Beautiful Lake Taupo

Woke up to a cold cold frost this morning and was cursing that it's too bloody cold here. Missing my warm humid weather.

But the sky was clear and the sun was out. It was a beautiful day.

Moments like these, I appreciate Taupo again.

Check out the awesome view. Mt Doom is the cone-shaped one in the middle.

And I wore only 1 layer today :)

Workouthon - Less Mills style

Saturday 14 May 2011

Why would anyone in their right mind want to drive 6 hours so that they can exercise for 4 hours straight?  If it's crazy people then I'm one of them.

I've been on this wonderful journey of becoming a Les Mills Body Balance instructor all because Fiona, the owner of Empower Fitness, asked me last September 2010 if I was interested in becoming one. I was sussing out Taupo at the time so I said I'll come in to see her again when I move in February 2011.

February came and to my delight, Fiona's offer was still standing. What a blessing. To be doing something you like and getting paid for it. I have Fiona to thank for that.

Here's Fiona teaching Body Balance

Being an instructor is not as easy as I thought. I've been practising yoga and pilates so body balance was not something really that new. But it's one thing to be practising, it's another thing all together to be teaching. There are choreographed routines to remember, knowing what to tell your students and setting them up with cues & follow ups. And then there was that whole confidence factor. Who am I to tell other people what to do? How if I screw up? What if I forget my routines? What if people don't like me? Instructors. RESPECT. Damn it was tough. 

Still remember my first few times on stage. Fiona said I was quiet as a mouse! And I messed up a few times - like repeating the right leg in the sun salutation sequence 3x and left 1x instead of 2x each for each leg. I didn't even realise it until Fiona told me haha. And always confusing left from right as we are mirror imaging the students. But the goings been good and I think I'm picking it up fast enough.   

One of the benefits of being part of a franchise is that Les Mills has an excellent support system with workshops and trainings and what nots. May 14 was my first Les Mills workshop up in Auckland. Went up with the rest of the Empower Fitness team Ro, Brooke, Marie, Martina, Mike & Emma. So yea. Drive 3 hours up for a 11am - 6pm workout and drive 3 hours down right after that. Poor Ro. She must have been really tired driving us up and down.

Ro walking in front of Les Mills Auckland

  

Les Mills - one of the better group fitness programmes I've been to

I've only been to one workshop with Revathi (Zumba, belly dancing, bollyjam, etc) and it was exhausting but oh so rewarding! I knew this Les Mills one would be so much better and I was not disappointed.

This workshop was for instructors from all over to check out the new releases that have just come out. For $25, you can get to attend ALL of their classes. What a sweet deal. They also introduced their new programmes, CX30 (core work) and Sh'Bam (dance). I was greedy as usual and wanted to pack in as many classes as I could. Ended up going to CX30, BodyStep, Sh'Bam and BodyBalance which ran back to back. Wanted to go for BodyJam but it was getting late. Was I ever exhausted after that. But oh so happy and satisfied. Am I weird or what?

 

Participants waiting for BodyStep to start

I must say that it was such an opportunity to attend classes by master trainers and even the choreographers for the programmes. The instructors are extremely inspirational. Makes you wanna be like them. To strive to bring your standards to where they are. I have a long way to go yet but I'll get there.

Seriously thinking of taking the module training Brooke was telling us about. She did her BodyStep module up in Auckland. After you complete your module, you have to submit a film of your class and in order to get certified. Whole process would take up to a year. BodyBalance would be a 3 day workshop costing me $400. Just found out there's a training on May 21 up in Auckland! Too soon! Couldn't find another one on their calender. Sob. Hopefully they'll arrange one after this May 21st one.



Teaching BodyBalance and loving it


Fiona said she's thinking of inviting the trainers down sometime in Sept so maybe I'll just wait for that. At least I don't have to bother about transport & accommodation.

It was an awesome time up in Auckland with an awesome team. So glad I was part of that. And I'm grateful I'm still enjoying the journey.

My new baby Puku

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Today we are delighted to welcome a new addition to the family, a little black kitten whom we adopted from the SPCA. I actually wanted a puppy but Jerry said a dog's meant to work on a farm. hmmph! But he's being practical. It will be hard for someone to take care of him when we go on long holidays. Cats are much more independant and easier.

