New Look

I had some time so i decided to change my template again and added one of my latest photo. The photo was taken a month ago. Some friends have said that i have lost weight but on the weighting machine i am still the same...ha..ha.

Just completed reading the book by Cecelia Ahern. Thanks to the memories. And have started on My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I am quite pleased with myself as i ame becoming an avid reader and i still have 9 books ( one or two given as presents) yet to read. I usually try to catch up with my reading when i commuting from work.

Since i stand for long time during rush hours on the train, many nights i experience muscle pulls. The "urut lady"that is the lady who massages my legs makes good money out of me these day..ha..ha!

Relay for Life

The 3rd Relay for Life KL 2009 was yet another success which I was part of it. I too spent the night at the MSN Training Stadium Bukit Jalil, in fact a whole 16 hours at the stadium! . It was indeed a new experience thing for me as I am not an outdoor person..sleeping under the tent, and staying awake until 3 am were all so new to me. Initially I was doubtful whether I was going to be sleepy and exhausted but surprisingly I felt alright after the Relay.

I did not take any pictures this year as I was busy with getting myself ready for the international costume parade by the survivors. About 30 of us represented the various countries in the world and I adorned a black costume representing Portugal. We all took part in the parade as one of the first batch of survivors to start the survivors lap. My family took some photos though, will post it once I have got it.

Datuk Zuraidah Atan honorary adviser to NCSM delivered the welcome address followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony by President of NCSM, Anthony J. Skelcy, Datin Dr Juliet Dharmalingam and by a young cancer survivor.

The 16-hour event was filled with engaging activities for the young and old. There were competitions, quizzes, hunts and my photograph was taking so many times by the children as they needed signatures and photos of survivors for the hunt. Local singers, gymnasts, dancers all participate to make the night lively and exciting. Cancer survivors performed the joget and bellydancing, the audience were truly entertained. My mother joined the Survivors’ Lap with another friend who came with us from Klang.This time around I witnessed the symbolic and significant Luminaria Ceremony. I bought 2 bags for my 2 little nephews and they drew some drawings with their little hands… but they did not wait for the lighting up of the candles in the luminaria bags. The whole track was filled with these bags some so colorful and creatively decorated.

This year the Luminaria ceremony was started with the first candles being light up by family members of Ann Tan (who recently lost her battle to cancer and who contributed so much to the success of the Relay). Next the a very young cancer survivor gave a speech with was really emotional and followed by lighting of candles indicating HOPE.

I am a member of the PINK UNITY, a support organisation for women with cancer, established under the auspices of the National Cancer Society Malaysia. The President Datin Azura Bahaman had a tent for all of us on the stadium field. We survivors had some activities on our own at the tent which included cut of birthday cake for all whose birthday was on May and lucky draws which I got the first lucky draw gift. Some of us members of PINK UNIITY who stayed back had a sharing session at 2am…a what a session it was. I was half sleepy when it came to my turn and I actually slept off half way through the session..ha..ha!

Sunday morning started with Aerobics, Qi Gong ( by survivors), the chicken dance and all the college and school going young people were all so active even some of the survivors were so active, i…just observed and lightly followed the exercises…ha..ha!

The NCSM, sponsors, volunteers and survivors’ efforts and contribution made this year’s Relay For Life KL 2009 yet another fantastic event in celebrating survivorship and creating cancer awareness.

Relay for Life KL 2009 Advertisement on Astro

I have been receiving calls and sms text messages from friends from last week. My new found fame is because I am appearing on the NCSM’s Relay for Life 2009 advertisement on ASTRO. Even my parents have been receiving calls from friends after they had watched the advertisement. Wow! My instance found fame. Ha..Ha!

I want share one sms text message I received from my good friend who is in Johor that made me totally exhilarated. After I thanked her for her well wishes, she texted me this message:
“M truly happy 4u. U made me feel so so +ve. Kp it up fren seing u on tv made my day. No it is I should shld TQ u”.

Many a times, I have asked myself, when many cancer survivors keep their cancer a secret and not speak about it at all, why must I go around advertising myself I a cancer survivor. When I read that wonderful message sent by my dear friend, I feel truly justified in doing so with conviction.

