25 today . . .

So this is what it's like to be 25 . . .

Pretty much the same as 24, 23, 22 . . . age! We're only as old as we feel . . . & am feeling real good *grinz*

Anyways, Christmas seems to have gone by as quickly as it came by. It's been a full on year for myself; with friends getting married, making new friends & seeing old ones off, but hey we sort of know the final destination & really its the journey that makes it all worth wild!

Well here's wishing each & everyone of you a Merry Christmas & may the New Year bring you more of the things you'd like, need, want . . . 2008 here we come!

record time . . .

Today after work two of my work colleagues & I went to give blood. We had planned to challenge each other on how fast we could give a bag of blood, which is about 470ml.

Matt - 6mins:32secs (give the day before)
Sharon - 9mins:10secs
Barb - 8mins:3osecs

** Drum roll **

Cheryl - 6mins:07secs

Hehehe . . . we're a competitive bunch!

weekends ago . . .

About 2 weekends ago, a number of us heading up to Falls for some sun, fun & especially snow. We took a bus load so that was 48 of us but I stuck to the 5 friends I invited to come along. We fully had an awesome time! The weather was prefect, sunny & the snow wasn't icy hard; lovely.

Snowboarding, huh the life! Learning to grind rails, land jumps, master 360s . . . muahahaha. Fully sick! But with the good times there's always a few mishaps along the way . . .

The first day was relatively injury free, but not so much sore free . . . some had a sore neck from sleeping on the bus, hahaha poor fool! Other were just sore from boarding all day. But the second day, coming off the chair lift, I told lil' M not to fall but ended you big P took a fall! Damn it! I was going straight for him at a pretty good speed too. So I tried to jump him but hahaha, I didn't make it over big P. CRAP! Flat on my face with the board following behind me, smack down on my head. Good thing it wasn't the edge or my beanie would have been ripped. Oh & my scalp split! OUCH! Is right, I got an instant lump . . . they were all oh, Cheryl are you ok! Made them really nervous cos I stayed really still for like 10 seconds before I turned. Hehehe, but dang it hurt. I iced it straight away . . . why not use what's available to you free & in abundance.

The last day, another friend fall awkwardly & pulled his shoulder muscles pretty badly . . . good thing there was a physio on site! hahaha!

Anyways, there's a few more I could tell but maybe next time . . . for now it should keep me going to the snow again . . . let the good times roll

flight . . .

It's been a week since Gav & I have got back from our trip overseas. It was great to relax in the sun get a tan, enjoy the presence of good company, eat yummy home-cooked meals and have little to worry about.

Gav having first hand experience of fanning the BBQ/grill at a Night Market, where the workers were all too happy to pass him the fan. Hahaha! He also got to try one of the skews, which I like to call 'Bishop's noses' cos it looks like it . . . its a part of the chicken







He also got to have one of the traditional dishes called Ambuyat, which is a sago powder made into a what you see above (at a restaurant)! There's a skill in getting a lump of it, using a utensil which literally looks like a joint chopstick. And its eaten with tasty side dishes.

Those are just a few things we got to do . . . in one night!

bumped . . .

The other day on the way to ikea to get these fancy mirrors for my aunt, I got bumped! Was a busy intersection turning either way, three cars in front of me were turning right which was worst cos of traffic both ways. I was turning left & so was the car behind me.

The car in front drove off barely making it pass oncoming traffic . . . the passing van gave a huge horn & I stopped but the freaking idoit behind me probably had no bloody idea how to drive. If that wasn't enough I pulled over to the side of the road & just what the bastard did . . . he just drove off! That's right! Wow . . . I was so freaking pissed off, I drove after him. He got caught at a red & I got out of my car (like road rage, but all I wanted was at least a sorry). Walked up to his window & he rolled down his window. Come to think about it he was a little nervy . . . so he should be I was so ready to blow my lid off.

Man in his dark blue Hyundai Lantra, with pitiful eyes: "Ahh...sorry mate! There's no damage, honest! Trust me! Trust me!"

Me: just staring in disbelief that he just drove off. If only looks could kill!

I took his word for it, I got back in to my car but took the liberty of taking down his license plate number, in case there was actual damage when I parked to have a careful look. Man that seriously pissed me off . . . but shit happens!

I reckon it could have been worse . . . me driving off together with the car in front & more that likely getting hit side-on at a greater speed rather than being bumped on the bumper. True? True! So thank God for that.

happenings of the . . .

. . . past 2 months

It's been an interesting 2 months, as I had dropped two days of work as an aged care PT. So becoming a part-time bum . . . it was awesome to have 4 day weekends! Some thoughted I'd go crazy with so much time on my hands but no I think I will miss it.

