Building Big: Week 4 of 8

So, a few weks back, I decided to break the monotony of my regular training and picked up one of those workout books with lofty proclamations. This particlar one was: "Build Big Arms in 8 Weeks".

Published by the folks at Men's Fitness, the workouts did look interesting and doable for someone like me (still learning the ropes with slightly limited time).

As so I took up the challenge, and it turned out to be tougher than expected, but thoroughly ENJOYABLE!

Anyway, after 2 weeks, I was pretty satisfied with the results...

Please don't bang my poyo pose though, still learning mah!

And this is me after 4 weeks. Feeling better than ever although I was a bit under the weather for a good one week. Looking forward to the next 4 weeks. Keep lifting, folks!

MH370: It's Not, And NEVER Will Be Funny...

A few days ago, the topic on BFM's "Talkback Thursday" was (I'm paraphrasing here): "How soon is too soon to joke about MH370?"

Unfortunately, most callers went off topic when they basically took potshots at the "bungling authorities" who've been responsible for some conflicting info and flip flopping. But those who stayed on the subject basically said that a tragedy is never funny, and that there is no place for humour when the grieving has yet to end.

As someone who very much appreciates humour and deploys it regularly for just about anything, here's what I think: The loss of innocent lives is NEVER funny. For example, we don't make fun of those who died in the Highland Towers incident. It's been years, but when a documentary on it was shown on History Channel, everyone still feels the shock, pain and suffering.

The Tsunami of 2004 will never be "funny". Although the word "tsunami" itself has crept into our consciousness now, and the context of which is often times, inappropriately used; there's nothing funny in how people were swept away to their deaths.

Back to MH370, it's even made harder as we're nowhere near to finding out what really happened. There is simply no closure yet, even a month after it happened. And while it's easy to type #PrayForMH370 on your keyboard, it has not gotten easier for the families of those who're involved to understand and accept this unexpected tragedy.

So really, is it THAT hard to apply common sense in this situation and determine ourselves what's appropriate and what's utterly tasteless?

I was one of those who took potshots at the bomoh and his coconuts, but that was only because I believe the bomoh himself was insulting everyone, including the passengers' families. But really, it's just best for us to shut up and actually pray for some answers (and I mean, actual praying, not praying through hashtagging).

And so, to me.... Chef Wan's Instagram post on finding a piece of debris? TASTELESS.

Hashtag similar to #PrayForMH370, like #PrayForManU? Not funny, and VERY insulting.

But the most insulting I've come across so far is the already-infamous AirAsia inflight magazine article which includes this inset...

Yes, this is indeed beyond tasteless.

The airline though has come out to apologise and say that the whole article was prepared well in advance. As someone who've worked in publishing before, I can confirm that this is true. BUT, there was ample time for the publishers to have gone through the pages again after the incident happened to ensure that nothing sensitive was published. And I sure do hope that this was indeed written well in advance, as a potshot like this, if done intentionally, actually borders on being criminal.

I remember an incident when I was still editing FHM (Malaysia). Now, FHM is a magazine that takes the piss out of everything. Yet, when the Australia edition published some so-called "funny" captions on photos of people being crushed at Hillsborough in a 2002 issue, all hell broke loose. The stunt was described as "sickening" and "tasteless beyond belief", and there was no way to defend it. Personally, I myself wanted to punch the editor in the face.

And that's what people who even think about making fun of this tragedy really deserve...

English College: 100 Years Of Excellence

Full story coming soon, but first, enjoy these snaps : )

Hello 2014!

It just seems like yesterday that… ah, I'm sure you know all the cliches about how time really flies, bla bla bla. It's a brand new year, like it or not, and we can be blah about it or we can take this opportunity to revisit or unleash brand spanking new resolutions.

I've got a few of my own. But let me keep most to myself, and just say that I will definitely be picking up from where I left off as far as my physical transformation goes.

Last year, I started working out on a more semi-serious basis, with the dream of a cover model body as a result. Haha. A big asking, I know. But after I was hit by the running bug, which led me to starting the Larian 40 Taman movement, I felt better than ever and was raring to start something else physically challenging.

So, I started to run less and less in 2013. I probably entered three events and although I registered for a few more later in the year, I was just not fit enough for them, having cut down a lot on cardio.

So instead, I spent more time in the gym. I made the switch from Celebrity Fitness to Fitness First and kept a consistent routine while working on perfecting my form and building my general strength.

Things became a bit complicated after I moved on to a new job, though. I used to workout during lunch time, but it was not possible at the new work place. So now, I usually go to the condo gym 2-3 times on weekdays and hit the FF at IOI mall during weekends.

Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the progress I've made. I feel good, and the tshirts are getting tighter. Haha. So the goal now is just to keep going and see how ripped I can get. Yes, that also means eating "cleaner", which is not always the easiest thing to do.

I must admit that I do miss running, though. Especially running in events where the adrenaline usually pushes you past your limits. So I'm also striving to slot in a bit more running time, although not too much, so as not to lose what I gain in the gym.

Wish me luck and have a great year ahead!

My Favourite Moments Of 2013

Every year since the past few years, I've done a year-end list of my favourite moments that I share on this very blog. Although I do the list mainly for fun, it's also a nice reminder of how blessed my life is.

2013 was another year of milestones and moments to cherish and remember. As usual, we had great family vacations, and ventured to a couple of new destinations; Sydney and Amsterdam.

On the career front, I moved on to a new job after more than six years, and even gave up a couple of things I never thought I would.

And there's nothing like the joys of fatherhood, especially when you have a daughter who's growing up fast and every moment spent is special in its own way. Some, you just want to rewind over and over again, knowing full well that she can't stay as your little princess forever.

But 2013 was also special to me because of the spiritual journey I went on in April to to the holy cities of Mekah and Madinah for my umrah. Yes, there was the distraction of the general elections that threw the trip into some doubt, but really, there was no hesitation in my heart that it was what I needed most in my life.

You can read the full experience HERE, but perhaps I can add that months after that wonderful journey, the biggest lessons I've learned and embraced are two of the most basic things in life; redha and syukur.

Fully embraced, they are truly keys to one's happiness. Well, at least for me. And really, when I look back on 2013, I can only be profoundly thankful for everything that's happened in my life...