Poku was abandoned at Taupo SPCA with her mum and brother. She's all black with a cute adorable patch under her chin and is about 4 months old. Quite pricey to adopt here NZ$65 (RM156). Puku means tummy in Maori and we thought the name sounded cute. At least I didn't go Pookie.. No, she doesn't have a fat tummy or anything like that. Here she is.

Princess Puku

Was not really much of a cat person but I'm liking her. She's very sweet a bit like a dog. Curls up under my comfortable and sleeps on the couch with me. Loves being cuddled and stroked. And follows me around the house too. I feel needed and loved hahha.

House training her now. Have to keep her indoors for at least 2 weeks before I let her venture out.

Grow up nicely my lovely.

Sleeping on the couch

Brewing my 1st Beer

Thursday 14 April 2011

I finally started on my beer brewing which I've been 'too busy' to do. Funny huh that I'm so busy taking into consideration that I don't have a job. Well, been busy going on trips, learning my body balance routines and doing some freelance writing on the side plus cooking & grocery shopping and stuff so I'm forgiven right? Hmm bought the kit in Rotorua on 11 March 11. It's 14 April now, just over a month. What excuses people can give huh?



My home brew starter kit

So first things first. Cleaned all my equipment with some Cold Water Cleaner Detergent and sterilised it with a No Rinse Steriliser. Used the bath tub as it was the only place big enough to put my fermenter in. Took me ages to clean everything plus my 30 bottles. Whole process can be found at Brewcraft's website. Quite a good one I might add.

Cleaning & Sterilising all brewing equipment is important

Warm the can of beer concentrate in warm water for 10 minutes so that the contents will soften. My kit came with a can of Mangrove Jack's Munich Lager. There are many variety available at the supermarket. Add 2L of boiling water into the fermenter and add in 1kg of Beer Enhancer. Stir to mix. Open the can and pour the entire contents in. Extract the rest with warm water and mix everything well.

The Mangrove Jack's Munich Lager (left) and Beer Enhancer

Top the fermenter with cold water up to the 23L mark. Keep an eye on the temperature as you want it to be between 18 - 30C. 24C is the ideal temperature. Sprinkle the beer yeast on the surface and stir well. Do not put your yeast in if the temperature is above 32C it will kill your yeast and spoil your beer.

Fill the airlock with water to protect the brew while its fermenting and fit it on the lid. Screw the lid tightly on and there you have it! Now wait for 5-7 days for your yeast to turn the sugar into alcohol. The secret to a good beer is constant temperature so pick a spot where the temperature doesn't change much. I chose my water heater cupboard.


Now what's that brewing in my closet?

The airlock protects your brew during fermentation

If you want to determine the alcohol content, take the Specific Gavity (SG) readings before and after the entire process with a hydrometer. There's some complicated calculations involved and it's explained on the hydrometer sheet. My initial SG reading is 1.0448 at 24C. Let's see what the alco content will be after everything's done.

Hydrometer - tells you the SG, alcohol & sugar content

Tuesday 19 April
Temperature fell to around 20 so I put a small standing heater to warm it up just a bit to 22.

It's day 6 today. My yeast seem to have stopped working as its not bubbling anymore. Took a reading with the hydrometer and it came to 1.018. It should be approx 1.009 or 1.010 if you used a Beer Enhancer which I did so not sure if it's still on the high side.The reading has to be stable for 2 days in a row before I can bottle it.

Using the hydrometer to take the SG reading. 1.018 on Day 6.

Wednesday 20 April

Day 7. SG reading is 1.018 so I guess it's time for bottling. Still on the high side though as it's supposed to be 1.010/2. That means my alcohol % will be lower. Damn. Using the calculator on the website, my alcohol % is 4.1%. Supposed to be 5.2%. Hopefully my reading was wrong then the % will be higher. Fingers crossed.

So before the bottling process - A good brew needs clean bottles so take time to clean and sterilise properly. Use your kitchen sink to clean your bottles. For a clearer beer, add Beer Finings and stir well just before bottling.

Cleaning & sterilising the bottles in my sink

Use Beer Finning to clear your beer and carbonation drops for priming your beer

Adding sugar into the bottles will produce bubbles or carbonation. This is called priming. Easiest way to do it is with Carbonation Drops (basically sugar balls) coz then you'll get a perfect level of carbonation. I use 2 drops for each of my 750ml bottle. The drops produce less sediments too compared to sugar.