Looking for a little more work; being very specific particularly - location, location, location! hahaha. Applied to one - couldn't get that as our timings didnt match up, so after a few weeks another come up & snagged. I must say patience is indeed a virtue! On top of trusting that God will open doors & checking yourself that you don't let the disappointment get to you.

So now after having almost 2 months of 4-day weekends, I will definitely miss the added time to chill & bum. But this private practice job will be an absolute challenge to the brain & the body. As for the past day & a half I have had to go in to the practice to get a feel of things; the use of the equipment, the system & getting to know a few of the patients & all the staff (receptionist, the podiatrists & of cos the other PT who's the co-owner of the practice).

Seeing how things are to be runned, there is a definite key to having your own practice. 1) quality of service, 2) knowledge & 3) interpersonal skills. To be able to problem solve, the presenting condition & spot diagnose the signs & symptoms then treat it effectively. This job will keep me on my toes & the brain ticking away to look for answers. All's very exciting! I can't wait to sink my teeth into the challenges ahead of me.

Jim & Edna

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

Jim and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Jim suddenly jumped into the deep end. He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there. Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled Jim out.

When the Head Nurse Director became aware of Edna's heroic act she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered her to be mentally stable. When she went to tell Edna the news she said, "Edna, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you're being discharged, since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of the person you love, I have concluded that your act displays sound mindedness. The bad news is, Jim, hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he's dead."

Edna replied, "He didn't hang himself, I put him there to dry. How soon can I go home?"

the penny drops

I realise I'm jammed packed with things to do this month . . . I reckon a part of me loves the feeling of busy-ness. However I also realise that my life for the past 11 months has had to include another person into weekly/monthly events. Making a conscious effort to be considerate of the other's likes, dislikes, pet hates, loves, habits - the bad, the good & the disgusting! It seems like having the 'seemingly right' person in your life can complicate things in a pleasurable & delightful way (most times).

But for me I can't not have my other (new, old & to-be-met) friends out of my life . . . so that's where busy-ness of my life begins. However it has never stopped, ever since I can remember. Since my prep/primary school days, life has been filled with swimming training, tuition for major subjects like Malay (oh boy, did I need help or wat!?!)& Maths, plus piano lessons of course my parents gave me time to be a little person . . . to be able to run out in the outdoors (sun, rain or goomy). High school I juggled my life around studying, creating havoc but also making peace with being a prefect, a swim captain & the house vice, there were camps, celebrations, plus swimming training outsode of school. Then in uni, it was trying out in ECAs like water polo, baseball, touch rugby, soccer, to being involved in a student-runned Christain group on top of being a full-time uni student. Till now, work as a professional, socialising with people I've come to call my friends, very slowing involving myself into a church group, keeping myself healthy, having to meet the other half's friends/family/extended family (this again very very slowly).

I actually have no structure or objective to this post . . . just realising where I am in my life! The events, the activities, the social encounters, the people that have rushed passed, jogged by, walked along & just plain lazied by my side, seeing how every single one has shaped & will continue to mold me into the person I am & will become. But one thing is for sure, for certain, one constant & that is my faith, my Lord Jesus.

So upcoming stuff:
Movies tmr
Drinks dis Friday
Mother's day Sunday
Next week
Seminar on Tues
Church group on Wed
Dinner with work collegues on Fri
Birthday bash for a groovy chic turning 26 on Sat

& this is only the middle of the month . . . hahaha! I'm loving it!

When a Triathlete says...

"...I am an outdoors type of person."
Really means: I train in any type of weather. If it's raining, snowing, 90 degrees w/100 percent humidity, or winds gusting at 30mph. I don't want to hear any complaints because I will still train in it and you're just a big wuss for complaining about it.

"...I enjoy riding my bike."
Really means: with or w/o aero bars, alone or in a peleton, I don't care. If you can't do a spur of the moment 30 miler then you're not my type. I will let you draft, but if you can't hang and I drop you - I will see you later. I am a capable mechanic, but don't expect me to change your flats or tune your bike. You need to learn that on your own.

"...I enjoy jogging."
Really means: Let's run hills until we puke. I have just as many shoes as you only mine are better because they are functional and all look the same.

"...I enjoy dining out."
Really means: I enjoy eating out, in or anywhere else I can find food. Don't be shy because with the amount of food I eat, you can have that main entree instead of a salad and you will still look as though you eat like a rabbit in comparison. Don't get your limbs too close though as I may take a bite out of you. Most importantly don't expect any taste off my plate unless you can bring something to the party… like more food. Eventually though if you're not burning 4,000 calories a day you're going to plump up and have a terrible complex due to watching me eat deserts and not gaining any weight. Friends and family will eventually decide not to dine with us anymore due to my horrid table manners. Oh, and don't ask me any questions during breakfast, Mid Morning Lunch, Lunch, Afternoon lunch, dinner or Recovery Dinner as it does not lend to efficient food intake.

