One Year, One Hundred Kilometers

This is the summary:

Run Teeny, Run #2

So to keep me running, Zukry registered me for the Penang Bridge International Marathon. This time, a little more challenging adding up another 5 KM to a total 10 KM. My first 10 KM run! It was a big deal but I wasn't as spirited as I was when I started running. 

I think in Jun-Aug, I was absent from KRP. I didn't run as much. By this time, I already have all my running records. Probably because I was pleased with the achievement of actually finishing up to nearly 50 KM before June! So that's already half way right? I guess that's why... 

When I take up running again, it was already Sept. I was not nervous about the 10 KM until it hit me as October was ending. I did 5 KM a few times before the actual run, thinking if I could do half of it, I can do it all! 

My ultimate running saga starts in Putrajaya Marathon where I run 2 sets of 5 KM on a treadmill. Pas dah tau boleh buat, memang semangat abis! In Miri, I tried my distance and speed on a treadmill at KRP Gym. I didn't know where the confidence came from, but I was so full of myself; I didn't care about being the only girl in the room!

Anyway, so all these happen just so I can do my first 10 KM. I was telling everyone that I'm about to run, even to my MIL. We went back for a night aje but I told her like it was a great deal! (Well, it was) 

Nak collect racing kit, but ada photo opt yang we don't want to miss at Asics booth. Afterall, I'm wearing one for the run!

Zukry did everything he could to make sure I participated and finish my run. The registration, flight ticket, the hotel, etc. When he told me we were to stay at Eastin hotel, I thought he must have gotten a great price for making a reservation very early. Mana taknye, duk hotel yang 3 minutes before run boleh start sama2 dgn participant lain. Rupa-rupanya, the hotel rate quite mahai! He sengaja rahsiakan... So I won't make a big deal out of it. (Which I totally would if I knew earlier! Huhuhu) 

On the day, kitorang solat Subuh on time abis. Subuh was at 5.48 am, the women's 10 KM started at 6.00 am! I was already in my running gear, it did not include  the running Asics vest cause even at size XXL - muat2 for Zukry aje! So senang, pas solat ... Zoom turun bawah!

I was in the wrong lane and the crowd was amazingly big! It wasn't even 6 am. When it started, I was finding my own space to run. I was surprised that I myself run even faster and at a longer distance before I slowed down (unlike during training) I slowed down when we were going up the flyover to the bridge. Quite a view, many actually stopped for a picture. 

Many of the time I was looking up and checking out 'where is the u-turn?!' Sampai aje, phewww half way done! I was on a roll, thinking that I could finish this. Zukry was no where at sight. I was like 'kalau Zukry tak sampai ni, ada chance I abis under qualifying time'! Wah, over tak confidence?!!

15-20 mins past, assalamualaikum; Zukry tegur and I was like 'Alamak!'. I can't go faster than whatever pace I was on at the time, so qualifying time tu almost bye2 dah... I can look at his being here with me as a challenge or as 'penyibuk' or that extra motivation much needed. He was all three! Sekejap I feel like I needed that 'langkah besar sket', sekejap kang 'ok, shhhh senyap!' But most of the time, I like to be reminded 'you dah buat 8.5 KM, sikit je lagi!!!'

I finished at 1 hour and 42 minutes and 50 seconds. Almost 13 minutes past the qualifying time of 1.5 hours. That was my official timing.

Would I do it again?

Maybe, I have another 8 km run registered in January 2014.

I may even want to do half marathon, who knows! But this year I got to strike off:

5 KM checked, checked, checked!!!

10 KM checked!

What I looked like during/after my training runs?! Terrible! Sorry gambo tak menarik. Taken in KRP Why Gym.

Again, I was captured by the official photographer! Look how semangat!

And another one! I was still running even I was about to finish dah ni...!

Extreme joy after retrieving the much deserved medal!

Both of us, all happy with legs that feel like jell-o after the run. Hehehe...

Run Teeny, Run! #1

So I made it. 

My 10 KM run.

I don't know what was the reason behind my running last December. Probably it was the 'non-caring' months or perhaps even years. Astaghfirullah, I was under some kind of sluggish spell that I can't just get out from. So yeah..., I started last year 6th Dec. 