Bottling process

Managed to get 30 750ml bottles filled. The bottles must be stored in a warm place (21-27C) for 7 days before moving it to a cool dark place to mature. Your beer will be ready to drink in 2 weeks but if you can wait, 3 months down the road would be better.

Brew well my sweets

Happy brewing!

2011 New Year's in Lipe

28 Dec 2010 - 2 Jan 2011

"Come to Lipe la.. your last chance to party kau kau with us!" said Sim & Hema. I was going to move to New Zealand in February and this would be my last chance to lepak with the extended party crew. Well, haven't really made any plans for New Year's and I've never been to Koh Lipe before so why not.

Koh Lipe, meaning paper island in the local Choa Ley language, is a small island in the Satun Province, located in the southern part of the Andaman Sea. It forms part of the Butang Islands in Tarutao National Marine Park. Wrote about it in Star Weekender too.

Lipe used to be one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets. What once used to be a quiet, laid back island frequented by mainly local Thai tourists is now a growing hot spot for Westerners escaping the touristy scenes of Phuket and Koh Samui. More and more backpackers and Malaysians are heading to the island as it is an easy one-hour ferry ride from Telaga Harbour in Langkawi.


The island is divided into three main areas of accommodation - Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach. Pattaya Beach would be the most happening place to stay with dozens of chalets, restaurants, bars and massage centres lining the beach. This is the venue that hosts the New Year’s party every year. Pattaya Beach is also where you will land if you are coming from Langkawi. The Immigration Centre is actually a very very small shack!



The Immigration Centre at Lipe

There was about 30 of us noisy Malaysians who disrupted the peace at Sunrise Beach - family, singles, couples, kids and toddlers. We booked more than 10 huts in total. Pity the other guests who had to put up with our boisterous partying and loud music!

Our pad at Sunrise Beach

 

Mummies & babies chillaxing

We celebrated Aarti's birthday too with a cake imported all the way from KL and a nice bbq dinner.
 

Happy birthday Aarti!

Now what is there to do at Lipe. Nothing and everything I should say. We mainly chilled out in our huts and walked the island at night. Quite a lot of stuf to buy in the town. Food takes ages though and is relatively expensive compared to the rest of Thailand. I like the fruit shakes and "horny mangos and fake corns" as advertised. 



Honny bananas or fake corn anyone?

Not much bars or clubs but it's decent enough. Nice bars on the beach where you can lie on thai pillows under the stars. Pattaya Beach was the scene of our New Year's party. It was simply amazing. Festive music reverberated through the air with happy revellers dancing on the sandy shores. Each beach bar played it’s own kind of music but the different melodies seem to gel seamlessly together somehow.

The beach was hardly recognisable with pretty, colourful lights decorating the sand. Short bursts of fireworks were lit every now and then, a preview to the fireworks feast to come at the stroke of midnight. You know it will be a good send off seeing the rows and rows of huge fireworks placed strategically all around the beach.

What I loved the most were the hundreds of paper lanterns that filled the sky. My heart lit with joy every time a lantern launched successfully into the air, carrying the wishes of the person who released it. It was a scene taken straight out of Disney’s Rapunzel.

We ushered in the New Year's amidst thousands of fireworks and Happy New Year hugs way into the new morning. Headed back to our pad to greet the first dawn of the new year. Such a tight crew. Love them to bits. So glad I saw the year 2010 go and greeted 2011 early in the morn. It will be a good year I know.

 

Some of the crew who stayed awake to see the first dawn of the 2011 New Year



First sunrise of 2011


We were all quite stoned from the lack of sleep the night before. Most of us just chilled at our pads the next day. Sunrise Beach is an excellent spot for topless sunbathers. Many of the boys (and girls) enjoyed the view. Besides sunbathing and relaxing, there’s plenty of snorkelling that can be done straight off the beach, especially the two tiny islands Koh Kra and Koh Usen just of Sunset Beach. Best is to join the snorkel tours that take you out to four or five nearby islands where you can snorkel and soak in the sun till your heart’s content.



View from our pad



Pristine white sandy beaches

Diving is also a favourite with plenty of great dive sites offering peaceful and relaxing dives mainly at Koh Chabang, Koh Sawang, Koh Phung, 8 Mile Rock and Yong Hua wreck dive. Just ask any of the dive centres in town for the best rates and trips.