"...I enjoy quiet walks on the beach."
Really means: Walks on the beach warming up into an 8 mile run and then plunging myself in the ocean for a 2 miler. If you get in my way you're going to find out what mass start is and let me assure you that you don't want to find out.

"...I find fulfilment in charitable work."
Really means: If I am not racing, I am volunteering and I expect you to be there along side me as I stand out in 90 degree weather for 8 hours handing out sports drink to cyclists going 20 mph. Just stick the ol' arm out there and hope it doesn't get taken off.

"...I enjoy sharing quiet moments together."
Really means: It's taper time. Just back off because I am strategizing and in a pissy mood because I am worried about my "A" race and can't workout.

"...I am an active person."
Really means: Aside from my 40 hour job, and the 8 mandatory hours of sleep a night. 10 hours a week are devoted to me during the off-season and 20 during race season leaving us 4 hours. 2 of which are spent inhaling food and you not talking to me, so let's make the best of the 2 hours we will spend together on average each day. If you are a licensed massage therapist or doctor this would make the most optimal use of our time together. Nutritionist is also acceptable, but I probably already know just as much as you.

"...I enjoy road trips and leisurely drives."
Really means: You have your choice of Port Macquarie, Busselton, Taupo, and Shepparton[Ironman Races], but don't expect to do much site seeing. If I get enough support from you we might be able to include Hawaii in there.

"...I enjoy site seeing."
Really means: Lets grab a mountain bike and get our HR's up to 90%. There's plenty of time to look around on the descent as trees and bushes whiz by you at 40 mph.

"...I like stimulating conversation."
Really means: while we are running, we can talk about food. Then we can talk about how we decided what to wear on this run based on the temperature at start time versus the temperature at the time we expect to finish, how horribly out of shape we are, how many miles we did last week, and how many we will do this week and next week. Then we can talk about food.

"...I enjoy relaxing soaks in the tub."
Really Means: I'm going to stop on the way home and buy two bags of ice, throw them in the tub with some water, and sit in this torture chamber for 30 minutes.

"...I'm interested in photography"
Really Means: My camera is permanently perched on a tripod in front of my trainer. I obsess over taking photos of my bike position and analyzing them to get the perfect setup.

"...I'm into in technology"
Really Means: My HRM and bike computer are my best friends. Until you can give me some hard data that can improve my training, don't bother trying to buddy up to me. You could one day break into the top three if I find you as entertaining on long runs and rides as my mp3 player.

The Colonoscopy

All the organs of the body were having a meeting, trying to decide who was the one in charge.

"I should be in charge," said the brain, "Because I run all the body's systems, so without me nothing would happen."

"I should be in charge," said the blood, "because I circulate oxygen all over so without me you'd all waste away."

"I should be in charge," said the stomach, "because I process food and give all of you energy."

"I should be in charge," said the legs, "because I carry the body wherever it needs to go."

"I should be in charge," said the eyes, "Because I allow the body to see where it goes."

"I should be in charge," said the rectum, "Because I'm responsible for waste removal."


All the other body parts laughed at the rectum and insulted him, so in a huff, he shut down tight.
Within a few days, the brain had a terrible headache, the stomach was bloated, the legs got wobbly, the eyes got watery, and the blood was toxic. They all decided that the rectum should be the boss .

The Moral of the story.
The ass hole is usually in charge!

Mildred & Earl

Mildred, 93, was despondent over the recent death of her husband Earl, so she decided to just kill herself and join him in death.

Thinking it would be best to get it over with quickly, she took out Earl's old Army pistol and made the decision to shoot herself in the heart since it was so badly broken in the first place.

Not wanting to miss the vital organ and become a vegetable and a burden to someone, she called her doctor's office to learn her heart's exact location.

"Since you're a woman," the doctor said, "your heart is just below your left breast. Why do you ask?"

She hung up without answering.

Later that night, Mildred was admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound to her knee.

TRY THIS!

How Smart is Your Right Foot?

This is so funny that it will boggle your mind. I don't believe it & neither would you. You'd probably keep trying at least 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot, but you can't. I've been trying . . . & damn its so frustrating! Hehehehe . . . while here it is:

1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand.

Your foot will change direction.
I told you so . . . And there's nothing you can do about it

time won't disappear . . .

It's been a while . . . huh! Well no matter how hard & focus we stare at a clock, time can't go any faster, slower or just plain stop. But we can definitely dwell in the moment through the timeless memories of pictures, even mental pictures or just been there! Have no idea where this is leading but . . .

I remember the day I got a bouncing castle for my birthday! I was totally wrapped or the time I got locked out of my own room to find that a bunk bed was being built as a surprised present of me. Tell you the truth was fully peeved off about been locked out but seriously it was an awesome gift. Hehehe . . .

