Simple Birthday Celebration

Have a very simple birthday celebration at home this year with my wife, daugther, mother-in-law and maid.

The cake compliments of CitiGold Select. Cake producer is Spinelli.... very delicious.

My daughter told me these are my 'grand-children'.

UPR Run on 2-June-09

Last weekend was the Sundown marathon event. The prior week was the PAssion Run. Some of the participants will likely be resting for a few days to a week.

Today 7 people turned up for the weekly UPR run. HT met up with the group at the carpark.
The mighty 7 were Wil, Ben, TL Yen, George, Francis, PH Tan & myself. The weather was nice and the team have a great run today.

I was pacing behind Ben and Wil. Three of them did the 7km run and at moderate speed. During the first half of the run, my heart rate was consistently at 150bpm or below, a very comfortable zone At the heart rate and speed I believe we can complete a 42km full marathon. The average speed was between 9kmph to 10kmph.

Assuming at 9kmph the entire 42km will take 4:40 hrs which will not too bad for a 1st timer for full marathon. Looking forward to the Dec Standard Chartered Marathon event.

Quote

"The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving." - Albert Einstein

Mom discharged from hospital

Mom's blood test came out ok at 2.5 (goal was between 2.0 to 3.0 for the wafarin treatment). So mom was able to be discharged from hospital and gone back home to stay in my younger borther's house. Drove my mom back home to Jenjarom.
Her right hand and leg cannot move. Also cannot speak properly... but can her mouth can make some sound.
Left Jenjarom in the later part of afternoon and drove home to Singapore as wife is working tomorrow.

Drove back to Malaysia with wife to visit mom

Brought along my wife to visit mom in Subang Jaya hostipal. Left in the morning and head straight to the hospital.
Mom should be ready to be discharged from hospital either tomorrow or Monday.

TigerAirways from KL to SIN

Travel back Singapore to accompany my wife to travel together to Malaysia tomorrow to visit my mom.

TigerAirways from KL to SIN
TR453 08:45 to 09:35
Cost S$30?

Mom feeding herself at breakfast and try sitting up on a chair today

1. Doctor said should let mom try to use her limbs as much as possible such as feeding meals for herself. This morning let her tried using spoon to feed porridge to herself. She did it quite well and with some spills but minimal. Just put some tissue papers close to her neck and chest area to catch those drop outs. After the porridge, she wanted to eat the bread. The nurse put strawberry jam on the 2 pieces of bread. She took the bread on her own left hand and feed herself. After finishing the 1st piece she took and finished the 2nd piece of break as well. She drank a full cup of milo using a straw.
After breakfast she took the medicine for her high blood pressure. It is pill pounded into powder form as she cannot swallow pills yet. The powdered medicine was mixed with water and she can drink it using a straw or with spoon.
She did well today and ate well.

2. The physiotherapist came around 10:30am today. Did the regular exercise for all the joints for her right hand and leg. For hand, bend the fingers to close and then open. The move the hand around the wrist area, Then bend the hand over the elbow area and open. Then bend the hand over the shoulder area. Each excerise do is repeated 10 times before moving to the next exercise.
For the right leg, move the toes up and down. Move the foot around the heel. Then bend the leg around the knee area (or to combine with movement around the hip area as well). Each exercise repeated 10 times before moving to the next exercise.
Today there is a new exercise. Use the working left hand to hold the affected right hand (clasped the 10 fingers acrossed each other). Then use the working left hand to pull the affected left hand up and above the head. Repeat for 10 times.
Her affected right side still not functioning. And her good left side is also well and not very strong.

3. The physiotherapist also shown me today how to move my mom from the bed lying down position to the sitting position on the bed side. Then move her over to a sitting chair. She advice to pull the pampers or trousers to move her instead of pulling the arms from under the shoulder as it may dislock the hands fromt he shoulder. After she sat on the chair, use a bedsheet or tower to tie her around the chair (not too tight) to hold her in place. Let her stay in sitting position for 30 minutes before moving her back to the bed. She did well today.

Met staff nurse today and she advice maybe better to get a help (either part time of full time) to help out when we bring mom home. Reason is that most family will be busy and have thier own things to do. It can help minimize tension to get a 3rd party helper and share the cost among the children based on her own personal experience. Family and relatives may not be able to attend to her full time whole day as each has their own work and other commitments.

Her body temperature and blood pressure is normal today. She is still taking high blood pressure medicine today.
The blood thining medicine Warfarine is given only after dinner. This Saturday will conduct blood test to see if the Warfarine dosage is correct and ok. If result is ok, she can be discharge from the hospital anytime after that.