After I started, I thought it would be fantastic if I could stick on a program for a year. So I feel like a hundred kilometer is doable. But it wasn't until I finished my first 'run' at the Standard Chartered Brunei Run where I finished my first whole 5 KM, I start to jot down every run I made. The usual morning & evening run became a big deal every time. 

When I started in Dec, it was a choice. It made me feel like I'm in control, I like deciding to go out on a run and actually did it. But when Baby started working here in Miri, I don't have as much freedom. I was very sure that she would run if I plan to, but it was not as easy as doing it in my own terms. Or was it just plain excuse? Hehehe, but I continued.

What would be a better way to celebrate this by actually participate in a run that Zukry has long ago joined. So we registered for the Brunei Standard Chartered Marathon. Zukry for his usual 10 KM while I dragged Daju along for the 5 KM one. But boy, she was fast! I was behind but managed to complete just 4 minutes under 1 hour!

Look how 'semangat' we were. This was taken at the starting point. 5 minutes later, I couldn't see Daju anymore. Hehehehe...

Altogether now... Abang came all the way for the run. This is our first international run that is done outside the country! Living in Miri has its own perks, this is one of it.

Aglio Olio ala Hartini

Try it, easy peasy.

What you can do:

Decide that you will cook this

Go out buy ingredients

Upon arrival, prep for cooking

Cook until finish

Ding!

Shoes.

Today, I was thinking about shoes! Most of the time. I have this insane craving on having a pair of dressy, special-occasion, pretty shoe/sandal. 

Thank god I didn't go on and buy a pair or two online! I was already on an impulse buying for 2 days. One of the expected package arrived today but both, a top and a dress are smaller than what the size indicated. I know for a fact I wasn't in denial because I have bought 3 items from the same shop in the same size. The cutting and materials were probably the issue. I'm going to return both tomorrow...

Another package will arrive in a month or so. Anyway, this shoe craving/fever reminded me of my first Ferragamo. I bought one in Florence last year. When we were at the train station - waiting for our train to Venice, I had to do a little bit of repacking because we were supposed to be backpackers!

Zukry insisted on losing the Ferragamo deep red box! My heart sank, I have no other argument but; "can I just have it please?...." Of course, that wasn't enough. I let Zukry throw the box, I wasn't going to do it. Ahhhh, girls! Macam2...! Huhuhu.

They are like a year plus now and expanding to the left and right. They look like a wide fit special Ferragamo pumps, they're not. They are overly used... Which is good!

Feeling Helpless

No one should experience long distance relationship / marriage. It requires hardwork... You can try but I wouldn't recommend it. 

Separate Board

Among other things, the suckiest time I ever had to endure while I'm in this long distance marriage is to say goodbye at Boarding Gate in KLIA. 

Dah sama2 kat KLIA, tup2 kena go separate gates! Tension gile rasa, okay. Dreading, dreading our ERL ride when we know we had to go our separate ways at the very end of it. 

Of course, this is not the case when we travel abroad. Sebulan sebelum, dah rasa pegang tangan everyday padahal still duk jauh2. Huhuhu...

Sekitar Aidilfitri 2013

I have not blog due to severe real-life occupancy, which includes massive procrastination over watching too much TV and browsing through Instagram and Facebook News Feed over my 3 months old IPhone 5!

Sorry about that. I too am trying to write more and so far, alhamdulillah... A lot has gone up in that pretty Typo journal. Phewww, at least some notes and good memories or personal concerns were blurted out there.

I AM IN Miri, masih lagi. I know this has been a very popular subject this 2013 since I have not stop talking about it. U made my own plan to get out by October and created a hash tag to convince myself that it WILL happen, #initahunlah. Check out my twitter and Instagram account... 

But I think now, #initahunlah refers to MAINLY this 2013, we; Zukry and I must live together. No more long distance marriage. It was fun before, still fun on weekends and holidays now but it's getting onto us during weekdays. We just don't want to be miserable on daily basis, I guess - you can try to be in our shoes for 4 years to really feel this... 

But don't, it's not nice. It's crappy 2/3 of your year. Don't go there. Hehehehe... Anyway, if you're my friend - you probably have seen these pictures but if you are new here... these were taken during a week long holiday for Aidilfitri from Miri & Labuan to Penang (Bagan Serai), then Ampang - Kuala Lipis for Raya and Batu Pahat ends our celebration before heading back to Borneo.