Well I'm officially (as G said) a part-time bum! hahaha! First week into it and it's been great . . . chilling, catching up on lost sleep but hey its all self-inflicked!

So plans for the time-being:
Sports/Musculo Physiotherapy p/t work
Master (hopefully for next year)
Live life to the max!!

pets . . .

I've always wanted to get a pet! But certain things always holds me back from committing, and it still does.

1. Responsibilities (dat comes with a whole list of other things - feeding, walks, vet trips, baths)
2. TLC
3. Training - especially toilet training
4. Time revolves around the creature

I know I'd love it to bits but somehow I know I'm not ready. So that's why I've got two pets . . . virtual pets! hehehe. Crack, my puppy & Weed, my spider! Great easy & fuss-free pets. *grinz!* No cleaning up after them, no expensive trips to the vet, no need to come home in time for feeding time or to walk. So happy. muahahaha!

entertainer or just plain silly!?

I reckon there are things that you should only do once . . .

I'm sure most of you have heard or seen or have experimented with a bottle of coke/pepsi & a tube of mentos. Well if you haven't there is a definite reaction once you drop the mentos into the coke bottle. The outer covering of the mentos causes the coke/pepsi to create more pressure & fizz that the liquid shoots up into the air.

Well at work, my collegues had no idea this could happen, so it was a topic of discussion which turned into an experiment of our own. But we decided to up the ante! Me being me, said that I'll be the guinea pig, hahahaha. This should be great fun!

So we decided to see if this reaction in my mouth! Yup, mouth.

Big gulp of pepsi max then pop a mentos in the hatch. After 5 seconds of calm, one of my collegues asked me to shake my head a little then all of a sudden my mouth started to fizz up. I could feel it! hehehe! A little came out of my mouth, instinctively I tried to shallow, holding my mouth tighter but I couldn't shallow as the pressure was building up in my mouth. The next thing I knew was fizz out of my nose then I opened my mouth spraying pepsi max into the courtyard. Hahaha!

So it does work! hehehe! Felt like I had pepsi max up my nose for the next hour. But it was good fun.

shift into gear

Entering into 2007 was a blast!

First intro was Christmas, on our feet for more than 10 hours straight. Serving drinks, food, tit bits with hugs & kisses all around.

Boxing day brought in a surprise as we decided to throw my birthday that evening. Invites being sent out only hours before the party. Groceries bought, plans made, drinks in place . . . RSVPs came back only seconds after being sent. The party was at full stream ahead!
Mum is definitely a master chef - excellent under pressure even better with planning. Dinner guest came, ate an awesome meal then helped out with the munchies for our after-dinner guest. I was the bartender, ready to mix drinks & learn new mixers! Forzen Orgasm was a treat, Shirley temple delish, standards like vodka cranberry, screwdriver, malibu fizz, shots of vodka, rum, & whiskey was served around. Met & made new friends, who are 3rd cousins, for life! After midnite, there was the cake . . . hummm . . . a mountain of ice cream.
A few of us moved outside to the pool area. I think my birthday, has to always end with a few pool pushing/thrown, & of course I'm the first to be dumped. It was fun . . . scheming to throw more into the pool. Gaby & I got Frieda & Hilda in, Brendan followed with temptation of our fun. We finally got out at 3.

The evening of my actual day, we where for a Xmas open house. That was fun, breezers & vodka twist were served. A few of us moved ourselves to a place called Sugar & Spice. An interesting place, arabic shisha-filled atmosphere. Then we ended the night with a couple of games of pool @ Jubilee.

On the eve of NY's eve, we had a wedding & dinner reception to attend. The church service was different but similar. The dinner reception was more vibrant, especially at the end. When we got on the floor to dance the night away. I reckon because we were cousins (particularly a group of us) we got some close & interesting moves on!

New Year's eve was at an Uncle's. Buffet style food, awesome compilation of songs, up-to-date karaoke songs, great drinks being mixed & fantastic company. After the countdown, there was alot of hugs, kisses, arse grabbing & neck kisses going on! A great start to the year ahead . . . a few of us headed off to a cousin's place for a game of 'circle of death', mee goreng, shisha & even a cigar to celebrate the New Year! This is another very early morning . . . we started hearing the rooster & I decided to go home.

New Year's we continued to celebrations with a pool party starting from 3 pm, and only 5 of us stayed in till 8.30pm. We were definitely very wrinkled when we got out. But it was excellent fun, finishing the day off with a movie at a cousin's & massages all around post-movie with loads & loads of side-splitting laughter! Ahhh . . . a memorable start to 2007.

The party gear has been set I wonder when the gear will be shifted down one or two . . .

Have an awesome, fun-filled & fulfilling year ahead!