More info on Warfarin :-
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-blood-thinner.htm
http://www.strokecenter.org/patients/anticoagulants.html
http://www.heartpoint.com/coumadin.html
http://generalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/warfarin
http://www.medicinenet.com/warfarin-oral/article.htm

Stroke - signs and symptoms

Sometime lack of knowledge or ignorance can be dangerous !!

Stroke - signs and symptoms

Stroke is often referred to by doctors as a cerebrovascular accident, but the term is not an accurate one since stroke is rarely an 'accident'. The underlying conditions of a stroke (called cerebrovascular disease) are usually present for years before a stroke occurs, although the symptoms of a stroke may occur suddenly.

There are sometimes quite specific warning signs of an impending stroke. By recognising the warning signs and taking action, you may be able to prevent a stroke or reduce its severity. It is important to be able to recognise the warning signs in order to get medical help as quickly as possible.

Transient ischaemic attacks
Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) are caused by a temporary cut in blood supply to the brain, due to the partial blockage of an artery by a blood clot or debris. TIAs have the same symptoms as a stroke, but they are temporary and do not usually cause long-term brain damage.

A TIA, or mini-stroke, is a warning of an impending stroke. A person who has had a TIA is at greater risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Early identification of symptoms and a diagnosis from your doctor greatly reduces the chances of a major stroke.

A TIA is:

• Transient – symptoms usually last for less than 24 hours.
• Ischaemic – failure of blood flow to part of the brain or eye.
• Attack – sudden onset of symptoms, which vary from person to person depending on which part of the brain or eye is starved of blood.

Symptoms
Symptoms of a TIA are very similar to those of a stroke. They can include:

• A numb or weak feeling in the face, arm or leg
• Trouble speaking or understanding
• Unexplained dizziness
• Blurred or poor vision in one or both eyes
• Loss of balance or an unexplained fall
• Difficulty swallowing
• Headache (usually severe or of abrupt onset) or unexplained change in the pattern of headaches
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness.

The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke or a TIA. Using the FAST test involves asking three simple questions. If the person has a problem with any of these functions, dial triple zero (000) for an ambulance immediately.

FAST stands for:

• Facial weakness – can the person smile; have their mouth or eyes drooped?
• Arm weakness – can the person raise both arms?
• Speech difficulty – can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
• Time to act – act FAST and call 000 immediately.

If you suddenly experience any of these symptoms, get to a hospital immediately. Remember, stroke is a life-threatening emergency.

Symptoms occur in a variety of ways
The warning signs or symptoms of stroke may occur alone or in combination. They may last a few seconds or up to 24 hours, and then disappear. These signs are mini-strokes and should not be ignored. They indicate a hidden problem with blood flow, which could trigger a stroke. The severity of the symptoms depends on the area of the brain affected and the cause.

Where to get help

• If you experience symptoms of a stroke, dial triple zero (000) for an ambulance or get to the emergency department of your nearest hospital immediately
• Your doctor
• National Stroke Foundation Tel. (03) 9670 1000 or 1800 787 653

Things to remember

• The symptoms of stroke can occur suddenly.
• Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) are an important warning sign that a stroke may occur in the future.
• Early identification of symptoms and a diagnosis from your doctor greatly reduces the chances of a major stroke.

You might also be interested in:
Stroke - the after effects.
Stroke - the risk factors.
Stroke and high blood pressure.
Stroke and migraine.
Stroke can occur in children.
Stroke is a brain attack.
Stroke prevention.
Stroke prevention for high risk groups.
Stroke risk - quiz.
Transient ischaemic attack.

Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Stroke_signs_and_symptoms?open

Mom had a stroke

Took a flight back to Malaysia in the afternoon to visit my mom (78 years old) who just had a stroke due to blood vessels blockage in the brain.

PA Passion Run Outcome

This year PA Passion run saw a total of 10,000 participants. Not as well organized as the Standard Chartered Marathon event but not too bad either. A lot of Drink Stations along the route which is good.

My run data. Watch not calibrated and has a distance error of about +8.3%. My 15km run time is about 1:35 hour.









All our Hot-Runners participants successfully completed their runs as planned.

15km
Tay BH ?
HC Gan 1:35hr
Kuan 2:00hr
Kenneath Kuan 1:24hr
Wil 1:20hr







Jeremy 1:24hr
Margaret 1:40hr
YK Loke 1:25hr
CS Chan ?
Cecilia Yeoh 1:54hr




10km
SC Hong 1:10hr
Alena 1:05hr
George 1:20hr











5km
Cheang 33 min (1st time participant)

Flight from KL to Singapore

Took TigerAirway back from KL to Singapore.
TR457 16:40 to 17:30.

