maybe takut buruk siku as the old folk Malay belief), she gave it away. Although her handphone was old and almost non-functional, she would not use any made in other countries products.  I was dumbstruck.

I have another foreign friend from Iran whom is a student and residence in Malaysia. He spoke highly and praises Malaysia to all his friends at how Malaysia government build a whole new city (Putrajaya) with tax payers money because in his country and or other countries that he has been, he has never seen anything like this.

LELONG!! LELONG!! FREE FAT FOR GIVEAWAY.

Lelong.. Lelong!! Free fat!! free inches of waistline!!! and Free used-clothing!! Lelong!! Lelong.. siapa cepat dia dapat!! These words seemed to be the most appropriate tagline with so many recruits shredding away probably an ocean full of fats. If only we can lelong all those fats shred and inches lost... 

It is always very inspiring reading the testimony at HERE of so many people whom have gone through the program at the Chief's Original Bootcamp, Malaysia. But what is for certain, they all really need a whole new wardrobe.

When we first started 4 years ago, we had to regularly and continuously blog on the program to reach out to everyone as a testimony of what the program can do. Once, we had to reach out to the public mass to introduce the Chief's Original Bootcamp (COBC) because many were confused with so many other bootcamps mushrooming in Malaysia. Now, results speaks louder than words.

At the Chief's Original Bootcamp, you pay to get results and befriend a whole community of passionate and positive people who acts as a support system that will make sure failure or giving up is not an option. You do not pay to make friends.

At the Chief's Original Bootcamp, we make sure you are fitter, sexier and most importantly.. healthier. We make sure your dream body comes true. It is all about you. Stay tuned to vote for recruits with the best transformation.

Below are some testimonial. Lisa Mahmood lost 12kg in weight and 20 cm in waistline..

WELCOME PROTON EDAR 10th CHIEF'S EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PROTON EDAR Sdn Bhd has appointed Azmi Idris as its Chief Executive Officer whose term began on Monday, 17 March 2014. Azmi Idris is Proton Edar's 10th Chief Executive Office Since inception in 1995. Previous Chief Executive Officers of Proton Edar (or formerly known as USPD (Usaha Same Proton-Drb Hicom)) were:

1. Dato Rashid Rahim

2. Abbas Mehad

3. Stanley Tan (Acting CEO)

4. Datuk Maruan Said

5. Ahmad Tifli Talha

6. Datuk Maruan Said (Re-appointed)

7. Mohamad Shukor Ibrahim

8. Ahmad Suhaimi

9. Dato Hisham Othman

10. Azmi Idris

Azmi Idris first joined Proton in 1985 as an Assistant Manager at Warranty Technical Services and was trained at Mitsubishi Motors, Japan and Lotus Engineering, UK. Prior to his appointment as Proton Edar's 10th Chief Executive Officer, Azmi Idris was the Proton Holdings Berhad Director of Group Quality, a post he held since May 2010.

Azmi was also one of the judges for a TV program - IDEA: Malaysian Investors' Challenge aired on TV3. The program was supported by Proton, Mosti and Sirim.

SUNGAI PENCHALA HIGH STREET- MAKNGAH CAKOI

Once a quiet kampung, Sungai Penchala now housed the best mix variety food in town. The latest being Makngah Cakoi.. Makngah Cakoi was established in 1993 according to it's signboard but It was only last week that I made a stopover abd had the best Cakoi. Cakoi is a sort of roti goreng... My favorite choice after goreng pisang when I'm not dieting.

The shop is open at 1pm and close at 10pm from Monday to Saturday. The Cakoi is sold at RM2.50 per piece or 3 for RM5.00 and you can choose any one of the available 4 sauces to go with it. My favorite is the black sauce.

A NEW JOURNEY. LIFE BEGINS AT 40..

A HISTORIC DATE, 1 MARCH 2014. 25 YEARS POST-CML, 40 YEARS OLD AND RE-MARRIED.