Family is always my favorite topic, no 1 in my list! Treasure your time with your loved ones... Always 😍

Salam korang. Terima kasih sebab still want to hit onto my blog all these while. Sebetulnya I really don't know what to write. But today I feel so heavy in the head... I'm enjoying my free time but there's like a million wires in my head that needs to be untangled... Bulan puasa ni, it really shouldn't be the case kan? Doa dah list panjang-panjang, I just gotta turn to Yang Maha Esa. 

Anyway, I'm still in Miri. Trying my best possible way embracing whatever that is there. I'll come back insyaAllah... 

Wedding

I'm surrounded with people whom are getting married this or next year. Many, if not all are in a way unplanned or at least not up to their initial plans but each of these weddings are going to happen nonetheless!

It's quite interesting seeing all of them, prepare. With different ideas, value, budget, etc ;) whatever you are planning my dear ladies, you just got to enjoy it. This is it!

A little update!

It has been a while...

1. Baby is living with me now. So, to see how's she's doing, Mak came over. Abang too. With my aunt aunt and cousin early Feb. The usual Niah and Brunei trip! :)

2. First quarter was really busy with renovation of our aparment. A lot of shopping for the house and decisions made! Quite an experience.

3. I have completed my first 5KM in Brunei earlier this month and felt amazing of this achievement! But has not continue since! Must start again...!

4. I'm currently aggressively pursuing for a transfer (cerita lama yang kembali menyengat!) abefore, I have tweeted about collaegues asking why I am still here, which means many have expected me to move! Just 2 days ago, another junior asked me the same question... I hope these are all doa's for ease of the process.

5. Zukry has just joined the 30s club 2 days ago. We were in Bagan Serai to visit everyone. So yeay, a birthday present he gave himself :) It was really nice...

Tiga Puluh

The title reads THIRTY.

I thought it's gonna make me feel weird, all draggy feeling of turning into another decade - but it didn't. I guess, it was my love for Birthday. No matter what age I turn hopefully, it won't bug me. Cakes, birthday song, most importantly feeling all loved, and giving back more love to my surrounding.

I wasn't bummed out about turning 30 even earlier when I was anticipating 14th. I was worried about I haven't been able to accomplish stuffs - whatever they are. So, I was googl-inge about things people do before they hit 30. Some crazy, some things I will never do, some were just plain boring and some things I found very crucial weren't even listed! Huhuhu...

I get to check degree+job+marriage off before the great 3-0, alhamdulillah... Whatever my wants say, I think I get more... It's nice to muhasabah this birthday, I have this whole 30 years that passed me, sweet and sour but it was great.

Here's to a better Hartini!

We bid goodbye to 2012

Well, we have bid goodbye to 2012. Happy New Year, everyone :) Like last year, we went to bed early. But this time, we can't miss the fireworks because our neighbor decided to light so many outs! Initially, I can't sleep + agak marah - but I slept soundly after deciding to be at peace with the commotion happening just outside! Pom, pom, pom!!!

So, it has been a while since my last post. I'm so proud that I finished my Euro Trip 2012 stories and they were all published. I know I have to learn to watermark my pictures. The Camp Nou ones looked 'blergh' with the huge font! I really hope to continue traveling the world and write about it :)

Well, tonight I thought to start this first post of the year - I want to list all the things I'm mostly grateful for in 2012:

1. I get to attend important family gatherings (weddings especially) We have the means to go back and forth Kuala Lumpur to make it and family is the most important thing to me, so I just WANT to make it!
- KakLong's & Epit's at Lipis and Kuching
- Maksu's at Putrajaya
- Raya seminggu di Bagan Serai
- Balik coz Zukry pn kat KL
- Balik lg just because...
Not counting meetings, trainings, workshops!

2. The most expensive travel thus far, Italy-Spain-France :) and tiny bit of London very early of 2012 - Winter trip! I love every bit of the experiences, good or bad.

3. After 2 early assessments, alhamdulillah I pass! Probably not with flying colors but I did it. I'm officially a senior executive not just by experience, but qualification too :)

4. Finally decided to buy a house to myself. I own a property before I turn 30! Pat my back, please :) a small apartment - something I hope to rent latest by April. Need your help to extend your prayers for me, I got to stop buying non-sense and start furnish it NOW!

There's four to sum it all out. Banyak lagi nikmat Allah saya terima sepanjang 2012... Alhamdulillah for them all.

I need to plan for this 2013. I'll write again...