6km run in Malaysia (Jenjarom)

Was in Malaysia to visit my mom who was not feeling well. Need to continue to train for my run to prepare for this Sunday PA Passion run event (15km).

Completed 6km run as planned. Timing is 34:16 min. Average speed is 10.5kmph.

It was quite a leisurely and easy run for me. Heart rate mostly in Zone 3 and reached zone 4 only in the final 300m.

This will probably will my last practise run before the Sunday event.

Wonderful run at East Coast Park today

Went to East Coast to run with some friends along the PA Passion run route. Some of them want to familiarize with the route. It was a very nice and pleasent route right beside the seaside. Loves it.

I did a 15km run in 1 hr and 36 min i.e. average speed of 9.6kmph. Slowest time was around lap number 11 and 15, should be able to do better.
On actual 15km race next week Sunday, should be able to do 1:36 or better time.

Excellent turnout today, a total of 17 people :- Jimmy, Margaret, Betty, Wil, George, Francis, Reis, Randy, CM Lai, Steby, MJ, Cecilia, Poh CH, Yun YS, ZiJing, HT Ng, HC Gan.

It's nice to see Cecilia and HweeChoo joining us for the run, have not seen them for a while.

We drove off from the office carpark around 5:25pm. Transport provided by HT Ng, HC Poh, Jimmy, YS Yun and HC Gan. Thanks !!

The scenery was good, right beside the sea. Though the weather was fairly warm, but the windy sea breeze makes it so cooling. Nice park with plenty of greenary. Running path and cycling path well marked. The running route has no car, making it really pleasant for running.

Everyone were very enthusiastic and enjoyed themselves today.

Each one chose their own distance they want to cover..... some went for 3km, some for 5km, 10km, 15km and 17km.

We regrouped after the run and went to the ( East Coast Food Village (Hawker Centre) and have a very nice makan.

We left the place around 8:30pm. Tired but thoroughly enjoyed the run and the companionship of the fellow runners.

The drivers sent some of the fellow runners all the way home too. Thanks to the caring and lovely drivers !

Some of the members commented that we should try to arrange this similar event once in a month or two months.

Meet up with KH and Peter 9pm till 2am

Met up with Peter and KH on 8-May-09 Friday night at 9pm near KH's place at Yishun. Have not met KH for more than 10 years and Peter about close to 1 year. Have a very good chat with them and before we knew, it is already 2am in the morning ! Was having a good chat and catching up with each other.

KH has been doing serious trading on his own for 6 years. Peter slight less than a year.

Got some good advice from them on what's the best configuration to use when buying next desktop PC for trading with 3 to 4 monitor setup. They definitely know how to optimize and get a PC that run at maximum speed.

My desktop most likely configuration will be as follow :-
Intel i7 Quad processor
6 to 8Gb of DDR3 1333Mhz RAM
Window Vista Home Premium 64
A 10K speed small drive to install the OS and major software.
A 7,200 speed second drive (500GB or 1TB or whichever the sweet spot is) for other non critical sw and data.
Either 1 or 2 graphics card to support 3 or 4 monitors.
They recommend to get 22" display which is the current price/spec sweet spot (still deciding whether to re-use my current 15" and 17" old monitors).

Both have been very generous in sharing their trading/investment experiences.

KH also share quite a fair bit of his personal view on some of the US conspiracy theory relating to 911 event and the current banking crisis. Quite intrigue and interesting points of view.

Maybe a good idea to catch up with them once in 2 or 3 months to share experiences and strategies.

Ran 9.67km (6.49km Track24 plus 3.18km RunHome)

Went to run with 5 other run-hobbyists today at Track-24 (6.5km). Time taken was 37:44 minutes and average speed was 10.3kmph. Hlaf way through the run, stop to take a short video of my friends running. After the Track-24 run, had a drink and chat session with the fellow runners. Learnt 2 new cool down exercise from ZiJing.

After that continue to run home for another 3.18km.

After the run, the heart rate dropped back to 120bpm within 3:30 minutes. It dropped to 128bpm within 2 minutes which is not too bad considering that I was doing brisk walking after the run. Heard that a very healthy runner should be able to recover the heart rate back to 120bpm within 2 minutes after the run.

Six people met up today to do the Track-24 run...GuanHong, Jasmine, ZiJing, CS, CK and HC Gan.
Two of them (CS and CK) are new participants, welcome !!

Look how energized and motivated they were before the run.

ZiJing and GuanHong were ahead of the pack. All completed the track-24. Thanks to HT for providing the cool tangerine drink after run. He did not join us today as he is still recovering from his flu.