It was not an easy journey for me to reach this age. In fact, it is a big achievement for me to be able to reach the age of 40 from once, expected to only live for 3 years. I have gone through various challenges with studies, health, businesses, friends and even marriage. When I was an undergraduate, I had to defer my graduation when I failed a subject having had a relapse of my leukemia during my final year university. Born in a family where there is nothing more important than education, the feeling of having to re-take a subject was almost similar to death.  But I graduated from Buckingham University before I turn 21 years old. Yes, I expedited my studies with intensive degree course because I wanted to start working and start making money but there is no way I can do that without a degree (force majeure by/but thanks to dad). 

My health first failed me and took half of my teens away being in hospital while all other teenagers were having a time of their life. My health failed me again during my final year university but from being bed-ridden, now I have ran 9 full marathons, 1 ultra marathons and countless less-than-a-marathon distance races. I have also climbed Mt Kinabalu thrice and many other one day trip peaks.

Before I turned 40, I have also graduated from the school of hard knocks having gone through 2 recessions as a businessman (which I sweat and cried blood) and many failed business ventures but now I am a proud owner of a few successful establishments. I have been betrayed by business partners and my right wing senior people, cheated by people I cared and taken for a ride by many but it gave more meaning to the few that are still around and is enough to replace them all. I have lived my life chasing dreams which had costs me my first marriage and I have learn to cook, mop the floor, raise a child, do own laundry and especially be a better person.... all this experience gained during the Duda-hood being a divorcee.

Everything in our life happens for a reason.

From the failed health, studies, business and marriage, I became that person that you befriend today. I would not have made it without the support, encouragement and understanding especially from my parents, sisters and brother (I cant stress enough the power of family supports). There is nothing more important than a strong family relationship. I have to say thank you too to Miss Kimi aka CML aka Chronic Myeloid Leukemia whom has taught me the essence of living and the importance of time. If I never went through that relationship with Kimi, I would never see life the way I do now but please don't come back, stay away from me.

COBC SUPPLEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTS. The followings are the alternative supplements sourced and negotiated for the best price (on corporate rate) for recruits at the Chief's Original Bootcamp. The recommended BSC products was shortlisted after a thorough research from dozens if not hundreds of products worldwide for the best result and is displayed on the '8WeeksToWow' website at HERE but those products are not available in Malaysia. In Malaysia, we sourced out an equivalent if not better nutritional value just for you.

ORDER & PAYMENT: To order the supplements, please bank-in your payment to CIMB Bank Account No: 12460000957104 under the account name: COBC E-Commerce and Email the receipt stating the product that you require to supp@bootcampmalaysia.com

All payment must be banked-in and clear first before any orders.

DELIVERY: Any orders placed today before noon, will be delivered to you on your next bootcamp session by your instructor. All orders after 12pm will be delivered to you within 48 hours at your bootcamp session. There will be no delivery during weekends.

JARI JEMARI 2014

Petaling Jaya, 15 February 2014. The Didance dance Academy held its first dance performance at the MAS training academy in Kelana Jaya. I was invited by my sisters Melor Edina Pahamin and upon learning all my nieces are participating, I could not resist but proudly came to view their performing. Since I did not have any other information on the event, I will just post up some of their pictures and videos. My nieces that performed were Kasih Leia Ixora, Kasih Iris Leona, Raina Rhiza and Raiqa Rhiza. Every members of Bustanu Pahamin were also present including our iBunda.

BE PART OF AN AMAZING JOURNEY!! - THE GUIDE TO REGISTER FOR 8 WEEKS TO WOW..

Where will you be in 8 Weeks? How about a healthier you? Because what is life without a good bill of health? What is money without a good health to spend it? What is happiness if we are bedridden being sick? But if health is less interesting? Then what about being sexier with a lean body and a six pack abs as well a total body make-over? What if you can get both, a clean health and your dream sexy body in just 8 weeks on top of being more confident, attractive and energetic. Those are the least that you can gain from participating in the 8 Weeks Challenge.