Koh Lipe is a lovely island that is simple and charming. I initially thought a week on the island was too much but it was with a very heavy heart that I bid farewell to the gorgeous paradise. I will return soon and hopefully, the place will be just as I remembered it.

Koh Lipe is an hour ferry ride from Telaga Harbour (www.telagaharbour.com) in Langkawi. A return trip will cost roughly RM230. For more information on the island, visit www.kohlipethailand.com.

We are Spartanz!

Pix by Brian Moh

When the Zack Snyder movie 300 came out in 2006, I remember my friends gushing on and on about how fabulous Gerald Butler as King Leonidas and his men looked as they battled the Persian army during the Thermopylae battle. My male friends in the mean time, were suddenly inspired to head to the gym to achieve those perfectly sculptured Spartan-warrior bodies.   

I know what you’re thinking - it’s all Hollywood make-believe and it would be impossible to look like those barely-clothed protagonists. But did you know that the actors and stuntmen had to undergo a vigorous training programme to get them physically prepared for their roles and demanding fight sequences? 

The man responsible for their punishing fitness conditioning was former world record-holding professional mountain climber Mark Twight. With a background training special operations military personnel, cage fighters, firemen, paramedics, and mountain climbers, Twight devised a short, high intensity regimen combined with a strict dietary plan that pushed the men to their limits. 



The man behind it all



So it wasn’t just all computers and Hollywood magic. The crew had to actually work very hard to look as good as they did.

Seeing the amazing results it produced, Twight crafted a Spartan Workout Program for the rest of the world, designed to make participants stronger, faster and more powerful as they burn off unwanted fat in the fastest time.

Other Hollywood celebrities who are known to train under this programme include Andy Whitfield from Spartacus, Rain from Ninja Assassin, Russell Crow from The Gladiator, Vin Diesel from The Fast & Furious and Jason Statham from The Transporter.

Using kettlebells

Managing director of BodyExpress Gym Harrison Jub trained under the programme in Sydney, Australia, last February to get his Trainer certificate. He went back again last July to get his Master Trainer certificate that allows him to train and certify trainers.

Jub, 31, designed his own version of the programme and calls it The Spartanz Workout, which is in the midst of being trademarked under BodyExpress Gym.

The workout, launched for the first time in Malaysia last month, is a combination of 18 Functional Fitness Movement (18FFM) consisting of Body Building (Gladiator look alike), Gymnastic (Olympian Greek Athlete), Functional Movement (CrossFit Athlete) and Triathlete. It concentrates more on utilising body and free weights, props such as tractor tyres, plastic rods, skipping ropes and sand bags and less of machines.  

In explaining what Functional Fitness Movements are, Jub says that “Our ancestors have always lived fit and strong lives through normal daily activities such as hunting, farming, harvesting, building and traveling by foot. There were no fat cavemen. These activities that they conducted daily are what we call Functional Fitness Movements.”

He continues to say that most common training methods such as bodybuilding or power lifting create bulky, non-functional muscles rather than the ideal lean, lithe, coordinated healthy bodies.

“Big, bulky muscles require more energy to maintain and are in most cases, not functional, slow you down and limit your range of motion. The Spartanz Workout’s high intensity interval training and functional whole-body movements prevent the body from getting too big or bulky, thus making you more agile and mobile,” says Jub.

Utilising free weights

Jub lost 5kg in two weeks during his Master Trainer in Australia. It took him another two months to chisel his body to perfection. He started off being able to carry half his body weight. Jub can now carry twice his body weight and enjoys leaner, harder muscle density.  

 

Harison Jub



 Curious to see what the hype was all about, I enrolled myself in one of the Spartanz classes which are open to both ladies and men. It started off quite basic at first with squats and push ups using our own body weight but then it quickly graduated into a fast, vigorous programme of free weights, skipping ropes and rotation pull-ups.

It was very exciting because everything was done in an energetic fast pace accompanied by loud hyped-up music. After completing a set of reps for an exercise such as squats, we had to move on to another station to do say, free weights. Then continue with pull-ups and skipping ropes and such without a break in between.

We are allowed to complete the sets within our own pace but exercising in a group somehow brings out the competitiveness in people and you’ll do your darn best not to get left too far behind.