ZiJing showed the team two exercises for cooling down after the run.

1st one is to criss-cross the legs (with knees straigthen), bend the body forward and try to touch the floor with your finger tips. Hold for 20 seconds. Then repeat with the other leg. This suppose to help out the knee area.

2nd exercise is to put one leg (the heel area) on a higher ground (e..g on a chair, table, or etc). Bend your body forward and try to touch your toes with your fingers. old for 20 seconds. Then repeat on the other leg. This suppose to help the hamstring area.

CK is from Penang visiting and he participated in marathon events before. He will be joining the Standard Chartered marathon event on 30-June-09.
HC is very tempted to join the KL event too (still deciding).

Jasmine did half marathon before and the Penang bridge run.



Everyone enjoyed the run today eventhough it has been a very hot day today. The group stay around and have a good chat while cooling down with the nice drink HT provided. The picture after the run is a bit blury but the group are still as energized after the run.

==> click here if want to see today's run data and chart on speed, distance, etc <==

Reminder :
next week Tuesday run is at East Coast Park starting from carpark E2 and not at our normal UPR. 3 or 4 cars will be arranged to pick up from the usual real gate open air carpark area. Last car planning to leave at 5:10pm. Three routes available... 5km, 10km and 15km or any distance between 5km to 15km is do-able.

Swam 800m today

Went to SCC and swam 16 laps (50m each). A total of 800m in about 28 minutes.

Went to run with 13 friends at UPR

I ran from UPR carpark to the main gate entrance, u-turn back, took the small route to the pump area and back to the carpark. Total distance covered is about 5.67km.

Completed the 5.67km in 31 min and 42 sec, an average speed of 10.7kmph. Was running together with BokHui, but he was way ahead of me...much faster.

After that I ran+walk another 1Km at the bridge. Had a nice cool drink and short chat with the friends.

A total of 14 people turned up today for the run at UPR. That's still a pretty good response.

Some of them asked how come there was no update on the Hot-Runners website for the whole of last week. Wow... looks like some of the people do look forward to see some updates on the website on a regular basis. By the way, we do have a web tracker in place to track the number of web viewers. E.g. for last week, the number of viewers was 71 and the number of page viewed was 119.

Those who turned up today were Will, Venkat, GuanHong, George, TL Yen, Randy, Janto, Reis (the only flower among the thorns), JY Cho, Steby, CM Lai, BokHui, CS Chan (not in photo) and HC Gan (not in photo).

Thanks to CS for sponsoring the 100-Plus drink today.

Margaret forgot to bring her running gears today so not able to join us eventhough she wanted to run today. HT met up with the team but did not run as he is recovering from his flu (not A flu H1N1).

The group discussed today and ageed to do a run next week Tuesday 12-May-09 at the East Coast Park in preparation for the upcoming PA Passion run and Sundown run on 24th and 30th May. The plan is to park at carpark E2 near the lagoon/hawker centre (start and finished point). The running routes available will be per the PA Passion run routes for 5km, 10km and 15km. Will leave office carpark at 5:10pm, those who need to get their managers approval please do so. HT Ng and HC Gan will provide transport from office carpark to East Coast carpark E2. We will arrange a 3rd car to ensure there is enough seats. After the run, we can have dinner/drink over there at the hawker cenre near the carpark.

Will re-vamp this website later this month to include running tips, training plans for marathon event (10km, 21km & 42km), sharing of experience, etc, etc.

Started reading "A sense of urgency" by John Kotter

Plan to read a new book "A sense of urgency" by John Kotter. Sounds like a book which teaches you on how to turn around a company... by instilling a greater sense of purpose and urgency. Just starting reading Page 1 so do not know what to expect yet.

Also realized that we have at least more than 20 books that we have at home but still have not read yet. They were accumulated over the years either bought by me, given to me or by some seminar speakers or company events.

This new book and the "Jungle" which I have just finished, both belong to my wife.

Finished reading the book "Jungle' by Yossi Ghinsberg

Just finished reading the book "Jungle" by Yossi Ghinsberg. A harrowing true story of survival, about his adventure into the wild jungle & got loss for about 20 days alone but survived.

Quote :
"When work is a labor of true love laced with a sense of calling, we cease to work and become purposeful." by Yossi Ghinsberg

Did a 7km run today

Did a 7km run today alone around Seletar Hills Estate area. Did two rounds around my prefered route with an additional 300m around the garden for each round of the circuit.

Did not run this week Thu and Sat. So today's run is to stay in shape and to continue to stay fit.

Quote

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." - Derek Bok