What is the program all about? Well to sum it all up, you will undergo (1) a bootcamp training for an hour per session, 3 times a week for 8 consecutive weeks. The program is what differs the Chief's Original Bootcamp with any other bootcamp. It is designed by a former infantry soldier, the founder of the Chief's Original Bootcamp program; Chief Brabon. How much is the bootcamp training? The fees differ with variety of promotional package. For best rate, click HERE. (2) You will also receive a 20 minutes high intensity home workout program and (3) You will receive a nutritious food menu to eat and follow throughout the challenge (who says anything about starvation and dieting- Its just all about eating right). The food is as important as the workout itself. For more information on the origins of the 8 Weeks to Wow, you can read at HERE.

Once you have registered and pay for both February & March session (for a total of 8 weeks) then please follow the steps below. Note- ALL WIP members do not need to advance pay for February & March intake and they can just follow the normal WIP payment but WIP members do need to enroll for both February & March intake. How to be a WIP member, click HERE. Acceptance to the 8Weeks to Wow (or 8 Week Challenge) depends entirely on your acceptance for both February & March intake. THERE IS A MAXIMUM LIMIT PER LOCATION AND IT IS ON FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS.

8 WEEK CHALLENGE - SUMMER 2014

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR. Lets start the year of the Horse with a transformation!! Yes.. true Let us take the first step by taking control of our health and challenge ourselves to get the best body and the best health in just 8 Weeks!!! What is an 8 Week Challenge? For more information click HERE. 

Ask yourself where will you be in 8 Weeks? or by the first quarter of this year? Make this year a productive year by making a complete physical transformation without any surgery, operation and without having to spend half of your savings. All that it takes, is the determination and the 'want' to change. You are just a click away.

The followings are the schedule of dates for Summer 2014 8 Weeks to Wow challenge in Malaysia. Please note, the dates vary with that in Australia due to COBC's 1 week break for the Chinese New Year.

DAYTRIP UP MOUNT NUANG

Mount Nuang is the best day trip Mountain in Malaysia that I have been to. The intensity of the climb was perfect but most importantly, the bath in the cold mountain water was heaven that took away almost immediately all tiredness and exhaustion.

I have been up Mount Nuang a dozen times, half of it alone, soul searching & searching for peace. Sometimes, training for some events and a few times, introduced a few friends to mountain climbing. I blogged the last expedition up Mt Nuang with a group of wonderful people at HERE. Today, I brought my nieces and nephews for a Chinese New Year escapade. The plan was for them all to appreciate nature and train for the Pahamin's 3rd generation expedition up Mount Kinabalu. Oh Gawd!! That will be my 4th climb up the highest peak in Malaysia. So far, only 2 out of 6 second generation Pahamins had conquered the peak of Mount Kinabalu.

In an expedition of 9 pax that comprised of three adult, Abu Lais Walli Mohamed (the person that introduced me to Mountain climbing), Anny Chunraem and myself, we brought along Aqfar Naeem, Kasih Leia Ixora, Aaraf Armin, Rafel Zichry Onn, Andika Rees Pahamin and Kasih Iris Leona to their first mountain, the highest peak in Selangor- Mount Nuang.

IN MEMORY OF JADITE LIEW

In memory of a friend, a comrade, a running buddy and an inspiration to many. I can only imagine how wonderful Jadite was as a mother to two beautiful daughters, a daughter to her parent and a sister to her family because she was such an amazing women to all her friends. Jadite is a recruit at the Chiefs Original Bootcamp Damansara at Heights Zulu platoon and is one of the most consistent and committed recruit when we talk about training. She had ACE'd (100% Attendance, Commitment and Effort) her every month bootcamp session and when she missed any session, she will have it replaced at Bandar Utama Alpha where I train.

She spoke so passionately about the Chief's Original Bootcamp to everyone she met... that she attracted her badminton buddy whom then, had the Chief's Bootcamp to train hundreds of Citibank executives as part of their health and fitness program. That was Jadite. A very inspiring and motivating women.