Thanks a lot to all my friends who have always been very supportive of me. Right now I feel very good about myslef. Cancer has made me appear on TV which I would not have dreamt off.
Last week too, I took my mother for her mammography and ultrasound. She is fine. At the same time I also registered both of us for Relay for Life KL 2009.

Cough and cold

Wow it going to be 3 weeks from my last posting! I have been extremely busy at work and had to deal with other personal matters...the ups and downs of life.

Looks like the cough has visited me again. But this time only occasionally do i cough. Today i visited the Indian Ayurveda doctor to seek treatment because of my cough. He gave me some herbal medicine which i will try for 2 weeks and the treatment will be for about 3 months. I am to keep away from spicy, chill or cold food during this time. I would miss my ice-creams and curries.

I also seem to have problem with my thinking cap lately which is becoming very a problem. I forget things so easily and now have started using my mobile phone more frequently to remind me of thinging that need to be done. I would like to think that it is because i am growing old and not because of chemo brain..Ha...ha!

My stint as a Master of ceremonies was an interesting experience for me as i not been an MC for treasure hunt before. I did receive praises which i am really happy about.

I have not registered for the Relay for Life KL this year yet. I hope to do it soon for my mother and me.

I got a call yesterday from my faithful blog visitor Uma to find out how i am doing as she did not see any post by me recently. I told her i am fine..it just that too many issues to deal with recently. Thank you Uma for checking on me and in way you act as a reminder...ha..ha!

When i saw my blog this morning, i realised i have not blogged for for more that 2 weeks. Ooops!

I have volunteered to be the Master fo ceremonies for the Hospice Klang treasure hunt over the weekend. I have been a master of ceremonies for many corporate events such as convention, MOU signing ceremony, award presentation for my company but this is the first time where a motor treasure hunt programme is involved.

I have been a volunteer with Hospice Klang since 1998. But after i had cancer myself, i was not much interest and did not do any voluntary work. So when i recently went to meet the new committee members including the President Dr Micheal Yoong, i found a lot of new faces.

When i became a cancer survivor, my focus of doing voluntary work changed. I rather talk to people about cancer and create awareness to larger group of people than having to meet cancer patients often and to be reminded of the past. Even i have stopped becoming a hospital vounteer now. I just want to live out of fear of cancer and sickness.

Of course there are survivors who now volunteer so eagerly to do voluntary work including dealing with patients and my hats off to them.

Hope my first attempt as emcee for a treasure hunt turns out to be success.

eHomemakers

At a spur of a moment, I joined the ehomakers as a member recently. I received their first newsletter for 2009 yesterday which was informative. I just wanted to discover the various opportunities available working from home.

After all, because of work, I cannot be leaving home at 6.30 and coming back at 7.30pm and traveling by public transport for the rest of my life. Eventually I was to find something closely to home so that I do not spend half my time of the day traveling.

March was an interesting month. Lastly year during my birthday I was arriving from New Delhi and this year on my birthday, the whole family was on our way back from Cherating after a short holiday. Because of the heat, I had bad stomach pain in the morning then as we reached home after several hours of traveling, I came down with a severe headache. What a way to celebrate a birthday…ha..ha. But still I had lots of presents and well wishes from so many good souls…to me these are priceless.

And now I have been suffering from a bad cough since last week, of course it is much better but still I have been missing a lot of sleep. Even with this cough I was able to take part in a speech contest but was unlucky as I did not win any awards. This is the first time actually I have entered the final round and did not win anything. It was definitely a disappointment.

I am currently reading the book The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga which was given to me as a birthday present. I am really quite pleased with myself as I have been able to read a number of books lately. I also have several books I have not read yet.

International Women of Courage Award

Congrats to Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan to be recognized for her contributions to women and human rights advocacy in their homeland…being the receipt of the International Women of Courage Award.

Being a former member of the BAR myself, I am extremely proud of her achievements and to be recongised internationally. I just managed to read her speech given at the grand award ceremony amidst many distinguished ladies. Receiving the award from two dynamic ladies US First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is beyond anyone’s wildest dream.

We women can do anything it if we put our mind to it. May many more Malaysians rise to international recognition and do themselves and Malaysia proud.