I was dripping wet with sweat and totally exhausted by the time the 40-minute intense workout was over. My fellow exercise mates said I did quite well for a first-timer although I didn’t complete some sets, especially the rotation pull-ups. Need to work on my upper body strength. My legs felt like jelly and I was walking funny the day after but it was all worth it to feel an addictive sense of accomplishment that comes with the aching muscles.

Girls can benefit from it too

Housewife Haw Liang Lan, the oldest member in the gym at 68, has been training under Jub for a year now and is totally ecstatic with her results. “I didn’t have any muscle shape when I started and look at my arms now!” she laughs as she flexed her toned biceps for me to feel. A machine gauged Haw’s biological age as 57 when she first began the programme. Her current reading shows that her body is biologically 39 years-old. You go, grandma!

Seak Lee (right)

Another member, Tan Seak Lee, 30, loved the programme so much that she underwent the training programme to become a certified trainer. “I was fat, flabby and unfit when I began eight months ago. I used to watch the trainers perform advanced movements and wondered when I could ever achieve what they were doing,” she recalls.

Tan said that her fitness level increased rapidly in a very short time as she was dedicated to the programme and was having lots of fun doing it. “It didn’t feel like a workout at all. It felt like a game and was so much fun! My body transformed in amazing ways. My one spare tyre became four packs and I can do a lot more compared to before.”

Spartanz classes are available at BodyExpress’s flagship gym in

Subang Avenue

and at their basic garage gym in Sunway Giza Mall. Visit http://www.bodyexpress.com.my/ for more details. 

Albion @ Changkat

Pix by Raymond Ooi, The Star

I love being luggage. I'm usually the Thirsty Blogger's luggage but we swap places sometimes. Anyways, I was Abby's luggage this time as she needed to scout out restaurants serving Xmas dishes with a local twist. Only managed to follow her to one as the rest were too far away and I was just too stuffed by then.

Location : Changkat Bukit Bintang. Restaurant : Albion.

At a table outside

Inside deco

Albion  is a year-old restaurant that has recently snagged the title Best Independent Restaurant in the Time Out Food Awards 2010. It says that it's a British restaurant but the food ain't very British which is kinda good I guess. English food are meant for pubs with beer & all and this place doesn't have much choices in draft - only Carlsberg eww.. but they had an interesting cocktail on the menu.

Blasphemy or ingenuity?

The restaurant is serving a Christmas party menu throughout this month for groups of six and above. You can opt for a 4-course menu at RM98++ per person or a three-course at RM80++ per person. There are meat, fish & vegetarian options.

Place is run by James Grierson, an ex-musician from England and chef Colin Yap who takes care of the kitchen.

James (left) and Colin run the place

Gravadlax with Dill, Honey and Mustard Dressing

We sampled the apetizers first - Gravadlax with Dill, Honey and Mustard Dressing. The salmon was nicely cooked and wasn't too fishy coz I'm not one for raw food and if I could eat it, you can too. The other appetizer we tried is the Seared Scallops, Pumpkin Puree and Roasted Cauliflower. Not too bad la.. There are a few more appetizer options btw but our small lil tummies just couldn't take that many.

First of the mains - can't remember the name but it was tuna served with the most amazing cherry tomatoes ever! The skin broke and released a flood of liquid delight that was almost orgasmic. It was like biting into pure heaven. Vegetables were very fresh and done just right. Tuna was slightly dry though but still tasted ok.

Biting into heaven

Another main choice will be the turkey served with all the trimmings. What's Xmas without the turkey eh? It had roast potatoes, parsnips, brussels sprouts, carrots and pigs-in-blankets. Served with bread sauce and cranberry sauce. They managed to retain the moisture so turkey was good.

Roast turkey w all the trimmings

 There are 3 desserts to choose from and we sampled just 2, both of which was deliciously unique. The Xmas pudding was oh so moist and you could taste the rum. Chef said he soaked it since November.

Xmas pudding

This other dessert is a must try. It's some tradional Scotish dish that has been modernised to fusion. Damn I can't recall the name! Just ask for the Scotish thingy topped with raspberry puree I think. Sinfully delicious... melt-in-your-mouth delight.

Yuuuummmm.....

Address : 31, Jalan Berangan, Bukit Bintang (right next to Bakita)

For reservations, call 03-2141 9282. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.