   

I paid respect to the dear friend at the Gospel Church in Jalan Hang Jebat today at 5pm. It was the first wake session that I had ever attended. I met her sister whom we chatted and was surprise to learn that Jadite was the least active amongst her siblings. While in their youth, her sisters were the runners, Jadite was the opposite. Jadite whom had never ran when she was younger, took up running after she joined the bootcamp and actually had dozens of others to also start running. We always met in various running event.

SNAPSHOTS AT THE 3RD CHIEF'S BATTLE OF PLATOONS.

Battle of Platoons part 2. For more pictures and reading, click Part 1.

The Chief's Original Bootcamp held our 3rd Battle of Platoons (BOP) on 18 January 2014. The latest battle saw a four corner fight between the Spartans whom was defending their title as the Champion at the 2nd BOP and the Highlander, whom was the 1st BOP Champion. The Legends for the third time, worked and trained hard to become the Champion and the newly born Barracuda was all highly spirited to have fun. The person behind the architect of the 3rd Battle of Platoons was Dr Malek Aziz whom together with Staff Sarge Nawal and the team of instructors at COBC, spend days preparing the carpentry for the barb wires, circuits and equipments etc etc... Yes, recruits had to leopard crawl under barb wires as part of the challenge. 

Part of the battle includes a set of 14 riddles to test recruit's thinking capacity under stress while undergoing the physical challenges. The 14 riddles and puzzles were:

1) What is Chief's Original Bootcamp founder's name?
Chief Brabon and Gunny Hames. Armin Baniaz Pahamin and Dr Malek Aziz are the licensees.

2) Chief was born in 1974. This year he will be 40 years old. How is that so?
Answer: 1974 is the hospital room no. Statement did not say 'year 1974'!

3) What is the codename of this event?
Answer: Metropolitan. Dr Malek actually posted this on facebook to see how many observants they are.

4) Scientists are trying to find out what's between Heaven and Earth. What is it?

Answer: the word "and"

5) What goes up when the rain goes down?

Answer: Umbrella

6) In what year did Thaipusam & Chinese New Year fall on the same year?

Answer: Every year

NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE POLICY 2014

NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE POLICY 2014

Personally, I am disappointed with the recent launching of the National Automotive Policy. The possibility of a cheaper car is as good (or as bad) as the possibility of abolishing the open AP. The copy of the NAP 2014 is available at HERE. 

1. The NAP 2014 is encouraging the re-badging of national cars instead of building our own with its recognition of PERODUA as a national car. The Intellectual Property Rights for all PERODUA models are not with Malaysian for PERODUA to be called a National Car. 

2. The National Automotive Policy did not provide a clearer framework and a roadmap on the direction the government wants to drive the National Car in term of producing own design, chassis and engine.

3. In the past, the government drove PROTON to invest in technology capable of building its own engine, its own car and to move away from re-badging. For years, the dealers had to sell these vehicles with a very thin margin and the public had to pay more for PROTON cars due to a higher cost of production.

4. Unlike previous NAP, that omitted Perodua as a national car, NAP 2014 expressly stated Perodua as a national car although Perodua is majority foreign-own and only produce re-badging of already established vehicles. 

5. There is no clear guideline to what constitute a National Car and non-national and without it, incentives can be abused. At the moment, the term national car status is subjective, interpreted and understood differently by various parties even by different authorities.

6. Incentives should only be given to a national car to keep price competitive for the public while investments can be made for a truly born Malaysia made vehicles. If that is still the drive. 

7. NAP 2 has failed (a) to increase bumiputra participation in the dealership network as well as (b) preserving specific segment for PROTON market share, which was part of its objectives. (see: NAP2)

BATTLE OF PLATOONS - PART 1

Kuala Lumpur. Preparation for the 3rd Battle of Platoons began as early as 3am on Saturday 18 January 2014 with Dr Malek Aziz, Staff Sarge Nawal and the team at the basecamp ferrying equipments and setting up the circuit at 5 stations. One of the station, codenamed the Mad Dash, was prepared the day before the battle on Friday, 17 January 2014.

Score board was designed, banner was ordered and officials tee were distributed by Admin Rose Emini Pahamin. Food for breakfast was freshly made and special ordered by Admin Farhanah whom is in charge of the food station.

There were 6 stations prepared for today's 3 hours challenge and the team that recorded the fastest timing throughout the trail will receive a point.The team that complied to the minimum 40 pax participants will also receive a point. The team with the highest number of participants will receive a weightage for the outstanding team award. Other factors for the outstanding team award will be further elaborated later. Points will also be given for the most accurate answer to the riddles. A point for the winner at the mad dash and points for the last man standing.

This blog is a picturesque blog with more than a thousand pictures to be posted. The will be a write-up at the end of the picturesque blog. Click on picture to enlarge.

At the beginning of the event, the score board was empty without any sticker points.

THE WAR CRY

More than 200 recruit's from the Chief's Original Bootcamp gathered today in Kepong to cheer, witness and participate in the biggest open-for-recruits-only bootcamp event in Malaysia (not open to general public). The battle saw four outstanding platoons battled for the third time in a friendly but competitive manner. For more information on Battle of Platoons, read here, here, here and here.

The 3rd Battle of Chief's platoons is the Chief's Original Bootcamp annual event that is organised to unite all recruits that share similar passion for better fitness, health and physique (meaning we all want to look sexy). The battle commenced today for 3 hours at the Metropolitan park, Kepong although the cyber war had already started more than a week ago. Beside the cyber war which painted Facebook with each platoon's team image. Each team had designed and prepared their war cry to ignite their team members burning desire to win, foster a closer team work and especially to provoke their opponent. 

Spartans is the oldest platoon and had the biggest participants compared to the other 3 platoons but Spartans is really the baby'est among them all with the majority being new recruits. Highlanders were the most experience with the most Otais. The Barracuda is a new born platoon and the Legends.. is a legend.

The Champion was crowned based on time, discipline, coordination, intellect (on riddles), teamwork, strength and dedication. The main architect behind the program was Dr Malek Aziz whom did not just co-chaired the team of instructors but was everywhere for days and nights sourcing for materials.

The convoy of 4 platoons on foot in their chosen theme does give me the goosebumps and chill. The spirit was exemplary. It was so inspiring.

The video below was taken with an iPhone 4S. Please increase volume for best effect.

THE BOOTS AND THE BATTLE

The 3rd Battle of Chief's platoon will commence in less than 24 hours at the Taman Metropolitan, Kepong, 6:30am on 18 January 2014. While we are counting down for the field battle that incorporates and combine various training methods at the Chief's Original Bootcamp, the cyber war has started since early last week. The highlanders or the team representing Damansara Heights Charlie, Zulu and Penang platoon started a cyber war when their recruits displaying their team logo as the profile picture. The Spartans or the team that represents Bandar Utama Alpha, Bravo and Dusk retaliated with a stronger representation on cyber followed by team Legends and the young Barracudas. 

It is so cool looking at Facebook with everyone in their team logo. I was jealous, and changed my profile pictures using a collage of all team logo made by Admin Rose Emini Pahamin. A short while later, all COBC Officials had their Facebook profile changed too.

WHICH TEAM WILL WIN THE 3RD BATTLE OF CHIEF'S PLATOON?

4 days counting down to the third Battle of Bootcamp Platoons. This battle had attracted almost 200 recruits in 4 Platoons namely team Barracuda, team Legends, team Highlanders and team Spartans. It is funny how past Champions kept their logo square while the competitive team designed their logo as rectangle. Probably the rectangles has form a collaboration against the former champions.

With the battle being so closed, Corporal (COBC) Amir issued a war cry to all team to screw calm and go for the win. Yes, we need to wake up all recruits to start gearing up for war. Be humble when the trophy has been grabbed, for now.. let start the intimidation.

The Captains selected for the third battle are as follows: